Yesterday at a Hy Vee nuun sampling one of the ladies that worked at the store gave me two hardy Hibiscus plants that were on their way to the trash bin. The first frost warnings usually comes around the 10th so I don't have much time to get the bushes in to the ground and give them time to take root before they have the cold stressing them. In very pessimistic tone I was told by the floral manager that the plants would not make it. They may or may not but I choose to believe that their label of hardy is true and they will come back in the late spring.
It got me thinking of winter and how we plan to weather it this year. Last night was our first frost warning and its 8 days early this year. The hibiscus spent the night in my car. Eight days early is rather disheartening.
Last year at the marathon, I ran the half, my feet were incredibly cold and it was 37 degrees the entire time I was out. I was not dressed warmly enough so that made a big difference in my energy efficiency. This year I am planning for keeping my core as well as my extremities warm so my body does not have to work so hard to pump warm blood to my freezing bare feet.
I am second guessing whether or not I am an "indoor" winter runner or a "hardy" winter runner. For that matter I am contemplating how profoundly the weather and outdoor temperature affects my level of motivation and overall mood. If I know what to expect I can plan ahead for it and make things easier on myself. The whole family included.
Whats that saying about wishes in one hand and sh!ttining in the other which one would fill up faster......regardless, I wish that we could winter in a warm climate. I would love to live in Hawaii again during the winter and Iowa in the spring, summer, and fall. Being a snowbird is certainly in my nature and we have only had a frost warning so far!
I must say that it is lovely to see the boys in their hoodies and sweat pants and snuggling on the couch under a blanket with the hubby watching Fringe is awfully nice. I don't mind running on the treadmill if it means no freezing lungs although long runs are going to be tricky. Chili and soups make eating in the winter a little too satisfying!
Hopefully if I plant those hibiscus a little deeper and give them a big mound of mulch they will make it til spring. I need some thermal tights, fleece arm sleeves, a good hoodie, a cute crocheted hat and to think lots of warm thoughts.
You're speaking my language. Every year winter gets harder for me--I would be quite content to never see snow again! But I do find that getting runs in all winter outside lifts my mood a bit.
ReplyDeleteI think you're hardy and I think your plant will be too!
I will be studying your posts to find out how you handle winter because this has been the biggest thing on my mind recently. What am I going to do when it gets really cold?
ReplyDeleteI hate treadmills. I love outside. I want to be a snowbird really badly too.
Last year was my first full winter I stayed out...I both loved and hated it. Wisconsin winters are miserable although I love how everything sparkles as the sun comes up...you just don't see that in the summer. But long runs when it's 7 degrees leaves much to be desired!
ReplyDeleteHope you find the happy medium!
I'm like your weather opposite. The fall & winter (in TEXAS) weather give me a much needed shot of energy and every June, my motivation declines as I prepare for warm, humid runs.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I LOVE Fringe.
Eeeek!! I really hope they make it - but I heard that it was realllly cold there this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'm so the opposite of you LOL. I love cold weather and run so much happier in it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely keep your core warm. I can deal with a cold lower body if my upper body is warm. Of course, I've always worn socks and shoes when running in the winter, so I'm not sure what it would be like to run with bare feet. Not sure how many miles I'll be putting in in vibrams come really cold weather.
Think positive. You are hardy.
Winters are fun since I don't really have to deal with them. When we lived in MA I loved the first snow and maybe a few more weeks of it. After that I was ready for spring. Now that we don't have snow, I actually enjoy winters. I mean like a couple of years ago I had to spend three months in Poland and they had a winter of a century. I loved it! Some of my best runs happened then. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteHope your winter is not too hard and you can do more of your barefoot snow runs.
I’m sure you are hardy and I’m sure the Hibiscus will make it. I’m so lucky that I live where I can run outside throughout the year. I think I’ll die on a treadmill.
ReplyDeletelast year was the first year I ran outside all winter, never thought I would but I did.
ReplyDeleteBut ask me if I'll do it again in December.....when the snow flies!
I grew up in Florida where hibiscus plants remain green year round. Now, in NC, they disappear for the winter. After 10 years, I still find that disheartening, even though they have come back up every spring so far. Anyway, if you've got a cute crocheted hat, warm thoughts, chili, good company (and a treadmill) you'll be hardier than the hibiscus!
ReplyDeleteBTW, thanks for stopping by my blog and for the comment!