After a week of working long hours, I needed to get out of this house this weekend. Unfortunately, this weekend we are having subzero temperatures. However, I am determined, or stubborn, depending on how you look at it. Not only that, but I also got some snowshoes that I’ve been wanting to try. By the way, I had to order my snowshoes online because they are sold out everywhere, including the cities close to where I live. I did not know this was such a popular winter sport.

To be honest, my running inspiration has not been anywhere close to where it was in the summer and fall. Yes, it has been cold, but honestly— this has been the warmest December and January I’ve experienced in 5 years. This weekend is the first time that its been extremely cold, but it was bound to happen. It always does. Anyhow, being that I have this lack of motivation, I knew that I needed to try something else. And I am here to tell you that snowshoeing was indeed something else.

Clothing wise, I was ready and was not cold during the walk even though the temperature was 2°F and felt like -8°F. It was not until the end that my toes started getting cold, so I turned around. And yes, I know— I need to get me some gaiters or wear higher winter boots.

The beauty of this little adventure was that my playground was my backyard—literally. We have plenty of fields surrounding our house and the owners have no problem letting me snowshoe there. While we have a crop farm, we currently live in town. But I could easily drive 4 minutes to our fields and snowshoe there, if necessary.

So what was the verdict? I LOVED IT! So much that I cannot wait to head out again. I am only sorry that, for the next week, the temperatures are going to be insane and it would not be wise to head out on those temperatures. But as soon as its better, I am out the door because it is a great exercise that made me realize my cardio endurance is not as good as I thought it was. LOL.

There are some technical aspects that get better the more you practice, like adjusting your walking taking wider steps, using heel-to-toe step when in deep snow and more. It is actually pretty intuitive, and once you are walking for a bit, it just comes natural. Once I settled on a good pace and stride, it was like going on auto-pilot with my relaxing playlist (see below), on low volume. It was THE best experience I’ve had in the snow since I moved to Minnesota.

By the time I got home, I had frost on me, and my dog was upset because I didn’t bring with. :) But it was way too cold for him. I took him out for like 5 minutes during which he fearlessly jumped in the snow and played around. He loves it. But again— too cold for him. Needless to say, I slept like a baby last night and woke up with a big appetite. LOL. Oh the fun of life in the Northern Midwest.

Did you do anything fun this weekend?

Some of my favorite link-ups to join: Tuesday Topics/ Weekly Run Down / Nature Notes / Pictorial Tuesday / Sky Watch Friday / Friday with Fairytales & Fitness