Knowing The Difference Between Badass And Dumbass

When hurricane Sandy was rolling in, I had to get to the pharmacy. On my short drive there, I saw a woman out power walking in the driving rain and thought:

There's badass, and then there's dumbass. Know the difference!

I had to remind myself of the same thing when I took my new Garmin Forerunner 10 out for a test run on December 26.

Garmin Forerunner 10

The Weather Channel App said that it was snowing,

Weather Channel App (snow)

so I bundled up.

Nike HatLong-sleeved running topsRunning Gloves

I walked to my starting point and turned on my Garmin Forerunner 10. It took a bit longer to find the satellite signal than my Garmin 405 usually does, but that could be because it was its first use. Once it was ready, I hit the start button and began my run.

After I turned the first corner, it felt like my face was being pelting with sleet, and it sounded more like sleet than snow. As I started up the first hill, I noticed that the road was a bit slick, although I never lost my footing. As I neared the edge of my neighborhood, I was debating what to do. The precipitation felt wetter and wetter and I could barely see because my glasses were covered with drops of water. To run beyond my neighborhood, I would have to use sidewalks–which were untreated and accumulating a layer of partially frozen slush.

I decided that continuing to run would be more dumbass than badass. There was no reason to risk a twisted ankle–or a cracked Garmin!–from a fall. There was no reason to risk a cold from getting soaked to the skin with icy rain. Since I was keeping my Garmin dry under my jacket sleeve, I couldn’t even see the display, so it wasn’t much of a test run. I opted to head home, running halfway up my hill to minimize the time I would have to spend walking in what had become quite miserable weather!

Another check of the Weather Channel App confirmed what I had learned first-hand.

Weather Channel App (winter advisory)

When I got in the house I realized just how soaked I was. I had to change clothes completely before I could round out my workout time with Jillian.

This DVD jumped into my cart when I was doing some last-minute Christmas shopping. I have several friends who like it–I’ll let you know what I think when I’ve made it through all three levels! After 20 minutes with Jillian, I did my 7 minute plank routine. I had to keep reminding myself of this motivational mantra to finish each 30-second plank.

hard is where it happens

Do you know the difference between badass and dumbass?

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Wordless Wednesday (The Fitmas Edition)

I hope everyone had a great holiday, and if Santa stopped by your house,
I hope he was as good to you as he was to me!

His fitmas gifts have my whole day covered.

For my o’dark-thirty runs:

Garmin Forerunner 10

For my breakfast:

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Small Fry Egg Pan + L’il Flip Spatula

For a mid-day bike ride:

Cycling Shirt

Cycling Shirt

All day long:

Infusion Water Pitcher

Something to wear when I’m not sweating:

Runner Girl Necklace

For bedtime:

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Bathrobe + PJs + Slippers

What did you find under your fitmas tree?

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Tiger Lilly Protects Us From Santa Claus

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Merry Christmas!

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Have A Spectackylar Christmas!

I really have no right to complain about tacky Christmas decorations.

I have quite a selection of festive holiday shirts

and a truly spectacular Christmas sweater I found at a thrift store.

I think it outshines our tree!

This year we replaced our white Christmas tree with a more traditional green one,

but the kids aren’t the only ones who are missing this sparkly wonder.

White Christmas Tree

But inflatable yard decorations do nothing for me,

especially when they are over-done.

Xmas Inflatables

Because nothing says “Merry Christmas” like Santa in an outhouse?!

Outhouse Santa

Do you have a tacky spectacular holiday sweater?

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Love Is The Reason For The Season

Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent. The fourth week of Advent usually is shorter than a full week, but this year it is as short as possible, since tomorrow we will start celebrating  Christmas!

Are you ready for Christmas?

Our tree is decorated and presents are spilling out from under its branches.

Christmas Tree 3

Christmas cookies have been made–and eaten.

empty cookie tin

Looks like we need to make more for Santa!

The theme of the fourth week of Advent–love–works well for Christmas too.

They say that “Jesus is the reason for the season,” but Jesus spent his life preaching and teaching about love–and proclaiming the Good News of God’s love for us all. At Christmas, we buy gifts for those we love, we travel over the river and through the woods to visit with those we love, and we plan and prepare a special meal to enjoy with those we love. If you are losing sleep over your holiday to-do list and stressing over the things that just won’t get done, remember the reason for your December dashing, and keep in mind that the most important gift you can give your loved ones is you!

In the final, frazzled days leading up to Christmas, it always helps me to remember these words from How The Grinch Stole Christmas:

Christmas Day is in our grasp
so long as we have hands to clasp.
Christmas Day will always be
Just as long as we have we.
Welcome, Christmas, while we stand
Heart to heart … and hand in hand.

This reduces Christmas to its essence–spending time with family and friends.

Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent:

In our watching and our waiting,
Come Lord Jesus.
In our hopes and in our fears,
Come Lord Jesus.
In our homes and in our world,
Come Lord Jesus.
Come bless us and surprise us.
Amen

Are you ready for Christmas?

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