Waiting till it warms up to the 30's.

I'm just going to wait till it warms up to the 30's. The temp is at 15+F this morning. I don't need to go out and ski asap. I will get out when it warms up a bit. 

I haven't decided on where to ski today. I could go to my favorite park and do the same old loop or go back to the new ski trail in Farmington that I skied yesterday or better yet go to a old but not done trail in Hastings that I've skied a few times before but haven't done in ages. I have one more option. The U of M has some land near us that also has a cross country ski trail. They do hunting in the area so I need to check first to see if Hunting season for pheasants is over to not get shot while skiing. I don't need to be worried about hunters while skiing. So many choices for ski trails which I like unfortunately, I just can't do them all in one day. 

Last night, I got this great idea to set up those lights in bags all over the yard in the shape of 2016. It was kind of a fail. We get too much light from the street lamp next to our driveway so it was never dark enough.

I only had brown paper bags, not white but that was okay. I drew out 2016 in the snow first, found a bunch of tea light candles around the house, had to use rocks to weight the bags down. 

The tough part was to light all those candles hunched over. One bag did catch fire, but since it was in snow no worries. It just didn't really look like anything out in the yard  just like my photo.

 What is that? I suppose it would have been fun to light up the path behind our house and go for a walk at night. Maybe I'll do that too with the bags and lights for tonight? Leave it for others to enjoy too? I just need a few more tealights. 

We had a New Years Day meal cooked by Steve. A pan seared pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes roasted brussel sprouts and mushrooms. 

Logan made more creme brulee using his torch to make the caramelized sugar topping. 

We toasted to the new year with a bottle of bubbly. Maybe that's why I had a slight headache this morning. 

Cheers to the New Year.... 

One workout done, only 365 days left to exercise.

One workout done on Day 1 of the New Year. I tried a brand new ski park, Whitetail Wood Regional Park in Farmington. 

The trails were nicer groomed then my usual Lebanon Park which I liked. I think the scenery at Lebanon is still far better then this new park. It was more out in the open and had two tight loops around which didn't take you far from the people. I kind of like going way out in the park where hardly any people go. This park loops around the lake with the hiking trail and ski trail. There is also another loop in a field that is boring and windy as I found out. I did like the variety and it still provided an almost 5 mile workout of cross county skiing. 

The biggest surprise was the trail went right over a raised dock over the wet land and a stream. It was fun skiing over it to the other side. 

While I cross country skied, Steve hiked by the lake. 

This park is a little bit of a drive, but I'll be back to ski it again. Change is good and I'm glad I figure out this new ski trail. 

2016 Here we are.

Here we are a fresh year 2016. 

A little New Years Eve recap before we start the new year.. 

(did you see my fortune.. I like the... side with him who dares.. ) 

We spent this New Years Eve with the kids. We got take out Chinese food, made Creme brulae with Logan. Using his new blow torch to make the sugar on top form a crust was super fun. 

We all played some games then watched Dick Clark's or should I say Ryan Seacrest New Years Eve on TV. I didn't last till the new year, I got up at 4:30am, and was ready for bed by 10pm. Steve did wake me up 15 minutes before 12am, but we both slept right through the celebration.  

Steve and I were going to join friends at their house for some drinks and to ring in the new year, but after being at home and all tired out.. we opted to stay in and just spend it with the kids. 

I was up bright and early 6am in the new year to watch  the sun rise and get in some new year Yoga. I've developed a lot of good daily habits the past few years.  Getting up early, doing yoga for an hour each morning along with a little meditating will remain part of the new year in 2016. 

I'm all about the numbers. I enjoy putting it all on a spread sheet. I had been a bit lazy about all my monthly workout totals so I had some tallying up to do. 

Here are my yearly totals!

Grand Total Miles for all = 1643 miles. 

Total running miles = 936 miles

Biking miles = 397

Cross ramp miles = 230

X-ski miles = 47

Elliptical miles = 22

I counted up my rest day 67! Last year, my rest days were only 27 days. This might be why I got in less total miles but not by much only 269 difference. 

I also wore my Fitbit for the entire 2015

Total steps = 4,300,657 or 2,096 miles 

Avg per day = 11,783 steps

Floors in one year = 8,363 

What I'm also going to be doing in the new year 2016 is to keep eating healthy foods. I started being more mindful of what I am eating back in October. I plan to continue eating more veggies, fruits and a lot less sugar/fried foods. I want 2016 to be the year I am back in all my skinny jeans. 

I'll continue to run in the new year, along with cross country ski, biking, cross ramp. I'll keep trying to meet my daily step goals of 11,000 per day. 

I'll keep going my daily exercises; Planks, twists, bridge, triceps, lunges and biceps every morning. I'll keep adding more minutes to my planks at 2 minutes x 4, and adding more time from 1 minute on my side planks. 

I'd like to do more volunteering at races this next year.  Celina and I helped out at the Monster Dash handing out water and I'd like to do more this coming year. 

I enjoyed playing soccer on a co-ed adult team all last year. This year I'm taking a soccer break. I loved it but my toes did not. I had a lot of black sore nails and it's not the best for running. I would like to coach another kids soccer team so we shall see about this for the new year? 

I plan to do a lot of biking and want to try doing a Dualathalon (run/bike) race in the spring. I've always wanted to do this race and I think this is the year I should check that off. 

I'd like to run another half marathon. Not sure what race and when but it's on my todo list. I'm hoping to train this year and get past my toe issues of them hurting after mile 6. 

I positively want to do more camping this year. Hiking, biking, kayaking, boating and just being outdoors as much as I can. 

We took a few whole family trips this past year. I'd like to do more of that this year. A trip to South Dakota, up to Grand Marais again.. and maybe Colorado? 

I want to focus more on being positive. Finding more happiness in each day. Living life to the fullest and challenging myself to do more. 

Happy 2016.. here's to a healthy, happy, fit new year!