Seattle Snow (and birthday stuff)

One reason Matt and I chose Seattle for our big move was the weather. We loved the idea of seasons, but neither of us wanted to live somewhere with snowy winters. Been there, done that.

Seattle winters are wet, sure, but they're not snowy. Temperatures in the 40s are completely doable, and I've acclimated quickly. We had a sprinkling of snow back in October or November, but it didn't stick and barely counted as a flurry. Still, it was exciting. I realized I wouldn't mind some snowfall now and then.

Early in the week leading up to the Snowpocalypse, we had some light snow and I got to experience my first snowy run. This is something I've seen other runners post about all winter long and I've always wanted to run in snow. It just looks so pretty and fun! I loved conquering this milestone; I was honestly elated the entire time, and I got to figure out what kind of clothes work well in freezing temps.

Then came the weekend's Polar Vortex. While the timing was inconvenient, the snow was welcome. We watched in awe as the sky just absolutely dumped big, fat flakes that stuck. It started out light; we were just leaving Scott and Robby's that Friday night when the heavier snows began and we realized we may be homebound all weekend.

Valentine's Day and my birthday were duly interrupted, but honestly, it was a blast!

This article is full of absolutely fascinating facts about snowfall in Seattle. I can't believe we got to experience a record-breaking weekend our first winter here!

We got over a foot of snow over the next two days and made the best of it.

Saturday we took a walk around the neighborhood to get a lay of the land.

Sunday I was like, well I guess we're truly not going anywhere anytime soon.

Meet George.

Sledding for the first time in decades!

By Tuesday, the temperatures were back up into the 40s and the snow was melting. I was able to get my belated birthday run done and we had dinner and cake with Scott and Robby.

I ran 3.5 miles for 35 years. My 5k was 26:59, which is my second fastest 5k ever. Considering I haven't been training and this run was a moderate effort, I am pretty stunned. Hills and the Peloton pay off!

Robby cooked an absolutely delicious chicken piccata and risotto dinner. 

Matt ordered me a Seattle Fog cake from Nuflours. It's vanilla cake with lemon and Earl Grey frosting. YUM!

Okay guys, 35 isn't so bad!

By Wednesday, the snow was virtually gone, existing only in random patches in the grass. I don't think I've ever experienced such heavy snowfall that melted away so quickly, and it was kind of perfect. 

We got a real winter experience our first winter here, but it didn't overstay its welcome. While some of our Florida friends have wondered if the snowfall has made us regret the move, the opposite is actually true: we are even more excited to be here after experiencing our first Seattle Snowpocalypse!

ABK

Featured Follow: Jo Ronk, @just_chasing_unicorns

At the end of January, I sent out a questionnaire to a few of my favorite follows on Instagram. These are athletes I find inspiring, funny, educational, and just plain fun to follow.

With the new IG algorithm in place, it can be hard to reach our followers, let alone expand our audiences. I hope that as I share these questionnaires over the next few weeks, you get to know a little more about these runners and find someone new to connect with.

I'm so excited that the first edition of the Featured Follow series is Jo Ronk, aka @just_chasing_unicorns. I've followed Jo for years, having found her through some mutual connections. I always saw her posts as something to aspire to: she never let Florida heat stop her, so why should I?! 

These days, her posts of Florida skies and water soothe my soul when I'm feeling a bit homesick.

Her feed is full of pictures that highlight the fun side of running, even when training and racking up high mileage. I love watching her go after her goal to run Boston (which she's qualified for but didn't quite make the time cut-off) and her dedication to getting stronger. I have some major ab envy, too!

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A post shared by Jo (@just_chasing_unicorns)

Jo seems like such a natural that some of her answers surprised me. A late-blooming runner like myself, she's only been running for 10 years. Her commitment to hard work and her love for running has fueled her to meet some awesome goals as she continues to chase her Boston dream.

I cringed reading about her hardest running moment, at a marathon with a course that would test anyone's mental mettle, and her advice to new runners is spot-on. Read on to learn more about Jo!

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have lived in South Florida since moving to the United States when I was seven. My father was in the military and we lived overseas. I’m in my 27th year of teaching, currently teaching high school. I have two daughters that are in their 20’s. 

I love to work out with Beachbody programs and running marathons. I’m signed up for the Milwaukee Marathon, Berlin Marathon, and Chicago Marathon. Hopefully some of them actually happen. 

I’m also an avid reader and trash tv watcher.

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A post shared by Jo (@just_chasing_unicorns)

Is there anything you struggle with when it comes to running?

I’m very hard on myself and constantly compare myself to others. I tend to get upset at myself if I don’t perform how I want to. There’s been a few races that I took way too seriously. 

What do you love most about running?

I love that I can call myself a runner. I love the bond I feel around other runners. It’s like an instant connection. 

Running helps untangle the craziness of life. It’s just so nice to be out there by myself figuring it all out. 

Running has taught me that I am able to do really anything. It’s given me so much confidence. I feel great about myself nowadays. I’m almost 50 and I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life.

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A post shared by Jo (@just_chasing_unicorns)

Can you share your hardest and proudest running moments?

Running is hard but my most difficult running moment was probably a marathon that was a 3-mile loop over and over and over. It was one of those races that is supposed to help you to qualify for Boston so the field is very small. I was second to last in that race. It was horrible. I put way too much pressure on myself and it showed in my performance. 

 

My proudest moment was the Atlanta Marathon when I got a 20-minute PR. That’s when I figured out that it is possible for me to get faster and probably qualify for Boston. (As you can see, Boston is a huge deal for me!)

Do you have a non-running accomplishment you'd like to share?

My non-running accomplishment has to be my daughter. She has turned out to be a wonderful young lady. 

What is some advice you’d give someone who is interested in starting to run?

I’d say if you are interested in running you should just go for it. I know you might be self conscious about how you look while running but really no one is paying attention. Just go for it.

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A post shared by Jo (@just_chasing_unicorns)

Do you have a favorite running item or article of gear to recommend?

I love my ProCompression socks, Spi Belt and Airpods. 

What is your preferred running shoe?

I prefer Saucony Kinvaras for racing and speed-work and Hoka Cliftons for easy or long runs. I’ve started to wear the Saucony Endorphins during speed-work, too, and they are pretty good. 

Finally, can you share a fellow runner or athlete you love to follow on Instagram?

I love to follow pinkcupcakegirl, runfoxxirun, and heatherrosescott. There's soo many that I love to follow.

I want to thank Jo for taking the time to participate in the first Featured Follow! You can find her on Instagram here to keep up with her journey to Boston. 

ABK

35

Tomorrow is my birthday.

I know I've said it before, but it's hard to talk about aging without repeating this: I never felt sad about hitting 30. Even though I grew up on sitcoms that made a big deal out of turning 30, and these days we're inundated with memes about how age starts to catch up with us when we've said goodbye to 29, I felt like being in my 30s was kind of great.

Danny Tanner was 30 in season one of Full House, and he was already a neat-freak widower with three kids. The cast of Friends was supposed to be in their early 20s. No one was cool after 30 on 90s tv shows! 

The memes make me laugh, but I didn't really relate to them, maybe because I didn't feel 30...or 31, 32, 33, or 34. Mentally, I've felt 28 for the last four years. Despite 2020 being a total shit-show, I didn't feel my 34th year was wasted, especially because I finally fulfilled my dream of leaving education and moving to Seattle.

I love being in my 30s. I feel like I truly know my own mind — I know who I am and what I want, and that knowledge has made me more confident than ever. And you know what goes hand-in-hand with confidence and self-awareness? Well, you really stop caring about what other people think. It's a totally wonderful kind of freedom.

TBH, I've heard turning 40 is even better.

I've spent the last few months exploring who I am without the pressure and distraction of a stressful job clouding my thoughts. I took a self-imposed sabbatical (that's what I'm calling six months of unemployment during a pandemic and cross-country move) that gave me perspective, balance, and a renewed sense of what I want from my life. Generally, 34 was pretty great.

But around November, things started to feel different. I realized I'd be 35, truly mid-30s, and for some reason, that was scary. And, because I'd never before dreaded a birthday, I spun out a bit. I began to worry that this fear and unhappiness would be the new norm, and that I'd never enjoy a birthday again.

Last year I spent my birthday out in public — unmasked! — with friends. I wish this year could have a similar vibe.

I went into hyper-awareness-mode. I started to notice that I'm getting wrinkles, despite using retinol and sunscreen religiously since I turned 25. I'm noticing some changes in my face that I didn't expect to see, seemingly overnight. I honestly think I'm the fittest and strongest I've ever been, but I also realize I'm entering the age where women start to become invisible. Some women embrace that, because they no longer feel they have to perform for society and can finally be comfortable being themselves, but after a year of being cooped up in the house and the start of a new career, I don't welcome invisibility.

And honestly, I think part of what made me start to feel old in November was the culmination of years of exhausting, brutal, depressing politics that left me in a state of constant stress and fear.

We are still living in uncertain times, but I have hope that year 35 is going to feel a little less apocalyptic than 34 did.

So, looking ahead to my birthday, I want to focus on the good: a new era in government that will hopefully usher in some real social changes; a new location; a new career; and feeling healthier and more fulfilled than ever.

I may be stuck at home most of the time, but I'm not going to let this year pass me by.

My intention for this year is to fully embrace the new attitude and energy I discovered in the latter half of my 34th year. This is a year of newness and growth. It's a milestone year, and I want to make it all it can be.

ABK