Snow Day Struggles: Running Plans Thwarted, but Perspective Gained

Written February 19, 2025

reviewed 3/2

Hello Dear Readers,

Well, there goes my run—canceled, thanks to a generous overnight delivery from Mother Nature. Snow blanketed everything, and with temperatures stubbornly hanging below freezing, it’s not melting anytime soon. Schools across Nashville have shut their doors, throwing parents into chaos. Do they brave the roads and head to work, or do they scramble to find last-minute childcare? The great snow day debate. It’s a logistical nightmare for many, but keeping kids safe comes first.

For us, though? Not exactly a crisis. My wife works from home now, a far cry from her former 80-hour-a-week, always-on-the-move lifestyle. She used to thrive on that pace—until I nearly died from a brain stroke. That changed everything. She still brings it up sometimes, but I know there’s a lot she doesn’t say. She doesn’t need to. The shift in her priorities says it all. These days, she avoids crowded spaces, dodges anyone who so much as sniffles, and keeps a close eye on me. To most people, I probably look fine—no obvious signs of past medical issues. But my kidneys are still compromised, and something as minor as a cold could spiral into something serious. My wife knows that. And she never forgets.

Truthfully, I don’t blame her. I worked hard—really hard—to regain as much function as possible. The last thing I want is to put my family through that kind of fear again. Once was more than enough.

Remote work has been a game-changer for her. Some people hate it—too many distractions, not enough structure. But for her? It’s perfect. She thrives on creating processes, developing automation, and solving complex problems that most people wouldn’t even know where to begin. Nothing really breaks her focus. Well, almost nothing. The fear of my near-death experience still lingers in the background, even if she doesn’t always talk about it. Instead of letting it paralyze her, she adapted. If she can’t erase the fear, she can at least manage it—and working from home is part of that strategy.

As for me, I have mixed feelings about today’s forced break. On one hand, I wasn’t exactly excited about an hour-long run in below-freezing temperatures. On the other hand, I don’t like missing scheduled runs. Skipping throws off my rhythm, and I know how easily one missed workout can turn into two, then three. But if I can’t run, I can at least make myself useful.

Shoveling it is. Not the full driveway—that’s asking too much—but enough to clear a path for any brave delivery drivers attempting to make their rounds. Amazon doesn’t care about the weather, and I’d rather not have packages stranded in a snowbank. It’s not the workout I planned, but it’s still movement, and at least it gives me an excuse to step outside.

So, no run today. But I’ll survive. And hopefully, so will my perfectly timed book order.

Snow Day Fitness Struggle and Challenges

Written January 10, 2025

Hello Dear Readers,

Snow day vibes are in full swing! The official news of school closures arrived this morning, and honestly, it felt like getting a surprise day off—a winter gift wrapped in frost. Outside, it’s snowing again, so my running shoes are sitting this one out. Our neighborhood, with its steep hills, is basically a snow-covered obstacle course right now, and I’d prefer not to star in my own accidental slapstick comedy. I already skipped Monday’s run, which triggered some minor guilt, but today’s weather is infinitely worse. Oh well—what’s done is done. I’m choosing to focus on the positives, like the promising forecast for next week. By next Saturday, it’s supposed to warm up to a balmy 50°F. Just imagine—no snow, no ice, and (hopefully) no excuses.

Now, let me entertain you with yesterday’s little home gym drama. The trusty planking platform, which has been part of our workout routine for over a year, decided it couldn’t take the pressure anymore and developed a charming crack. My immediate thought? Break out the super glue and duct tape—it’s basically the DIY version of “Hold my protein shake; I’ve got this.” However, my wife, ever the pragmatist, put a firm stop to my repair dreams. Her argument? Something about not wanting to risk a workout injury that could land us in physical therapy. Fair point. So, it looks like we’re shopping for a new planking platform soon. The old one has been semi-retired, and I’ve promised to say my goodbyes with grace.

In the meantime, today’s planking session had to happen the old-fashioned way—right on the floor. Let me tell you, switching to the bare floor brings an entirely different level of focus. It’s just you, the timer on your app, and the creeping realization that the seconds seem to stretch longer than usual when there’s no fancy gadget involved. Staying in the game without the platform was surprisingly tough. Who knew planking could turn into such a mental battle?

On the bright side, improvising my workout at home made me realize I don’t need all the bells and whistles to stay active, even if the process isn’t as smooth. Plus, there’s a certain charm to adapting and pushing through despite the odds—or at least that’s what I’m telling myself to feel better about today’s chaotic workout.

So, as the snow continues to fall, I’m trying to embrace this cozy pause while keeping one eye on the brighter days ahead. Here’s hoping for clear skies, clear roads, and fewer broken fitness gadgets in the near future.

Stay warm, stay active (even if it’s on the floor), and as always, stay fabulous!