Juliana Moves

Happy snow day! The winter storm sweeping parts of America finally reached us last night and so far we’ve gotten about 7 inches of snow! It is so cozy and pleasant. This morning I peeked outside to check on the snowfall and the Christmas lights made everything look extra beautiful.

This weekend was freezing too, but I had plenty of running to do. I have to be honest: I do not love running in the cold. I get slightly overdressed and then I sweat just enough to freeze if I take any of the layers off! Plus, my skin. My poor face is constantly wind chapped and just feels tired. I am using all the hydrating products I can get my hands on!

I think this is going to be an awesome week. It should be a good, productive week at work, there’s plenty of snow on the ground to feel extra wintery, and it’s a down week for running! All in all, cozy vibes here in the Nicolini Mannon household. Here’s what I’ve been…

…Reading: I just finished reading National Dish by Anya Von Bremzen and here’s my honest review. It was interesting, but I did NOT like the way it was written. I can’t explain it. The last two chapters were the most interesting by far, but all around I was disappointed. It had such potential! I’m also reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel and it is quite good so far. It does take place in a post-pandemic world where society has collapsed, which feels… a little too soon to read about.

…Eating: Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup. We had this on the list for this week so yesterday, as I was procrastinating my run, I decided I’d prepare it using the slow cook setting on our Instant Pot. It was very nice to come home to a fully cooked soup and it took basically no effort at all.

…Wearing: Oversized gloves. This weekend Patrick and I were preparing for a trail run and I was complaining about a pair of Smartwool gloves that I have that are ripped and are supposed to be touchscreen compatible, but just aren’t. (First world problems, I know.) Patrick pointed out that they’re way too big for me, and I disagreed! I’d been wearing them for two years and they worked just fine. For the rest of my run, though, I was hyperfixated on the fact that they were too big. The fingers are probably .75 inches longer than mine are… Oops! 

…Listening to: Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap. This is such a good book. I listen to it at the gym, in the car, around the house, wherever! It should be required listening (or reading) for everyone. 

…Drinking: Hot chocolate! I had hot chocolate today before a call and on Saturday after I finished my trail run. I recently had the realization that I could put hot water in a Hydroflask and it would stay hot enough for coffee or tea or hot chocolate post-long run. It’s delightful! I also recently tried the LMNT Chocolate Salt in hot water and didn’t hate it. I think it’d be really nice mixed into a hot chocolate too.

…Thinking About: Wanting to travel. I would really really love to go abroad again this year!

…Excited For: My whole training block! Look, my legs lately have been extremely funky. First both of my quads felt outrageously painful and sore. Then my right knee started bothering me, then my left leg started bothering me – it’s all extremely annoying! I feel like my hips are encased in cement and I can’t go faster than 11:30 min/miles. I’ve never experienced something like this. That said, I am still putting in the work and having a great time! Patrick and I had a big mountain day two weekends ago and it reminded me how much I love being outdoors.

If you’re officially back to work or school this week, I hope you can ease into it. As we enter the thick of winter, I hope there’s something you’re looking forward to come spring but that you can enjoy the best of winter at the same time.

Love,

JN