Camping in Norway, be specific and little oily things

HI all!
Merry and happy! Since Christmas and New Year are on Wednesdays this year, it means no Strength Training for Runners for two weeks. BUT actually, class is cancelled for four weeks. I will be leaving January 6 for a course in Norway.  It is billed as "training for those thinking about a ski expedition in arctic regions" and I am curious to see if this is going to be for me. I will be practicing not dying in the very cold Norwegian winter while skiing around pulling stuff and camping out. Highlights will include a full 6 hours of daylight, sleeping in a negative 40 degree sleeping bag and snacks that might break my teeth but hopefully I will learn some new skills and more importantly, something about myself. I will either find a new way to use my endurance and start dreaming of an expedition to Greenland, or I will let you know which gear I will be selling! 

In the lead up to my trip I will share things I am excited about and things keeping me awake. This week in the excited column we have the idea of being out at night getting to see the stars and maybe even the northern lights. And keeping me up at night is the thought of getting out of my sleeping bag to pee in the middle of the night. I have a funnel and a bottle but I also have fear of getting things wet that should be dry and will not be practicing much pre-trip. Praying for steady hands and mild dehydration. 

If you want to keep the Wednesday strength training going this week, you can do this recording any day, just get it in!  

BE SPECIFIC
Are you feeling the pull of new year's resolutions? While you may think they are dumb, you may also want to make some. You know two things can be true at once! So, if you are going to make resolutions or are just testing out some new habits, here is one tip for helping make a new habit sticky. MAKE IT SPECIFIC. 
If I say I want to work out more, or run faster that is just too general, how much more is more, what does faster mean? What workouts will I do, when? Get really specific in WHAT you are trying to accomplish and in HOW you will do it. 

• NOT SPECIFIC: I want to run faster.
• SPECIFIC, YAY: I want to run faster so I will add in hill strides once per week on my Tuesday group run since, I know many of the group are also looking to up their game and will join me. 

Notice the new habit, strides during a run is on top of an already established habit. Another way to make a habit sticky. Go ahead, make a resolution, just be specific. 

TOP 20 WOMEN'S SPORTS STORIES THIS YEAR
Here is a compilation of the top 20 women's sports stories this year. From skiing world cup victories and record setting LGPA payouts, to the first ever women's Red Bull Rampage and Sifan Hassan's amazing Olympic runs to Ilona Maher being the queen of everything to Katie Schide winning Western States and UTMB and a women finishing the Barkley for the first time ever, go Jasmin, it was an awesome year. They forgot Sunny Stroer finishing the 1,000 mile Iditarod on skis but otherwise, this list LIFTED me up and made my cheeks hurt from smiling. 

HOLIDAY ENERGY
For anyone needing a little holiday energy, here are some feel good stories, no matter what you are celebrating right now. 

• I didn't realize the world needed Sandra Clause until I saw her. Sandra, Santa's younger transgender sister needs to be in malls everywhere. Sandra doesn’t expect anyone to sit on her lap, no scary beard and says the naughty and nice list is a lie. 
• Apparently, the Yiddish definition of latke is "little oily thing" so why not sub out the potatoes and try this version with ramen noodles! Can't think of a much oilier thing that would be a real crowd pleaser. The world of recipe creation is amazing. 
• Three dishes I promise you haven't thought of for Winter Solstice. 

Happy trails!