But I Don't Want To (WW # 168)

Wendy and I host this linkup for
the sole purpose of supporting active women.
We thank you for linking your 
FITNESS  RELATED  POST  with us!

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My co-host Wendy is currently enjoying a much deserved break.  No doubt she'll have some fun things to share once she returns from her trip.  This week, I'm honored to have Kimberly from Kooky Runner stepping in as guest co-host.  I had the privilege of meeting this inspirational dynamo in Chicago this past summer.  Please make sure to stop by her blog and make her feel welcomed.

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I don't want to run.

There.  I said it.  In black and white, no less..

It's scary because it's the one thing I've identified most with for over ten years now.   HoHo RUNS.  I've been fighting this feeling for months thinking once the weather cooled I would feel different.  We've also been going through the stressful process of selling our home of nearly 20 years in order to purchase another on the lake, which is still not finalized...but we're closer.  It's left me exhausted, both physically and mentally.  Maybe once my life is settled, I'll feel the urge to run again?

The most obvious answer is that I need a break.  Yet, I took a break all summer.  Some weeks not running, some weeks clocking minimal miles - just enough so that I wouldn't be starting from zero if and when my mojo returned.  Another thought is that I should sign up for a race-cation in a really cool location.  Perhaps that would supply my lacking motivation?

Hello, HoHo?  We're waiting ...

I force myself to run.

My runs aren't terrible and I end up feeling grateful that I got out the door.  So I put my big girl panties on and make myself go.  If for nothing else...for the health benefits.  But I'm not getting the same satisfaction or sense of accomplishment that I once did.  I ran 5.1 miles on Tuesday morning in such warm and foggy conditions, that I passed on every opportunity to run until Sunday which thankfully dawned crisp and cool.  I had a well-paced, steady 10 mile run and returned feeling encouraged.  But this is typical.  The weekend feeling doesn't last throughout the week.  But you never know, maybe this time it will.

This being said, take all of it with a grain of salt [preferably on the rim of a margarita glass], I'm just as likely to say how much I adore running three days from now.  And if I do, that's fantastic!.  And if I don't, that's OK too.  It's just how I feel right now. and it felt wrong to type up a forced, sugar-coated, running-is-so-awesome post.  I hope I haven't come across as melancholy.  I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me because I am not sad.  I'm actually in a happy place and excited about moving to our new home.  I simply don't miss the running and racing right now.   If I did, I'd be out there doing it more. [Um...Duh|

So now, my big scary animal is out of the closet. 

And that's a wrap!

Do you ever go through periods where you force yourself to run?

Any tips for finding motivation?

An InLinkz Link-up

Whew! (WW # 167)

Our beautiful Panama City Beach view

First, thanks to all of you who reached out concerned about our little beach house.  It made it through yet another hurricane; our sixth rodeo.  It's been my home away from home since I was a young girl and Wednesday was ... rough.  This storm was stronger than any other and it looked as if we'd take a direct hit.  I kept thinking of the wonderful memories my family has made there.  The thought my kids wouldn't be able to continue that with their kids kinda tore me up all day.  We didn't get word until Thursday that the house came through just fine.  Whew!  Unfortunately, the communities to our east weren't as lucky.  It is very sad.

Any time I'm there, I enjoy running the streets of our Vintage Florida coastal community; both beachfront and inland.  I usually break my own don't-get-injured rule and run every day.  I've been very honored to have other runners join me there for races.

 

Returning to the house after beach shenanigans.
Marcia, Judy, Karen, Mary Beth, Wendy, Darlene, Me, Tricia

Enjoy the afternoon sun in front of the house.
Tricia, Karen, Me, Teresa

On to my wrap...

Tuesday morning's pre hurricane run was as warm and humid as you can imagine.  The only saving grace was the wind had already picked up in advance of Michael's approaching panhandle landfall 165 miles to our  south.  I ran 7.2 miles.

And sweat all the sweat...

I intended to run again Thursday morning, but the post hurricane weather was still extremely sticky so I waited.  By afternoon, it had shifted east and the humidity was lower.  I enjoyed a dark, evening run of 5.6 miles and even though it was still quite warm was able to pick up my pace a bit.  Whew!

Mailbox greetings!  No, that's not rain.  Pure sweat!

Friday, on a whim -- and mostly likely because Fall had finally shown up that morning -- I signed up for a local 5k on Saturday.  I knew it would force me to run faster than I would just out on a training run.  I've used the 5k Speed Work formula for many years and it works well for me.  And, after a summer of lackluster running, I needed something to kick me in the pants so to speak.

Well, kick me in the pants it did.  The first 5k of the season is always a wake-up call.  There is much work to be done but I still enjoyed the beautiful fall morning.  We started and ended on the 50 yard line of a private university's football field.  I wasn't a fan on the gravel road sections, but overall it was a very nice event.  That is an age group award around my neck, but the race was not well attended.  I think there may have only been three people in my age group. 

I ran 5.8 miles Sunday morning just for the pure enjoyment of the weather. That puts my total for the week at 21.8 miles, the most I've done in months.  Whew!

And that's a wrap!

Do you know anyone affected by Hurricane Michael?

Are the 5k races in full swing in your area?

What is your next race?

Wendy and I host this linkup for
the sole purpose of supporting active women.
We thank you for linking your 
FITNESS  RELATED  POST  with us!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Ode to Sanity (WW # 166)

Three years ago this month

I hopped upon your seat.

You'd be my distraction;

That fractured foot I'd beat!

It seemed so silly to name you

I think I was quite mad.

DNS 'ing the Chicago marathon

Had made me very sad!

Shiny, narrow, white

Now, what do I do?

My clunky yellow mountain bike

Was simply K-Mart poo.

  

With a different type of shifting

And hills and hills to ride,

You taught me how to handle gears

Actually, with quite the pride.

You've gotten me through triathlons

On podiums twice I've stood.

Fast cycling helped my swimming

Which, honestly, was not good.

We completed two long century rides

In summer's brutal heat.

Obnoxious singing, torrential rain

You didn't miss a beat!



I've watched countless TV shows

While spinning on your trainer.

You provided awesome cardio

For marathon training -- no brainer.

I've dressed you with disco lights,

Red handle tape as well

Aero bars, a bike computer;

More than Garmin can ever tell.

At the time you seemed expensive

Would you be worth that dough?

Nearing three thousand miles now

I think you've proven so.

Sometimes I do ignore you

When running is my main thing.

But I will always appreciate

The Sanity that you bring.

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I didn't have much of a wrap post this week so I appreciate you humoring me and my silly poetry.  Please note all rhyming credit belongs to Dr. Seuss!

Tell me about your week!   Any races?

  Are you enjoying Fall? (It is still Summer here.)

Wendy and I host this linkup for
the sole purpose of supporting active women.
We thank you for linking your 
FITNESS  RELATED  POST  with us!

An InLinkz Link-up

Typical Summer Week (WW # 165)

Wendy and I host this linkup for
the sole purpose of supporting active women.
We thank you for linking your 
FITNESS  RELATED  POST  with us!

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I said it last week; summer rages on.  Actually this post could have said one word:  Ditto.  Hot and humid running, waterskiing, even baseball...just a typical summer week, my friends.  [Except for my  fall-like college football Roll Tide!]

 

Running was okay/good this week.  My main focus has been on steady pacing.  The summer heat and humidity often find me taking excessive walk breaks.  The switch to consistent running needs to be flipped...both mentally and physically.   My brain keeps telling me it's time to stop!  Well yeah -- so do my legs.  But I'm working hard on that.  I ran three times this week for a total of 18.6 miles. 





All of my running pictures were blurry.  So,
I'll just post Wednesday's mailbox greeting.

 

 

After watching football for a while, late Saturday afternoon was spent doing this...

 

 

The conditions on the lake were ideal!

 

After running this morning, we've since been watching our favorite little baseball player in a local tournament.  As this goes live, they are still playing.  {Go Rays!}  He pitched in the second game and did an outstanding job.  He eats, sleeps and breathes baseball and plays almost year round.
 

 

 

 

I don't see much changing in the coming few weeks.  I'll continue to run at least three times, bumping up my mileage a bit each week and focusing on consistency.  I certainly don't plan to work on speed until I can catch a break in those early morning extreme dew points.  I have yet to sign up for any races, but have my eye on one or two late fall half marathons.   In this heat, I simply don't miss racing.  I expect that will change but only time will tell.

 



 

And that's a wrap on September!







 

 

Have you got your fall and winter races all planned out?

 

Are you still enjoying summertime activities?

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

September Runfessions

It's the last Friday of the month and you know what that means...

It's time for Runfessions!  Let's get right to it.




I just got the Fall memo, even though Mother Nature has not!
(A friend/co-worker makes lovely wreaths.)

I've been feeling somewhat guilty about indulging in all things Pumpkin Spice for a few weeks now.  After all, it still feels like summer around here.  But I might have been a bit more irritated than usual after returning from Walmart on a lunch errand this week.  While there I was assaulted by Christmas trees, Christmas music, balls and balls, Santas, tinsel, etc.  It's still September people!  I'm still donning a water ski vest every weekend. 

 

Old vest...

Speaking of water skiing vests, I've worn the same one for mmm...fifteen years?  Twenty?  PoPo gave it to me one Christmas (you know that holiday that arrives in late December...).  But, it's silver patches were peeling away and it had permanent mildew stains.  I do have a newer, pretty pink one but it just doesn't feel right, so I keep it for guests (aka Wendy).  Anyhoo, I finally found the same vest and this time it's yellow and blue.



New vest...

OK OK, this is a RUN-fession post so... I'll say I'm still in that base building mileage phase from my summer pathetic slump scheduled break.   Hence the reason I don't have much to talk about.  And I have nothing, repeat nothing, on my calendar as far as paid registrations go.   Furthermore, I need new running shoes and I don't like the colors that are available.  How messed up is that?

 

 

Well, let me scoot.  I need to get started on all things Gingerbread.

 

What would you like to runfess?

I'm linking with my friend Marcia today from Marcia's Healthy Slice.
Please stop by and join in with your own Runfessions!