Friday, September 1, 2017

Coffee Talk (September)




 




Welcome to Coffee Talk

 
It's time to settle in and chat a bit as we sip from our cups.  We are heading into a sparkling new month with less humidity (a girl can dream) with bright hopes for the fall and winter racing season.







Over Coffee...

Have you seen the running bra with a heart rate sensor?  The manufacturer promises it will sync with smart phones, apps and running watches.  What a cool idea!  You know how I love my technology, but then I thought -- I can do that with my Blink 3.0!  I detached the Velcro band and slipped the small square into my running bra.  It stayed put, I couldn't tell it was there, and it worked ... somewhat {cue deflating balloon noise}.  I think my placement needs revision.  Never underestimate the power of female ingenuity.  I'm determined to make it work. 
 
 
Over Coffee...

On the subject of coffee, Waffle House does not have the best Cup of Joe (in my humble opinion).  But, we stopped there so Wendy could have the very unique experience that is dining at Waffle House after our recent crack of dawn water skiing excursion.  Other than the gals on break out back wanting to go with us in our boat, and a patron being unable to fit in one of their booths, it was a pretty tame visit.  We were ravenous after hours of skiing and my waffle with peanut butter chips hit the spot. 

Just the way I like it -- NO SYRUP !
 
Over Coffee...
 
I've known a long time that Waffle House sold compression sleeves.  A running buddy and I discovered this while waffling after a race years ago.  We called ourselves Team Waffle House and always joked we would buy a pair.  Well, this week I ordered a pair.  I mean...why not?  I'll definitely be easy to spot at a race, so make sure to say hello.
 

These beauties are in route to me as we speak...

 Over Coffee...

The lure of another marathon is a powerful thing.  I've been debating over tackling number four for a few weeks.  Signing up early seems to be a curse for me, so I'd rather pick one in my head and not register until the last minute.   But I admit, that whole training for a race in your head doesn't feel as accountable as one that's already hit the old bank account.   Decisions.  Decisions.


Over Coffee...

At this point, Teresa and I are seriously second guessing our decision to do a Century Ride.  I've enjoyed riding this summer, cranking out 210 miles in August and 164 in July.  But being honest, I don't know how many more long rides I have left in me.  If the date for our Century Ride had been sooner, I think we would have both enthusiastically have already participated.  Now... {cue that deflating balloon noise again}.  I will definitely ride, as I don't want to waste my training.  But the distance?  Decisions.  Decisions. 



What would you tell me over coffee?


I'm linking with the lovely Ultimate Coffee Date hostesses Coco and Deborah!
Be sure to stop in for coffee on Saturday and chat with everyone.
www.got2run4me.com
 
 
 

I'm also joining on the Friday Five 2.0 linkup
Stop by and see what everyone is talking about.
 

37 comments:

  1. So many decisions and they are all tough..

    I can't decide what races to run. Do I do a lot and or save the money and be more selective. I always get FOMO when I hear about a race and it's hard to just watch. And then how to do long runs if there's no race in immediate sight??

    Then there's work. It will be tougher when it gets dark at 4 pm to run when I am traveling.

    I'm done venting...

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    1. Up until last year I race ALOT, mostly all local! I enjoyed it and it worked well for me. For the past two years, I changed focus to traveling long distances to race -- including three marathons -- dealt with a couple of injuries and ended up racing less. I often think I should go back to what worked.

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  2. Races get you in early because of those price increases. It's easy to wait if it's a local race, but I commit early if I need to travel and figure out those logistics.

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    1. If the race is in danger of selling out, I will register. Just today, I signed up for our local March half marathon because it was literally almost no money. Sometimes I actually do make plans. LOL

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  3. Whenever I do another race I will be waiting until the very last minute to sign up! I think you will still hold yourself accountable once you decide to run it, even if its just in your head:)

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    1. I've learned my lesson with paying a lot of money and having to DNS. Often it is worth the extra money for late registration just to make sure you will be healthy.

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  4. You make me want to join team Waffle House just so I can wear the arm sleeves. Hmmmm....

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    1. I'm accepting new members... You know you want a pair!

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  5. Who knew that Waffle House had compression sleeves. I am the same way. As long as a waffle or pancakes have fun toppings, no syrup is needed!

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    1. I've never been a fan of syrup. I don't like the smell. Give me some fruit or a little something sweet on top and I'm good!

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  6. Oh gosh! The Waffle House arm sleeves! When we were in Florida (March of 2016) for our son's national swim meet, we hit up a couple of Waffle Houses, and one of our servers was wearing the sleeves. I asked if the sleeves were for compression, etc., and he said they were to cover up his tattoos LOL I asked if they sold them in the restaurant and he told me to hit up the WH website....I found the sleeves, but never bought them. Now I'm thinking I need a holottasleeves to add to my growing collection ;-)

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    1. Yes! That is what they told us too. They are for tattoos. Apparently they have a policy about that. But, they are regular old compression sleeves. So, why not? #holottasleeves for the win!

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    2. The hubby even wants a pair of them now LOL Actually, the black and gold color scheme matches our UofI Hawkeyes #win ;-)

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  7. Go for the century -- who knows when you'll be tempted again?! You've done so much cycling this summer and you will do great! As for the arm sleeves, I guess you aren't the only one who hits up Waffle House after a race? Otherwise I'm having a hard time figuring out the target demographic!

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    1. Their target demographic would be Waffle House employees with tattoos. LOL. But, they strike me a humorous -- so, I went for it. The century is tempting but I have a very expensive racecation already booked a few weeks later. Hmmmm....

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  8. Those arm sleeves though too funny! I totally get the dreading of the 100 mile ride. It's a really long time in the saddle. The most I have done is 65 and that was really tough! Last weekend's 35 was just perfect for me. Let us know what you decide! It's supposed to be fun right so if you are dreading it just saying. Thanks for joining for coffee today!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I've cycled 65 a few times myself. That is my max and I thought it was a VERY LONG time in the saddle. 100+ miles would be all day for me! We've got two events to choose from with varying distances. I'm sure we can come up with something.

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  9. OMG those sleeves! Of course you NEED them! I love that they even offer them. There's that long training-->loss of enthusiasm thing again. Bummer you're not feeling the century but I totally get it too.

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    1. Doesn't everyone need WH sleeves? I think part of the cycling enthusiasm is weather related. The humidity is coming down and now I would rather run. (Sorry, Sanity. I still love you, though!)

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  10. So many decisions - I've tried the train in my head without the financial commitment wasn't able to make it work. I can so understand the change of heart on the century ride - so many, many miles!
    I'm loving those Waffle House sleeves - so fun!

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    Replies
    1. A century ride sounds so cool and is a huge milestone, but it will take us all day. ALL DAY. LOL

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  11. I don't race a lot and it's almost always local and a last minute registration...with kids I am almost always holding my breath that no one gets the stomach bug or major castatrophe happens! And I love the waffle selection- my daughter would go crazy for their waffles which we don't have in the north- I adore them, but I don't remember all the patron-entertainment!

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    1. I can relate to not knowing if you can participate because of kids. When mine were little, there was always something...

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  12. LOL! Sounds like you've got a lot of decisions to make. :-) I'm sure you'll make all the right ones. The heart rate bra sounds intriguing, and I love your ingenuity. Good luck figuring out the placement. And yea, those Waffle House sleeves are kind of amazing.

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    1. I thought the HR bra was such a cool idea, although apparently it hasn't caught on in the running community. At least nobody is talking about it.

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  13. Okay, so now I'm craving a big Waffle House waffle (with syrup, no butter for me) a side of bacon and a cup of their coffee ....which I agree with you regarding it being nothing to write home about. Oh and don't forget to always take a jacket when you dine in as it's always like a dang meat locker in there! Lol!

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    1. I have a hard time drinking out of their coffee cups too! Why is that? It dribbles down the side. Argh. I wish I had a PB Waffle right about now.

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  14. hahaha, what?! I had no idea Waffle House sold compression sleeves, but...that's kinda awesome, haha. Hope you enjoy em'! I'm craving breakfast food now! :[

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    1. I think the original idea was to cover employees' tattoos. But, they are compression sleeves. Surely I'm not the only runner to order some?

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  15. Oooh, thinking about another marathon ? Which one ? I am not ready yet. Maybe one day, but for the moment, I am fully enjoying the half marathon distance and training with you has been GREAT !

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    1. I can't decide which one. If it is here in the south, it would have to be in January or February to take advantage of our winter weather. I've enjoyed our training too!

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  16. What a genius idea about the Blink! My review will come soon & I'm definitely going to try that.

    I'm sorry you gals aren't feeling the century. No shame in getting together for a shorter ride. There's a time and a place for everything -- even when it feels like there isn't!

    And now I totally want that waffle . . .

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    1. Let me know if you have success. It did pick up my heartrate, but apparently not for the whole run. Of course the Blink is super comfy to wear as it comes anyway.

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  17. Those Waffle House sleeves are hilarious!! That last time I went there was after my sister did the Disney Princess 10K earlier this year...and that waffle hit the spot!

    You have been cycling up a storm, you certainly have nothing to prove so if you'd rather scale back on your event, no harm done!

    I can't believe it's time to think about 2018 races...I'd really like to do my second marathon, but it just depends if "the planets align" haha!

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    1. You are right -- there is nothing to prove by doing the century. But, it really bothers me to say I will do something and not follow through. It took me three tries to have the marathon experience I wanted (injuries, a fall). The planets definitely need to align for me!

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  18. I think Waffle House compression sleeves are a must have!!! I wish we had Waffle Houses up this way but there again maybe not!

    I am totally a gadget person! I have been eyeing up that sports bra with a heart rate monitor but I can't bring myself to buy it. I guess I will depend on my Garmin for that for now!

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    1. If I didn't have a Garmin with an HR monitor already, I think I'd be buying that bra. It sounds pretty cool. I've received those arm sleeves now and they did not disappoint.

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