It's the last Friday of the month and you know what that means...
It's time for Runfessions! Let's get to it.
It's time for Runfessions! Let's get to it.
I runfess...
I did not run in our recent snow. Even though it's more likely for us to get ice than snow, I've seen snow twice so far this season [and it's rumored we'll see it again next week]. Since it is a rarity, you'd think I'd have gone out to at least make snow angels or something. I didn't even go out for a photo op. Truth be told, I didn't run because I was afraid I'd fall on my icy steps or driveway getting to the street. It was still on the ground in patches when I ran two days later. Does that count?
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| This photo was taken during the night |
I runfess...
Except for in a race, I've never run with more than one person. So imagine my apprehension when I recently started running on the weekends with a group of ladies. I worried about keeping up. Or fitting in. Well, those fears were unfounded. I found the biggest problem is my speech. I can't talk and run...at least not when it's frigid. I sound like I'm falling off a bar stool after a night of binge drinking. "Aahh eee aklinnn disshh turr tooo daahh riii?"
I runfess...
I recently did official uphill repeats for the first time in...well I don't remember You see, my neighborhood is hilly and I will run extra hilly loops when training for hilly races. I just never bother to repeat the exact same hill over and over and over...and over...and over.
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| There's no mistaking what went down (or up). |
I runfess...
I wore a tank top last week because it was in the 60s. Guess what happened! Armpit chafing. It's not that I don't have a great product to use. Trail Toes does the job! But I runfess I don't lube anything when I go out on training runs, only on race day. It makes me wonder though. Did my armpits gain weight? Am I retaining fluid in my armpits? Is.my.skin.sagging.that.much.more? I probably don't want to know the answer.
I runfess...
I did it again. I registered yesterday for a half marathon on Saturday. I'm actually pretty proud of myself for not waiting until race day. I had a long run on tap this weekend and I figured I may as well enjoy running in the woods at Callaway Gardens. Although it is a very hilly course, the scenery more than makes up for it. Maybe those hill repeats will come in handy after all. Number fifty one, here I come.
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!
Please stop by and join in with your own Runfessions!
I'm also joining in on the Friday Five 2.0 linkup
hosted by Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness!
Stop by and see what everyone is talking about.
I think it's awesome that you have started running with a group on Saturdays - built in run friends!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun. There's a lot of things to discuss within a group too. If only I could talk... LOL.
DeleteYOU totally crack me up ;-) It took me awhile to acclimate to the running and talking thing....and I can do it in the sub-freezing cold, too! Honestly, I think it has really improved my cardio endurance, and my runs are so much more fun whenI have a friend to chat with ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's that frozen lips thing that stymies my speech. LOL. As luck would have it, these runs have all been bitterly cold. Hopefully my speech will improve in warmer temps. If not, there is always sign language.
DeleteI find that when I wear shorts for the first time in awhile I get chafing, so I wonder if its similar with the tank top- maybe your skin just wasn't used to it or something? I don't like to talk while Im running! The only person I really ever run with is my husband so I don't feel weird when I talk gibberish or tell him that I don't feel like talking.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good theory! It really is difficult for me to carry on constant conversation. It's like my mouth just doesn't work. I've noticed it after races but didn't know it was like that during the run too. The cold makes it much worse.
DeleteI'm not a run & talk kind of girl either. I like to listen just fine but that's really it. Don't even talk to me about the arm pit thing. I never used to have to lube there either. WTH?? Every time you mention Calloway Gardens I wanna come join you. But those hills would eat me alive. Thanks for linking!
ReplyDeleteI don't want these ladies to think I'm not being social so I throw in a comment here and there. And it sounds ridiculously drunk. LOL. At least I can provide the comic relief. I can't even figure out what is rubbing in my arm pit area. Ugh.
DeleteI can't run and talk well, altho my conversational skills are starting to improve now that I have a run buddy!
ReplyDeleteI chafe in all sorts of interesting areas. Isn't it fun getting older?
If it is cold during Mercedes, I'll be breaking out my drunk speech with you! At least it will be good for a few laughs. I've always prided myself with my buff armpits. LOL. Apparently, no more.
DeleteChafing is completely & utterly random on me. Oh, there are certain areas that are known offenders (yes, underarm near the armpit is a biggie for me), but then one day something completely random will chafe. When it isn't even hot!
ReplyDeleteOH God, I do lots of hill repeats. Not my favorite thing, but they work.
Running in the snow can be incredibly peaceful but yes, it can also be quite treacherous.
Have a great half this weekend!
I run a huge hill back to my house every time I go out. It never gets easy. But I keep doing it. We were told by the weather people that there was ice under the snow. So, I stayed put.
DeleteI don't do hill repeats either but probably should. I hesitate to run in the snow because of the ice thing. I run in the road once the roads are clear.
ReplyDeleteNot surprised at all about signing up for a half/ Hope it's a good one for you.
Running with others is the best. We have a group on Saturdays but sometimes we pair off and meet at the end.
Our group starts together and then pairs up for a while. Then, there is usually some switching around later. It's nice. You get a chance to chat with everyone.
DeleteIsn't it crazy how the chafing in odd areas all of the sudden pop up??? I was totally shocked that day I got the butt chafe ...I've never chafed anywhere before. Now I'm wondering will I get a surprise chafe tomorrow ...something else for me to worry about. Lol
ReplyDeleteGlad you have some Saturday running friends. Sometimes I miss our little running group from Meridian because it did push me to run faster many times. But I also love the solitude of my solo runs!
Have fun this weekend at your half ..I'll be thinking of you!
Make sure you get all the typical hotspots tomorrow. I don't think I'd want to do every run with others. I like my solitude as well!
DeleteI feel forced to talk because I can't just run silently with a group. But it's a struggle - so much huffing and puffing and then I have to take breaks in between stories! So I think I will have to work on being the listener in the group until I get it right, lol!
ReplyDeleteI don't want to seem anti social so I try to participate in the conversation. My lips just will not move when I'm cold. It's pretty funny.
DeleteI freely runfess to gasping while attempting to talk during a long run...and having to hold off until we got to a walking interval. Hey, it happens! Good luck on you half marathon this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI certainly don't talk I'm running at a hard effort. I just can't. But if it's cold, I can't talk during an easy effort either.
DeleteI definitely don't run and talk at the same time. Never could. I'm always out of breath, and it leads to a killer side stitch.
ReplyDeleteOh, no. I'd definitely keep my mouth shut if it caused a side stitch. Those are the worst!
DeleteSnowy runs are the prettiest but I can definitely see the apprehension from slipping and wiping out! I haven't even done a snowy run this year and now I think my chance has passed.
ReplyDeleteWow to 51 half marathons. You are a machine Holly!
I think our rumor of snow has fizzled out. So, I won't get another chance either. No, not a machine. Just a little crazy.
DeleteI prefer running alone. The stress of trying to keep pace with someone else, worrying if I am going too fast, too slow, etc... just is too stressful. Running with more than one person ? No way.
ReplyDeleteA bigger group is actually easier. You can pair up with someone who has the same training needs or can be matched to your pace that day. For example, someone may be running a tempo run that matches with another's slow run. You don't all have to be the same speed.
DeleteI actually do like running in the snow-which we get often here in Maine. But ice is a totally different situation! I actually turned around and went home the other morning after an ice storm when a bus driver pulled over to tell me the roads only got worse.
ReplyDeleteI only run with my husband or daughter unless I'm at a race. I have those same worries about not keeping up, etc. Glad you enjoyed it and your talking description made me laugh.
Have fun at your half marathon!
That was very nice of the bus driver to alert you about the ice. Try as I might, my mouth doesn't work in cold weather. LOL.
DeleteI find group runs where one has to talk, to be a great training! it forces me to pace myself, to be able to keep talking and running! I always make those easy runs.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Conversation is a great indication that you are keeping your easy runs easy!
DeleteHolly this post cracks me up! I can't talk and run when it's cold out either. It's a challenge! Also, my face is frozen!!
ReplyDeleteAnd no, your arms didn't get fat. Your body just wasn't used to it because it's been so frigid for the last three months.
I also runfess to popping myself in the nose with my hand -- cause I can't tell where it is when I go to wipe sweat. LOL.
DeleteI also dislike running in the snow as I am afraid of falling. We've had some nice weather and all of the snow has melted. I don't run with a group either but have done in the past. I am afraid of holding someone back so I just run on my own.
ReplyDeleteI was worried about the underlying ice. I would like to try and run in the fluffy snow one day. I've only run on clear streets with snow on the ground.
DeleteI've been running with a group for a long time (well, I runfess that it's actually been a while since I ran with them, but you get the picture) and since I'm usually at the back it's easier to chat with others on the run. Or not :D Since I'm usually at the back :D
ReplyDeleteI also runfess that my first long run of my new training program, I've also signed up for a race. It's WAY too long (a 10 miler when I only need to do 7) but I runfess I'd rather do that than do it by myself.
Our group usually pairs off so I can find someone to fall in step with, at least. I agree running a 10 mile race would be more fun than a 7 mile solo run!
DeleteAfter the trail race this weekend, I need some hill repeats in my life. Congrats on half #51!
ReplyDeleteI hope hill training will pay off for half #52. Sadly, the hills defeated me during half #51.
DeleteThose are the reasons why I love running alone and not with a group, HoHO! I can't speak and run. I know how you feel. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt really takes effort when you aren't used to doing it. Hopefully, 1) it will warm up and my face won't be frozen 2) with practice, I will get used to it.
DeleteI think I could talk if my mouth/face wasn't frozen. I guess we'll see when it's not so cold in the early mornings. The tank wasn't rubbing me. I checked. I don't know what happened that day.
ReplyDelete