Friday, August 25, 2017

Runfessions: August Style

Hello? How did we already get to the end of August? The end of summer? The only thing that makes me realize we're there is that I have SO MUCH to runfess. It's almost scary how much builds up over the month. Thankfully, Marcia opens the runfessional every month and she doesn't even hand out a penance. Whew!

On with the cleansing...



Let's talk about the eclipse. Being a total science nerd, I was so excited about it! The last time I experienced anything close to this was when I was in 3rd grade, and I won't tell you what year that was. There was so much hype for this eclipse. In anticipation, I ordered the special viewing glasses, which of course didn't come until the day after the eclipse. Not to worry, I was at work and so many people had glasses. We all headed outside at 1:20 to witness the eclipse. I runfess I was a little disappointed by the eclipse itself. Where I live, we were supposed to have 87% coverage. Unfortunately, it cloudy and a little underwhelming. It was really cool to see all the hospital employees outside, witnessing this experience together! Oh, and the late arriving glasses? I'm keeping them. The next eclipse is supposed to be in 2024 and I don't want to be left empty handed.

photo credit to Senora, one of the CMAs I work with
I'm so happy to be running with Steph again! Hello, running friend, goodbye run/walk intervals. For the most part. I runfess that there have been another kind of interval. It seems like this is becoming a theme for me, but we did have a few stops because I had tummy troubles. Again. This time, I blame the ibuprofen I've been taking for my oral surgery pain.


Steph and I did have an encounter of the strange kind. We were running on the limestone path and came upon a guy, wearing pajama pants, sitting cross-legged on a bench, chanting. I runfess that we sped up to get away. Remember, this is the suburbs. But this is also the path where I encountered Hans and Franz last month.


My trip to Alabama was a blast. I loved every moment of it--from the waterskiing to the 5k we ran to the fresh peaches we ate. It's always interesting running races, witnessing the odd things runners do. This race was no different. While running the 5k, I passed a guy wearing a Camelback. I runfess I wanted to bite back a snarky comment. Yes, it was hot and humid but really? A hydration pack for a 5k? Ok, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt--maybe he was continuing on after this run for more miles?


I've been commenting all summer that I need to get on my bike. Every time I go out to the garage, I feel as if my bike is calling me to ride. I want to take it out but I runfess that I'm a little scared to ride on the road. Earlier this summer, I rode with my sister but I fell a couple of times. I don't know if it's RA brain or not, but I don't feel as confident on my bike as I have in the past. It doesn't help that I've seen so many crazy drivers and accidents this summer. Just this past Wednesday on my way home from work, I came upon an accident scene--with a bike down in the middle of the road. Seeing that just reinforced my fear and the bike stays in the garage for now.


What do you have to runfess? Did you love the eclipse or were you underwhelmed? Does ibuprofen keep you running to the portapotty? Any strange encounters on the run this month? Hydration pack for a 5k? Bikeophobia?

I'm linking up with Marcia for Runfessions and with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for the Friday Five!








63 comments :

  1. I was definitely underwhelmed by the eclipse. We didn't see it full either but I didn't have the glasses so had to look at it though a box, not the same! Maybe for next time I will get those glasses.

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    1. I will admit I had that "wow, that's cool" moment when I looked through the glasses. But after seeing everyone's pictures online, well, not so much.

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  2. Believe it or not, I do have bikeaphobia - I just peddle through it! But seriously, bike vs. car never ends well for a bike, and happens too often. My son went back to Clemson early to experience the total eclipse - now THAT would have been cool. I enjoyed the hype and everyone at work standing outside on our office patio sharing their glasses.

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    1. I didn't have bikeophobia until this summer! I will get back on the horse, but I need to stick to the paths. Maybe I'll transport my bike and avoid the roads I take to get there.

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  3. I was a little disappointed by the Eclipse as well. Like you, it was cloudy here so the whole thing was pretty anti-climatic.

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  4. I mean, any medication can make you run for the john, theoretically, especially if your system is a bit more on edge than usual. I hope that it resolves itself. I could also be that the walk intervals gave your innards time to calm down, so now that you aren't taking those breaks, you are dealing with the cumulative effects--kind of like how any part of the body can get angry after running continuously, but might not when doing intervals.

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  5. I thought the eclipse was epic! T(he journey back home, not so much LOL) I have the bikephobia, too, and I don't even have the clip-in shoes to worry about. I have confidence in my biking abilities (sort of), but there are too many idiots in vehicles who seem to be blind to anyone else NOT in a vehicle on the road...

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  6. I feel much more comfortable on the bike trail than on the road bc of the cars. Do you have a trail you can ride on? Cars can get really aggressive around here lately.

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    1. I pretty much stick to the trails, but I have to take the roads to get there. I may have to put my bike in the back of the Jeep and drive there. How sad.

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  7. We were at 98% and it even got dark here! It was cloudy but the clouds cleared just in time. Not life changing (lol!) but pretty cool.
    I runfess it's been nearly 5 weeks I've run because of my arm and I miss it!!!! It's annoying because I feel like I can totally do it now but doc said no... grrrr...

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  8. I admit I didn't get super excited about the eclips. We were only at about 65%, and it was a little underwhelming. I did enjoy seeing the pictures from around the country though.

    I have been feeling the call of my bike lately too. I'm fortunate that our roads have pretty good bike lanes and we can get to open road within a few miles, but a few years ago I wanted to focus on running and I just haven't gotten back to cycling. My husband would love it if I did, so maybe when he weather cools off.....

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    1. I will admit that I have been so enjoying running this summer (those run/walk intervals made it so fun!), that I haven't missed my bike much. But I do feel guilty!

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  9. Being in eastern Canada, we didn't get much of the eclipse (50%) but even that was disappointing. However, it was fun to watch it online.

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    1. I agree that seeing the eclipse online totally made up for it!

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  10. My son was in the city and said he got great views of the eclipse. He was out there almost an hour before and watched the whole progression. He got some cool pics. Me? Not so much. My best pic was of all of the other hospital employees standing outside being underwhelmed. What we could see was cool though.

    I've actually been increasing my time on the bike and have been enjoying it--especially with the cooler weather.

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    1. It was so cloudy--we saw what we could when it broke through the clouds. I did enjoy being outside with all the people from work and sharing in the experience!

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  11. I've seen the hydration pack at 5ks before! I don't get it! My kids both got glasses and viewing time at school and I was SO ticked they threw away the glasses. 2024 is not that far off! Lol!

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    1. Matthew brought his glasses home, so I'm going to put them away for 2024...I'll have plenty, apparently!

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  12. Ohh interesting about the guy and his water for the 5k. Maybe it's more of a comfort/habit thing? Hmmm... Fascinating.

    I missed the eclipse because I was driving my 17 year old to the ER for ANOTHER BROKEN ARM. That kid is killing me.

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  13. Smart to keep the eclipse glasses for the next one, I didn't even think about that! I saw some great videos from friends who went to areas where they could see the total eclipse. I think I'm going to try that for the next one, it looked amazing. The pajama guy does sound pretty weird.

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    1. I pretty much can't return the glasses, so hey, at least we'll get to use them in 7 years!

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  14. I runfess that I am that person who wears my CamelBak for every summer run - it is so freaking hot here. But I also don't run 5K races during the summer so maybe I am off your list.

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    1. I don't even own a Camelbak! I don't know if I'd like to run with it. I'm fond of my handheld. And I've been known to carry 2.

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  15. I runfess that I have only run FOUR times this month. My left IT band is angry and tells me each time I try to run. Actually, it speaks up just going upstairs after a run. I have been spending lots of time on my bike, the first day of school last week was a little scary with more drivers on the road. I drank coffee before a ride one time, and one time only, because I had a panic attack while riding. I don't know if it was the coffee or not but I wait on caffeine until I get home.

    I think we were at about 70% during the eclipse, so not a great view, but it was interesting how much cooler the temps got during that time.

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear about the ITB. That is one stubborn injury. I know people who can't ride the bike when they have that--glad to hear that is an option for you.

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  16. I was team eclipse all the way!

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  17. I'm always super nervous on my bike on the roads. People are jerks and don't pay attention. Very funny about the chanting guy!

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    1. We thought it was so strange and random. No shoes? He had to walk about a mile to get to the bench.

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  18. I was underwhelmed in the build up to the eclipse, but enjoyed getting some glasses and being outside. I didn't have to work during that time since everyone was outside. I just thought the hype was too much, like all hype nowadays.

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    1. I think if you got to see the eclipse in totality, then the hype was totally worth it. Our local weatherman, Tom Skilling, was in southern Illinois where the eclipse was 100%, and he was moved to tears. I loved that.

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  19. I only take Tynenol for that reason. I didn't watch the eclipse at all. I was at work (and it was cloudy.) 2024 is my next chance.

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  20. The eclipse itself was underwhelming, but I hiked to a viewing spot and being amongst a huge crowd of people waiting for it was fun. I am scared to ride my bike on anything other than a bike path, so I don't blame you for being scared. Love following all the fun you are having on your IG posts.

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    1. It has been an amazing fun summer for me. I can't quite believe it.

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  21. I was definitely underwhelmed by the eclipse - I was working and tried to duck outside to catch a little. I'll plan better for 2024!

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  22. Ja ja ja!! I saw a person with a hydration pack at the Mile race I did last july!! I did a double take.... it's a mile! not that far!

    Hey, at least you ordered glasses! I didn't think I would need them!

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    1. Seriously, at a mile race? (insert eye roll) Did you call him an amateur? LOL

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  23. Our office had fun doing science experiments in the parking lot. Since none of us had glasses, we didn't get a good view. I'm OK with the bike but I'm not riding on extremely busy streets either. I almost talked about our DIY flowered swim caps in my runfession! Which...I kept (sniff sniff).

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    1. I almost mentioned the bikinis that I found at Target...but then I didn't. We'll just have to surprise everyone next year. PS I think the bikinis were a little skimpy...

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  24. I was underwhelmed but the eclipse too, although part of that was becuase I didn't have glasses!

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  25. There's a guy in my area that does something similar in the park... he doesn't wear PJs, but he sits in the middle of the park on a bench and meditates or does yoga or chants -- and it always freaks me out. I don't want to judge but...

    I thought the eclipse was cool. But it was kind of cooler to see it on TV in complete coverage areas.

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  26. Definitely underwhelmed by the eclipse! Couldn't see it well from where we live and really just didn't understand the hype!! Great post, btw!

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  27. I enjoyed the eclipse. Didn't get the see the total in person, and even our peak had rain for about 5 mins before and after, but it was really cool because how excited my kids were for it and how cool they thought it still was.

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    1. For me the cool part was how excited everyone was--I just loved that!

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  28. For us the eclipse was amazing! But then again we saw the total and I runfess that anything less then that would not be exciting! We went backpacking in the Idaho wilderness to have peace and experience the darkness and we were not disappointed! We couLd even see planets! And the temperature drop was unbelievable! It was also my daughters 25th birthday so the day was extra special! See it full in 2026 and you will not be disappointed!

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  29. Bikeophbia, absolutely. Hydration pack for a 5k, no way! I usually don't break it out until about 9-10 miles even though I love mine!

    I didn't get the glasses & I do kind of regret that. So I just watched the outside -- which frankly didn't change much -- and watched the totality areas on tv, which was pretty cool.

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    1. I just don't know that I'd like a hydration pack. I'm pretty good with the handheld. But I do see the appeal of having all those fluids right there! My son uses one when he goes to concerts. Not sure if it's water in his, tho...

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  30. I usually wear my hydration vest for any run over 6 miles. If I'm running less than that my handheld water bottle will usually suffice. Wearing a pack for a 5k seems a bit excessive, but to each their own.

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  31. I runfess that I bought a hydration pack and instead of me wearing it I have been wearing a belt with bottles that are too little and don't last, why? Because I'm too lazy to clean the pack.

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    1. Ha! I'm not a fan of those little bottles, but I sure see a lot of runners with them.

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  32. Bikeophobia , oh yes I have it! You all are making it look so cool too but I just can't make myself sit on the seat- it is real! I am still smiling over your Cypress Gardens try out clip- too much fun!

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