Friday, February 26, 2016

Runfessions for February

Ahhh.....it's my favorite time of the month. Yep, it's time for Runfessions! I love being able to clear my soul, my conscience and get ready to start the next month with a clean slate. I'm feeling a little bit snarky this month, so you'll have to hang on tight for this one. Chalk it up to winter...



I didn't share this on the blog, but I signed up for the New York City Marathon (NYCM) lottery. Actually, I didn't even tell my husband. Since he just booked our tickets to California, I didn't think it would be a good idea to mention another trip, especially one for a race. I also was a little reluctant because this year it cost $11 to sign up for the lottery. I also had second thoughts about doing another marathon this year. So many doubts, and I just ignored that little voice inside me that told me to stop. After I submitted my payment, I started to sweat a little bit. This week I received an email that my credit card information didn't go through and I needed to reenter it. Do you believe in signs? I runfess that I felt a sense of relief when I got that email. The chances of me getting into NYCM were pretty slim, sure, but still, what if? I mean, I'd go if I got in, but still... Let's give these poor feet a break. Maybe I'll stick to my original plan of some more halfs this year. There's always next year, right?


You all know that this winter I've been loving riding my bike on the trainer using YouTube cycling videos, But I runfess that I don't like the accompanying music. Most of the videos use EDM. I just don't like it. My son and I tried to stream my playlist from Spotify, but with Apple TV, you can't stream Spotify and YouTube at the same time. So I'm stuck with whatever the videographer is serving up. One of the videos has EDM remakes of pop songs, like Avicii's Wake Me Up and Rihanna's Shut Up and Drive. There was also an EDM rendition of What Does the Fox Say, and I swear that if my bike wasn't locked into the trainer, I would have ridden out of the room to get away from that song. I kept telling myself, just keep pedalling, just keep pedalling. It's only 3 minutes right? Three minutes of torture is what it was! That wasn't a good song in the original format, and the EDM version was just that much worse. Ring-ding-ding-dingeringading.


I runfess that sometimes my runs aren't about miles and splits. Sometimes I like to just run. Most people call them junk miles, but my friend Susie just wrote a really nice post on "easy miles". Thank you for that! What is it about those "easy junk" miles that makes them so pleasurable? Besides losing myself in the music? Besides all the junk I see along the side of the road?  See what I did there? Most of the time I see empty liquor bottles and used condoms. I pretty much know the story behind those objects. But sometimes I see stuff that makes me go hmmmm. Like this wooden thing--is it artwork? An art project? Not quite sure. And who would throw it out? I mean, someone spent a lot of time crafting this thing, whatever it is. When I ran by on Sunday, I kicked myself for not stopping to take a picture. I drove by on Monday and it was still there. Even the scrappers didn't want it. Hard to believe.
Runfessions roadside find
It's geometric, symmetric and diametric. 
I runfess that I'm still feeling a little bitter disappointed about being passed over for the RockNBlogger selection. While I'm happy for all the winners, well deserved all, I don't understand the selection process. Of course, they did pick Suzy Favor Hamilton to represent them while she was working as an escort in Vegas. Sigh. With that comment, I've probably killed any chance of ever being picked. I really wanted to do a few RnR races as part of my "year of destination races". I mean come on! And there's no chance of me turning tricks on the side. Trust me on that one. On the bright side, I'm not locked into any of their races, and I can run whatever I choose. That's a win. And I won't have to do the Chicago race in the steambath that is July in Chicago. Another win! Maybe Marcia and I can do a Thelma and Louise thing--RnR St Louis, anyone?

Road trip! Looks like we've got an outlaw in the backseat...
I runfess that my luck with the police has finally come to an end. On Saturday, I was driving to work. I was also on the phone with the office, discussing a patient. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw the cherries flashing. Crap! Unfortunately, this officer couldn't care less that I was a nurse practitioner on my way to care for sick children or that I was talking with the office about sick children. He only cared about giving me a ticket. And yes, while I was breaking the law by talking on the phone, come on man! Cut a fellow service professional some slack, will ya? And go fight some real crime. Of course, I was right across the street from Dunkin Donuts when he got me. Just sayin'. I was so angry I cried when I drove away. I may even have uttered the mother of all swears. A few times. In my car, where no one could hear me. Humbled, I signed up for traffic school today.


Anything you want to Runfess? Any ideas what the wooden thing is? EDM--love it or hate it? 

I'm linking up with the Runfessions hostess, Marcia, at Marcia's Healthy Slice. Go over to her page and spill the beans!












I'm also linking up with the DC Trifecta: Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia for their Friday Five. It just happens to be a Free Friday, so hey, here we go!

77 comments :

  1. Maybe because my experience with RNR DC wasn't all that great, it is easy for me to say that it is definitely more their loss than yours! Bummer on getting pulled over. I do 80% of my cursing in the car by myself. Gets it out of my system!

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    1. Isn't that the truth? I say things in the car that I'd never say out loud. I hope I don't get dementia--I'll most likely be one of those foul mouthed old ladies...

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  2. Love this! I'll be back to read more.

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  3. OK, fess up. You brought home that lovely piece of artwork, shelving, wooden thing and it's now in your living room. How could you not?!? hahahaha!

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    1. Isn't that amazing? My carpenter husband couldn't even figure it out!

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  4. Laughing so hard I cannot type! We are totes T&Ling RnRStL. I thought it was Matthew McCona (you know who I mean) in the backseat.

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  5. You would have represented RnR well so I don't understand their selection process or why they passed you up. I know that they don't just choose the big name bloggers since I was shocked when they selected me last year, and then asked me to come back for this year. Just keep being you and I'm sure another even better opportunity will come along your way soon. :)

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    1. I'm not a big name blogger either, and I thought my "year of destination races" would be a shoo-in! Well, another year of living vicariously through my friends... looking forward to seeing what you do with them this year!

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  6. Bummer on the ticket. That sucks :( Not a good way to start the day! I actually think that wooden sculpture thing is kind of cool. If you had a massive yard, I could seeing that look neat in a garden.
    Re: RnR, I enjoyed the experience but don't sweat it. If you aren't in a place with a race or aren't able to travel for multiple races, I'm not sure it's worth it. I'm lucky that we have the VA Beach race in town but I've run it 3 times and it's always miserably hot and I wasn't really interested in running it again...and I wasn't sure I would be traveling for other races. My two cents. I think you're awesome and would have added some great diversity to the team. Their loss ;) -C

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    1. I'm really ok with it. It just would have been fun to do! Onward and upward.

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  7. Your runfessions made me smile this morning. Wow you did take a chance with the NYC marathon. I believe in signs heavily too. Traffic school for that. Our system is so messed up I know personally someone who's had 3 DUIs an still works for the city driving none the less! Can't tell me it's not who you know!! I runfess I may cause bodily harm to my family this weekend. We're ALL going to Nola in the RV. Fun? Well see... did I mention they are all teenagers. I can openly share this here thankfully. I'm also thankful I'll get to see Holly she'll keep me sane. Enjoy your weekend Wendy! :)

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    1. At least your teens will go with you! One of mine is going to Cali with us, the other refuses. Oh, well, at least I have one who will go! Have fun and say hi to Holly!

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  8. Glad to help :D. I like EDM and I would probably punch a baby if the Fox song was remixed. that ain't ok. Just no. Here's a confession though: I've never heard it. I just know that I would hate it with a passion unknown to god and man. And maybe porpoises. But who am I to drag them in here.
    I understand your feelings about not being chosen for rock n blog. It always seems like a big party. but think about it: run nycm or run those? I know what I would check choose.

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    1. Well, of course. My friends are always the voice of reason. I just had travel on my mind.

      And you would hate that song. Trust me. I have no idea how it became so popular.

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  9. That sucks you got a ticket. So did you get one bc you were talking on your phone or were you speeding? Heck I think all my miles I run are junk miles bc I dd nt have a plan ever when I run. I just do it. Oh well. It's been going well for me so far.

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    1. If I had gotten a ticket for speeding, I wouldn't have been upset. But for talking on the phone? You know that is just a revenue generator for the police. Like the seat belt tickets. So ridiculous.

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  10. I thought of you on my run a couple days ago. I was peering in people's windows to see what they had on TV (the news and cartoons) and there were a lot of kitty cats sitting in windows too. I thought to myself, "I am like Wendy and her alter ego, Mrs. Crab... something!?" lol. I forget your name!

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    1. Haha! That would be Mrs Kravitz, altho I think Mrs Crab might fit me better! LOL!

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    2. Okay I got the "kra" sound right though at least! :)

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  11. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you for NYC!

    I have some strong opinions on the Rock N Blogger selection process but I'm going to try to keep those to myself lol :)

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  12. Bummer about the ticket! I'm so glad we don't have the talking on the phone law in NC.

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    1. It's not really about safety, it's about making money. Just like the seat belt law.

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  13. The EDM would push me right over the edge - especially that Fox song! That's just all kinds of wrong!!

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  14. I can only take so much EDM. I'm a big Daft Punk fan, but they claim they're not EDM so...yeah. We already talked about Rock 'n Blog...I'm so happy that I'm in but I am a little nervous about fitting in with some of the bigger personalities. I wish they let people know sooner because I'm trying to scramble to schedule races through the year, which is a little stressful!

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    1. I hate to admit it but I was really hoping to get picked, so I purposely left my calendar open...but that's ok. I'm going to look at smaller races and go spontaneously.

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  15. I hate that fox song! I can't even think about it without clenching up. I'd mute the video and listen to my own music.

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    1. Clenching is about what I did. Those were 3 minutes that I'll never get back.

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  16. Oh wendy! This post was super great! I just loved reading it! I'm so sorry about your speeding ticket! :( Major bummer there. with all of this marathon training I welcome easy runs, but I'm not seeing them much right now. I would LOVE to do a RNR run, so if you ever want a travel buddy. I could just fit right in yours and marcia's suitcase.

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    1. I'd love to have you as a travel buddy! We'll have to touch base after our spring marathons. Maybe we can pick one halfway in Wisconsin? I'm also thinking about meeting Kim Running on the Fly in Iowa for one. That could be fun too!

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  17. These are all so great...I mean some are horrible for you but... I agree with the decision on NYC and yes there's always next year! As for RNR blog thing - is it really that big of a deal? As far as I can tell - nope. Lastly, I love all the crazy shit I see on my runs and always want to go back and take pictures!! Now maybe I will... We could do a whole link up just on that!

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    1. We should! I always run by stuff and think I should go back and snap a picture. You've given me an idea...

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  18. I ran a 5 mile race a few years ago and they played that stupid fox song just as we were crossing the start line (over the PA) - it stayed with me the entire race, and I was ready to go punch the DJ when I finished!!

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    1. I have this mental image now and I'm laughing at my desk...And tell me why they would play that song at a race? Unless to get people running fast to get away from it!

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  19. Listening to "What Does the Fox Say" while following other cyclists is marginally better than watching the original video, right?

    I runfess that after 7 weeks of great running so far this year, my IT band went on strike on Wednesday. I haven't been able to run more than a few steps without pain. I have no idea what happened. Very frustrating!

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    1. Oh no! Boo to the ITB pain! I've had that before and as much as I am suffering with PF, I'll take that over ITB. Roll baby, roll!

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  20. Slow miles aren't necessarily junk miles. 80/20 running encourages lots of slow miles! :)

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  21. "Sometimes I like to just run" That made me smile. Don't ever let anyone tell you those miles are junk. They are the BEST miles in my opinion ;)

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  22. Not chosen to be a RNR blogger either. I've only done one RNR and I wanted to run more. I was hoping that you would run NY. I would totally come down to cheer you on.

    I do a lot of easy runs. I think they are all easy runs but it works for me. Maybe I would be faster but I would not enjoy running as much.

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    1. I would love to do a race with you there! Wouldn't that be fun? You never know...

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  23. That sucks about the traffic ticket. I would have been upset too. Although in some ways I am glad the police are being mindful of this, as I see many distracted drivers swerving all around the road with a phone on their head and that scares the crap out of me as a cyclist and runner. What does the fox say was a fun novelty song for 5 minutes back a few years ago but it would drive me nuts if I was forced to listen to it on the trainer.

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    1. I agree, the phone and driving thing is bad. But I'm still upset about the ticket. It's not a deterrent for people, it's just a way to generate revenue.

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  24. ooh NYC marathon?! Have you ever tried the Peloton cycle classes you can stream? I really like them and the music is good.

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  25. Uggh, so annoying that the police officer gave you a ticket! It's funny because I always have my work ID badge readily available when I'm driving to and from work...just in case....

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    1. That was the first time that a policeman gave me a ticket, knowing I was a nurse. Karma, buddy. Karma.

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  26. Haha, I usually turn on my tunes when I'm pedaling because I can't really hear the tablet over the tires anyway. Then again, I'm not even using the proper tires on my trainer. That's my runfession. :)

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    1. I don't use any special tires on my trainer. I'm sure I'll need a new back tire soon!

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  27. I'm so sorry RnR. My runfession, I didn't get picked last year. I don't even know what made me apply again for this year, but I was chosen this year. So that's proof that anything is possible, so don't give up. By the way, I think all of my miles are junk miles. Lol! I never run for "time", I guess I'm different from the rest. Not saying I don't want to improve, but sharing splits, etc. has never been my thing. And that wooden thing would have totally come home with me! Good luck at NYC! :D

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  28. I don't even know with EDM is LOL ! No idea what that wooden thing is. Recently i saw a bouquet of plastic flowers on the side of the road. Really ? I didn't know plastic flowers existed any more.
    I also recently saw a dead cat in a box. Sad. :(

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  29. I always have a mild heart attack when I get pulled over, even though the worst thing they could get me for is usually speeding. Something about getting pulled over just makes me super anxious. Really lame that he gave you a ticket for being on the phone. At least give a warning or something!

    EDM is a no-go for me. I can't even imagine the Fox song remixed. Terrible.

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    1. Well, that's what I was thinking...but you know they all want $$$....

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  30. I am laughing so ridiculously hard right now. Love this post. And again about RnR, you definitely would have made a great addition to the team but honestly, it's more their loss than yours. Everything happens for a reason. And enlighten me on EDM?! I have no idea who/what that is! lol.

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    1. EDM is electronic dance music. You know, all auto-tuned and everything...ugh...

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  31. Lol!! Why tell your husband about NYC unless you get in??? I hope we both do... If we do, post marathon beer together is a must!!! I would have picked you over Suzy any day... I'm not convinced that she is in recovery or has her bipolar under control now... It's sad to think of what she may turn to next when the media hype from her book is over... I hope I'm wrong... But I don't have a good feeling about it

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    1. The end of her book left me really unsettled. Her "resolution" felt canned to me. I think there will be more to her story. It's really sad!

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  32. Wow, I'm super surprised RnR didn't want you. How dare they? I considered applying, but really, I agree, I didn't want to be locked into RnR. I've done a few, and enjoyed them, but there are so many races out there.

    I think there's a difference between junk miles and easy miles. Junk miles are streak miles, to my mind. Easy miles are basically recovery miles (or in my case, hiking up steep staircases and walking for half a mile around ice in the middle of a run).

    Sometimes we need to remember that running is fun, as you like to remind us with your marathon training.

    And finally? I'm with the cop, sorry. Distracted driving kills, plain and simple. You can get away with it a million times and that one time . . .

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    1. Oh, don't be sorry. I know I was in the wrong. But there's this unwritten code between police and nurses, and he violated it. I was stunned.

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  33. I'm a fan of SOME edm - but what did the fox say? NO THANK YOU!
    I'm also bummed about not being picked for RNR. I've never done one, so I'm assuming that's why I wasn't picked. Still... boo!

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    1. And I just logged into spotify and what's the first thing that pops up? EDM...

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  34. I laughed out loud thinking about the Fox song. That song is awful as it is, I couldn't imagine it EDM. Yikes! As for NYC, I'm partial to that race but if your heart isn't in it, then there's no reason to pay all that money for it. There's always next year :)

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  35. I tried to get on the waiting list so I could get the email when the RnR ambassador slots came open and I couldn't get the picture to load and it would not go past it- I took that as my sign! Sorry about the ticket, that sucks, I can only take that class one more time in my life...#habitualoffender

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    1. Was there a waiting list? I had no idea. I'm over it.

      Habitual offender? Me too.... #solesisters

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  36. I felt like I was reading a little bit of my race monologue on telling husbands about registering for races (or lottery for the NYC). I Runfess that I am constantly checking out races, registration dates, and planning races before I tell my fiancé I want to do them... until I really have to... like after I registered.

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  37. I didn't enter the NYC lottery this year- with the exchange rate it would cost a million dollars (well - it would feel that way). Odds are, I would have gotten in too. But I ran it in 2014, so its not like it is a big deal.

    Yeah the RnB process is a weird one. It makes little sense, but perfect sense if you really look into it. I didn't apply this year and probably won't apply again.

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