Friday, September 29, 2017

Runfessions for September

Already it's the end of September? That means it's time for Runfessions! The last Friday of the month is the day we running bloggers get to enter the runfessional and runfess all our running sins and mishaps. There's always something to runfess here at the old TTLWH. Sadly.

Do you have anything to runfess?

Let's get right to it!

I bonus runfess that Ioathe these flutter kicks. Even the sight of my beloved Inknburn shorts doesn't lessen the pain.

In case you haven't noticed, I have an Inknburn obsession. I keep telling myself enough is enough and then they come out with another cute pattern. Sure, as an ambassador, I get a discount on some of the items but sometimes I'm even buying the full priced items. Which seems pricey enough to me. I runfess I didn't know there was an aftermarket for the items and the sky's the limit for what people will pay.  Just go to Ebay and search for Inknburn items. Who knew that putting out limited editions of running gear would create such a frenzy?

22 watching? Does that mean they are actually considering buying these at that price?
Have you all noticed that everyone who's anyone is writing about pooping on the run? It all started with Shut Up and Run, who wrote what is probably the funniest post I've ever read about this back in 2012. But when Jamie King from Sweat Pink writes about it, you know that IBS, or as we like to call it at our house "I'll Be Stopping", has gone mainstream. Adrienne Martini from Another Mother Runner just penned a post about GI issues on the run last week. And now there's the Mad Pooper, who's got EVERYONE talking about runners and poop. Geez. It's as if everyone has to one-up each other. Isn't that always the way? I runfess that this is one area where I'm not feeling one bit competitive. While I have some experience in this area, I feel no need to up my game. I'll stick to the portapotties. As long as they are available, that is.


Speaking of that... last week when I attended the American Academy of Pediatrics conference expo, I made a beeline for the Calmoseptene booth. If you don't already know about this amazing stuff, you should. I always seem to get samples with my medical journals and I can tell you that it is the best cream to prevent chafing in certain sensitive areas. The cream contains menthol and let's just say a little cooling relief is a nice thing. Anyhoo, I runfess that I told the Calmoseptene ladies I was a runner and how much I loved their cream. They told me how they hear from runners all the time. Instead of the requisite few packets you get from an expo, they gave me enough Calmoseptene packets to last me a lifetime! If I chafe now, I have no one to blame but myself...

Just like pennies from heaven!
I runfess that I've lost that loving feeling lately. For running. I'm just not feeling it these days. Is it the heat? The cold I've got? RA? Menopause? I don't know what it is, but I am in a running slump and it's a little worrisome. I've almost completely lost my mojo. I've got 3 fall races coming up and my body isn't cooperating. Neither is my brain. I'm running and training, but my effort is in the red zone and I'm moving slow. It's sure not fun right now. I could use a little motivation...

Speed work. Like a boss.
While I've run at the local retention pond for years, I have never seen as many strange things there as I have this summer. As recently as last week, I arrived to prepare for my run and saw this holy man along the shoreline. There was a microphone and a cameraman. Thoughts swirled through my head as I made my way around the lake. Is he a TV evangelist? A podcaster? What religion does he represent? With each loop, I found him in a different spot. On my third loop, they started keeping an eye on me, especially when I stopped to take pictures. It was oddly intriguing. I runfess that I considered asking him to pray for me to regain my lost endurance...



What would you runfess? How do you get your running mojo back when you're in a slump? Any weird sightings on the run lately? Favorite chafing cream? 

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




51 comments :

  1. Please, no competitive pooping! I wonder if they were filming Vlogs or a YouTube series? Maybe your mojo will come with the cooler weather? We finally have it here.

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  2. I runfess that I'm a bit nervous about them shutting down the bathrooms. That is a major problem for this preggo with Crohn's!

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    1. I have neither of those issues and I'm still nervous about that!

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  3. My mojo comes and goes. Mostly goes. I just tell myself any run is better than no run. And I know there will come a time when I wish I could run the way I do right now. Knock wood, I pride myself on NOT having issues of the #2 kind. Of course now I probably jinxed it.

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  4. I never thought I'd hear you say you've lost your enthusiasm for running! I kind of have too now that I haven't been doing it for a few months b/c of injury. I guess running is only fun when you can feel good doing it (i.e. I'm in shape!).

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    1. I miss that free and easy feeling! Hopefully now that the temperatures have moderated a bit, I'll have one of those runs.

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  5. I have not heard of that chafing cream but I will have to check it out all of the sudden I am having lots of chafing again. I have not tried the ink burn shorts but I love all the patterns you always wear. I hear you on the ambassador thing. I do the same with skirt sports and now all the winter gear is coming out!

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    1. So I wouldn't use this for my upper arms or inner thighs, but for the undercarriage? It can't be beat.

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  6. I love those Calmospetene packets! They are usually included in the Rock 'n' Roll bags and I'm always happy to see them, lol!

    That's CRAZY about the InkBurn items on eBay - I had no clue that their items sold for that much!!

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    1. I was so happy to see those Calmoseptine packets at RnR! Glad to know I'm not alone in my love for the stuff.

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  7. I talk about poop a lot but only wrote one blog post about it. The most epic pooping story I ever heard was told to me privately by a blogger friend so I can't share it, but I sooooo wish she would write about it someday because it is hilarious! As for me, I'd prefer a port o john, but if I gotta go and nothing is available, the tree or the woods is the only other choice!

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  8. Sorry to hear you are pooping out on your enthusiasm for running ;-) Hopefully the cooler fall weather will help bring it back. I've always just tossed those Calmospetene packets that come with the AAP newsletter...who knew??

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    1. I'm hoping that the cooler weather will make running more enjoyable again too.

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  9. Trying again to comment. Sorry if there are bunches in your spam. Google hates me.

    That said, my goal is to never compete in the poop stories. I have tummy issues, so I always pray for a no poop run/race. So far I've been lucky.

    That chafing cream sounds amazing. Thankfully I very seldom chafe. I just got new panties (from Costco of all places) that seem to be chafe free on the long run. Leopard print undies FTW.

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    1. I have some undies I got at Target years ago--the C9 brand--which are amazing. I need to replace them but haven't found anything like them!

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  10. $690 for a pair of shorts?!? People are out of their minds!!!!!

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    1. These INB groups I'm in on FB have been a real eye opener for me. People are nuts.

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  11. I need that stuff for my chafing!!

    INB is insanity in a handbag, girl. That's one of the reasons I had to bail as an ambassador. Lol. I do love my INK but enough is enough, right?

    Here's my advice for the running mojo: take a week off. It won't kill your fitness but it may rejuvenate you. I took a down week when I was in the slumps and it helped immensely.

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    1. I was thinking the same thing. Can I leave those INB love groups? I'm not feeling it. I just want to love my INB.

      Good advice--maybe I'll take a day or 2 or 3 if the next couple of runs don't go well.

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  12. I runfess that I feel like I've lost my mojo a bit lately, too. I could use a rest. Love your post, so funny!!

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    1. Thank you! That's the whole point of the runfessions...we all need to see the lighter side of things, right?

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  13. Sorry to hear the mojo is MIA (at the moment)...you know it will return with a vengeance, right? Maybe it just needed a mini vacay (?) ((hugs)) Chin UP!!

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    1. I hope it returns with a vengeance! It's been an interesting year for me. Trying to stay positive, because so much good has happened to me in spite of my running going downhill.

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  14. Love that bear in the porta potty! I'm hoping to get my running mojo back now that my IT band isn't so angry. Increase slowly, right? Yeah, right...

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  15. Very cool that they hooked you up with the salve - I've never heard of it, but good to know it's out there.

    I bet once it cools down your mojo will return - it's hard to slog through run after run in hot weather. Starts to beat you down.

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  16. Funny about the filming... we live in a city where a lot of movies are made and commercials too so see lots of filming happening. Have a great October!

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  17. Yay for all those samples! You know I always see something on the run!

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  18. I haven't heard of that chaffing cream but now it sounds like I'm going to need to go find some! My mojo's been on a slide for a while - I'm hoping the cooler weather will help make a difference.

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  19. And here I thought I was ahead of the curve when I posted my article "Where's A Porta Potty When I Need It?" complete with a runner's poop flow chart back in June 2013... I'm crushed! LOL

    How lucky to get all those samples of something that's tried and true for you!

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    1. If I'd known you had written that post, I'd have shared it here! I'm off to check out your chart. I post about pooping more than I should so I'm sure I'll reference it in the future!

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  20. I'm heading out early tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes!

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  21. :hugs:

    Since I don't have a gallbladder, I feel like things move quite quickly through my body. There are times when I know I'll have to stay close to home or a bathroom while running, just because stopping is inevitable. It's kind of embarrassing, but we do what we have to do.

    I like the Skin Strong spray of all the anti-chafing products.

    I'm sorry you've lost your mojo. I think we all go through those phases, and it's tough to come back. Take a break if you need. Sometimes that's the best way to reset.

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    1. My running friend is sans-gallbladder and she tells me the same thing! I have no such excuse! LOL

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  22. I'm a shopaholic, but I would never pay that much for a pair of running shorts... and I'm really tired of all the poop lady talk ... over it

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    1. I have to agree with you--over the pooper. Like I said, she really one upped the rest of us...

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  23. Did they ever catch the Mad Pooper? I totally understand emergencies, but her openness is quite disturbing!

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    1. I'm not sure if they caught her--I'm pretty sure there are some mental health issues there.

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  24. When running mojo goes, I just go with it, do other activities. I know that it is only temporary so I just accept that's what it is and I know it will come back. Just be patient. Excited to meet at the end of the month !

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    1. I would let running go completely for a few weeks except that I have those half marathons this fall. I'm hoping with the cooler weather, my effort will lessen.

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  25. I too have lost my love for runnng, ever since my DNS two weeks ago from health issues. Though I have been cleared to run I'm just not excited. Hope I passes for both of us.

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    1. Yeah, that DNF I had a few weeks ago really sucked the wind right out of me! Hoping that it passes too.

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  26. I can't believe it's the end of September already! I hope you find your mojo this coming month.

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