Friday, November 24, 2017

Runfessions: The Gratitude Edition

Can you believe that it's the last Friday of November? And that it's already time to runfess again? For this month's runfessions, I thought it would be appropriate to share a few thankful runfessions. Kind of a Thanksgiving-themed runfessions, if you will. With a little side of snark, because that's how my runfessions roll.



Let's do this!

I runfess that I am grateful for all the park districts around me who put clean, well-stocked portapotties along all my running routes. It's as if they know that I'm out there and that I might need to stop. Maybe they want to keep me out of the woods. The real gratitude will come to those who leave the portapotties out all winter. SCRPD, I'm talking to you....

This oasis has been here every winter for as long as I can remember. Until last winter, when it disappeared. Please don't do that to me again.
I runfess that I am grateful for the people who drop change on the ground. I pick up pennies all the time, pocketing them and expecting good luck or a good run, every damn time. Voodoo or not, believe and you will achieve. Do dimes bring 10 times good luck?


I runfess that I am grateful for an Inknburn lover's not-so-secret secret source of INB when said INB lover waits too long to order an item. Yes, that would be the long-sleeved Wildflower pullover. I've been eyeballing that top for a long time. Too long, apparently, because it finally sold out. The Ultrarunning Company came to the rescue once again. The URC has many INB items in stock that you can no longer find on the INB website. What kind of ambassador would I be without a long sleeve top or 2?


I runfess that I am grateful for my friend Steph's willingness to sign up with me for a cold, end of the season half marathon. When my work told me too bad, so sad about my planned Florida trip, the one where I had planned to run the Panama City Beach half marathon with my #holottafun gals next weekend, I immediately enlisted Steph to run this hometown half with me. I didn't even half to twist her arm. Because it's all about finding someone who is your kind of crazy.


I runfess that I've been cheating on my anti-inflammatory diet and I'm so grateful that I haven't had a big flare of my RA. In fact, I've been under an incredible amount of stress at work and I haven't flared. While I'm not symptom-free, I haven't seen any dramatic changes in my health. With apologies to all you "natural" people, I've come to the realization that the only thing keeping my disease under control is my medications. It is true that it is so much better for me to eat all those healthy foods. So while I'll keep it healthy, for the most part, I'm going to relax and live a little.


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It's been a really tough year for me, yet it's been one of the best years of my life. All these years of running have taught me to dig deep, persevere, and push through tough miles. This year, those lessons played out in real life. While my running journey definitely took a detour this year, I'm so grateful to still be running. Instead of hanging up my running shoes, I'm wrapping up 2017 running strong.  Running has brought so many wonderful people into my life and I still can't believe so many of you read my blog, look at my fitness photos, and take the time to leave meaningful comments. I love the interactions and the real-life meetups are the icing on the cake. I'm feeling optimistic about my future on the road and I look forward to continuing to run with all of you by my side.

I'm linking up with Marcia for Runfessions as well as Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday 5.0!






45 comments :

  1. ha ha...gotta love those porta-pots! I don't think we have any that stay open through the winter...though there has been so much on-going construction, there may be a stray one out there that is still in use.

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    1. I try to avoid the construction PPs--I don't think they are very well maintained. However, any port in a storm...

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  2. Im so glad you are finishing the year strong! And while I think a healthy diet can help, Im sure worrying about it too much can cause more stress than its worth.
    We don't have any porta potties where I run.And the ones in the city were always locked up.

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  3. The bathrooms on both of our bike paths are closed for the winter and only one has a port-a potty.

    Good luck on your last half of 2017. I wish I could go to PCB too.

    Hope I get to meet-up with you in 2018.

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  4. I love my INB. I runfess I almost applied to be an ambassador when they opened applications. ;)

    I'm glad you're finding something that works for you with your RA. Meds, foods, whatever helps!!!

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  5. I think I only run in one suburb around here that even has a park district, and yes, they have a PP (actually 2)! haha! But that's on my marathon training route, which I only use for that, so I won't be there for awhile...probably...

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  6. I never find any change. If I ever happen to I do not have any pockets to put it in anyways. I always listen to Another Mother Runner Podcast and every month they tally up how much change they find along with runs during the month. Sometimes it can be up to 50 cents. How does that work and where they heck are they running?

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    1. I find a lot of change! I always wonder, do people fling it out the window? Once I found a 20 dollar bill!

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  7. When we lived in Maryland, the long run route I ran had multiple sorta-potty options along the way - it was the best!! I don't find those here so I plan my route so I can always pop into my house if I need to. lol Have fun at your half!

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  8. Oh, sure, go ahead and be grateful when I opted to go snarky! I admire your honesty, grit and perseverance -- and your ability to see the bright side -- or at least the humor -- in each curveball life throws your way.

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  9. I love all of your colorful inkburn wear. I still have not tried them! Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving

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  10. There is a port o john in a nearby park I run in and it's there all year.... thank goodness!!!!

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    1. That is such a relief. Last winter my PP disappeared and I almost lost my mind!

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  11. I'm #holottasad you can't come to PCB. But, I hope you and Steph enjoy your half marathon! Here's to many fun adventures in 2018!

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    1. We are supposed to have perfect running conditions tomorrow! That never happens for this race. I'm kind of excited!

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  12. I'm so glad that you are ending the year strong! I know its been a hard year for you with lots of ups and downs but you have handled everything with such grace.

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    1. If you had been behind the scenes--maybe there wasn't so much grace...

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  13. Good luck in tomorrow's half. It looks like it's going to be sunny and in the low 40s. Perfect running weather. I hope you rock it!

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    1. I wish you could join us! This will be my 3rd time running this half. Plus I do a ton of training there.

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  14. It gets hard to find a bathroom (or potapotty) here in the winter. Most of the bathrooms are closed for the winter. Luckily I rarely need one. And I never find change! Probably because even with contacts I'm still nearsighted.

    That's great that you'll have company for your half!

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  15. It makes me happy to see you ending the year strong! Good luck with your half!

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  16. Lots of hugs to you. The natural route is great, but we have medications for a reason, too. No shame in making the most of them.

    I'm sorry Panama City didn't work out. It's awful when that happens, but I'm glad to see you making the most of a not so fun situation.

    Your attitude is always inspiring. You can always put a positive spin on things, and I know that helps you get through the harder times. Hope you have a great rest of weekend.

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    1. Oh, there was a lot of behind the scenes angst about that Florida trip. I can't quite get my head around my manager telling me I can't go, but I have to let it go.

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  17. Love this post! I have to add the porta pots to my "what I'm grateful for" at the end of the day, because I am SOOOOO grateful for them!! ;-) Happy Thanksgiving Wendy!!!

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  18. Glad to read this upbeat post Wendy. Hope you enjoy the long weekend !

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  19. LOVE this runfession twist! Funny how running lessons translate to real life.

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  20. You know I'm a big fan of you and your blog - you continue to be an inspiration and a badass! Enjoy that half marathon!

    I still need to check out InkNBurn...I definitely need more cold weather clothing but I know Bret won't be happy about it, lol!

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    1. INB doesn't have a lot of cold weather gear, so I think you'll be safe!

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  21. I hear ya on the port-a-potties. There are rarely any along the lakefront. I do know that the only real bathroom available is the one at McCormick Place.

    Happy to hear this year was good to you. Hopefully next year will be even better.

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    1. I didn't know that there was a PP at McCormick place! Where is it?

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    2. My mistake. Not a PP but a real bathroom. The entrance is along the lakefront. There is a little pathway leading to the entrance. Once you are in, it is on the left side.

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  22. No porta-pots out here, except for construction ones, and there's no way I'd go in them. We have enough gas stations to hit a real restroom every 3 miles or so along most of our Saturday routes, so that's our option - luckily I rarely need to stop, as pulling on sweaty spandex is not fun, LOL.

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    1. Yeah, I have my standards too--I stay out of the construction PPs. There are a few gas stations and grocery stores around, so I can always detour into one of those.

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