Runfessions: April

Can you believe it's almost May? We've had this prolonged cold season here in Chicago and I for one am super excited to welcome spring and warmer temperatures! With the end of April comes time for runfessions.

Do you runfess? I love this monthly opportunity hosted by Marcia where we get to cleanse our souls. If you don't have anything to runfess, then you're not a runner...

Even though Marcia announced she is postponing Runfessions until next week--she's running the London Marathon this weekend--I runfess that I'm runfessing this week. I already had a post prepared and I didn't have time to prepare a whole new post. I hope she'll forgive me!

I runfess that I was beyond thrilled when the temperatures finally started to warm up. Earlier this month, I got outside in shorts! It was 80 degrees! And then...whomp whomp...a few days later we got 8 inches of snow. My euphoria was replaced by despair. As if I'm not already riding the mood swing train with the steroids I'm on. Thankfully, that snow melted the next day.

Now that the snow has completed melted, I runfess to being completely appalled and amused by all the trash along the roads. It is amazing what people toss out of their cars. I see lots of liquor bottles and trash. One day, I saw a bra laying alongside a very busy road where I run.  A little Paradise by the Dashboard Light, perhaps? And after that, I saw a yoga mat. "Let me sleep on it.." and so inspired, I sang Meat Loaf all the way home.

source

Did you watch the Boston Marathon? I knew a few people who were running it and it was exciting to track them during the race! After meeting Sarah Crouch a few years ago, I've been following her progress as an elite runner. I runfess that I was incredibly disappointed to read her post-race IG post and learn that she ran Boston knowing she had a stress "reaction" in her femur; that she inevitably fractured her femur during the race. What disappointed me, even more, was the reaction of commenters on her post, most of which were calling her tough, brave, and amazing. Not one of those words would I use to describe what she did.

I wasn't feeling well earlier this month and I dropped down from my planned 10 mile race to the 5k. I runfess that the plan was to take it easy, but you have to agree, there's no glory in that. Yeah, instead I put the pedal to the floor and ran as hard as I could. For my efforts, I was rewarded with an AG win, but man was that hard! Never underestimate a 5k! I celebrated my award and posted a good finish line photo on my recap, which you can read here. Things aren't always what they seem, though! When I crossed the finish line, the photographer captured this gem.

No, I did not vomit after the race, although I felt like it. 

I runfess that 5k took way more out of me that I would have expected. I spent the next day on the couch and would have loved to call off sick from work on Monday as well. Don't underestimate the challenge of pushing hard at a 5k! Especially when you're not feeling 100%!

Got dirt? Cleanse thy soles at the runfessional and don't forget to wish Marcia good luck at London! /via @oldrunningmom @teamarcia #runchat #running

What would you runfess? Are you riding the crazy weather roller coaster? They're calling for the possibility of snow again this weekend. Come on man! Any interesting finds on the run? Do you think elites should sit out a race if they are injured? Have you pushed it at a 5k and struggled with recovery?

I'm linking up with Marcia for Runfessions--the runfessional will be open next Friday-- and with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness.