I runfess... that I've been a bad blogger this month. I haven't posted very much. Life has definitely taken precedence over blogging! Work was insane as we wrapped up a very busy school physical season. What's up with everyone waiting until they're about to be kicked out of school? In addition to that, I've been studying for that pediatric mental health certification exam. We've gone up to Madison to watch my Badger play rugby a few times and yep, we bought a new car up there as well. I took a trip out of town with my sister this past weekend. I'm still reading my October Running Book Club Book. At this point, it looks like it will be my November selection.
I runfess...on that trip to Hilton Head, SC this past weekend, we were hit by Tropical Storm Nestor. I really wanted to run on the beach, so I checked the radar. It was predicting light rain for 30 minutes. It was warm...I don't mind a run in the warm rain.. and off I went. Within about 20 minutes, Nestor unleashed his fury, pelting me with rain and gusty winds. Ok then! I headed off the beach and even though the signs said 'do not enter', I ran into one of the neighborhoods and followed the path back to our condo under the cover of the trees.
I runfess... that I signed up for a half marathon after a couple of glasses of courage, I mean wine. I've been running pretty well again and that, combined with fear of being kicked off the All Community Events Ambassador team made me pull the trigger on the Schaumburg Turkey Trot Half Marathon. I do love this race and have run it multiple times.
I runfess... that while on my sister trip this past weekend, I asked a woman who was walking on the beach to take a few photos of me running. She looked at me a little strangely but agreed, saying "we all do weird things." Ok then. The pictures weren't so good--yeah, I'm picky like that--and I got up my courage to ask a fisherman to take some pictures. He was so enthusiastic and they turned out great. So there.
I runfess.. that I came home from our trip with a black eye. No, my sister didn't punch me. One morning, I was opening the vertical blinds in my bedroom and the valance fell off the top onto my face. Oh, my eye! Lisa and I put the valance back up again, only to have it fall off again the next morning, hitting me in the head. Just one more reason why I loathe vertical blinds.
I runfess... that last week while on vacation, I couldn't resist talking to a runner at The Salty Dog Cafe who was reading Running with Sherman. I reviewed it last month--it's one of the best running books I've read this year! Runners--we get each other. BTW, Running with Sherman is being made into a movie for Netflix!
What do you have to runfess? Do you talk to random strangers, especially runners? Have you run in a tropical storm? Ever ask a random stranger to snap a running photo of you? Signed up for a race after a couple of drinks? Do you loathe vertical blinds as much as I do? Although I haven't been blogging as much this month, I have been keeping up with my workouts and posting on Instagram. Do you follow me there?
I'm linking this post with Marcia and with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness.
Off to look up Sherman, I think I missed that post. I saw a great meme once --- seeing someone reading a book you love is like a book recommending a person. One of the down sides of e-books.
ReplyDeleteMuch shorter distance, but my first 5K was a whole bunch of nerves. I really wasn't sure I could finish. Sometimes I still feel that even though I can and do run much longer.
Good luck with your studying!
I have to run a few more long runs and then I think I'll be ready for that half. No worries!
Deleteand then Amazon recommends Sherman. CREEPY. But OK because I forgot to look it up
DeleteYou know my theory that Google is always listening. I guess Amazon is too!
DeleteYes, I talk to random runners, and today on my walk I forgot I was walking not running and nearly spoke to some - which doesn't tend to work. I've never asked a stranger to take my photo, but strangers are ALWAYS asking me to take theirs!
ReplyDeleteI runfess that I'm annoyed I'm behind "Last Year Liz" on miles at the moment and am trying to work out how to run more miles a week for the rest of the year just to beat random number of miles me. But where will that end if I do it every year???
I'm sad that I won't be anywhere near "Last Year Wendy" in miles. I'm currently at 575 miles for the year. Sigh. Last year I hit 1000. Maybe I'll hit 750? Kind of ambitious at this point but you never know.
DeleteThose miles this year are carved out of pain and health struggles: I think they're an amazing achievement.
DeleteIt's been a tough one, that's for sure! Glad to be logging some miles again. <3
DeleteI dont think I've ever asked anyone I dont know to take a picture of me running. I get weird enough responses from people I do know. Glad you were able to escape the storm pretty quickly! And sorry about the black eye!
ReplyDeleteSince I was running on the beach, there wasn't really any place to set up my phone. It was SO beautiful that morning. It worked out ok but I wouldn't make a habit of it!
DeleteI've asked random strangers to take my photo after a run, but never while running. So weird that the fisherman got it. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry about the black eye -- but seriously, I would never have tried to put it back up!
I don't drink. :) Usually I'm not super nervous about signing up for races, although I've definitely gone out of my comfort zone multiple times -- it all works out!
We didn't want to get charged for any damage so we tried to put the valance back up. Clearly it had happened to other people, since we discovered cardboard shims used to hold it in place!
DeleteIf you count Hurricane Sandy as a tropical storm, then yes, I ran MCM in it. Let's just say the back half of the course got eerily breezy and we evacuated literally at the finish line and drove home because all flights were cancelled. I've asked my kids to take running pics, but that's about it.
ReplyDeleteA hurricane is definitely more than a tropical storm! I swear, you've really done it all!
DeleteLOL on that woman's reaction. I'm glad the other guy was more enthusiastic. I only ask someone else to take a pic if I'm at a race. Running around DC, I often offer to take photos of tourists. Sometimes you want a selfie, but it's hard to get those monuments in the background. so, you escaped the storm but got attacked by the blinds??
ReplyDeleteTrue story! What were the chances of the blinds hitting me squarely in the eye? I hate vertical blinds anyway, and it's like they KNEW that.
DeleteTropical Storm Nestor is not my friend. It made our ZOOMA Florida weekend an interesting challenge...
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your half marathon.
I thought about you that weekend, knowing you were in Florida. I hope you got the race off without too much drama.
DeleteWe ask strangers to take our running photos all the time. Sometimes they think we are weird but they usually don't mind. Turkey trots are usually pretty low key and a good time to do a race. I do a local 10K that day that is super hilly but it is a fun way to start the day. Glad to read you are feeling better about running too. Fingers crossed both of us continue to feel good!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that both of us are back on the run again!
DeleteI runfess that there is nothing better than talking to a stranger and finding out that they are a runner! Boo to the lady who thought that running pix were weird, both for thinking it's weird and for taking bad photos! Congrats on signing up for a half!
ReplyDeleteRunners...we get each other! It was especially nice to bond over a book!
DeleteOkay so 61 days until Christmas just gave me anxiety, lol. I feel like the rest of the year is always a blur after Halloween.
ReplyDeleteI love that you signed up for a half marathon, and a Turkey Trot at that. It should be fun!
It's the same TT I do every year and I was feeling so sad that I might not be able to do it this year. So glad things turned around for me!
Delete"We all do weird things" - omg lady, judge-y much???! She was probably just embarrassed that she can't take pictures... ;-) Glad the fisherman stepped in!
ReplyDeleteI misjudged her when I asked her to take my photo. You just never know...
DeleteHow weird that the First Lady you asked to take the photos was so strange about it. Good thing the second person got some good photos for you!
ReplyDeleteHe's probably used to looking at the sea and the sky so he was all about the right shot!
DeleteI don't mind taking anyone's picture, pretty much anywhere, and if I see a group struggling to get the shot I'll even offer, which is a lot for my shy self. So weird that the woman didn't get you.
ReplyDeleteI do that very same thing, especially because so many people have done it for me!
DeleteYes I've asked strangers many times to take my photo while running. Why not? They can only say NO.
ReplyDeleteI sign up for too many races.. Hmmm maybe it's the wine as well.
You will do fine. You always do but just remember to enjoy it (and stress about your finish time). And you can eat more stuffing and desserts if you run 13.1 lol
I haven't run farther than 8 miles since my last half in January. After Hot Chocolate next weekend, I'll up my miles in anticipation of that half. Fingers crossed that RA behaves itself.
DeleteI love your monthly runfessions! So is the first picture of you running on the beach the one that the fisherman took?
ReplyDeleteNo, that photo I took by propping up my phone on a giant piece of driftwood! LOL! It kept blowing off into the sand.
DeleteI definitely DO talk to random strangers, especially runners. I have been a bad blogger for the past month too, due to first life, then laziness. I am back posting again. Good to read about your adventures, Wendy! Good luck in the half.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are back blogging again! Life does get in the way of blogging sometimes.
DeleteOMG a black eye from the blinds!!
ReplyDeleteI think i have signed up for a few races where liquid courage had been consumed, yes... you have time to train for it though so I think your half marathon will be fine!
I don't have any runfessions except I'm sick of not running. Gah. it's so hard to get into a new routine without 2 major things that you love doing.
Been there, done that....I hope you're back on the road soon!
Delete61 days?! Seriously?! Just too soon!
ReplyDeleteI always end up chatting with random runners. I don't think I've ever asked a stranger for picture except at races. How funny that the fisherman was on point with his photos.
Glad he was! I would have been sad if I went home without a good photo from that beautiful beach!
DeleteI WOULD talk to random runners but in my experience most of them do not want to talk back..lol. Perhaps those runners are not part of a social community like Bloggimg or IG ..haha
ReplyDeleteHope you eye heals quickly.
Maybe so!
DeleteWendy,
ReplyDeleteSometimes when i run the beach on HHI/Sea Pines at sunrise, there are couples, old and young, up early trying to take selfies with the sunrise in the background. As hard as it is to get these 55 year old bare feet started again when they stop, I make a point to offer and usually get as much out of it as they do, even if I may muff a shot now and again due to being low tech and sans reading glasses. You can make a day sometimes by just saying hey.
Scott
True story! I hope you enjoyed Sherman! Did you know that Netflix is making the book into a movie?
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