Thursday, November 26, 2020

Black Friday Runfessions

It's Black Friday and instead of shopping for bargains, I'm at the runfessional. Actually, if you're reading this on Friday, I'm at work and hoping to get some online bargains in between seeing patients. I do have a few runfessions, because what real runner doesn't? Marcia opens the runfessional on the last Friday of every month and I am so thankful for the opportunity to cleanse my soles. 


I runfess... that I thought I'd impress everyone with a tree pose on these trail tracks that I have to cross on one of my trails. I spent a good 5 minutes trying to balance on the rail. They are really slippery! When I finally was able to stay on the rail and get my arms up, a cyclist came along. That was the end of that! Sheesh. The things we do for the 'gram.

For my birthday back in September, my parents gave me a gift card to purchase a GoPro.  I runfess that it is sitting in the case on my coffee table. I still don't know how to use it. My goal for winter is to study the myriad of videos on YouTube. I love gadgets and I do think it will be a fun toy to take on the trails and on the boat. If I ever figure it out, that is. I must be getting old because new gadgets make my head explode. 

I don't want to scare off my furry friends!

Earlier this month on a trail run, I stopped to use a portapotty. I should have known better. When I opened the door it looked like gremlins had done some decorating, ala dumping the thing over. There was all kinds of stuff stuck to the walls. The ceiling was plastered with clumps of toilet paper. The only good thing about it was that because we had experienced some very cold temperatures over the preceding days, everything was frozen in place, so there was no chance of anything dripping on me. I runfess that I still used it because I had to go. I touched nothing. And kind of threw up in my mouth after I got back on the trail.


For the past 2 years, I've been a loyal ambassador for All Community Events. A perk of this ambassadorship was free race registrations. Recently, I tried to use my ambassador code to register for a virtual holiday race. The code didn't work. I reached out to my contacts at ACE and heard nothing back. Is it me or am I being ghosted? I runfess that I'm not too happy about this situation and may have to reconsider racing with them in the future. What a shame. It's been a lot of fun running their races and getting to know my fellow ambassadors. 


I've got my last virtual race of the year this weekend, the Schaumburg Turkey Trot Half Marathon. I run this race every year and I hated to break my streak. I runfess that I don't actually want to do it. Like most runners, I'm over virtual races. However, I have the medal and the race shirt sitting on my kitchen counter and I feel that I need to earn it. Earned, never given, right?


Last weekend, I went for a long run on the bike path. I runfess that I ran sans mask as I always do. For the first time since last spring, I got some dirty looks from a few walkers on the path. I kept my distance and my head down. Science supports my belief that the risk of transmitting COVID is low when you are outside. However, to be courteous, I will now run with a buff which I can pull up when I pass other people. 

Can I just piggyback on this runfession and remind everyone to wear their mask and wear it properly? I'm still seeing so many people wearing their masks below their nose, including in my exam rooms at work. Guys, if you do this, you may as well go maskless. You exhale through your nose. If you have COVID,  if you're an asymptomatic carrier, whatever, you're spreading it all around the place. If you can't pull up your mask over your nose, for whatever reason, then stay home. It's not a matter of personal choice or an infringement on your rights. It's a public health issue. You don't smoke around other people, do you? Don't make me get salty on you. And if you need a reminder, here you go:

Oh, and don't crisscross the mask straps in front of your ears. That creates gaps on the sides and lets your breath out. Trust me, I'm a nurse. Been masking for years. 

What do you have to runfess? Have you been stymied by a gadget? Ever used a gross portapotty because you had to go? Am I being ghosted by All Community Events? Would you just move on? Has that ever happened to you? Will you do virtual races in 2021? Are you running in a mask?

I'm linking up with Marcia for Runfesssions and with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness. Enjoy your weekend and don't spend too much money online shopping! Stay safe. 

PS. Can I throw in a plug for ChilWellness? Today through November 29, you can save 40% on everything in their store. Use the code BLACKFRIDAY





32 comments :

  1. That's so weird about ACE. I got an email from the village about the Long Grove Turkey Trot causing road closures, but I don't think the physical race even happened. It's all very strange. Come to think of it, I no longer receive ACE emails. I runfess we've had a GoPro for 5+ years and it sits in a drawer. Greg used it on vacation once, but I've never even tried. Ugh. Thanks for 'fessing!

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    1. No, that race was cancelled. I don't know what is happening with the ambassador program. Kind of disheartening.

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  2. The kids, more as a joke, got me a selfie stick several years ago for Christmas. I seldom ever used it...to me, the pics looked "too obvious" and not the least bit spontaneous. Of course, that's my own preference (and probably no one else's). Also, it was too bulky to take along with me for runs, so I never played with it enough to get comfortable with it. I don't even think it would work with my current phone (?). As for porta-potties, I'm not the least bit afraid of them anymore, not even in current times. I'm rather skilled at not touching anything while inside LOL

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  3. That's bizarre about ACE. I hope that they do get back to you. I know you've spoken about them before and they seem like a great organization to work with.

    I just recently criss crossed the straps on a mask when I ran out to the store on Monday because it seemed to make the mask tighter across my face, which I thought was a good thing, but I won't do it again - thank you for that tip! Also that mask meme makes me laugh out loud every single time I see it LOL.

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    1. I almost brought the meme into an exam room to share with a young man who just couldn't keep the mask up over his nose! Dude....

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  4. I don't run with a mask. But I do carry one with me and will put in on before I need to enter a porta-potty. Have yet to enter a really gross ppotty. And the porta-potties in the parks have all been removed for the season anyway.
    I can't remember getting any nasty looks from anyone because I was maskless while out running, but then, I don't pay much attention to other people anyway, so probably wouldn't even notice if I was getting the evil eye.

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    1. That had to be THE GROSSEST portapotty I've ever been in. I still feel queasy just thinking about it!

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  5. I carry my mask w me on runs and only pull it up if it is crowded or in case of emergency needing to go in somewhere. I do sometimes criss cross the straps bc it makes it tighter on me. Some of them are really big. Did not know that. I actually prefer the cloth ones that fit me better. Definitely over virtual races at this point too but I feel like I should support the charities they benefit. What's a runner to do?

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    1. We had some masks in our office that were quite large and didn't cover my face. They won't let us wear our cloth masks but then maybe they need to provide a variety of sizes!

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  6. I runfess that although I have been virtual racing's biggest fan, I was OVER IT for my Turkey Trot yesterday. And yes every time I see a nose poking out of a mask, your underwear meme is the first thing that comes to mind.

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    1. I have a virtual half tomorrow and honestly, I don't want to do it at all. I'm over it.

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  7. Yes I'm over virtuals as well but I did get my medal before my last half marathon. I HAD to run it. Glad it was at least a real race.

    I skipped the virtual turkey trot and many other of my favorite races that also went virtual. In 2021, I may choose some FREE virtual but doubtful that I will pay to run on my own.

    I also don't need any more gadgets. I don't even use my Garmin. I do love your photos - looking forward to the GoPro ones.

    I can't even balance on flat ground lol

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  8. We hiked the Grand Canyon on Wednesday. We had our masks around our necks but only wore them in the shuttle bus. The trail was not crowded and it was great breathing fresh air, even with an elevation of about 5,000’ higher than I’m use to.

    Les has cycling cameras that he attaches to his bike (some other brand than GoPro, but same idea.) They make it fun. I have no idea how to even turn them on!

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    1. I really want to have options like when I'm waterskiing or on the trails. So yeah, I'll figure the thing out!

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  9. I have a virtual half coming up too and absolutely no desire to run it! How odd about ACE - hope someone responds to you.

    I had been carry a mask with me when out for a run just in case, but of late with the temps dropping I've been relying on a buff - it many ways it's so much easier.

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    1. I have been wearing the buff around my neck too. It's much easier to pull up.

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  10. aWe bought a Concept 2 rowing machine right as we all locked down way back in March. So far all I've done is get on the thing and row for 30 to 60 minutes. Just this week I thought hmm I bet there are Youtube video rowing workouts and the very first one I stumbled across also showed the guy doing all sorts of settings on the machine.

    Oops. Guess I will be reading the owner's manual before I row again!

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    1. We use the Concept 2 at CrossFit! Yes, there are all kinds of settings, lol

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  11. I have started running with a buff that I pull up when I encounter people on my run too. Our state just passed more stringent measures to combat the spike and we are supposed to mask up even when we are outside. Come ON vaccine! :)

    Good luck with that Go Pro. I thought they sounded cool too. If you figure it out, will you explain it to me? ;)

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    1. I keep looking for a GoPro for dummies manual! I guess only smarties are using them, lol

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  12. I did not run a single half this year. Because running a virtual half just didn't appeal to me. But I have run shorter virtual races, and while not really my thing -- never signed up for #allthevirtuals -- I do make a little bit of an effort.

    Yes, there are times tech makes my head explode. Like the echo show for my mom. It would have been easy peasy if she had a smart phone -- but she doesn't. There are some workarounds for that, and today I was able to get it mostly working -- in that we could video call Mr. Judy, but Mr. Judy wasn't able to video call us. I may have to chat with Amazon about that. So I feel you!

    When I run at home I don't wear a mask. I've only done it -- recently -- at bike paths, which has more people, and less space to social distance. Where apparently no one feels the need to mask. Yes, I know the chances of catching it are significantly lowered outside, but the truth is they still don't seem to really know how it's transmitted. the info keeps changing!

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    1. The truth is that yes, they do know how the virus is transmitted and it's airborne. What they don't know is the safe distance to avoid transmission. Indoors is worse, which is why the numbers are so high here in the cooler midwest. I'm just over it!

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  13. Ew on the porta potty. Ick. I’m glad I don’t usually need to make a stop on my runs and rides — unless it’s a really long ride. Thanks for the tip on the mask loops. I had read that’s a good way to help preventing fogging your glasses, so I didn’t know it was a no-no.

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    1. The fogging thing is so annoying! I think there are products you can apply to your glasses to prevent it but I haven't tried any of it.

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  14. The mask thing makes me crazy. I had a lady bringing in her elderly mother the other day with obvious COVID symptoms, while I was screening her I aske the daughter to please put her mask over her nose and she said (get this) "Oh it's okay I already have COVID". I seriously wanted to smack her.

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    1. Oh, I get it. She only cares about herself. That's been a big problem, hasn't it? We have parents lying and bringing their COVID kids into our non-COVID clinic. It's awful.

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  15. When my mask is too loose, i tie small knots in the ear loops. I can't quite describe this in words but basically you just put in a small knot that shortens the loop. The problem with this is it puts a bit of strain on the part where the loop is joined to the mask, and I've had loops breaking off as a result. The surgical masks with the ties are good for really getting the mask to fit properly, if you can get them!

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  16. I wish people were more considerate. We don't have a mask mandate here, but we all wear them. Where I live, it's fairly easy to avoid other people when out running or walking, so I don't bring a mask out with me on those excursions. Everywhere else, it's just part of the routine.

    Super weird about ACE. I know you've worked with them for so long. It's really unprofessional how they're treating you. :(

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