Thursday, March 25, 2021

March Runfessions

March just blew by me--much like a lion, I guess. It's the last Friday of the month, which means it's time to runfess! It feels like we just did that, but here we are again. Of course, I've got a few things to get off my soles...much like the mud from the trails. Thank goodness Marcia opens the runfessional!

Let's get to it...

I runfess... that for a brief moment, I considered signing up for the virtual Boston Marathon. Boston is the only race left on my must-run bucket list. I seriously doubt I could qualify for it now. Truthfully, I don't even know if I could run the distance anymore--or if I want to!. But that isn't what stopped me. It wasn't the vitriol being spewed by runners everywhere about the very idea of a 'virtual Boston'. Nope, it was the guilt of knowing that I couldn't proudly display the medal or wear the jacket without actually having qualified for it. 

I wish


I runfess... I see a lot of strange people on the trails. This month's strangest person award goes to the walker who turned around and started running backward as I ran in his direction. Was it because I wasn't masked? Does not facing the person prevent contracting COVID? Mind you, I was on the other side of the very wide trail. After I passed him, I looked over my shoulder, and yep, he had turned around and resumed walking.

I've had mine, have you?

I runfess that I am totally fangirling Dean Karnazes after he left a comment on my blog book review! He said he hopes to run with me. Can you even imagine? My heart rate would be way too high for that. He also retweeted me. In all seriousness, I've heard that he is one of the nicest guys around. And yeah, you should read his book!

I runfess that I am having regrets about signing up for my upcoming live 10 mile race, even though this is my favorite race. I've run it so many times. But yeah, I've got unfinished business there. Two years ago, I had to drop down to the 5k due to a prolonged RA flare. This time I'm ready for the 10 mile distance. So why do I feel so ambivalent? Will there be beer at the finish line?

Could it be....THIS HILL?


I runfess
that I still haven't used my GoPro that my parents gifted me for my birthday 6 months ago. My oldest son and his friend even gave me a tutorial on how to use it. My youngest son, who is currently snowboarding in Colorado, texted me some amazing photos from the mountains. He told me he wishes he had a GoPro. I think I'm going to give it to him. 

Do you think he's enjoying himself?

What would you runfess? Did you sign up for the virtual Boston? Would you? Have you seen any strange people on your runs lately? Are you ambivalent about getting back to live races? Have you ever gotten a gadget you've never used?

I'm linking up with Marcia for Runfessions and with the ladies of Fit Five Friday:  DarleneMichelleReneeJenn, and Zenaida !



36 comments :

  1. I have you beat with the GoPro. I asked for one (for Christmas I think) about, I don't know, six or seven years ago. It like the Go Pro 3, if that's any hint. I wouldn't know because it's still in the box.

    Very cool about Dean Karnazes. Though, because you are a badass, he should be fan-boying (fan-guying?) you.

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  2. I whole heartedly believe you could quantify for Boston Seriously, if I can you can.
    I almost wrote a post on weird people I’ve seen while running.

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    1. Thank you for that vote of confidence! A few years ago, maybe. But now? I don't know if RA would let me.

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  3. Are they giving jackets to the virtual Boston runners? I hope to one day qualify, but I think its awesome that some people have the option to run it virtually if they want. That's so cool that Dean Karnazes commented on your post and retweeted you!

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    1. It's just like any race, you can buy the gear including the jackets.

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  4. I runfess I've had a Go Pro sitting here for...oh...maybe 10 years? I've never touched it. Greg used it on vacation once, that's it. Ugh. I also runfess that many years ago I turned down an invitation to run a 20-mile leg of the Trans Rockies Run with DK. I just didn't think I'd ever be able to keep up with him. I agree with you that fake Boston would feel, well fake.

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    1. Oh, I bet you are kicking yourself for turning that one down!

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  5. Give the GoPro to your son! He'll be thrilled! I'm usually pretty good about using the gadgets I buy, although I don't use my foot bath often at all because it's a pain to fill & empty -- even though I actually love using it. I guess that's not a gadget, LOL!

    No to Virtual Boston. After all, the point of Boston is qualifying!

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    1. I am such a gadget lover, which makes this all the more distressing! But it's so little... and I'm just so overwhelmed.

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  6. Dean Karnazes is fanboying over you! (P.S. is fanboying a word? It is now).

    I am in favor of COVID precautions, but some of the parks in my area adopted one-way trails for the pandemic and I just don't understand that at all...

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    1. It's like the arrows on the floor of the grocery store. Really?

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  7. LOL on the GoPro. Definitely give it to your son. I have a new iPad I bought on Black Friday I’m trying to make myself use, but I still prefer my old one despite the cracked screen. The new one has a slightly different interface - different swiping, etc. — I just don’t want to deal with. :-P

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  8. Yup! I got a GoPro for Christmas 2 years ago and I've never taken it out of the box. It wasn't something I even asked for, I think my husband wanted it...lol. To be honest I think he forgot he even have it.
    Good luck with this upcoming race. I think once you get there and get going you'll feel differently about it!

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    1. I feel like suddenly there are a lot of us with GoPros that we have never used!

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  9. There are some weird runners/walkers out on our trail too! Why are you nervous about your 10 miler? Seems like you are in perfect running condition to tackle that distance? That's really cool that Dean commented on your blog! I would fangirl too :)

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    1. Such a good question, Deborah, and I wish I knew. Maybe because we haven't raced, really raced, in so long?

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  10. What??? I didn't know Dean Karnazes left a comment on your blog! That means you're practically famous! I have heard he's super, super nice.
    That backward walker/runner story is funny. Yep, that's weird!

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    1. I've reviewed a few of Dean's books and he's always been a pleasure to work with!

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  11. DK leaving a comment on my blog would have me fangirling too! How cool is that?!

    And just so bizarre about the walker backward running - I've given up trying to figure out people, especially in the time of COVID.

    I'm such a gadget lover but I runfess I probably wouldn't use a GoPro either - I say send it to your son :)

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  12. So cool about Dean!! You are famous now. I'm glad I know you!!

    Backwards walker? Why?

    I am a techie but I'm not sure I'd use a GoPro.

    I am a techie but a GoPro is something I don't think I'd use either.

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  13. I was curious about Boston as well. I'd love to run it (by qualifying), but have ZERO desire to put in the work. Even a qualifying time isn't "fast enough" these days since there are so many runners qualifying well under their designated time. The charity route has crossed my mind, but that's a lot of work as well. I have no interest in running 26.2 virtual miles...13.1 miles is tough enough.

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    1. I'm watching my endurance dwindle--RA or age? I don't know but I'm just not willing to push myself that hard anymore.

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  14. A virtual marathon just sounds like torture, lol! I hope you enjoy your 10 miler! We have so few options around here for live races, I'm trying to figure out an option if my half marathon falls through (which seems likely).

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    1. Well, now the numbers are going back up in Chicago...ugh...so this race may go virtual again. Stay tuned!

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  15. That walker on the trail sounds weird. Today on the trails, I met a guy who was training for a 10-day race. He had long, flowing, curly gray hair. He told me last year, he did 350 miles in 10 days. What?!?! He is 62.

    Dean K is a great guy to be a fangirl for. Super cool that he lest a comment for you. He wants to run with you - awesome!

    I get my 1st shot tomorrow. So excited!!!

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  16. I was also super close to registering for Boston. But then I came to my senses.

    A has a faux-pro, but he doesn't really use it. Now that he's skateboarding more, I'll have to see if we can put it to use.

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  17. I am excited for you running the 10 mile race! I did not register since once I knew about it and then realized I was interested in it, it sold out. Umm, no Boston virtual race for me. I would like to run the "real" thing one day, but I know I will never qualify. Oh well.

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    1. I wish you were going to be there. That's when we first met!

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  18. I want a gopro!!! I would use it alllll the time! y'all would be so sick of my videos hahaha!

    that was a really weird person on the trail!!

    I would totally be fan-girling if I had some sort of contact with Dean! OMG! I did meet and run with Scott Jurek in Berlin years ago and was absolutely beside myself! Then I met him again in Paris and he remembered us! And again in Boston!

    And speaking of Boston - no way no how will I run anything virtual for Boston. Also not Tokyo, Chicago, New York. Nope. Those races need to be done in person. And Boston - yep, need to qualify OR raise some serious funds for charity to run it. Other people can run it if they like, perfectly ok with that. But me? nope!!

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    1. How cool that you got to run with Scott Jurek!!! I love that he remembered you.

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