Thursday, February 24, 2022

February Runfessions

Note to my readers: 
In light of yesterday's Russian attack on Ukraine, I was reluctant to post my runfessions. I don't want to be insensitive to this terrible crisis. But humor is one of my coping mechanisms. My hope is that my runfessions will not be viewed as thoughtless but rather as a way to briefly distract from current events and maybe even put a smile on your face. I pray that there will be a swift end to this aggressive act and that the people of Ukraine will once again have their freedom. 

It's been a tough couple of years, hasn't it? Come with me and take a break from the bad news, at least briefly. Tell me what you have to runfess!

I runfess... that I am claiming my weekly pool running session as a running workout. Does it count if I'm not lacing up and running on land? I think so. There's speedwork as well as endurance workouts in every class I do. The instructor has us do heart rate checks and mine is definitely in the aerobic zone! Plus, I'm sweating in the pool. Who knew that was a thing? 

Speaking of the pool, I runfess... that last week, I posted a pool selfie from the locker room and someone called me out on it, saying I could get in trouble for taking a photo in the locker room. Ummm...it was a photo of ME and there was no one else in the locker room when I took it. Maybe this person should be more concerned about the nasty woman who swims into people in the dive well, just saying...

I runfess... I do not like Instagram Reels, at all. But Instagram likes them and last week, the Brooks Run Happy team suggested we collaborate on a reel with another team member. I reached out to Michelle and we worked on putting a reel together. I thought what we agreed on would be simple, but somehow, I ended up posting one reel of just me and then another reel of me collaborating with me. We finally figured out how to do the collab. I spent way more time on this than I wanted to. Meanwhile, I lost a few followers. Can't we just go back to photos?

I runfess... that I am doing everything I can to not run on my treadmill. February always tests my will. It's been really windy and icy this year--maybe it's always like this. I don't know why running on the treadmill feels so much harder and time passes so much more slowly than it does outside. Or why running in this awful weather is still preferable to the treadmill. By this time of year, though, my resolve is weakening.

And when is spring?

I runfess... that I have yet to try out my running snowshoes! If you recall, I was sent the wrong snowshoes from Amazon and exchanged them for the running ones. They are still sitting by the back door, waiting for enough snow for me to use them. We are getting snow as I write this...if we get the predicted 4-5 inches of snow, I will take them for their maiden voyage on Saturday. Then, spring can come. I am ready!


What do you have to runfess? Am I wrong to count my pool running as a running workout? Are you a rule follower? Reels, yay or nay? Maybe I need a tutorial? Treadmill or outside in the wind and cold? Are you weary of winter?

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

36 comments :

  1. Well I need runfessions in good times and in bad so I'm glad that you posted. In my book running is running, and it doesn't matter if you add the word pool in front of it. I'm Team Just a Picture for Insta. Yes I'm amazed at the creativity, but at the end of the day I just want to see runners talking about running.

    I've been able to run outside at least one day a week so that's at least better than this time last year, but yes I am done, done, done with winter. Something about having 18 inches of snow on the ground for a solid month was particularly unlovely. Come on Spring!!!

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    1. I woke up to fresh snow this morning--enough to make a mess, and I'm hoping it's the last of our snow. A runner can hope, right?

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  2. Of course you can count pool running as a running workout!
    If I remember correctly, you take your average running pace to calculate the distance, right?
    Whenever I see people swimming in the pool, I always think about the sweating thing. But I think there could be a lot worse things in the water than sweat.

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    1. I've been tempted to wear my Garmin in the pool, just to see what I get! I don't even want to think about what else is in the pool, lol

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  3. I don’t have any patience for video, let alone Reels. Plus as a “user” I find most pointless. That said, I don’t get why someone would unfollow due to your Reels mishaps. But then if someone was “concerned” about your locker room photo, I guess people will complain about anything.

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  4. What difference does it make if you take a photo of yourself in the pool? I don’t really understand the problem.

    Our snow was all gone, but we’re getting more ice & snow right now. I don’t think it’ll stick around too long. Or at least I hope not!

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  5. I'm not a reels fan, either, but they are the trend at the moment. I have a little experience with film (college days), but I don't have the time or desire to delve back into that field. I keep my reels to the minimum (maybe two a week), anything else is overkill, IMO. Hang tight...hopefully this trend will be over and done as soon as it began ;-)

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  6. As someone who has done those pool running classes they count! They are hard and keep you in great cardio shape. So, I am not a fan of the reels either. It took me hours to figure out thing that I think other people just got. I am still trying to do a few per week but I think they are dumb. Hope the allure of them dies down soon

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  7. I am so sad and disgusted by the Ukraine situation. It does give me perspective though. Here in the US we've been in such a petty, hateful place about things that seem so trivial now. I agree: pool running totally counts! Today seems like a great day to take your running snowshoes on their maiden voyage!

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    1. I thought about taking them out yesterday morning before work, but there wasn't enough time.

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  8. Pool runs definitely count! Especially since you're also doing regular runs. When I just do pool running I feel out of shape when I start running on land again- but that's true of every kind of cross training. Nothing keeps you in shape for running other than actual running.
    I know winter is getting old if even you are sick of it! I hope you get to use your snowshoes and that spring then comes promptly.
    Thanks for posting- we need our usual routines and lightheartedness, now and always.

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    1. I'm sure we will get one more snow and I'll be able to test them out.

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  9. Well you know how I feel about reels - I'm just glad we could stumble through that exercise together LOL. I really hope this is just a passing fad.

    Pool running is running in my book - sounds to me like you're getting a great workout! So odd about the concern over your locker room selfie...sometimes I think people just look for something to complain about.

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  10. Pool running DOES count!!!

    No treadmill for me.. I am not a fan of windy weather but the cold weather has not stopped me yet. We are tougher than that.

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  11. You have one up on me Wendy - I just don't get reels and have never even tried them! If you're sweating it's running! LOL. I runfess that ever since my treadmill broke down (officially died) in 2020, I've had no temptation to have it replaced. Like you, it's something I really struggle with!!

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    1. My TM is relatively new but I still would rather brave the elements!

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  12. Think Snow Please - Think Peace Please - Think Positive Thoughts - Call Family Members - Enjoy The Pool Time - And Smile With Your Heart - Big Hugs

    Cheers

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  13. People can't tell if you are taking a selfie or not with your phone. You could be looking like you are taking a selfie but really being a pervert (not that you are a pervert but the rules apply to everyone for that reason). I get why it irks you but I think that perhaps you are more upset that you were called out rather than upset about the actual rule. If you were changing and someone was pointing their phone lens in your general direction you wouldn't like it I'm sure.

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    1. You are right, I wouldn't like that either, which is why I made sure I was alone when I took my selfie.

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  14. Pool running definitely counts! You are still getting a workout. I badly want a treadmill but glad that I can still keep active being on the bike. Luckily today's snow wasn't too bad and it will be gone soon.
    I do not like Reels at all. Well, there is one person that I follow and I like her Reels but it is mostly because they're funny and her cats sometimes star in them. :-)

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    1. I thought you had a TM! Guess it's just the bike.

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    2. Nope, just the bike. I want one but have no room for it here.

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  15. I runfess that I've gotten to the point where if I see somebody with a dog on the trails I go a different way. I'm so tired of dogs jumping on me.

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    1. We have leash laws here but apparently they don't apply to everyone!

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  16. Pool running does count, no doubts about it.
    I don't have anymore a treadmill but I confess that today I've missed it: I can't run because of a very strong and cold wind from north. I don't remember a wind like this in my city!!!

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    1. I'm preparing my weekly recap and I talk about the crazy weather we've been having too!

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  17. Running is running, they count. Reels are stupid and I just scroll past most. Hoping Spring comes your way soon.

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  18. I have reached expert level at compartmentalizing. However I've dropped off posting on Twitter, because that seems to be where more of the politics and "real-world" stuff happens, as opposed to IG or TT.

    I used to hate Reels, but now I enjoy them. Yours was cute!

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