Thursday, December 29, 2022

December Runfessions

It's the end of December, the holidays are just about over, and in a few days, we'll be singing Auld Lang Syne. But before we do that, it's time to clear our souls and soles by heading into the runfessional! Do you runfess? Marcia makes it easy by opening the runfessional on the last Friday of every month. It will feel so good to start the new year off fresh, wouldn't you agree?


I runfess... feeling conflicted about painted rocks along the Ice Age Trail. I love them, personally, but there are a few people in the IAT FB group who hate them. One guy says he takes them all and throws them away. Another asked me not to share the photos, calling them 'trash'. I guess it's a 'leave no trace' philosophy, but I think they are beautiful and fun to find. Isn't funny that there is a lack of tolerance even in a nature loving group?


I runfess... I misplaced my favorite cold weather Brooks shield lobster gloves. I didn't realize it until recently, because it hadn't been cold enough to need them. I thought that I lost them when we went to Notre Dame to watch my son play rugby. After tearing my car apart and searching the house for them, I ordered a new pair. And wouldn't you know it, when I was gathering up my gear for a cold, sleety run, I found them hanging off my treadmill? Hey, at least it's being used for something, am I right?


I runfess... that nothing warmed my heart more than my youngest asking for a pair of running shoes for Christmas. He did run that turkey trot with me in November. He took the new shoes for a 5 mile run this week. And...spoiler alert...we are discussing a trail race for 2023.  Stay tuned for that!


On a recent post, I commented I was running on 'heavy' legs. Grammarly, the app that I use to check my spelling and grammar made the suggestion 'stocky' to replace heavy. I runfess... that I actually considered if Grammarly was trying to tell me something I mean, I have been struggling with my weight lately and my thighs are thick powerful from strength training but stocky? Grammarly, maybe you should just stick to spelling. Or maybe someone can come up with an app that makes more positive suggestions, just saying.


Earlier this month, Cari posted she was this close to 1000 miles for the year, I checked my Garmin and was surprised to see that I too was very close-- at 946 miles for the year with 10 days left of 2022. I didn't set a  mileage goal this year, but since I was so close--could I do it? I would have had to run the equivalent of 5 miles per day to hit it. I runfess... that I actually considered chasing it but life has a way of keeping us in line, am I right? Not only did we get hit with that bomb cyclone and those frigid temperatures, but I got hit with that stomach virus that sidelined me from running for almost a week. So I'm wrapping up the year at 971 miles. It's good enough for me. I'm so grateful for all that this old body lets me do!


What do you have to runfess? Did you set a mileage goal for 2022 and if so, did you make it? Do you use Grammarly on your blog posts? What is your can't do without piece of gear? I love those gloves for winter running. Painted rocks, yay or nay?


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

24 comments :

  1. I wish I could find my shoe brush! Damn thing is so small too.

    I'm sorry you didn't make it to 1000, but truly, it's just a number. It doesn't say anything about the time you've spent moving your body.

    How cool to do a trail race with your son!

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    1. I'm not sorry I didn't make it to 1000! I wasn't even paying attention, lol

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  2. A friend of mine actually has a little painted rock business! Amazing that people feel so strongly about them on the trial. That's awesome M is getting into running!

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  3. I also thought I might be close to that 1000 miles this year but nope I was not ready to injure myself getting there. Instead, I am doing a ridiculous amount of Peloton classes to get that goal.No one would ever call you stocky! Grammarly annoys me sometimes. Legs can feel heavy after a tough strength class or tired. Sign of a great workout! I think I can comment again :)

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  4. Seems like you have some "Grinches" running on that trail! I can't believe they would complain about seeing painted rocks. Most people would just smile and say "aww isn't that nice" . That is awesome that your son is running! That would be great if he started doing some races with you! -M

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    1. I'm pleased and surprised that he's interested in running races! But his college rugby career is coming to an end and I think he's looking for a way to stay fit.

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  5. Oh, that's funny... stocky. No, you're definitely not stocky but I would also be temporarily offended by the suggestion.
    My dream is to get at least one of my kids into running- no luck so far. My son actively hates it, and my daughter has no interest right now- but "never say never", right? I'm looking forward to hearing about this trail race with your son!

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    1. I love that term 'temporarily offended' because it completely describes how I felt!

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  6. Grammarly needs to mind its own business LOL I'm surprised by the response to the pained rocks - I think it's pretty cool that someone is putting in the effort to not only paint them but place them in spots along the trail. That's awesome that your son asked for running shoes - I know how much you enjoyed the turkey trot with him :)

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    1. He ran again today, so that's a good sign! AND he bought a SpiBelt. Sounds like things are getting serious! :p

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  7. Congrats On The Shy 1K Result - Nudge Nudge - As A Confession, I Throughly Have Enjoyed Every Post Of Yours This Year - You Are A True Inspiration - Sending Positive Vibes Your Way - Enjoy The Weekend With The Family & Coco Too - Big Hugs Little W

    Cheers

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    1. Awww, thank you! i've enjoyed your posts as well! Cheers to 2023!

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  8. I didn't set a mileage goal this year, but I'm currently at 449 activities for the year, so I've got to do something tomorrow! I've got over 1400 miles but that includes running, walking, hiking and cycling.
    The suggestion of the word "stocky" made me think of the Stevie Wonder song "Living for the City" with the phrase "her legs were sturdy."
    New gear that I'm loving - prescription Tifosi sunglasses that start off clear. They were great this morning in cloudy conditions.

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  9. I never set mileage goals because I never know what Fate will throw my way (hello, knee surgery and stress fracture, for examples). I do have a ballpark "range," though which is usually based on previous years' totals. I'm doing so much cycling these days, the running numbers are not a priority. My son has been asking about races, too, and even hinted at doing the Fight for Air Climb with me...it's all talk at the moment, though. Those poor painted rocks! Gosh, I'd never think of them as trash (even with the added paint).

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  10. No mileage goal this year. Maybe next year. I love that your son has started running. How fun for you! I can see why people would not love the painted rocks, and I am all about leave no trace, but to call them trash, take them, and ask you not to share about them seems a little extra.

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    1. I'm all about just accepting and moving on. I don't get these people at all.

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  11. YAY for running sons!! So cool! I hope that he will pull it through - I'm sure he will make a great trail runner. And it would be so much fun for you as a mum! What trail race do you have in mind?

    Tonight we have the family at our place (12 people). We're making raclette, which means I only have to boil potatoes. So happy to see everyone!

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  12. I actually like the painted rocks but I could see where people might have issue with it. I can't believe your gloves were hanging off the treadmill! LOL totally something I would do. And hey, nothing wrong with stocky legs, girlfriend! but hmmm yeah I would be secretly wondering if the app was trying to tell me something! I set no mileage goals for this year and for next year I only want to complete 1 5K run per week so that I don't miss any parkruns/virtual parkruns next year. that's it. first get back into daily movement, then maybe later set a goal or two.

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