Thursday, May 25, 2023

Let's Runfess

Disclaimer: I runfess that this post contains a few affiliate links. 

Here we are again at the end of the month, which means it's time to runfess! Do you runfess? On the last Friday of the month, Marcia opens the Runfessional where runners can cleanse their soles. And their souls. Long-time blog readers know that I always have plenty of things to runfess. In fact, this month, I had so much to runfess that I had to let a few things go. Don't hold it against me. 

Let's get to it, so I can start June with a clean slate!

I runfess... that the change of seasons can make it hard to dress for a run. This time of year, the temperature can start out cool and warm up very quickly in the morning. But recently, on a bright, 75 degree sunny day, I saw a woman walking on the path wearing a puffy winter coat and carrying an umbrella. I guess it never hurts to be prepared...


Speaking of clothing choices, I runfess that after all these years of running, I bought a hydration vest. Two factors weighed into this decision: a few weeks ago, I ran out of water in my handheld while out on a warm trail run, and carrying said handheld seems to be aggravating my right shoulder issue. A 25% off coupon for Ultimate Direction was the deciding factor. I used the vest on last Sunday's trail run and while there's a bit of a learning curve to using the thing, so far, so good!


I runfess... I had a 'do as I say not as I do' moment when I ran out of insect repellant a few weeks ago. At my job, I educate all the parents of my patients about Lyme disease and the importance of wearing DEET or Picaridin-containing insect sprays. Already this year, the ticks have been terrible and yet when the can was empty, I ran anyways. Naked. Sans repellant. Runners...the things we do, am I right? That Amazon delivery could not have come soon enough.  


I runfess... I am a little frustrated with tracking on my Garmin 55. While the mileage seems accurate, the elevation is definitely off. On my recent IAT run, my Garmin gave me 1000 ft of climbing, but my friend's Garmin Fenix 7 solar showed almost 1600! Last year when I ran this segment, I got 1200. So what is it, Garmin? And don't even get me started on the HR monitor...which showed 190 at one point. I. Don't. Think. So


I runfess... that I fell for the old penny glued to the ground trick. I was finishing up Wednesday's trail run when I spotted a penny on the paved path. I always pick up a penny for good luck, but when I couldn't pick this one up, I spotted the glue under the penny. I just hoped that nobody saw me trying to pick it up!


What do you have to runfess? Do you struggle with dressing for a run during the change of seasons? Are you team hydration vest or handheld? Do you use insect repellant when you run? Do you find your GPS watch to be accurate? Have you ever fallen for the penny trick? Dollar bill on a string?

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

24 comments :

  1. I've not come across any glued-down pennies. Who does that? I used a hydration vest for training for my last handful of marathons and found it super convenient. Finding the right fit is key though. I had one that was sent to me by some brand that didn't work for me but I love my Ultimate Direction one.

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    1. Back in the day, my sister and her ex were at a bar and spotted a dollar on the floor. He bent over to pick it up, but it was on a string and someone pulled it away, making everyone laugh. Oh, those crazy pranksters...

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  2. I've tried running with a handheld but it doesn't work for me. I always feel slightly lopsided and "off".
    Does your hydrovest have a bladder and a pipe with a bite valve? Or bottles? I find the bottles easier to drink from.

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    1. My vest has both a bladder and bottles! I ran last weekend with the bladder and I really liked it. I'm thinking water in the bladder and hydration in the bottles.

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  3. It takes me awhile to figure out what to wear... it's because one day it's 40 and the next day 70..

    You're not alone... I don't have a vest and don't plan to buy one... I carry a water bottle or plant one...I also never drink enough but that me bad.

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  4. hydration pack and sunscreen always no bug spray. Since I started using the HR monitor everything is way more accurate and I get much more info. I think some models are better w some stats? Ha no on the penny thing-had no idea people glued them!

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    1. I have to use bug spray in the woods. It's just too risky to not use it.

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  5. Ooh, I want to hear all about your vest! I hope you end up liking it. I could never get comfortable with a handheld, and I love my vest.
    I can't help you out with the Garmin question. On one of my long runs, I think I ran 23 miles and the elevation was... 100 feet. Ha ha... yep, that's Florida!

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    1. I really liked the vest on it's maiden voyage! Stay tuned for more reviews.

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  6. I like to use a vest that I can put bottles in to bring out as I need - there's a salomon one that I have the Amazon version of (sorry). I can't get on with those bladders - I can never fill them, get water out of them to drink or clean them!! But I'm pretty sure that's just me.

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    1. So far, I liked the bladder. I only have used it once, tho.

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  7. People glue pennies to the ground? I never heard of that! How cruel.

    I love my hydration vest yet I do all sorts of things to avoid using it, LOL!

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    1. I'm not a fan of practical jokes but I feel like 'cruel' might be a little harsh, lol

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  8. Gosh, I have never heard of glued pennies! I guess I have been lucky, LOL. I got a hydration vest several years ago (I can't even remember the company...SL3S?), but I have not used it since MC in 2019. I do use the individual bottles, frequently, because of their ergonomic design, though. They're meant to fit into the shoulder straps, but I just carry one in my hand.

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    1. I have some of the collapsible bottles but I don't like carrying them in hand. In the vest, they make sense!

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  9. Who puts in the effort to glue pennies?!

    I talked about buying a hydration vest last summer but never did. I have a belt from Nathan with one bottle in the back. I wonder if I'd like the vest better. Handhelds bother my shoulder too.

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    1. I have the Nathan belt and I didn't like having to reach back for the bottle. I'm hoping the vest will be all that I've hoped for!

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  10. It's usually pretty easy to dress here. It's almost always shorts. And then a tank or long sleeve depending on the temperature. Bugs don't usually bother me. The worst ones are yellow flies (they will hunt you down) and no-see-ums - they both are immune to spray and both bite!

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    1. Those biting flies are the worst! We have them in Wisconsin. I use a camping spray with Picaridin and that seems to keep them away.

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  11. Now, here, it's time to run with vest and shorts. Heat is coming and I worry for the tomorrow race: the start is at 09:30 a.m.! Never used insect repellant. I have 2 Garmin and both are not accurate, however I cannot run without a GPS.

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    1. Good luck on your race! Like you, I can't run without my GPS.

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  12. What is up with the weather?!?!? At least we do not have snow. Which hydration vest did you get? I have one but it is OK.

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