Wet Runfessions

Another month, another visit to the runfessional. I swear, sometimes these posts just write themselves. Thank goodness for yet another opportunity to cleanse my soles. Marcia opens the runfessional on the last Friday of every month. I have to say it really feels good.

Let's get right to it!

I runfess... I do not understand the allure of Swedish Fish as fuel during running. Or at any time for that matter. I recently republished a post about race mistakes and Lisa shared an experience with chewing Swedish Fish while trying to smile for a race photographer. Her story reminded me that on my recent flight out west, Swedish Fish were handed out as the inflight snack. Umm, that would be a hard NO. They have no taste and are impossible to chew. I want to keep my dental work intact, thank you very much. Plus, chewing and running is HARD.

So is the act of drinking and running, which I have also never mastered I don't know about you, but I always have to stop to drink during a race. I runfess I discovered during my recent Fluid Running 10k, I cannot pool run and drink either. Clearly, I am lacking the essential skills for success. 

I runfess... when I went to the pool for my most recent Fluid Running sesh, I forgot to pack a few essentials. Like my flip-flops. Walking barefoot in the locker room? EWWW. Even worse...when I got out of the pool I realized I had also forgotten to pack a towel. Thinking I'd have to pull my clothes on over my wet skin, I spied the paper towel dispenser and yep, dried myself off with paper towels. 

I runfess... that I find a lot of interesting things by the roadside when I'm running. On a recent Friday morning run, I stopped to examine this package along the frontage road. SO MANY QUESTIONS!  I found something similar a few years ago. Who just flings these things out the window of the car? And I can I ask about the red bra laying next to it? What is the backstory here?

I runfess... that it is no big secret I like to work out alone. Over the years, I've had people want to run with me--remember that neighbor who used to wait for me at the end of his driveway? The one I had to break up with and tell him 'it's not you, it's me'? Now it's happening to me at the pool. I'm tethered to the ladder, headphones in my ears, minding my own business, splashing away in the corner, and the pool people are drifting over to me on their noodles, making small talk. The worst is the man who just floats in place, only his head above the surface. This week he kept floating backward towards me. I picked up my pace, hoping that the turbulence would push him away.

What do you have to runfess? Swedish Fish, yes or no? Can you drink water while running? What's the dumbest thing you've ever done? The most interesting thing you've ever found? 

By the way... As much as I joke about the pool people, I am a huge fan of pool running. Pool running kept me fit and ready for running while I recovered from my injuries over the past 5 months. I plan on continuing to keep pool running in my fitness regimen over the winter. I've been using the Fluid Running system and have tried many of their different workouts. The classes are appropriate for all fitness levels! You don't need to be a swimmer to be a pool runner. 

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

Coffee Talk

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Let's catch up over coffee! October was a long month, and I'm so happy to be able to sit down and chat. What are you having? I'm having the usual cup of Dunkin with a scoop of GLG collagen and a splash of half and half. 

Creepy Crawly Runfessions

It sure has been a long month, hasn't it? With plenty of time to accumulate runfessions, you'd think I'd have a ton for this post. I'm not usually at a loss of things to runfess, but there haven't been a lot of running miles this month. No worries, there's always something to share. Most of my 'fessions this month are of the creepy, crawly kind. Kind of apropos for October, don't you think? Thank goodness Marcia opens the runfessional! 

What do you have to runfess?

Coffee Talk

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Let's catch up over coffee! Did you know that yesterday was National Coffee Day? Every day is coffee day at my house! Anyway, I just love this monthly coffee date. I'm having my usual Dunkin with a scoop of GLG collagen and a splash of half and half. What are you having? What would you tell me over coffee?

Happify sets a positive tone to my day!

I Miss Running and other Runfessions

Well, here we are again at the Runfessional. That was fast! It seems like I just posted last month's runfessions. Soon the snow will be flying--ok, I'm getting ahead of myself. Even though I'm not officially running, I do have runfessions this month. Thank goodness Marcia opens the runfessional. I need some absolution and an injection of positivity because, yeah, I runfess that this being unable to run thing is wearing on me.

Coffee Talk

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Let's catch up over coffee! What are you drinking? I'm having my old favorite, Dunkin original with a scoop of GLG collagen and a splash of half and half. It's always a treat. I can't believe it's been a month since we last shared a cuppa.

Recoveryfessions

Disclosure: While I am well aware that Alabama is a high-risk area for travel, let me assure you that I, along with Holly and Teresa, am fully vaccinated. I wore an N95 medical-grade mask on the plane and in the airport, the same masks I wear at work. We did not attend any large group activities. If you'd like to see some of my vacation photos, check out my Instagram!

It might be the last Friday of the month and the Runfessional might be open...but when you're not running, are your 'fessions even runfessions? You know I always have stuff to runfess. This month and last month...not so much. I am on the road to recovery (pun intended) and so instead of runfessions, I have a few recoveryfessions...

Because I've never been very good at sitting still...

Coffee Talk

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Let's catch up over coffee! What are you having? I've got some Starbucks Spring Day Blend that was on the clearance at Target last week. If you remember, I had it last spring and loved it! It tastes just as good on a summer day, especially with a scoop of GLG Collagen and a splash of half and half. 

It's been a pretty eventful couple of weeks for me, and if you haven't read any of my other posts, you might want to check them out. 

Yep, I bought this shirt, lol

Non-Runfessions

Can I runfess if I'm not running? I mean, I was running for the first week of July...then I had to go and climb the damn rope at CrossFit. Damn. Rope. Anyhoo, I'm sidelined, but I have plenty of things to 'fess about. Probably more than usual. Thank goodness Marcia opens the runfessional the last Friday of every month. I hope she won't mind these non-runfessions. I hope you don't either.

Coffee Talk and June's Mini Book Reviews

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Let's catch up on life off the road over a cup of coffee! I'm having my usual Dunkin with a scoop of GLG collagen and a splash of half and half. Lately, I've been pouring it over ice and it is oh so good on these hot steamy mornings we've been experiencing. What are you having? What would you tell me over coffee?

I Wouldn't Make a Very Good Soldier and other Runfessions

It has been A MONTH. I've been feeling high and happy that summer is here and that restrictions are lifting. And then...well, that's what we have the runfessional for. I'm cleansing my soul and soles here today. Thank goodness Marcia opens up the runfessional on the last Friday of every month. It seems that I never have a shortage of things to share. 

What do you have to runfess?

This is not Murph, but it may have been the WOD that pushed my tendon to the breaking point...

Coffee Talk and May's Book Reviews

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Let's catch up over coffee! It's always fun to check in and hear what everyone is doing off the road. What are you having? As always, I'm drinking my Dunkin' with a scoop of GLG Collagen and a splash of half and half. 

What would you tell me over coffee?

Runfessions: May

Heading into Memorial Day weekend and it's cold, rainy, and windy. Sigh. It's also time to runfess. Do you runfess? On the last Friday of every month, Marcia opens the runfessional, and runners across the globe bare their soles and receive absolution. No sin is too big or small. Thank goodness. You know I always have something to runfess...

5 Must-Have Home Fitness Products that Won't Break the Bank

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Got pandemic pounds to shed? Feeling a little loosey-goosey?

After a year of remote work, 'safer at home', and isolation, many people have found themselves tipping the scales and out of shape. In my clinic, I'm seeing it in my patients and their parents. Now that the weather is improving, getting outside and walking is a great option and a good start on the path to returning to good health.

You don't need a gym membership or a fancy home gym to aid in your quest to get in shape. I've got 5 simple and inexpensive products that are essential tools for an effective home workout program. These are all tools that I use frequently, both at home and in the gym when working with my strength coach. 

Coffee Talk and April's Book Reviews

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Good morning! Let's catch up over a cuppa--I'm trying a new-to-me super tasty Starbucks Golden Turmeric blend that I picked up at the grocery store. It's not as roasty as their traditional coffees, and with the turmeric, I get a little anti-inflammatory power too! Of course, there's a scoop of GLG Collagen powder and a splash of half and half, because that's how I roll. 

What's in your cup? What would you tell me over coffee?

Runfessions: April

And here we are again, at the end of another month, standing in front of the runfessional. You know about the runfessional, right? At the end of every month, Marcia hosts Runfessions, where runners can runfess their most egregious sins. A sole cleansing opportunity, if you will. It always feels good. 

Just like ripping off the bandaid. 

Let's go.

Coffee Talk: Spring Cleaning and March's Book Reviews

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Good morning! Let's catch up over coffee--it's been a long month, hasn't it? I'm having Starbucks Spring Day Blend. It's not too roasty and it's really perfect for these cool early spring mornings. As always, I have a scoop of GLG Collagen and a splash of half and half in my cup. What are you having?

What would you tell me over coffee?

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...

5 Things I've Learned about Running During a Year of the Pandemic

Can you believe it has been one year since the pandemic started? A year of masks. A year of social distancing. A year of fear. A year of race cancellations. A year of disappointments.

Think back to where you were a year ago when the rug was pulled out from under us. I was in Florida visiting my parents and getting ready to run a trail race in the Everglades. My trip was cut short and I DNS'd my race when I returned home to care for my son after a snowboarding accident in Wisconsin. The following week, we were locked down. It was, to say the least, a shocking turn of events.

It's been a tough year in so many ways. As it always has been for me, running was a gift and a bright spot in a year that was filled with turmoil. I want to share the 5 things I've learned about running over the past year. I've learned a lot of other things as well. Some good, some bad. But I'd rather focus on the good and running was all that for me.

I keep hearing the phrase: "I just want to go back to normal." But was normal always good? I like to think that maybe the downtime of the past year has given us all time to step back and reflect on what is really important in our lives. Hopefully, we've all made some positive changes in our lives. Running changed for me this year and I'm really pleased with how things evolved.

Book Review: A Runner's High by Dean Karnazes

 Disclaimer: I received a prerelease copy of A Runner's High from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  This book is due to be released on April 20, 2021.

"To me, running is a grand adventure, an intrepid outward exploration of the landscape and a revealing inward journey of the self."~ Dean Karnazes, A Runner's High

When long distance running legend Dean Karnazes gets an opportunity to run Western States, a 100 mile race that he's run over 10 times, he admits to feeling 'terrified'. He says the last time he ran it, 9 years previously, he DNF'd. He says his body was 'wrecked', something that has happened to him many times in his running career. That last DNF, though, broke his spirit. He had unfinished business with Western States and entered the lottery, just like a mere mortal. When he learned that he was moving up the list, he decided he better start training for it.