Thursday, August 25, 2016

Five Random Runfessions for Friday


I have not done a RaNdOm PoSt in awhile, and this seems like the perfect opportunity. After all, it's time for Runfessions, and it's also the Friday Five spotlight.

Ready? Here goes.....

1) First off, I must runfess that I actually LOVE this hydration vest.

Ready to run...
I never considered myself a "hydration vest person," and certainly really never had a need for one. After all, most of my long runs are broken into 5-6 mile segments (looping back to my house for water, potty stops, etc.). In races of long lengths, there's ample water stations (usually) along the course. And, quite honestly, the idea of a vest with a refillable bladder totally made me want to gag.

Then this little beauty from SLS3 entered the scene. It has a big pocket on the back, and two slim pockets on the front straps that hold the water bottles. And there's lots of extra storage for almost anything else you could want with you. I have a full review in the works, so stay tuned.

This hydration vest also works great for cycling!

2)  Next, I runfess that I wish the trench run (on August 14) would have had more obstacles and/or less running (on gravel). Hands-down, this course was a great challenge, and the organizers did a fabulous job in all of the details. It was my first Obstacle Course Race (OCR), so I had nothing to compare it to other than what I had heard from others who have done OCR's. The course wound up being just over seven miles, and most of the running was done on gravel (there were some segments on grass trails and a brief half-mile or so at the finish line on cement, though).Oh, my ankles were so achy upon finishing! The outer areas of the soles of my feet are still a little cranky. I'm just thankful I had the opportunity to be in condition to withstand the course and the obstacles, and I'm really glad the event fell in the lull of my down-time as I was recovering from my ultra and didn't have any other events on the roster for several weeks following.

hoisting the sand bag...
3) I have to runfess that I am dreading what's gonna happen in November.....and in the two months leading up to it with all the negative campaigning. I respect everyone's right to their own opinion, but PLEASE. I sincerely wished people realized their outbursts (usually which are negative about their desired candidate's opponent) are only making me roll my eyes instead of thoughtfully considering what they may be saying. Their viewpoint probably has merit, but all that negativity just makes them look (and act) like the "evil candidate" they're critisizing. That's all I have to say about that.


4) Moving along, I runfess that I am loving my early morning runs of late, even if it means rising at 4:58AM and stumbling to the bathroom (so far, no stubbed toes). Honestly, I don't know how I fell out of this pattern of early morning miles,but I'm glad to have found my way back!

Another run in the wee morning hours
5) Lastly, let me runfess that I have ZERO anxiety about my next marathon, Route 66, happening on November 20th. I'm not going into the training with my eye on a BQ. As much as I'd like to land a spot at the start line in Hopkinton someday, Route 66 will not be the qualifying race to get me there. Seriously, I know how this works. Most people pick "fast and flat" courses for that objective...not a hilly course (with a bonus .3 mile jaunt deemed The Center of the Universe Detour). Essentially, Route 66 will be another ultra since the total distance will be further than 26.2 miles. And, as I cross that finish line, I will "technically" have run an equal number of ultras and marathons when all is said and done (three of each). Yes, ME! The lanky and clumsy girl who was shunned by most of her gym teachers and coaches in her "past life."


ultra miles do NOT scare me
Oh, and just for kicks, here's a BONUS Runfession: I have been doing so much planking in recent months, that it's just a routine thing for me...like brushing my teeth and walking Max. My abs still are not washboard-quality, but everything is tighter and firmer. My skinny jeans are not skin-tight. My love handles have vacated the premises. Life is good...and I owe it all to planking (because crunches are worthless to me).

daily planking = results
So, there you have it. Some random runfessions, and I'm feeling better already. How about you, do you have any of these in common with me? Or, any runfessions you'd like to share?

Care to Runfess? Go ahead, I'm listening
I'm double-linking today...with Marcia for the Runfessions link-up...


...and also with the DC gals ( Mar , Cynthia , Courtney) for the Friday Five link-up.












41 comments:

  1. I'm so jealous you have the motivation for all your planking! You look fabulous!! I love my morning runs... Although the 4:30 alarm today was just too damn early! Good luck at Route 66!!

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    1. I love planking...and I'm not really sure when I started the daily thing. It's been a couple (or a few?) years.

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  2. Good for you on the planking. I do them several days a week, but just can't get into the every day habit. I can see why you wish that race had more obstacles - that's what made it special.

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    1. I just do a "mandatory" 2:30 plank every morning, while my chai is heating. It goes real fast when I don't have to watch the clock. ;-)

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  3. The dog got me up at 3:30. I should've just stayed up and got my run in, alas I did not. I am reviving the plank habit though! Thanks for linking!

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    1. Do we need another "planking" hashtag? That could be our September challenge ;-)

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  4. I am impressed with all your planing. I wish I could get into that!

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    1. That should say "planking"..stupid auto correct!

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    2. ha ha ha...I get it! Auto correct is the biggest oxymoron, EVER!

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  5. Crunches are worthless. So is Trump. And yes, I'm scared about November too.

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    1. Crunches area the biggest waste of my time...which is why I don't even attempt them anymore. It's so easy to "cheat" on them without even knowing it LOL

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  6. Plus you have a freaking awesome coach :D
    I can't talk about November. Just get me through to your marathon and Thanksgiving.

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  7. I never felt like I ran far enough for a hydration vest but this summer I am considering it. I've been going through all my water in the little bottles.

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    1. I don't get that thirsty for some reason, but if I have water along with me I will drink it (and I know my body needs it). That said, I do feel a bit like a dork wearing the vest for running around town...it's not like I don't have access to water if I desperately needed it LOL

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  8. I'll be runfessing tomorrow.

    You know, when you take that pressure off, sometimes you really surprise yourself! But as long as you enjoy your marathon (which I find amusing, as I don't think I'd enjoy one), it's all good.

    I would love to run in the mornings more, but my sleep has been disrupted by one thing or another every week since we got Bandit. Almost 2 months. So I just wake up soooooo tired. And there are the dogs to walk, my husband's breakfast to get ready, the animals want food . . . so it doesn't happen a lot.

    Except for the long runs, because I'm meeting up with the group.

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    1. Knock on wood, I'm able to function pretty well on 5 hours of sleep, so getting up "early" isn't too much of an inconvenience. ((yet))

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  9. Ahh...Route 66 is one of my favorite events! My sister lives there too which makes it that much more fun. Yeah, definitely NOT a flat course. You are a rock star with your planking! I runfess I've slacked on it. My arms/shoulders stay so sore from water skiing, that I just don't want to! I'll add it back during the winter...maybe.

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    1. The thing with my planking, though, is I kind of take it for granted because I've done it for so long. The "daily 2:30 forearm plank" each morning doesn't feel like much...but I don't really feel like going all-out and planking for 4-5 non-stop minutes when I'm not 100% functional (yet) LOL

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  10. As you may have read in other posts, I do a 2:30 plank every morning, no matter what. Any other planking that happens is a bonus ;-) I have discovered that I see the most results from the side planks (on forearms), I can really feel it in my hips and inner thighs.

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  11. Well, as a Canadian, I know I have no official viewpoint about your upcoming November election, but as a neighbor, I have a lot of concerns... what happens to the U.S. impacts us greatly. I really dislike all the vitriol though and have unfollowed a few people who insist on posting every little thing that supports their own opinion. Enough said.

    I love planks too. Crunches seem a useless endeavour to me.

    I am intrigued by the hydratioin pack.

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    1. The campaign is so nasty this year. Frankly, it's kind of embarrassing what the candidates will resort to in hopes of making their opponent look "worse" than themselves. I have also unfollowed a lot of "friends" for the same reason, and have lost a lot of respect for others by the hateful stuff they're posting. Stay tuned...I'll be posting a complete review of the hydration vest soon!

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  12. This election season is worse than any I've ever seen. I will be thankful when it is all over.

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    1. Agreed. This election will go down in history as the ugliest one ever.

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  13. I hope my new hydration pack works as well as yours, otherwise I may buy one of them!!! Planks...I love and hate them, but I def need to strengthen my core...you have inspired me to do more.

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    1. I'm thinking of hosting a planking challenge for September.....I am completely sold on what planks can do. Care to join me?

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  14. 4:58am?!?! WOOF!! haha way to go, though!! And sounds like I need to do more planks!

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    1. Planks are great! Just a little bitof work each day makes a huge difference if you stay with it!

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  15. You are amazing girl! Before 5 am!

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    1. ha ha...most days I wake up before the alarm. I'm strange like that ;-)

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  16. You are a planking queen! I agree with you, it is the single most effective exercise- BAM that is it! and I am with you up early and out, you are not alone!!!! :)

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  17. I know ur going to post a review on the vest but I am hoping to order something in the next day or two. I used my husband's camelback for my long run this morning and it did not go well. I am pretty well endowed and the chest strap made me look pretty obscene and my shoulders are kind of narrow so the shoulder straps kept sliding off. Arrrgggg. Do u feel like urs would work better w/ the double chest straps? Thanks!

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    1. This is the only vest I have tried. I was fearful I'd feel like I had a toddler strapped over my shoulders but that, totally, was not the case. This vest was comfortable, and never felt like I even had it on. I like the double straps...I think having two straps keeps it more "balanced" and secure...I never noticed it bouncing. At all. I don't know if the vest would "enhance" or "minimize" the girls....having a series of straps (even if the straps keep everything secure and in place) might draw attention to that area (??). I highly recommend this vest, though. Here's a link, if you'd like more info... https://www.amazon.com/Hydration-Vest-Backpack-Trail-Running-Marathon/dp/B01GQUJKX0/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1472312663&sr=8-22&keywords=sls3

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  18. You have been doing a fantastic job with your planking, congrats ! I have lost some fat off the tummy but I have been tweaking my diet lately after all those summer indulgences....
    I runfess that I am looking forward to fall temps. It is 100 degrees here today. And Paris doesn't have much air conditioning....

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    1. wow...100 sounds hot!! I cannot imagine not having air-conditioning...although it's kind of a catch-22. The hotter it feels outside, the colder it feels inside...and I spend most of my summer shivering under a sweater LOl

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  19. I'm with you on this election. God help us! While I do love early morning runs I'm not ready to do it in the dark :( it's so hard to get dark miles around my house without looping so dang much and alternative is getting up even earlier to drive somewhere which sucks too. Have a great week Kim!

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    1. I'm lucky where I live...just a couple blocks from a college campus that has lamp posts every 20-30 feet. Trust me, I see every shadow because there's lights in every direction...nothing is gonna take me by surprise ;-)

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  20. Love your runfessions! I always admire your planking...it's been over a week since I've done them so I need to get back to it. They really do make a difference! Oh and early morning running is great! I do have to get used to it being dark out there though! And nice, we've got marathons on the same day!

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    1. I think I may have missed a recent post or two...how is the training going? I cannot wait to hear all about your big day!!

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