Thursday, January 26, 2017

Time to Runfess...



Let me start by saying January 2017 (in terms of what I consider "running") has sorta sucked.

There. That makes me feel better already.

Have I been able to run? (absolutely!) Has it been pain-free? (for the most part, yes) Then why am I being such a wet blanket about it? Read on, I'll share some Runfessions with you....



I'm kind of wishing for snow.....
Granted, I'm a born and raised Iowa gal. I know what Midwest winters are all about, but this winter has been a strange one in terms of weather. It's been butt-freezing cold, damp, and windy. But, there's been very little snow.

So why am I in a tizzy? If it's gonna be so cold, I much prefer to at least having something to show for it. Yes, there has been ice....but having a little bit of snow (just a few inches is all I'm asking for!) would make all this polar-vortex reality worthwhile. Somehow, it always feels much colder when there's a lack of snow on the ground (probably because it "appears" to be warmer outside than it actually is).

Where's the snow???

I have missed consistent (weekly)running...but not as much as I'd thought. As I have said (several times since January 2nd, when my Running Streak came to an end), right now is my off-season. And I don't have any "big" events on the immediate calendar. So, I guess it's good timing that the weather has been less-than-desirable for running, right? I haven't been tempted to do any excess running at a time when I really don't "need" to (#glasshalffull).

Yes, I have been spending more (and more) time with 'Milly...I even designed an interval workout for her (you can read all about it HERE ). But, I prefer her friendship (I use that endearment quite loosely) to be best utilized for interval workouts or simple power-walking. What I have really been missing, though, is my outside mileage, and 'Milly cannot help me with that.

ugh....here we go again, 'Milly.....

Why do so many desired events have the same deadline for early registration discounts? I have several events on my radar that I really want to do (and probably WILL do). They're all at different times (in different months)...but they all have price increases happening on February 1. What the WHAT!?! That means I have a lot of split-second decisions to make in the next few days as to whether or not I really want to commit to doing all of them (and save a little coin on their individual registrations)...although there will be one big cash payout come January 31. Decisions...decisions...

I failed (miserably) at my daily yoga challenge. Womp Womp. I started off great...doing at least 20 minutes of yoga every day for the month of January. I don't even remember when it stopped. All I know is that January is winding down and I'm not doing 20 minutes of daily yoga anymore. Ugh. I am still doing a little here and there, but I am certainly not being a disciplined yogi about it. The #5dailyplankingminutes is still going strong, so there's that (planking is a form of yoga, at least in my world).


Taking a brief 3-day blogging sabbatical was kind of refreshing. While in Chicago last week (recap HERE), I chose to forego my usual Friday post (and subsequent link-ups). As much as I was dreading the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), I also knew I would not have time to read/reply/respond adequately while properly touring the Windy City. And guess what? The FOMO was manageable and not a burden after all. I know we're all busy and there are only so many hours and minutes in a day to devote to blogging. But, a bright spot? I got to have some fun with a few of my runner friends instead...

Jumping at the Bean with Marcia and Wendy
So, there you have it. A few Runfessions, and all is well with my world again. Consequently, We actually got a tiny amount of snow this week...just enough to cover the icky (ugly) partially thawed muck that is usually grass. I even got to finally get outside and run some miles on Thursday evening!

Back outside...for the win!
Do you have anything that needs to be runfessed? How's your winter weather been? Any races coming up that require careful financial planning to swing all the early bird discounts? Ever taken a blogging sabbatical?

I'm linking up with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions link-up
and also with Meranda and Lacey and Rachel for the Friday Five 2.0 link-up.




47 comments:

  1. I never thought I'd admit it either, but I am so with you on the lack of snow! It's hard to believe that the only sunny day we've had in the last couple of weeks was last Saturday. It was meant to be!

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    1. yes, the stars, moons, planets and the SUN all aligned just perfectly for us ;-)

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  2. I'm the opposite. I love the milder temp! But I think in mn we've had more snow than you!

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    1. I love the mild temps (I'm certainly NOT wishing for colder temps!), but the fact that it is SO cold...and there isn't even snow on the ground is just a cruel joke of Momma N's

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  3. I can never seem to hang in on the yoga challenges either! We also have not had any snow yet and I'd like at least one storm so that I can go out and enjoy it. The race price increases? You are right! Have a great weekend

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    1. We did get a good ice storm almost two weeks ago that shut everything down for about 36 hours...but that was ice...not very runner-friendly

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  4. This week was the anniversary of last year's blizzard. While it was fun for a few days, I don't miss that it took 5 days for my street to get plowed and then forever before the paths were runnable. I'm not good at keep up with any streaks!

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    1. Oh, I'm not wishing for a blizzard (it's kind of odd that we haven't even had one blizzard this winter)...I just want a few inches of light & fluffy snow (preferable win no black ice hiding underneath...)

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  5. I 100% agree about the lack of snow. If it's going to be cold there at least better be some white stuff with it. (Said as it's snowing fairly hard here now...)

    What races have Feb 1 deadlines? Not grandmas right?? I still have to register.

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    1. I have no idea when the next increase is for Grandma's...I registered back in October, so it's a done deal for me. Are you gonna join us? (say YES, please say YES!!!)

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    2. YES!!!!! I'm registering this weekend. WHEEEEEEEE!!!!

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  6. Sun? What's that?? I failed at your plank challenge :(

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    1. Well, I'm always planking, so you can join me whenever you want ;-)

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  7. I've been so busy at work and the thought of being on a computer or other electronic device at night is not appealing. So, I've been blogging less. I'm wondering where did I find the time before? I haven't seen snow in a several years. But, I'm excited we may go snow skiing next month!

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    1. I'm trying to do three posts/week, and that's a huge time commitment (especially since I work 30 hours/week and still have a kid at home, etc. I don't know how the daily bloggers do it...I don't have the time management skills to swing that LOL

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  8. I am laughing because all of us Northerners are feeling the same way about no snow. I miss that white blanket! And that blue sky/sunshine too! Hey plank is definitely yoga in my book!

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    1. I LOVE running in the day time and seeing the sun reflecting off the snow (like a field of glistening diamonds)...and it's so calm and peaceful, and bright in the evening when the snow reflects the moonlight.....#reminiscing

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  9. I don't miss snow at all. I have been in Florida a year and a half and thankful not to see it anymore! I started yoga in January too and somewhere along the way I stopped....

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    1. Yoga is just so hard for me to be disciplined in doing...I love all the stretching and balancing, but have a tough time just making myself do it

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  10. Funny but I kind of feel the same way about the weather. We've been pretty warm here so I can't complain about the cold, but I was just telling my husband last night how I wished we'd have a snow storm soon. We've missed two days of school dues to freezing rain though.

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    1. We've had one ice storm (and a missed day of school as a result),but ZERO blizzards this winter. That's quite the oddity LOL

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  11. I'm with you. If it's going to be cold, it might as well snow! Though I'd rather it not be cold at all haha.

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    1. Well, I'll gladly take a sweltering hot & humid day ANYDAY over a freezing cold one. I just hate the wold & wind and nothing to even make it worthwhile...a total waste of cold temps

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  12. I too want snow! I've been mainly running on my treadmill this month a s I'm okay with that as I know there will be a time (summer) when I'm always outside running.

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    1. I'd rather be outside, too. Usually I am outside all winter long,but not this year...ugh

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  13. I miss snow! I'm from Chicago, but I live in Alabama now, so we hardly ever get any snow! I never thought I would miss it, but I really do!

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    1. I don't like the long winters (that sometimes start before Thanksgiving and last long past St. Patrick's Day), but I do like a little bit of snow...

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  14. I don't mind running in the snow, but I really dislike ice. I tend to get injured when I fall.

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  15. I remember from my days living in KS, I felt the same way... if it is going to be cold, it should at least snow! The ice, that I don't miss at all. Our winter has been on the warm and dry side.

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    1. Fortunately, we have not had much ice...but we certainly had had more of that than snow LOL

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  16. You're not alone ...I have not done weekly yoga like I said I would at the beginning of the year. Just too much to do and not enough time? Not really. Guess I just like what I like! :)

    You guys are some tough birds up there ...asking for snow! I don't like going outside to run in anything below 50 degrees! Hahaha

    I know exactly what you mean about these race deadlines and price increases ...it's just too much to decide all at once!

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    1. These all are races that I want to do,but I have been procrastinating actually committing to them....now everything is coming full circle...

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  17. I know what you mean about the cold feeling worse without snow. I would like enough to get a day off from work! But no blizzards this year would be great.

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  18. Yoga 20 minutes a day sounds great and digital breaks are so great! Don't fear the FOMO!

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    1. The digital break was actually a lot more relaxing than I anticipated. I need to do that more often.

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  19. I took an unplanned sabbatical last week. I just had so much going on and nothing important to say... We could really use some snow here too. I'd love just one "snow day" and then it can melt in typical Virginia fashion.

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    1. I appreciate your comment about having "nothing to say." That's exactly how I sometimes feel, and then I "force" a blog post that is probably a bunch of random ramblings that make no sense to anyone other than me LOL

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  20. I just never understand people wishing for snow (unless you're a skier). Snow just makes everything harder. Wiping paws every time the dogs go in & out, and then dealing with the consequences because I'm tired of wiping paws, shoveling, navigating the icy parts on paths . . . I never missed snow once when I lived in TX. 17 years!

    Not to mention it gets so ugly looking so quickly!

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    1. I agree, having snow makes a lot of things more high-maintenance (especially doggy care). I'm just frustrated it's SOOO cold and there's nothing to show for it. At least when there's some pretty snow covering the ugly dormant grass, it not only feels like winter but actually LOOKS like it as well.

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  21. i'm with you on the snow... winter in my parts has been very mild, weirdly warm and hardly any snow... its just not worth it when its kind of cold and grey but no snow... its like what is the point just be sunny and 50 then

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    1. Ha ha! Yes, what's the point of winter? If there's not gonna be any snow to "match" the frigid temps, let it just be spring (or summer) already.

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  22. I like a good blogging sabbatical ! I mean we got to go out and do stuff so we have something to write about, right?

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    1. True! If we're planted in front of the computer all the time, we're not out there creating what to blog about ;-)

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  23. I do have to admit that it's weird that we've hardly had any snow in Philly. Thankfully the weather has been pretty mild, but there are few things I can't stand as much as a cold winter day with no snow! So I feel your pain :)

    I'm trying to re-start my 2 minutes of planking a day. I wish I could do 5, but I gotta make baby steps to get to your level!

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    1. Plank as you can ;-) I'm gonna continue with the 5 minutes a day routine. Like I've said, the 2:30 is a no-brainer for me, so I need to add a few extra minutes (here and there) to keep it interesting and give myself an element of challenge. Plank on!

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