Thursday, April 27, 2017

Runfessions...My Current Reality


As April comes to a close, it's time to access what all went down in the past four weeks.

Over all, I'm very pleased with everything. My cross-training has been strong, I have started incorporating speed work into my marathon training, and my April mileage is currently standing at 89 miles (plus there's a half marathon happening on Saturday, so I will easily cross the century mark by month's end).

Despite all of the good...there are a few things I need to come clean on. Time to runfess....


Runfession #1 - My April daily challenges were a success, but there were a few days when I did not do all of them.  Sorry, but three minutes of ab work, even though it goes pretty fast, is such a downer. I'd rather do a 5-minute plank every day (in addition to that morning 2:30 chai' latte plank) than do crunches. But, I can honestly say that I did all of these challenges on most of the days in April. Some of the challenges were extended (because my endurance increased)....for example, by the third week, I was doing 1:30 wall sits. And, I think I'm gonna continue doing those!
Remember these daily goals?
But, even with missing a few of the exercises, my results made me happy:
*1/2 inch gone from my waist (which really didn't need it)
*1-1/2 inches from my hips
*1-1/2 inches gone from each upper thigh

Runfession #2 - I sort of embrace procrastination because it works for me. Did you see my Weekly Wrap post from last weekend? I spent all of the prior week up to my elbows in Prom work, and/or stooped over miscellaneous cardboard as I created the stage set for our Prom's Presentation of Couples. Every year, I'm in a state of (near) panic in getting it all done, and every year I tell myself that I won't procrastinate the following year...yet, it still happens. Part of the problem is that I simply do not have a place in my home to keep the stuff all spread out for a length of time as I work on it...and nowhere to store it if it were to get done early.  We can't get it constructed and set up until the evening prior to Prom anyways. I seem to work best under a fast-approaching deadline, so I have learned to not fight it.

Another stage set creation for Prom...
Runfession #3 - In the midst of all my recent busy-ness, the physical therapy stuff has kind of been overlooked. OOPS. I have, however, been a very good girl in terms of daily foam rolling, and have also faithfully foam rolled before and after most of my runs (short AND long distance). But the ongoing PT exercises (clam shells, side lunges, squats, hip drops, etc.) have not been happening. I have not felt any worse for the matter, but I do know they are crucial in helping maintain my current "uninjured" state.


Runfession #4 - My solo 5-miler (at 5:00 a.m.) on Monday was a refreshing change to my routine. I do a lot of my training runs with my friend, Barb. We also do most of the same races, thus our training is pretty similar (if not identical) at times. We started doing #5at5's last fall, when we were training for the Route 66 Marathon. Both of us have day jobs outside of our households and do not have the luxury of training much during the "usual" work day. Also, we don't usually leave work at the same time at the end of the day. The early morning runs became a weekly ritual, and have continued on long past the Route 66 finish line. That said, it's been awhile since I've done an early morning run of this magnitude on my own. Barb wasn't available on Monday, so I either had to run early (on my own), run later (also on my own), or simply not run at all. I opted to just get it done at 5:00 a.m. on my own, and it went great! It was an awesome confidence-builder, reinforcing that I can do tough things on my own if need be.

after my solo #5at5
Runfession #5 -  The number on the scale is really testing my patience. Despite the success of my April goals, I have not been able to shake the miscellaneous five pounds that are still there. I'm a tall gal (5'9) and I am slender...I'm very fortunate to gain a few pounds and not have it show. And, I respect that there was probably a little bit of muscle gained in recent months with all of my stair-training. All of my clothes fit the same (if not a tad bit looser), but that stupid number (on the scale) is still a buzz kill. I know, #firstworldprobs. I'm lucky to have this "problem," but I'd be lying if I said it didn't mess with my mind just a tiny bit. Don't worry...I have no plans to dramatically increase my training (or limit my food intake). I know this will all even out...probably in the next month as my marathon mileage spikes. All things considered, though, I'd rather weigh a few extra pounds and have the muscle tone to show for it.

So, that's the latest and greatest! Do you have some things to runfess? This is a judgement-free zone after all. How did your April play out? Are you a procrastinator or an immediate opportunist? Solo runner or a groupie? Is it possible to gain five pounds of muscle during your off-season...or should I just ditch my scale?

I'm linking up with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions 



I'm linking this with Meranda and Lacey and Rachel for the Friday Five 2.0. 



47 comments:

  1. It sounds like you did great with your April goals, even if you missed a couple of days. Try not to worry about the scale- if you are feeling good, seeing progress, and fitting into your clothes then Id say try not to weigh yourself. But I know for some people thats easier said than done. I no longer use a scale and its nice to never think about it.

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    1. Rest assured I'm happy with how I look...it's just the stupid number that annoys me LOL

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  2. I have a scale that breaks out the fat and muscle percentages so at least I can see if I'm gaining muscle (if it's even accurate, ha!) Hey if you work well under pressure, why fight it? Thanks for linking!

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    1. I'd like a scale like that, but I have to wonder how it can distinguish between the muscle and fat?

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  3. Yes, ditch the scale. As long as your clothes fit like you want them to and you feel good, the number doesn't mean a thing!
    You did great on your challenge! Doing a 5 minute plank is incredible. I think you can even ditch the crunches --- the plank is the best ab move out there! It hits all the muscles.
    Love your blog. Thanks for entertaining me!

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    1. I'm a die-hard plank fanatic LOL I think crunches are pretty worthless for the most part...I don't do them very often because I think they're a waste of time

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  4. Great job on your April goals! Totally understand your frustration with the scale. I'm currently trying to lose a few pounds but I am trying to only jump on the scale twice a week.

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    1. I don't weight myself every day because I know my weight varies daily (due to hydration, etc.)...but the past couple months the numbers have been a little weird LOL

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  5. Ha! I don't own a scale. I'm too compulsive and I know it would mess with my head. I just go by the way my clothes fit.

    I am a procrastinator too. I do much better with an impending deadline!

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    1. I do much better on a short deadline because I'm forced to do so. I make better decisions because I don't have time to analyze and change my mind

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  6. 3 minutes of abs is a lot of abs! The mid forties five pounds is so frustrating. One of the reasons that I stopped weighing myself. It was just too much for me. There is only so much you can do! PS I think you look fabulous :)

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    1. Thanks, Deborah ;-) I know I'm in decent shape because all my clothing stuff fits the same as it did before the "gain"....just annoyed by the numbers LOL

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  7. Even though you are runfessing some things you "haven't" done, I am stil always impressed at what you DO do! You are always so full of energy Kim! Thanks for linking up!

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  8. I HATE the scale. I won't use.

    I plan ahead for some things and then other things I procrastinate on.

    On the whole, I am pretty impulsive, maybe too!

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    1. I plan ahead for some things, too...but it seems like the BIG projects get done under a tight time frame (by my own choosing)

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  9. I am a procrastinator by nature ...I think I work better under pressure! :)

    Scales are not my friend these days ...actually, ever since the big 50 birthday they have become my arch nemisis!

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    1. Well, and in all honesty, I don't think my scale is 100% accurate...sometimes it weighs me less after I eat breakfast LOL

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  10. I laughed when I got to your last point about the scale. Since I started running, my clothes fit better, some are even loose, people have commented on how much weight I have lost - in fact, I am 3 kilo heavier than I was this time last year!! Surely muscle doesn't weigh that much more - so yes, even though I know not to focus on it, I am still like "Come on!!!"

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    1. I know....the numbers are frustrating when all the other stuff (clothing, fitness, muscle strength, etc.) is in check

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  11. I've stopped speaking to my scale because it refuses to cooperate ;) 3 min of ab work is a lot of abs! It sounds like you did great with your April goals!

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    1. April was a bit crazy...but the daily goals weren't much of a commitment. That's why I do the monthly challenges/goals...I usually find something to continue doing after the month ends ;-)

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  12. Ditch the scale! That thing is a liar! If your skinny pencil skirt fits rock it! When it gets to tight, I give up the jelly beans for awhile :-)

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    1. Ha ha!!! You're a riot! I"d have to give up the trail mix LOL

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  13. Don't let that number fool you or dictate your feelings! If you're feeling slimmer and your clothes are fitting looser, you're making progress. I did a 3 month challenge a while back. I barely lost any weight, but I took before and after pictures and saw a HUGE difference in my muscle definition. Keep on doing what you're doing and it will be all good!

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    1. I wish I would have taken before/after pics! I'm glad I did the before/after measurements at least

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  14. Girlfriend, #5 is purely muscle from all the training you're doing! And I say this with confidence because your clothes still fit. When I was in heavy marathon training last year I gained 3 lbs but it was literally all muscle. You go, girl!!!

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    1. Thanks, Rachel! I think it's muscle, as well...just seems like a major gain!

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  15. I think it's wonderful you have a friend like Barb to run with and go to races. I miss that. When I first started running I had a training partner for our first half and then we went our separate ways. I would love to be part of a group but it's hard in a small town. I'm so used to running alone it gets a little awkward when I do run with someone! Lol! Glad you had a great month!!

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    1. Yes, I"m glad I have Barb to do all of my crazy early morning stuff with and road-tripping with to races ;-)

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  16. My weight fluctuates between 2 to 4lbs! I think you gained muscle weight since you even lost inches on your waist.
    I prefer group runs when I do intervals and tempo runs since it allows me to draw energy from the other runners and my runs seem to be easier.

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    1. my weight usually fluctuates like your's does...I think it varies from hydration (or lack of) as well as what the previous day did to me (food choices or exercises, etc.)

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  17. You had a great month! On procrastination, my husband say "If you leave it until the last minute, it will only take a minute." Not sure that's the best approach .... but your should pulled off the prom event - it looked fantastic!

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    1. Thanks! I just have one more crazy week to stumble through and then I can coast for a bit....until the marathon...

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  18. I'm with you, sometimes the smallest goals/the ones that don't take a lot of our time can feel just as much of a burden as the ones that eat up more of our time. Sometimes we all need a day or two break, and there's nothing wrong with that.

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  19. I am a procrastinator too, but I also do really well under pressure and a looming deadline so it actual works for me. The scale is a funny thing, as long as your clothes aren't tighter I would chalk it up to muscle gain and not get too obsessed.

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  20. I was supposed to run woth my running partner the other day but she had to cancel as her husband had to work late...I runfess, I didn't run that night on my own. Good for you to get your 5at5done!

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    1. Running on your own (when it was supposed to be with a friend) can take a bit of adjusting. I just decided to go for it.

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  21. I'm a solo runner, but not necessarily by choice. I live out in the country and just don't have anyone to run with (my husband is just too fast for me). I have been getting in a few runs with my daughter, who started jr. high track this year. That's been pretty fun!

    Impressive results on you daily challenges -- I might have to try your regimen!

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    1. yes! Give it a try! My kids have never had much interest in running with me...they think I'm a lot faster than I actually am just because I can run long distances LOL

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  22. It sounds like a very busy month Kim! I hear you about the scale, I have been ready to throw mine out the window!! You look fantastic though :-)

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    1. Thanks! I feel good and am happy with how I look...but those numbers are SO annoying LOL

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  23. Great job this month! That's awesome that you lost some inches from your workouts...I need to do some wall sits!

    I'm definitely a procrastinator...I'm trying to be better about it when it comes to work, but in some instances it does give me some great results LOL!

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  24. You had a busy month! Impressed by all of your hard work and dedication!

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  25. Wow you have had a busy and blessed week!! Congratulations to your son and daughter! I know you are one proud mom!! I am a dance mom too. My Addy is 10 and will dance at her 7th recital in a few weeks! Congrats on your half marathon too!

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