Thursday, August 1, 2019

Shall we chat? ...over chai?


Shall we chat? Over chai?

Well, if you're more of a coffee person, I'm totally good with that. Either way, what say we grab our mugs, find a table, and have some chatter.

What would you share if we were having coffee (or chai) together?

First, I'd share how great my chai latte' tastes. Possibly, it's because we've had some cooler weather recently. Maybe it's because I'm drinking from my Midnight Madness coffee mug (awarded for being a top-50 female finisher in the 10K). More than likely, though, the chai latte' tastes good because it simply satisfies my sweet tooth without going overboard.

Something else I'd mention is the changes I've made with my eating and drinking habits. I'm currently five weeks into an approximate 12-month journey with Invisalign, an orthodontia treatment. I have to wear the plastic "aligners" for 22 hours each day, and have to brush/floss every time I put anything in my mouth other than plain water. Thus, I'm on an intermittent fasting program, much by default (for me, having to have a toothbrush at the ready is a pretty solid deterrent to unnecessary snacking).

 Also, with the Invisalign, I've had to switch from drinking flavored water to just plain water...a transition that has been much easier than anticipated. So far, the non-snacking lifestyle has been going fine, and the plain water is tasting alright. I've actually lost a couple pounds...not sure if that's from the lack of snacking or from the increased mileage and workouts I've been doing. I have been sleeping much better, so that's a definite perk!

I've mentioned this a lot in recent posts on social media, but my biking has taken on a life of its own. I have spent quite a bit of time on the hilly bike trail (since June 30, there have been six of those 15-milers). The bulk of my rides, though, have been on pretty level ground in town (and for shorter distances). The in-town rides are more like a recovery fix for me since they don't feel like an especially tough workout. Twice, though, I've done the hilly 15-mile route prior to a race (the morning of the Midnight Madness and the day prior to the Bix-7), and both times I've PR'd my races. Coincidence?
Image may contain: bicycle, outdoor and nature
Another thing I'd share is my crazy adventure last weekend. I worked a half day on Friday, and then had to drive almost 2-1/2 hours to pickup the hubby from Ragbrai (a famous week-long bike ride across the state of Iowa). Logistically, it was a near-perfect scenario because my race, the Bix-7 (on Saturday), was an hour north of where I was picking up the hubby. Let me just disclose that I have huge driving anxiety, especially if I'm going to a new-to-me place and am under a deadline (like packet pick-up for a race). In my flurry of getting on the road (30 minutes later than planned), and the stress of the anticipated onslaught of afternoon traffic on I-80, I accidentally left my purse behind. I was almost an hour down the road when I realized my predicament....I was without my ID, cash, and (most importantly) my lipstick. Fortunately, I arrived without incident to my destination, found the hubby, and didn't need my ID for packet pick-up. I also bought a new lipstick (with the hubby's money LOL) as soon as we arrived in the other town for my race. Oh, and we didn't make it back home until late Saturday afternoon, so I survived nearly 30 hours without my purse (I know, first world probs).

As mentioned, I ran the Bix-7 race on Saturday morning. The first mile was a clustered mess of runners, which is not uncommon for most races. What made this first mile especially frustrating, though, was that is was almost all uphill (and a very steep hill at that). Within the first half-mile, there were numerous walkers and many "slower" runners, many in groups. We all had designated stickers on our race bibs as to what corral to be in, and security was tight in getting us there. I'm not sure if I just had bad luck in where I lined up, or if some of these walkers had pushed themselves into a "running" corral. Maybe some of them were actual runners who were already exhausted from the steep climb. None the less, it wasn't any fun feeling like I was being held back from a race I was excited to run. It made me consider, for a fleeting minute, if I should play the game...give false info on my predicted finish time (to score a place closer to the front of the herd), or simply try to sneak into a faster corral (and risk getting caught). Well, like I said, it was a fleeting thought. I won't cheat my way into a closer spot to the start line....but it really made me wonder how many other runners would?

Lastly, if we were having coffee together, I tell you about my busy July. The month seemed to fly by, but maybe that was because it seemed like I was in constant motion. My running mileage capped out at 97 (yes, I am totally alright to come that close to 100 without crossing the century mark). My walking  miles (intentional miles, not via steps from a tracking device) were 71. And, if you want to cue the drum roll...my biking miles were 143! Trust me, that's a major achievement for me to have that much time in the saddle.
Image may contain: 1 person, outdoor

Anyways, those are some things I'd share if we were gathered together, coffee mugs in hand, chatting about recent events.

What would you share? How did July play out for you? Ever left home without your purse, and were too far down the road to go back for it? Have you ever been tempted to "enhance" your predicted finish time to score a better starting corral for a race?

Since it's the first weekend of the month, I'm linking this with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date.
The Ultimate Coffee Date


 

Are you following me on social media?
Let's connect : Facebook Instagram  Pinterest Twitter

30 comments:

  1. I'm right there with you: July was a blur. I loathe August but I have to say the cool mornings and low-humidity this week are divine! OMG no purse would totally throw me for a loop! My car keys are in my purse so I hope that'll prevent me from getting too far without it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Being without the purse was so weird....I spent a good 30 minutes in what felt like panic mode (but that may have been caused by the crazy traffic I was driving through), but it wasn't a deal breaker. We leave out keys in the cars (in our locked garage), so they're never in my purse at home LOL

      Delete
  2. I could definitely see how the invisilign is a deterrent to snacking. I had no idea that you had to brush so often! That's fantastic that you are so into your biking. It is one of my fave activities too. Hoping to get out today but we have storms in the forecast. Thanks for linking up for coffee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Invisalign kind of "seals" to your teeth, so you have to brush/floss to get all food particles, etc. outta there before putting them back on (after eating or drinking non-water fluids). Kind of a pain, but it's only for a short while...Hope the storms clear up for you! I just got back from another 15-mile trek to the lake and back.

      Delete
  3. Great to hear you are also biking! ... It seems you had good training sessions in July. Congrats on that achievement.

    I would like to have a coffee with you and other members of our blogging community, there in your country :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, I'm still a bit confused how this biking thing with me took off so suddenly. I still haven't bought the padded shorts, though ;-)

      Delete
  4. Both my children are following the invisalign treatment and that is not "funny".
    I am sure that very soon you will post something about swimming and just a bit later the surprise: triathlon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ha ha ha ha ha....Swimming is so not my thing. I probably could save myself, but it wouldn't be pretty. ;-)

      Delete
  5. I'm keeping my mileage low which is ok. Glad you're enjoying biking. It does not call to me.

    I love getting usable race swag esp mugs!

    Yes, July flew by. I am sad because I LOVE summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. July went way too fast. Our two oldest kids have July birthdays...so that's always been the summer benchmark for us...after the second birthday (our son's, on the 16th), it's fast-forward to back-to-school it seems. It's already getting cool in the mornings...not "summer" cool, but "autumn" cool and I'm not ready for it

      Delete
  6. As I said before on your post, even as a slower runner, I still have the same thing happen to me at races. It's just the nature of the beast, especially for the larger races.

    I actually like water. Water & tea. Sometimes smoothies or smoothie bowls. And that's all she wrote!

    I'm a good candidate for braces, even though I actually had them as a kid . . . but nah. I have good teeth, even if they're crooked, and I can eat so it's all good. But straight teeth are definitely nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The slow start line thing is frustrating for all of us. BTW,there were some runners with their bibs pinned on their backs so it's a given they were newbies LOL

      Delete
  7. I managed to leave our EZPass home when we went on the college trip this weekend. Not quite as inconvenient as a purse, but I did have a moment of freakout. I had to remind myself I'm a smart person and could figure out how to pay tolls without it. (It turned out to be no big deal LOL).

    My mileage is high and climbing, but such is the nature of the beast when you choose a long race in October...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was already a nervous wreck with the traffic (and the time frame of getting to the hubby and then to the other town for the race expo), so this missing purse thing was a doozy of a distraction. I spent a good 10 minutes (maybe more?) rationalizing that I'd probably be fine without it as long as there were no traffic tickets, etc. Turns out, all went well...but it was a high-stress situation for a few minutes.

      Delete
  8. There is a such thing as the Invisalign diet, lol. I remember reading about it when I first started the treatment and it's so true. Definitely cut down on my snacking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had not heard of the diet, but it totally makes sense LOL I did the candy "fast" a couple months ago, and that was kind of trial to see how strong my will power really was. I knew once the Invisalign was underway, there would be no candy (or very little, and then only at meal time) for a year.

      Delete
  9. Oh man, the brushing and flossing thing would drive me crazy. I mean, it's a for a purpose but I would be so moody lol. I haven't left my purse behind but losing my chapstick does give me anxiety. Since I do have lipstick on a majority of the time, I need the chapstick for overnight wear or I just feel wrong. I've purchased many and put them in purses I tend to use "just in case" lol.

    I haven't even thought about the lying to get moved to the front because I would feel like a loser once everyone in the corral passed me. Although it does make sense that people would try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? If people are fudging their finish times/paces...don't they realize they're totally getting busted when so many others are passing them? I don't know for a fact that is what's happening, at this race or anywhere else, but it does look suspicious....I have so many lipsticks LOL Now, I have a "just in case" one after last weekend ;-)

      Delete
  10. Wow! Good luck with the Invisalign. My friend did it and wondered why she waited so long. She loves the results! That is a great incentive to eat and drink less. I hate getting stuck behind people who are walking in the first half mile of a race. Ugh! If only runners would all tell the truth about their predicted times. I hope you could enjoy the rest of the race after the crowd thinned out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I did enjoy the race! That first mile was frustrating, but I warrior-ed through it LOL

      Delete
  11. I don't think I've ever left home without my purse, but I have left without my phone and/or wallet. In fact, I was getting my nails done after 9Round today and I had the sinking feeling that I forgot my wallet! Yikes! Fortunately, I remembered to throw it in my gym bag but ugh... that would have been so mortifying.

    Good luck with your invisilign! It's awesome that it's an option available without actual braces or metal gear!

    Sorry your race was so frustrating. I know it can be hard when you're held back through no fault of your own.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The race itself was awesome...just that first mile or so was the frustrating part. I'm always surprised at the lack of runner/race etiquette that is displayed at times.

      Delete
  12. I love all your biking miles! I do get annoyed when walkers don't start towards the back, and when people doing intervals or taking a break don't move to the side.

    Thanks for joining us for coffee!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your July was busy! It all feels like a blur for me too. Race starts can be really frustrating sometimes. For the really large races like Rock 'n Roll, I have moved a little up in the corrals on an occasion or two, but I always use my predicted race time for a race. You did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I probably could have nudged my way towards the front of my corral, but it was really crowded. I get SO annoyed at others who do it, so I try to be the nice runner who doesn't LOL

      Delete
  14. I think some new runners don't even realize there's a designated coral, just like they don't know where to pin their bib. I don't think it really matters too much if you move up a corral as long as you stay to the side for faster runners, and timing starts when you go over the starting line.
    Still frustrating when you get stuck behind walkers.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The initial Invisalign no snacking was a wondrous moment. It definitely cut down on reception snacking as I couldn't carry a toothbrush. One eventually moved into my desk drawer though. I'm so happy with the results of that expensive journey

    ReplyDelete