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.