Thursday, October 12, 2017

Hmmm????


There are a lot of things that make me go, "Hmmm."

Recently, though, there has been a plethora. Not only have I been "hmmm'ing" all over the place, I have also been rolling my eyes and shaking my head.


What have I been pondering as of late? Here's the latest:

The weather...Is it fall or (late) summer? 
Alright. We all know my summer was jacked, and I was only too happy to have a reprise of summer weather last month (right as my surgeon granted me the green light to ease back into running). Then October hit, and the temps plummeted (and actually were pretty "seasonal"). Then, last weekend, we had summer-like temps again....and now we're back to fall (almost borderline winter-like when you consider the 43-degree temps on Wednesday morning). Hmmm, Momma N, what's up with this weather roller coaster ride?
it's too early for winter temps!
Some Instagram "running-related" pods are not just "fitness only"
This may be totally snarky, but I have been "hmmm'ing" for quite awhile on some of the activity on Instagram. I belong to some different pods, which are little groups of like-minded members who agree to assist the fellow members by liking (and, sometimes, commenting or sharing) each others' posts. Sounds simple and supportive, right? Kind of like a big, comfy group hug, if you will. Only, on occasion, some pod members sneak in a family pic or a sweet snapshot of their kiddos. Hmmmm, are those really fitness-related? And is it weird that I feel a little creepy "liking" pics of little kids that I don't know (especially if I don't know their parents either)? I'm a rule-follower, so I go along with the "group's rules." I like/comment/share as I'm expected to...but, I feel a little awkward doing so. Would you?


to like and share, that is the question...
My (suddenly) bendable knee
Yeah, my knee (that spent almost two months with little-to-no bending). I've only been back in the running shoes for a few weeks, but already, most of the range of motion has returned. Hmmm, should I try kneeling? (Don't worry, I have no reason to kneel, so I'm prolonging that milestone a bit longer). It's only recently, though, that I noticed I can sit down without extending my right leg out in front of me (in a partially bent position). Score! That's a win!
I can bend my right leg almost as much as the left!
The temptation to DNS a (forecasted) storm-laden race
It's the IMT Des Moines Marathon weekend, and I'm registered for the Mercy Live Up 5-Mile Race on Saturday. Let's just say the weather is looking less than pleasing. First of all, if thunderstorms are predicted, and they actually show on race morning, will the race even happen? I know rain is not a deterrent, but storms (which usually imply thunder and lightning) often are. What if the race officials call the race, and decide to give us our finisher medals anyways? Yes, I could (and WOULD) do a 5-mile virtual at the earliest post-storm convenience...but is it worth driving an hour to retrieve said medal for a race that didn't even occur? Let me assure you...I am located in Iowa, and our weather changes every six hours. These predictions could all fade (or get pushed back a few hours)....but what if they don't? I guess there's the option to transfer my registration to the 5K, which is Sunday (and currently has much drier weather predicted). Hmmm...I'll wait until I see Friday's weather report for race day, before I head to the expo to get my race bib. Stay tuned....
Image may contain: one or more people, sky, text and outdoor
Hmmm.....
Another race?
Last week, a nearby race popped up on my Facebook feed. It's an event that offers a half marathon, a 10K, and a 5K. It's the weekend prior to the R'nR Las Vegas 13.1, so the half marathon is probably not the best option for me. But, what about the 10K? Hmmm, now that's something to consider. I'd probably be running that approximate distance that weekend anyways. I could (maybe) consider racing it...or I could just treat it as a training run. Stay tuned for this as well....I have some thinking to do in the next couple days.
Should I? Would you?

So, as I said, I've been kind of "hmmm'ing" all over the place. How about you? Have you had some recent things that have made YOU go, "Hmmm?"

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


45 comments:

  1. The weather really has been all over the place! Yesterday it was rainy with a high in the 60s which felt so chilly after all the warmer weather we had. I hope we can still enjoy fall weather before jumping right into winter!

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    1. I am in NO hurry for winter...I fear we're gonna skip right over fall, though....

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  2. I agree 100% with you about those IG pods. Someone put an ad for their business in one pod that I'm in--I didn't like or comment on it. Sorry, not sorry.

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    1. I know...totally not an appropriate place for that stuff, and AWKWARD for everyone.

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  3. I was supposed to do a Glo-Run a couple summers ago that was ultimately cancelled due to crazy storms with literally the most intense lightning I've ever seen. We stood in the parking garage and waited. It wasn't even safe to go get our packets/shirts, etc. We ended up doing a turkey trot by the same organizer later in the year.

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    1. The latest weather says the "steady rain" should be stopping by 8:00 or 9:00 (race time), but it will then be "scattered showers." Still not ideal...but better.

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  4. For the IG pods, does that mean that they should only have running related stuff on IG or only ask the pod to comment/like fitness stuff? Just curious. I tried a pod and it just drove me crazy, so no one sees my insta LOL.

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    1. People can post whatever they want on their Insta account, but they can share specific posts within the pod that they want featured....that's when it gets awkward. One of my pods, I don't think any of the members are well-acquainted with each other (at least I'm not)....but having the pod support helps the featured posts get more attention.

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  5. RE the Insta pods-if it is someone who I interact w a lot, it does not really bother me to like another type of photo. One of the pods I am in on telergram stretches it a little more and sometimes I don't like the photos people post. Great news that your knee is feeling so good! Storms not so good

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    1. I agree....I don't mind liking pics of people (and their kids) if I am already acquainted with them. But random pics of kids (usually without their parents), etc....NOT comfortable liking those.

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  6. I've never even heard of IG pods. I guess no one is interested in me. Which is fine, actually, since I'm on IG one day, off the next. I'm just not a very plugged in person. Or maybe just less plugged in than most, as I could certainly get a lot more done if I spent less time online.

    Congrats on that bendable knee! That must feel awesome.

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    1. I am so excited to have most of my knee back! Strange how the mobility returns and we don't even realize it at first LOL

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  7. Congrats you are getting more ROM in your knee! I have DNS'ed races due to weather. Not often, but if the weather is super crappy and I just don't feel like it, I bag it. I'm sure you'll figure out what to do! Have a great weekend. :)

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    1. The latest forecast is still not looking very nice....UGH.

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  8. As long as the weather is warm, I don't question it!
    I love IG and am curious about these Pods. How does one post so they are only in the pod and not their personal IG account?

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    1. The posts that go to the pods are actually from the personal IG...ideally you select a chosen "featured" pic that you want to get some attention, and post that to the pod so the people know to "like" it.

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  9. Yea, I feel strange liking random pictures of children that I don't know. Congrats on the knee mobility!!

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    1. The kid pics are a tough call...I appreciate having those pics on people's personal accounts, but I don't think they necessarily belong on a fitness-based account (unless it's family activity that mom & dad are also doing with them). Why would you want a bunch of strangers seeing pics of your kids anyways???

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  10. Hmm... I don't know about driving an hour for a race that may not happen... that's tough. I'd watch the weather like a hawk.

    And YAY for bending your knee!!!!!!

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  11. I personally think of pods are being there to support each other no matter what is posted to encourage growth to their account - and sometimes its not all fitness and sometimes it's business (promoting a business would be same as asking someone to comment on a sponsored post)! But I would understand if someone didn't comment on one of mine for that reason at the same time. I think you just have to do what your'e most comfortable with!

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    1. The pods are tricky. The one I was referring to is a fitness-specific one...and some of the pics "featured" don't always jive with that LOL

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  12. I am so with you on the weather--it can't decide what it wants to do!!

    I'm glad your knee is feeling better!

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  13. I hope the weather holds out for you, so you can run the race and get the medal. It would be hard for me to drive an hour for a medal without running the race.

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    1. The race went on as scheduled (with limited race during race time...YAY!). If I had found out before leaving the house, it was cancelled, I'd probably forfeit the medal and cut my losses. But, if I was already there....I'd probably take the (unearned) medal and do my own thing with it.

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  14. Yay for major knee progress! I'm so happy to see you up and running again ;)
    Things that make me go hmmm? People who do not respond to a text message/email or just stop responding during an exchange. My husband calls it submarine-ing! But seriously, what's going on with these people?

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  15. Yay on the knee bend! You did what you were supposed to do to keep it mobile while it was healing. Now your reap the rewards!

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    1. Thanks! I"m feeling really good about how I handled my recovery ;-)

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  16. I really do not feel comfortable liking kid pics on IG when I don't know the parents -- and why would you want those pics to be popular? But, I'm disenchanted with IG anyway. Yeah on the knee flexibility!!

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    1. Yes, it's kind of creepy, isn't it? I seldom ever show pics of my kids on social media, and if I do- I never state their names.

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  17. Hopefully the weather isn't too bad for your race. I haven't had to skip a race yet due to weather, but the most challenging was in extreme wind. It was hard to drive on the highways to the race, and then run the race.

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  18. Glad your knee is feeling better! Maybe that's a sign that you have another race in you?

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    1. Ha ha ha...I do believe there may very well be another race looming...

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  19. Your comments about IG pods are exactly why I have chosen to not participate in them. Yes, I know that it would help my engagement to participate in them, but I don't want to be forced to have to like or comment on something that I have zero connection to.

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    1. Yes, it's awkward "liking" posts/pics that you're not in sync with. I'm not a big fan of doing it either.

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  20. That's great that you can move your knee more!

    The weather here is definitely ridiculous. It still feels like July/August, and I think the dew points and humidity are actually WORSE now than they were then. It's really awful. It's supposed to get a bit better this week, though, I think.

    On the IG pod thing...I think it depends. I don't post a ton of pics of my son on my fitness/blog IG, but the ones I do are usually fitness/activity related (like he ran a 1-mile "race" last week and I posted a pic of him running). But yeah, if people are posting a ton of random stuff (business ads, etc.), that seems a little weird.

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    1. The IG pods are an interesting dynamic LOL I really get annoyed with the ads, too.

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  21. I have the same issue in one of my instagram pods - it's a little strange to comment on a non-fitness post, especially if it's a family post because i feel like i don't know the person well enough to leave a well though out comment!

    The weather has been making me say hmmm all year, especially now!

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    1. I agree...it's awkward liking/commenting if it's something you have no (or very little) connection to...

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  22. I have never heard of pods!! I'm intrigued! I don't post pictures of my kid on social media, and the few that are posted, are not of his face. The way I see it, he doesn't need to have a social media presence and it's my job to keep it that way until he is 18... or 16, we'll see how it goes.

    I am so happy that your knee is better!

    There is a race in the Baltimore Bay Bridge, and I keep looking at it... and looking at it... then I remember I already signed up for a race that day. #runnermemory

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