Thursday, October 26, 2017

Runfessing The Latest...



Somehow, October is coming to a close.

How did that happen? And, how is it that we only have two months remaining of 2017? Well, one good thing about the month ending is that it gives one a chance to reflect on some things....and, if you're a runner, you can runfess those very things.


Care to hear what I've been pondering as of late?

Running revelation
This was my first summer (in the 12 years that I have called myself a runner) that I did ZERO running (June 19-Sept. 16). Granted, there were times when I was extremely envious of everyone else who was running. Simply being able to at least be outside (albeit WALKING), surprisingly, was very satisfying, though. Although running is my favorite sport, I was reminded that it is not my all-in-all. I have to runfess that I honestly did not miss it as much as I thought I would.


I actually developed a big appreciation and respect for walking
Blogging frustrations
I have been blogging for almost five years. I have always been a writing dork, and blogging has given me a chance to combine my love of running with my desire to document and share the experience with others. I put a lot of time and effort in each post I write, and I eagerly read blogs from other runners as well. It's interesting to see how we have so much in common despite our different lives. I realize we all blog for different reasons, and it can be a serious time commitment to stay active in the blogosphere. That said, why don't some bloggers interact, reply to comments, or return the love? I runfess, it annoys me that I LET it bother me more than I should. The thing is...we all know who they are LOLAnyways, moving on.

Why can't we all just play nice?
Racing FOMO
Although I was able to keep active over the summer (even with my limited mobility), I also missed out on a lot of races. I had two races I had to swallow a DNS for, and several favorite late summer/early fall races I had to take a pass on registering for while I continued healing from my surgery. I have already done two races (and snagged an AG award from one of them) and have a half marathon on tap for November 12th. There's another race next weekend I'm considering doing, but have not (yet) made a command decision on it. I don't consider myself a racer, but I do love races! I'd love to find a few races nearby before 2017 comes to a close, but there are not many options. As much as I want to do all the races, I gotta runfess it's probably a blessing the racing season is winding down in my area...or I'd be at a high risk for injury from doing too much.
at the Kickoff to Kinnick 5K, my first race after recovering from surgery
Those damn DOMS
I have been very cautious with my return to running. I dutifully followed all of my surgeon's orders and abstained from running until he thought my suture seam was healed properly (he gave me the green light on Sept. 14th). Granted, the surgery was not injury-related (I had an undetected staph infection near my knee that required emergency surgery to clean and flush out all the infected matter, leaving me with a 6-inch suture seam in a high-maintenance area). I didn't have any broken bones or torn muscles...just a big scar that required limited bending for several weeks, and then gradual movement over time. I have not been running a lot (only 3-4 times each week) and I have not been running excess miles (most runs are 2-5 miles in distance), nor have I been trying to run fast (Ha! I'm still working on getting full range of motion back in my knee...speed is not a priority right now). Even with all of my precautionary efforts, I gotta runfess the DOMS are biting me everywhere. Ugh! It's crazy that my body seems to have found most of its endurance back (rather quickly), but the muscles are putting up a fight on occasion. Apparently, foam rolling and stretching need a bit more attention...
The DOMS are everywhere...
Summer.....
The temps have recently taken a  turn for the cold. We're supposed to get our first hard freeze Friday night, for crying out loud! Even though the fall-like temps (40's -50's) feel awesome for running, the truth of the matter is that I am not always running. Often times, I'm just walking (like with Max-our dog-or the hubby)...and those "perfect fall temps" are a bit uncomfortable, especially if they're accompanied with a N/NW wind. I'm just gonna say it, in case there's any doubt or confusion....I runfess that I want my summer back! I know I'm flying solo with that ideology, but I'd rather be sweaty and hot than freezing and miserable.
Give me warm weather, tank tops, and flowers year-round, please!
Whew! Oh, do I feel better. Thanks for listening.

How about you? Can you relate to any of my runfessions? Any you'd care to add?

I'm linking up with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions 

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

50 comments:

  1. It just started to get cooler here this week, but I've said that before. Im not sure when fall will stick around for good! After racing in the heat last weekend I think I can now say Im officially ready for fall temps:)

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    1. I don't mind the fall temps, and actually like them for the most part.....but I still prefer my summer weather ;-)

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  2. I'm not so sure I'm embracing the cooler temps either. I am grateful we had warm temperatures as long as we did!

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    1. Yes, summer lingered longer than normal, and I was SOOOO happy for that

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  3. At the top of my to-do list this weekend is to get Ozzypup a winter sweater/coat. I think our warm weather luck is quickly running out.

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    1. Max has already been prancing around in his sweater...I think I need to make him another one

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  4. We had our first real chilly evening last night and this morning where the temps were only in the 40s. Luckily it is suppose to be nice tmrw for race day. I hear ya on the commenting part. I try to visit many blogs and if I find myself continue to comment and never see them comment. I just stop.

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    1. Yes, I give several bloggers several "chances," and if after numerous efforts on my part they still don't respond...I let them go. Thankfully, it's not very often. Most of the bloggers I've connected with are absolute treasures ;-)

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  5. I am loving the cooler temps and find they are really giving me a boost both mentally and physically. The blogging frustrations I hear you. I spend a lot of time interacting w other bloggers (and I really enjoy that) and I have kind of written off certain people bc they do not reciprocate. Love those compression socks you are wearing!

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    1. I don't mind "cooler" temps, it's the "cold" ones that I'm dreading. The wonderful bloggers I have connected with more than make up for the few "others" who don't play nice. Glass half full, right?

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  6. I agree that October went by WAY too fast. I can't believe November starts on Wednesday!
    Sorry about your blogging frustrations, but I totally get it. Hopefully more bloggers will play nice in the future :)

    I think that we're finally starting to get consistent colder temps in my neck of the woods - I've been patiently waiting for Fall to come and stay!

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    1. We seem to have skipped fall and are head-butting winter already. No bueno!

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  7. I'm not surprised that you're suffering with DOMs. The cardio system tends to be ready way before muscles, tendons, ligaments. Which is why so many new runners end up injured -- they *think* they're ready.

    Family keeps trying to come between me & my races & this is my favorite racing season! I keep scheming how I can squeeze them in.

    As to bloggers that don't interact . . . well, I return the favor and stop reading & commenting on theirs. What's the point, right?

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    1. ha ha...I'm also "returning the favor" to the naughty bloggers LOL I think the whole purpose of linking up is to share (and support) with others, so why do they bother if they're not gonna participate? (shaking my head)

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  8. I know you'd trade places with me, but I am so over the hot weather! It's still in the 90s the week and I'm sick and tired of it. It is cool this morning though, so I can actually open the windows instead of keeping that stupid A/C going 24 hours a day!

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    1. Yes, indeed, I'd GLADLY trade places ;-) WE get a taste of "hot" weather in Iowa, though I know what we experience is nothing quite like what you get. But our winters are brutal. I can handle the cold...but sometimes it feels never-ending.

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  9. I think you are right that having no races to tempt you to enter is probably a good thing. Really glad to see you up and running again!

    There's definitely a difference between the perfect temperature for running and the perfect temperature for walking the dog! Luckily we've not got too cold here yet!

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    1. Oh yes! Running and walking require very different comfort levels ;-)

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  10. Every time I think the cooler temps are here to stay, Mother N gets a hot flash LOL! I have to admit I broke out the gloves the other day and was absolutely giddy!

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    1. ha ha ha Mother N gets a hot flash! Too funny! She's just plain confused where I live...

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  11. You know how I feel about those that don’t reciprocate...

    All that time off will make you a stronger runner for next racing season!!

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    1. Yes, absence does make the heart grow fonder (I'm referring to racing, NOT the naughty bloggers LOL)

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  12. Since I spent my summer focusing on cycling, I runfess that I seem to be trying to make up for it with more running -- or at least more races -- this fall. As for blogging, its the community that keeps me going, so when bloggers don't play I usually don't bother. I hope that doesn't sound snarky, but they obviously have different goals that don't fit mine. ;-)

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    1. You're not being snarky, you're being honest and practical. I respect we all have different goals, but why do they link-up if they're not going to bother participating? The frustration is real...fortunately it's only a few bad apples. ;-)

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  13. We're just about two weeks away from Vegas, and I'm wondering when the heck did that happen? I started working on my cardio homework in July, and all of sudden, it's almost Halloween.

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  14. Boo to the DOMS! I hope that gets better :) And I have to admit I've been loving the cooler weather recently. The only thing I'm sad about is that I'm going to have to switch to close toed shoes soon. I hate putting my sandals away for the season.

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    1. Oh, I hear you on the sandals! I love my sparkly sandals ;-)

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  15. Try not to let those who don't return the love get to you. Blogging is supposed to be fun! :)

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    1. Oh, I agree. I love blogging, but I just don't get the ones who fail to interact with others....

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  16. I'm glad you didn't miss running too much while you had to be off and that you are back on the road after that crazy, crazy stuff this summer. Are you doing scar massage? I can pass on the info an OT gave me on how to do it if you need it. It's important for getting your mobility back when you have a scar over a joint like you do.

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    1. I have been applying shea butter 2-3 times a day, and massaging as I do so...but I'd love more info...anything to get this ugly scar in shape ;-)

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  17. You want summer back?! Oh man I'm so glad it's gone and I hope it stays gone lol...I love fall running and this season has felt way too short!

    So exciting that you've got a half marathon next month, I'm sure you'll do great!

    I don't get the non-engaged bloggers either...I know I haven't been as active lately, but I love responding to comments, even though sometimes I'm a few days late!

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    1. Yes, I honestly would love to have summer back ;-) I like fall, but I much prefer the warmth of summer.

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  18. I agree, its incredibly frustrating when bloggers view blogging as being very one sided. They want people to read their posts, comment, etc., but then frequently fail to return the favor. I do my best to keep it, some days I'm more successful than others.

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    1. Blogging is a huge time commitment, I can totally understand other things taking precedence (like family, work, etc.). But, I think it's just rude when a token few "link-up" but don't follow through with the protocol....at least most of us know who they are ;-)

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  19. DOMS and FOMO are the WOOOOORST. Hang in there. This too shall pass.

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    1. Yes, I know it will pass....just another hurdle on my road to recovery.

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  20. I don't mind the fall temperatures at all. In fact, it's my favorite season. Winter running in Chicago? Not so much.

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    1. I don't mind fall,but I do prefer summer. Winter, UGH! I put up with it, but I do not love it...

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  21. We are finally having that cold fall weather. Not sure if I like it. I hear ya about the blogging frustrations. I struggle with writing interesting posts since I feel like no one will be interested in reading in what I have to say. And yes it also annoys me when bloggers don't respond to comments. Why leave a question in your post and then don't respond to the comments?

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    1. It sounds like a bunch of us are in agreement on the blogging frustrations. I always wonder why some link their blogs with others if they have no plans of reading them? OR...if they do read the other blogs, why not take 1-minute to write a comment if they're already there anyways?

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  22. Don't get me started on blogging frustrations... The WW, although I love it and it's a great community of women, requires a lot of time. Some weeks all I have time to read are the posts that link (I work full time and also coach). Thus, it prevents me from blogging more myself and getting to read other non linked posts. It Is What It Is, I guess.

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    1. I would bet you get to see the frustrations from both perspectives...as a blogger and a host. Your WW link-up is what got me in tune with the value in linking and interacting with other bloggers, and you and Teresa have built up quite an empire! I felt so honored to be a guest host last summer ;-)

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    2. OOPS! I meant Tricia! (autocorrect fail)

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  23. So glad you have been able to start running on a more regular basis again and in spite of the DOMS it sounds like you are enjoying it. I am happy for you and am enjoying your IG pics!

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    1. Thank you ;-) It does feel go to be back running pretty consistently. I am so thankful for each and every mile!

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  24. I hear your blog frustrations. A lot of times I read blogs on the phone on the go, and hence the no commenting. I do try atleast 2/week when I sit down at a computer :)

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    1. Reading on the phone is challenging for me...always zooming in and scrolling up and down LOL And commenting is not always user-friendly (at least via my phone). I read with the intention of going back (via the computer later) and commenting...and sometimes forget ;-(

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  25. We got a teaser of winter this weekend... I think I'd rather have the heat!

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