Friday, July 1, 2022

Taking a Chill, Having a Chai, Enjoying a Chat


Well, here we are again.

Another opportunity to chill out, over a chai (or any beverage of your choosing, hot or iced), and have some friendly chatter. 

Things have been rather low-key in some regards, but also crazy active in others. It is what it is, and I choose to just keep on keeping on. It's all good.

Care to join me? Here's what I'd share, if we were chilling and chatting:

First off, this is more like a #runfession (or a #FitnessGearFession?), but I spontaneously snagged a new bike jersey on last weekend's long ride. Right? Like I need one more of those in my already over-stuffed "fitness dresser." I just could not resist. The art geek in me fell instantly in love with the artsy skull-inspired logo (composed of bike parts & accessories) from Odies Bar & Grill. When I saw the biking tank (complete with the requisite rear pockets on the back), it was a done deal. Besides, biking gear is a lot more fun and funky than running gear (IMO).


Speaking of biking, if we were chilling and chatting, I'd have even more to tell you. Let's suffice it to sat there will be a lot of miles-on-wheels happening in the next several weeks (after my 5K on the 4th and 10K on the 9th). Since I don't have any big races on the immediate calendar, and my hip joint/flexor has been feeling a little cranky, the timing is good for some increased time in the saddle. I probably need more glute-focused strength work, and I'm game for that. Meanwhile, in addition to some continued scaled-back running, my legs will see plenty of continued action from all the pedaling. Truly a win-win!


If we were chilling and chatting, I'd openly admit my running has been at the bare minimum in recent weeks. Don't worry, I'm not in a slump, nor am I the least bit bothered by the lower-than-usual number of miles. It's not like I'm hanging out on the couch, slamming milkshakes and donuts in my free time, LOL. I'm just grateful that my identity, as a runner, isn't contingent on high mileage.


If we were chilling and chatting, I'd tell you about Wednesday (June 29th). Why?  Because it was Volde's 5th birthday. Remember him? Volde (short for Voldemort) is the unsightly (though now faded) 6-inch scar on my right knee. You can read all about how he came to be HERE.

He's actually accomplished a lot in his lifetime of five years: 61 races (all distances from 5K - 26.2), bringing home ten 3rd-place AG's, six 2nd-place AG's, and six 1st-place AG's (one of which was first place female overall!). He's also helped me set a few new PR's...proving that you CAN come back stronger from a setback. 


Finally, if we were chilling and chatting, I'd share my June stats. It's pretty obvious that biking has taken over as my new go-to (for the time being). What can I say? It's a great cross-training discipline, and I'm having a blast with my two bikes, Gustavas and Krystal. 


Anyways, that's it for now. I'll sit back, and give everyone else a chance to chat.

What would you bring to the table, if we were chilling and chatting? How did June play out for you? Any great fitness moments or accomplishments?

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


I'm also linking this with MichelleReneeDarleneJenn and Zenaida for the Fit Five Friday Link-up.


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26 comments:

  1. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your bikes! I need to get out on mine more--there's just never enough time. Enjoy your race this weekend!

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  2. I am very impressed with the mileage this month! Seriously, you did more than me and I just ran this month. :-) I do love the top!

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    1. Thank you, Zenaida ;-) I already got the top "broken in," via the hilly bike path a couple days ago ;-)

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  3. I cannot believe it's been 5 years! I need to get on my bike I just never seem to find to time to do it all. I am now ding the daily 10 m barre classes for some extra hip and glute work. Nice month of work!

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    1. The five years seems like yesterday, in many respects. I should piggyback on the daily barre classes...stay tuned!

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  4. You've earned the new jersey! Happy Birthday Volde and it's great to see ya in the rearview mirror.

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    1. Yes, I'm really glad to have his "birth" in the rearview mirror, though he's with me everyday LOL

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  5. Whoa... that's a whole lotta biking. My bike miles are zero.

    I have been running less s well. No big races till fall so I'm enjoying those walks and hikes...

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    1. You are really staying active with all the walking and hiking! I have learned, for me at least, that biking really helps maintain my fitness when I'm not running all the miles, especially riding those hills each week.

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  6. Love the new bike jersey! So fun! That's so awesome you made such a good comeback after the Voldemort setback.

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    1. Volde brought me some immediate stress, fear and anxiety...but he really made me a much stronger person, in so many ways ;-)

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  7. Hee hee! I love how you named your scar Voldemort (but is it a horcrux?). Once again, I wish I loved cycling as much as you do. I agree it's great cross training. And I love the new shirt!

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    1. Cycling has really served me well...it's been a great fit with my running, and just my overall fitness.

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  8. You know I'm down with low running mileage too -- and yup, that doesn't mean I'm not active! I do believe that people who practice different modes of fitness are less likely to be injured. Although seriously, as we get older -- looking at my friends, anyway -- it seems more & more likely. I'm trying to not be a statistic!

    Enjoy your rides, Kim. They do your body good!

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    1. The rides have been a great addition to my routine for the past few years. I have no plans on stopping!

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  9. 61 races in give years. WOW/amazing.
    Ditto on the high mileage, although I did have a bounce back June without even realizing it.And yes, would have been wrong to leave that shirt behind

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    1. Yes, as soon as I saw the shirt I knew it simply had to go home with me ;-)

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  10. Amazing to think it's been 5 years! And such a strong comeback indeed! I hear you on the need for more glue work - when I slack my hip let's me know about it.

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    1. Yeah, I have been slacking on glute-specific work, so I don't think my iffy hip is a coincidence.

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  11. Oh, I love that hot pink top! Cycling can be much more enjoyable than running in summer anyway. ;-) It must be great to look back and see how you’ve fully recovered and then some.

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  12. Great catching up with you! My running mileage has been much lower these days, but I totally agree with you that high mileage doesn't define us! Great to see the biking is going so well, and I can't believe Volde is 5!

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  13. hey girl even if you were still shoving milkshakes and donuts in your face you would still be a runner ;-)

    can't believe it's 6 years ago already that Volde came to be!

    love the bike top!!

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  14. oops not *stiil* shoving, just shoving (I may have been projecting LOL)

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  15. My new neighbor bikes a lot and has been telling me about a number of cool trails nearby that I'm hoping to get to check out soon now that we're finally done building our home gym! :] Super excited!

    You've done so much with Volde!

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  16. Five years! I'm so glad you've come so far. That's a lot of miles on the bike! I wish I enjoyed it more and that it was safer here. Floridians are not the most considerate when it comes to sharing the road.

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