Thursday, September 29, 2022

Fall's First 'Fession Session


Here we are again...another month is winding down, and another 'fession session is on deck.

Funny how it seems that once the daylight started noticeably dwindling (which, for me, wasn't until after Labor Day), time seems to have sped up exponentially as well. Anyone else, or is that just my observation?

Anyways there's been a lot happening, so I have plenty of 'fessions to share. In the interest of time, though, I'll do everyone a solid and just disclose five for now. Fair enough?

First off, I need to music-fess...
My iPod Shuffle died on me at mile-2 of the MCM, almost three years ago. Since then, I've pretty much been running sans music, both for training runs and all of my races. It was quite the revelation upon realizing that I really didn't "need" music for entertainment or motivation when I was doing my fitness thing. Recently, though, I got the idea to cue-up some of the Peloton workouts, and have been listening to them while walking or running solo. I was surprised by how easily it has become a habit...and I'm okay with that. Even if I'm not doing the actual workout, I'm still logging miles (and with a decent soundtrack while doing so). Whodda thunk!

with the telltale ear buds

Next, let me Pelo-fess...
As mentioned, I've been listening to Peloton workouts while running and walking. A couple weeks ago, I embarked on a 7-mile run, in the rain, and was not feeling much motivation to hit the wet streets. I found a few workouts, featuring classic rock music, and all was well. The thing is...one of these workouts was a bike ride. No big deal, until I realized, after returning home, that this particular ride was my 100th Peloton ride! Only, I wasn't on the bike, LOL. So, yeah, I do feel like a cheater (sort of). Rest assured, I will eventually do my 100th "real" Pelo ride (when I put Krystal in storage for the winter) and Peloton will be none the wiser of this little mishap.

finishing that 100th Pelo "ride"

I also need to stair-fess...
It's no secret I've had some recent glute/hammy/Piriformis/hip flexor discomforts. Just this week, I made the connection that I had been slacking on stair workouts since the Fight for Air Climb (ahem, which was back in May). Can you say #FacePalm! While I don't blame my aches and pains solely on the lack of staircase action, I do believe it's a factor. Stair-climbing works almost every muscle from the waist-down, especially the glutes and hamstrings. I don't typically do a lot of "heavy" lifting for my lower-body, because I usually have stair workouts in my routine...but, with the lack of stair workouts, I'm guessing my glutes have been inadvertently neglected. My bad.
 
stair workouts, oh how I've missed thee

I probably should runfess...
No doubt, I'm frustrated with my current situation. Honestly, other than the minimal focused lower-body work, I've been keeping a pretty balanced repertoire of fitness. I have not had excessively high running mileage. I've been diligent with biking, as a means of recovery, as well as resistance work (umm, lots of hills each week). I also foam roll and use my Theragun massager almost daily. I have the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon on October 16th, so there's time to ease back and keep things low-key without losing any (or much) fitness before race day. That said, I can switch to the 5K if need be. Heck I can even walk the 5K, and I would be at peace with that as well. Fingers crossed I won't need to go to either of those extremes. But, what the WHAT?


Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't weather-fess...
You all know how much I hate to see my summer end. I don't hate the fall season (really, I don't!), but it has not been playing nice for its official first week in Iowa. Honestly, I'd have a much better attitude towards Fall if it didn't feel so much like Winter. For my run, on Wednesday, I had to dig out the leggings, add an extra layer (or two) on top, slide on a fleece headband, AND wear gloves. At least it wasn't snowing, right?


Whew! That'll have to do, my friends. I think I've 'fessed enough for this go round, LOL. 

How about you? Anything that needs 'fessing? What's your weather been doing...does it feel like Fall, or is it still Summer-like? Ever have mysterious discomforts appear, virtually out of nowhere?

I'm  linking this with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions link-up



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


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27 comments:

  1. well, you know I feel yo on the pain in the ass pains. I am not sure what caused mine either. More warm ups seem to help as well. Why not listen to Peloton classes on your runs! You do you. The Pelo runs are the one thing I don't do :)

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  2. It just cooled off so fast--I feel like we missed the transition. But with all this sunshine, I can't complain!

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  3. Typically September is a "summery" month here so seeing the "F" word (frost) thrown about is pretty shocking so early in the season. Who needs a longer winter? Not I! I hope those posterior chain aches and pains resolve in time for your race. They are a PIA for sure!

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    1. It's usually warmer in September here, too. I certainly do NOT want Winter to arrive any earlier than usual, LOL

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  4. Ugh on your nagging issues. I runfess I have a cranky hip flexor too. Wah!
    When I first started Peloton I had no interest in the outdoor content, but I got hooked on having someone keep me company on my runs. ;-)

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    1. I need to check out the outdoor classes...I haven't tried any of those yet. I'm still kinda new on tapping into the classes while I'm out walking or running.

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  5. That's funny, I had some Pelo-fessions today as well! That's a good one about your 100th "ride"...
    Yes, it's so frustrating with these nagging pains!!! Mine is still hanging on as well, but at least I'm not training for anything specific. It sounds like you're doing everything right- foam rolling, theragun-ing, crosstraining... I hope you get some relief soon.

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    1. Yeah, I almost face-palmed myself as soon as I had that revelation about the 100th ride.

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  6. So sorry about the hip flexor pain - mine started acting up again too...is it contagious LOL! I hope you get some relief quickly! Too funny about your 100th "ride" but you can't beat a good soundtrack :)

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    1. The soundtracks have been great! I didn't realize how much I'd actually missed music...

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  7. Hmmm...back when you were recovering from your stress fracture, didn't you use biking miles for a virtual race? It seems to me that you're just putting the universe into balance by running to a bike workout!

    Boo to random aches and pains that get in the way of your fitness goals! And to chilly mornings. We haven't gotten any lower than 40 yet, and I'm good with that. I want about two weekends worth of gorgeous fall colors, two weekends of snow, and then split the rest of the time between spring and summer.

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    1. Ha ha ha...I guess I did put things back into balance, LOL I'd forgotten about the biking miles for a virtual 13.1, but YES, that did happen ;-)

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  8. I've been overdressing because I forget that I get warm when I run. No need for leggings and vests yet.

    I used to use Peleton for music. now sometimes Podcasts.

    I never have high mileage.. I think it helps avoid injuries. You are super fit with all that biking and other workouts.

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    1. It's had to get the layers right for those first few cold runs, especially when they happen out of the blue.

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  9. Usually September is still really warm for us but it's starting to cool down and I'm looking forward to fall running!
    As always, you are always so on point with your workouts!

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    1. September is usually still more warm than cold here...but last week was a doozy!

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  10. that's funny about your 100th ride that wasn't a ride :D I can listen to music or not, and actually if I have to run a long time I need a break from music/ podcast for a bit. strange. I also had to put on gloves and wear a few layers the last couple weeks. Here in NL though we do still get some sunny days but definitely not warm anymore. I do hope you will get to do your half marathon!

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    1. I'm glad that I can run long distances and races sans music, but I'd forgotten how nice it is to have it available.

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  11. I have had a few aches and pains crop up. Mostly related to the weather and my hardware. We just got done with a hurricane/tropical storm, so the weather here is utter trash.

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    1. I bet your weather has been tough to deal with, and stressful as well.

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  12. I've found the Peloton app to be a great soundtrack when I go out to walk or run, but I've had to be careful about using up all of my data!

    I can definitely see why you love summer so much...that's a bit TOO chilly to kick off fall for me! I don't think we've dropped below 50 yet...

    I hope you recover ASAP!

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  13. I'm so sorry you've got that nagging issue in your piriformis/hip flexors. Here's hoping it heals quickly.

    I didn't run with music until the last year or two of my marathoning days when I got my first little iPod mini. I fine with running both ways, with and without music, but now I've gotten use to it so I prefer it if I'm running solo.

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    1. I was really surprised how much I didn't miss having music with me (after my little iPod died), but now I'm realizing how nice it IS to have it along. Like you, I'm grateful I can go with or without ;-)

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  14. I need to get back to weekly (or bi-weekly, at the minimum) stair workouts. I really miss them!

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