Thursday, February 23, 2023

A Few 'Fessions for February


 And, just like that, it's time to hit the 'fessional for some real talk.

February may be the shortest month, but it certainly packs a punch with all the happenings and goings on. Winter wages on, but spring is less than a month away...if we can just muster through these (hopefully) few remaining weeks of "seasonal" weather. 

What say we gather at the 'fessional...I have a few 'fessions that need mention...

Let me start with the proclamation that I want winter to end. I know, I know...that probably comes as no surprise, LOL. I'm done admiring the pretty white snow (which really only looks pretty as (1) it's falling and (2) for about three hours after it hits the ground). The residual slushy gunk it leaves behind is a mess, not to mention a major hazard as it melts and re-freezes. That said, I snowfess that I'm grateful all of our February snowstorms happened during the mid-week(s) and most of the snow was MIA by the weekend(s).

this post popped up in my Facebook memories this week 

I've come to the realization that even though I'm acclimated to the cold weather, my enthusiasm for early morning runs (in the dark, no less) has dwindled considerably. While I desperately miss my sunrise runs, I have had some decent post-workday runs take their place (with equally beautiful sunsets). A huge perk to running after work is that the temps are substantially warmer than they would have been 12 hours prior...meaning I've been able to wear shorts a few times! Mind you, these runs-in-shorts are contingent on the timing. If I can't get "in gear" and on the street before 5:30PM, I usually have to resort tights due to the disappearing sun sinking below the tree line. None the less, I runfess the increased daylight is legit, and I'm glad the darkness of winter is dwindling.  

seen after a recent post-workday run

I have often followed the mantra Fashion Before Function. With Ash Wednesday happening this week, Fat Tuesday (or, the final day of Mardi Gras) took place the day prior. Let me fashionfess that I had a Fashion-Before-Function #FAIL in wearing my Mardi Gras-themed leggings for Tuesday's morning bike ride. I usually wear shorts, so these full-length leggings were rather warm (even with the fan blowing on me). Yes, I was a hot mess (in a good way) after 14 miles, but I'd do it all over again.


In other news, most know I've been an ambassador for ROADiD for a couple years. They periodically have new wrist bands (in different colors or patterns) and frequently feature IDs (the actual face plates) available in limited edition colors as well. I'm all about reduce/reuse/recycle, so I haven't acquired a surplus of of IDs for myself (though I do have a growing collection of bands to interchange with the ones I do have). Well, I have to colorfess that's changed in recent months. I have been updating some info on my IDs, which has given me the opportunity to expand my repertoire of colored IDs...because why not? I'll even IDfess it's been a fun endeavor, LOL.  There's even a green ID (from the Emerald collection) en route as I type...

(L-R). IDs from the Ember, Phoenix, Glacier and Pink Collections 

Finally, my lower-back has been a bit cranky in recent months. My PT gal has had me doing a lot of back stretching and strengthening, as well as dry needling, but the SI joint is still not happy (nor is its owner, just saying). An X-ray showed nothing abnormal, though possibly a bit of arthritis (WHAT??? I don't feel old enough for such nonsense, LOL). Thankfully, it's nothing debilitating, though those first few minutes out-of-bed, each morning, are not pleasant. I am waiting to hear back from a pain specialist, to potentially schedule a steroid shot to relieve some of the discomfort. I'll painfess it here and now, I really try to avoid pain meds (heck, I've given birth three times, one without any pain meds), so this is a big "medical intervention" awaiting me. 

Anyways, whew! I think I've 'fessed enough for February.

How about you? Any 'fessions that need disclosed? 

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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23 comments:

  1. Yes even though the winter has been pretty mild I'll be glad when it's gone. I'm so impressed that you made it through 14 miles with leggings!

    I feel you on avoiding pain meds, but your SI joint sounds like something that's going to get better the second that the cortisol hits it. I hope you get the appointment soon.

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    1. My PT did a "deep heat" ultrasound treatment this morning...that was NICE!

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  2. I had that SI joint issue a few years ago and I went to a pelvic health PT--it was nothing short of miraculous. Knock wood, I have had very little trouble since. If it starts talking to me, I do my exercises she gave me. No steroid shot needed. It's actually a really common issue in women.

    I am so excited for that emerald green roadID! I just love the bold colored ones.

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    1. The Emerald ID looks nice! I've passed on it in previous years, but I gave in this time. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow.

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  3. Sorry about the back pain. I hope you find some non-medicinal ways to alleviate the pain. An emerald RoadID sounds fun! I too am over winter. The changes in daylight make me look so forward to SPRING!

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    1. The change in daylight is what's keeping me going at the moment. This week was ridiculously cold.

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  4. My lower back bothered me when I had all of those piraformis issues last year. For now, it seems like the stretching and strengthening has helped. I am all for a little prolo or anything that will help. We don’t have time for that nonsense!

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    1. I have ZERO time for any physical nonsense, LOL. I've never had back issues before, so this has really been a tough one to deal with.

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  5. Ah, the achy lower back- that's my current "nagging" area as well. It's always something!
    I'm definitely a morning runner, but any time I do an afternoon run, I realize that I like that too! Sunsets are just as pretty as sunrises.

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    1. I definitely prefer the early mornings, but the late afternoons have been a nice change.

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  6. I can't wait for my Emerald Road ID! February was definitely a lot. I wish we could hold on to the cooler temps for two more weeks, but I guess spring/summer is here for us.

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  7. But those tights were perfect for our Fat Tuesday ride! ;-)

    Road ID has come a long way from tags that Velcroed onto shoelaces!

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    1. Yes, the tights simply had to happen, hot or not ;-) Road ID seems to have been offering a lot more in terms of colored ID plates just since I've been with them...so many options!

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  8. It is SO much easier to motivate myself onto the treadmill on Winter mornings than outside. Just sayin'.

    I'm sorry to hear about the potential arthritis. I hop you find relief soon. Back pain is not fun, no matter the cause.

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    1. If my treadmill was in commission, I'd probably at least be walking on it, but I'm grateful for my bike and elliptical.

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  9. I once had SI pain but I my chiro quickly get rid of it... that was lucky. Hope yours goes away quickly.

    I love warm weather and only run in the cold weather because I am training for a race and I hate the treadmill more!

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    1. I'm too creeped-out by the chiro treatments. I've gone a few times, and they do seem to help some, but all the jerking and popping is just not my scene.

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    2. That's how I feel about massages... not into them.
      There's no jerking or popping for me by my chiro.

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  10. I'm sorry for the achy back - I'm not a big fan of pain meds either. I hope you're able to get some relief and soon!

    My enthusiasm for early morning runs is gone too - the glimpses of extended daylight after work gives me hope. I'm so ready for spring!

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    1. I've been so thankful for my after-work runs recently! It's nice having ample daylight that time of day!

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  11. Those Mari Gras leggings are fantastic!

    Ugh on the back pain. Sometimes the PT and stretching needs a “booster shot” to really provide relief. ;-)

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    1. I'm kind of hoping for that booster shot, truth be told.

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