Thursday, May 25, 2023

To 'Fess or Not To 'Fess


 ...and here we are again.

Time to bring all those 'fessions to the 'fessional and clear our bodies, minds, and soles. Honestly, just when I think I've 'fessed all there is to be 'fessed, life keeps happening (and, honestly, that is a GOOD thing, LOL).

Shall we get this 'fession party off and rolling? Okay, here goes...

First off, let me tell you a tiny bit about last weekend's Market to Market Relay (the full recap is coming on Tuesday). I have a lot of energy. I thrive on early mornings (and late nights). But, with a 4:00a.m. wake-up and a full day of non-stop action, I was feeling very tired following my second leg for the Relay. It was mid-afternoon when I'd finished a somewhat tough 4-mile leg (the last 2-1/2 miles of which were a gradual incline). Upon climbing into our team's van, I had serious doubts as to whether I'd be able to summon the mojo to run my final leg (another 4ish miles) a few hours later. I fatigue-fess, I strongly considered bailing. There were six other gals, after all, and I could probably persuade one of them to run my final leg for me (three of our team members ran two legs; four of us ran three). Nonetheless, as we were nearing my turn for the final leg, I spotted a convenience store and bought myself a Pepsi. About 45 minutes later, I was primed and ready, and that final leg of the relay almost (emphasis on almost) felt effortless. And that's all she wrote.


With the increased warm weather, I have been back on the road with my bikes (I have a hybrid and a mountain bike). I can't express how much better it feels to be pedaling outdoors as opposed to hibernating in the confines of my basement. I gotta cycle-fess, I shamelessly want to saddle-up a ride pretty much everyday. Sorry, not sorry.


Even with the warm weather, though, Momma N is STILL unleashing her wrath on us (or is it just me?) with the relentless wind. Granted, most days it's more balmy then frigid, but that wind is pretty evil if I'm on the bike. Let me wind-fess, the wind is still my biggest fitness nemesis.


It's no secret I keep active with a good variety of fitness options. Running is huge. Cycling is a close second. I do some strength-training each week. And I've been known to indulge in stair-climbing on occasion. I walk-fess, though, I think the simple act of walking works the most magic for my legs. Just recently, I caught a glimpse in the mirror, and noticed a huge difference in the shape and tone of my legs since the winter. In all honesty, I notice this every year during the warmer seasons. I'm outside, walking, more frequently in the pleasant weather; I don't think it's a coincidence my legs are the benefactors. 


Finally, as much as I love running, I need to run-fess that I'm ready switch things up this summer. I've had a busy spring: the Leprechaun Chase, the Fight for Air Climb, the Cherry Blossom 10-mile, the Drake Road Races 13.1, the Kewash Half Marathon, and last weekend's M2M Relay. I have DAM to DSM 13.1 next weekend (June 3rd), and then I plan to scale-back the distance running for awhile. I'm not feeling tired or burnt out, but I'm definitely ready for some shorter distance events. I also want to play around with some intermittent speed-training and work on maintaining all the PT from the past seven months. I still plan on running a half marathon (maybe a couple?) in the fall, but I want my summer to be "flexible" in terms of focused training. We shall see.   


Whew. That's a lot, LOL. It feels refreshing to get all those 'fessions released and move on to the next month. 

So, those are my May 'fessions. Do you have any?

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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26 comments:

  1. LOL at the Pepsi fueled relay leg. Glad you got it done!

    I don't think anyone enjoys wind. Unless it's really hot, of course. Which we haven't really seen that much of yet (next week, maybe).

    What's wrong with cycling every day? Other than a rest day here and there. ;)

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  2. Sounds like you had a productive spring! Isn't it amazing what energy lies in some Pepsi? Haha!

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  3. We've had that wind here too but sadly, it's brought us cooler temperatures since it's blowing across the lake!

    I love me some caffeine!

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    1. Honestly, I don't drink that much caffeine...I really need to reconsider my life choices, LOL!

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  4. I want to ride everyday too! I agree that with all of the fitness options, I think that just plain old walking is the best.

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  5. That relay sounds exhausting! But I bet it was a lot fun.
    You've been doing a lot of races this spring, wow! Using the summer for shorter runs and speed training sounds like a great plan.

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    1. The relay was SOMUCH FUN! All of us were talking about how exhausted we were for the entire week afterwards...but totally worth it.

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  6. Those relays are always more tiring than expected. Splitting up the running like that is also harder, I believe. Way to push through. Maybe you needed more fuel and hydration between legs

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    1. Right? It's more tiring running "short" segments off and on as opposed to running a long distance all at one time.

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  7. You have had a very busy spring... it makes sense to scale back but your lack of activity is more than most people I know.

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    1. I'm definitely ready to scale back some things soon...

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  8. I HEAR YOU. The coke I had in the middle of my 50k was a game changer. It's amazing what some sugar, caffeine, and delicious-ness will do!
    I'm looking forward to the relay recap- I can see how it would be tiring to run, wait, run again, wait AGAIN and then have to do another run.

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  9. I usually don't drink soda but I also can attest to the energy boost of that sugary drink :)

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    1. I don't drink soda very often either, but it certainly packs a nice punch when I do ;-)

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  10. There is something about a coke or pepsi to help boost your energy during a run. I support it. Wind is terrible. It wears me right out.

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  11. A very busy a productive spring, brava! Indeed Coca/Pepsi help me to recover faster after a tough workout. About the relays, I remember many years ago with other 2 friends we entered the "Argentario marathon relay": the place is wonderful (Orbetello lagoon), very very famous. But ... when we understood that the 3rd leg was a mountain to climb we decided to run all together, shoulder to shoulder, only the first leg.

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  12. You have great legs! Glad the Pepsi gave you that boost of energy to complete that final leg of the relay.

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  13. Amazing the energy boost from a Pepsi - glad it helped!

    You had a very busy Spring! I can see why you'd be ready to change things up this summer.

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    1. Yes, I'm definitely ready for some shorter distance races ;-)

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