Some Final 'Fessions for 2023

 ...and, just like that, it's time for one last trip to the 'fessional for 2023.

December has been a month of surprises, and also a month of adventure. The weather kept me guessing, and the run streak kept me active. There also were a few unexpected "episodes," if you will, that kept me on alert.

Never a dull moment, and that's quite alright. 

For starters, I'll tell you about my new title of Bat Wrangler. 

Last weekend, I'd been up rather late (ahem, 1:00AM, thank you very much). When I'd finally gotten in bed, I kept hearing things. Odd thumping sounds, the wind rattling the tree branches against a window, and unfamiliar screeches. I realized the screen, in the window above my head, was vibrating...and then I noticed a body of something was crawling across it. It looked like this foreign body was stuck in between the pane and screen...until it took flight across my room. It landed on the top of the open bedroom door, somehow missing the spinning ceiling fan. In a moment of haste, I grabbed a cleaning rag from the bathroom, and was able to trap it under the folds of the fabric (which is fortunate, because had I not caught it on the first attempt, it probably would have escaped out into the hallway). I ran down the stairs and threw the rag (and its contents) outside, onto the porch. Let me batfess, I was very happy to see the misplaced bat had found its way out from the folds of fabric and wasn't waiting for me the next morning. How it got into the house (let alone my bedroom ...#ewww), or how long it had been setting up homestead is beyond me.  

the remains of the capture

I think I'm finally feeling the effects of my early mornings and late nights.

Yikes, the past couple weeks have had me waking up early, but also dozing much longer than ever before on occasion. If anyone tries to convince me it's just a natural aging thing, I will choose to not listen. I'll just assume it's exhaustion from the busyness of the season. I have to sleepfess, though, that it baffles me that I don't feel it until the early morning hours, which are usually my golden time.

Let's chat about the weather (again).

December, for the most part, was much more mild, and unseasonably warmer, than typical. We all knew these pleasant conditions wouldn't last forever. Sure enough, BOOM! This week, the weather reverted back to its seasonal "norm." Yes, we're talking a 30-degree plummet overnight, thank you very much. Oh well, I weatherfess that it's kind of a relief to no longer be worrying or wondering when it would happen, LOL.  

back in the puffer vests

The holiday goodies and sweets were almost overkill this year.

Right? Can you believe I'm saying that? Recently, I had routine blood work done, and I forced myself to go very light on sugar consumption in the days preceding. It wasn't a piece of cake (see what I did there?), but it was surprisingly much easier than I'd imagined. Although I haven't committed to it, I'll sugarfess it here and now...I'm considering a sugar fast (of sorts) for the month of January. This wouldn't be a hard and fast "cold turkey" ordeal, but a definite concerted effort to avoid it (after my daily morning cappuccino, that is). Stay tuned! I still have a couple of days to fine-tune the stipulations.

Finally, there's the end-of-year tally on the running mileage.

Although I diligently log my miles, I have never been one to obsess over the numbers. I've never set weekly/monthly/yearly goals on X miles run because I choose to focus more on the quality (as opposed to the quantity) of them. That being said, I was a bit surprised to see how low my running tally will be for 2023 (as of Dec. 28th, I'm at 823). I can easily runfess that I'm totally okay with those stats, though. After all, I was doing some hardcore PT in January and February (therefore, not running much). I also lost a few weeks in June (after the bike crash) and the week of RAGBRAI (in July) had me doing more biking than running. All is well and I have ZERO regrets.  

ever grateful to run on my own terms

There, now I can 'fess that I feel much better. It always feels great to wipe the 'fessions' slate clean and start anew, not only with a new month, but also a new year. Onward to 2024!

How about you? Any 'fessions to share? Are you ready for the new year?

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

I'm also linking this with Michelle, Renee, Darlene, Jenn and Zenaida for the Fit Five Friday Link-up.

By the way...are you following me on social media?

Let's connect : Facebook Instagram  Pinterest Twitter