I was going to change this photo but March did look like this in Upstate NY.

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

Just because I was not running most of the month doesn’t mean there’s nothing to RUNFESS…

1.  I runfess…

You may remember that I got accepted (though my time) to the NYC Marathon in Nov. 2023.

My fingers were crossed that my local running friends would get into the lottery.

But they did not!!

At least they said that they would help me train and come cheer that day…

2.  I runfess…

I love to volunteer at races.  I know how important they are to the success of a race.

at a local marathon/half marathon Oct. 2022

However, I’ve only volunteered at races that I didn’t sign up for.

I decided since I couldn’t run the Electric City 10k (that I registered for), I would instead volunteer.

I admit.. big FOMO (even in less than ideal weather conditions)!!

3. I runfess…

I was planning a 3 day weekend in NYC as part of running the NYC Half Marathon.

My first inclination after I got injured was to cancel the race, cancel my train, cancel my hotel…. (and hide in a hole until after the race.)

My two local running friends convinced me to come for 2 days and that it would be fun to spectate and cheer.

I admit that I agreed but with lots of hesitation.

However, I did have some fun times…

4. I runfess…

• As you know I LOVE to race.  I race a lot.

Believe it or not, I’ve never spectated at a race. Certainly not at a race with 25,000 runners.

Yes, I was a little nervous about the logistics and finding my friends.

taken by Cari, spectator extraordinaire

And although I thought I had it all planned out..

Well, I did see them but they did not see me… hence lousy pics:

5. I runfess…

Not running or racing has not stopped me from buying running-related items.

on sale!!

planning my comeback with run/walk intervals

This has been a hard month for me…. thanks so much for all your support!!

I really appreciate it!!

❤ U all!

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Anyone else get into the lottery for the NYCM 2023?  Any advice for training after a layoff from running? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

Join the link party!

We all know that our minds mess with our running.

Here are a few examples:

1. I’m too old for this. Should I just stick to short distances?

2. My pace is so slow. Maybe I shouldn’t race anymore?

3. I don’t have time to follow a plan. Can I just wing it?

4. Why do I need to walk so often during my runs and races?

5. Am I am pushing my self too hard or not hard enough?

+ Am I injured or just sore?

Happy Running! What clutters your brain? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

1.You need to look the part.

In other words, you have to wear the right clothes (or brands) to be a good runner.

I obviously like to match my clothes.  But I know that many runners do not.

I used to run pretty well in my Target and Walmart brand clothes.

2. You should eat the right food.

Sticking to the same pre-race food.  Using the same fuel during a race.  Even eating or drinking certain brands (that the professionals use).

I admit I am superstitious and always have coffee & oatmeal before a run and pizza the night before. And I fuel with a Gu every 3-5 miles.

But many runners can vary their foods and fuel with no adverse effects..

3. You must warm up or you will get injured.

For some runners, it may help to stretch or do a dynamic warm-up.

I rarely do…

4  If you’re not sore, you didn’t work hard enough.

Most likely you overworked your muscles.

5. Age matters.

Younger runners are faster?  Yes, most of the time.

But not always.

I know older runners that are faster than I am and I am faster than some younger runners.

+It’s bad luck to wear the race shirt on race day.

I usually do not but many runners do and run a great race.

Happy Running! Any other superstitions you have heard of or believe in? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

I apologize in advance that the things below may not be healthy or related to running:

1.Food.

I don’t drink soda or snack on junk food but I do enjoy my brunches out with friends and my post-run ice cream!!

2. Wine

Again I don’t drink much or often, but my occasional evening glass of red wine is a relaxing way to end a stressful day.

3. Hair Care

No, I will not let my hair go gray (but no judgment on those who do).

I guess I’m trying not to look 69… LOL

I have my hair cut and colored on a regular basis. And I have no plans of stopping.

4.Nail Care

Like my hair, I always get my nails done on a regular basis…

I wear ANC French so it does last for many many weeks.

5. Matching Clothes

Yes, I’m addicted to having everything I wear match!!

Happy Running! So how you show yourself love? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

1.The Friends I’ve Made

My local running friends are the best….

I don’t know where I’d be without them. Whether it is sharing some of my miserable long runs in the cold or seeing their smiling faces before a race or just chatting about running at a post-run brunch.

Running Life is better with friends to support you.

2.The Places I’ve Visited

I don’t travel as much as other runners but I have gotten to visit California, Florida, Vermont, Philly, NJ, Las Vegas, Montreal, NH, Maine and Paris!!

I may not have gone to these locations if I had not registered for a race.

3.The Achievements I’ve Accomplished

I would race every weekend if I could afford it.

I love all distances though my favorites are the 5k and the half marathon. The excitement at the start line with the other runners and the feeling of accomplishment when you cross that finish line can’t be beat.

Completing over 60 Half Marathons and One Marathon!! Who would have thought I could?

Starting at age 55!

4. The Virtual Connections

If I didn’t run, I probably wouldn’t blog and I would have missed out on meeting some fabulous ladies.

My blog started as motivation to keep on running and now it is so much more… a way to stay connected to the running community.

The same can be said about Facebook and Instagram and Brand Ambassador Groups (ie Skirt Sports, Zensah).

5. Feeling Healthy.

That is both physically (I rarely get sick)

and mentally.

It’s true: “Running is my Therapy.”

If I am feeling tired, rundown, stressed, depressed, I just go for a run…

I always feel better when I’m done.

Happy Running! So what do you love about running? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Whether it’s running, walking, biking or working out, we often are faced with struggles that prevent us from reaching our fitness goals.

Here are FIVE of mine.  They all relate to a goal of working out:

1.Access

I do not own a treadmill or any exercise equipment besides a stationary bike.

I could, of course, join a gym or subscribe to Peleton.

Both cost $$$.  Affordable but sometimes we need to make choices on how to spend our salary.

2.Time

I work from 8-4.  Sometimes I have to travel which means even more hours spent at work.

Again, I could get up earlier or skip after work social activities.

It’s a matter of priorities (as in $$) – sleep/friends vs fitness

3.Partner

I’m pretty sure that if I had a partner in crime, I would go to a gym.

For some things I just need that extra push of a friend doing it too.

4.Too Many Options

• A gym?  Which one: Planet Fitness, YMCA, etc?
• App Subscriptions? Which one: Peleton, Les Mills, etc?
• Free Online Videos?
• Do your own thing?

5.A Reason

As they say “If it ain’t broke…”

IOW, I only run and yet I do not have any aches or pains or injuries. (knock on wood.)

Happy Running! Which struggles do you face, if any? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.