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Friday Five – Runfessions for March

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

Well, it’s finally spring although it often still feels like winter.

1. I runfess…

I so wanted it to be spring for the United NYC Half that I dressed like it…and I froze.  30s with wind and I wore a skirt, baseball cap and short sleeves.  Everyone else was wearing tights, beanie and jacket. Obviously they are smarter than I am.

Thank goodness for heat shields.

Would you rather be cold or warm when you run?

2. I runfess…

After my previous half, I walked around a garden for several hours and then on the beach. I wound up with a strained calf muscle.

So you would think that I’d learn my lesson.

Do you relax after you run a half marathon?

3. I runfess…

Once again I signed up for the Freihofer Training Challenge group.  It meets on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Not sure why… FOMO??

I often to my long runs on the weekend (in preparation for my big races) so neither of these days are convenient.

I’ll do my best to attend some of them…but seriously what was I thinking?

first Monday night

Do you belong to a running group?

4. I runfess…

I’ve always been a naysayer about massages, foam rollers and chiropractors.

That was before my recent injury.

Those ART sessions may or may not have made it possible for me to run the NYC Half pain-free.

maybe I’ll even buy tape…

I told my chiro that I may continue to come see her as maintenance before each of my big races. Hey, the visits are covered by insurance..

I even made a foam roller out of 2 tennis balls.

Picture of Tape Tennis Balls Together

I used a sock instead.

Do you regularly visit a chiropractor or get sports massages?

5. I runfess…

I was worrying about all my upcoming races that I had (impulsively) signed up for when I was injured. I even skipped one of the my favorite races.

Now I’m back in racing mode.

And I signed up for this one on Sunday.

Do you get FOMO and sign up for a lot of races?

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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Friday Five – Runfessions for February

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

I swear I just wrote these…times flies!!!

1. I runfess…

I always race with compression calf sleeves (even in the summer).  I also run all my long training runs with them.  So what was I thinking when I decided not to wear them during my recent half marathon??

It was warm, humid and raining. I thought about going back to my car to put them on and then in the end, I did not.

Do you wear compression sock or sleeves when you run?

2. I runfess…

Even though I experienced discomfort in my leg (either from not wearing compression during my half marathon or walking for hours in a garden after or climbing dunes on the beach), I ran while I was in NYC for work.  I did run slow and walk often. But I just couldn’t skip it.

Running injury meme

Would you run in NYC if you “might” be injured?

3. I runfess…

I had a long run scheduled for last Saturday.  A 10 miler. I always run with my running friends but none of them were free to run. I hate running alone so I skipped the run.  Yes, if they had been free I probably would have run even though I shouldn’t have.

However, I carb loaded (as If I ran those 10 miles) later at a birthday party.

Why isn't the answer to a running injury ever "Just keep running a lot; it will go away."

Anyone else ignore aches and pains when they have to train for a big race?

4. I runfess…

On Sunday, luckily I had signed up to volunteer at a local race.  Phew! I couldn’t race even if I wanted to.  I enjoyed it though I was freezing and worried that I would tell runners the wrong way to go.  Of course, I shared my running injury story.  Everyone had different advice.

Some said “Just rest.” Some said “See a Doctor.”  Some said “PT.”  Others said “Get a Massage.” Even some said “Sounds like nothing serious.”

Image result for running injury meme

Anyone ask other runners for injury advice? How do you decide whose advice to follow?

5. I runfess…

Rest is not something I’m good at. Who is?

So I was anxious to get this leg thing fixed and decided to take a coach’s advice and see a chiropractor to get ART. It’s a big deal for me who has never gotten a massage or seen a chiropractor or even foam rolled.

Image result for A.r.t active release techniques

I had my first session and have 3 more scheduled.  She seems to think that it was walking on the beach that strained overworked muscles and that it is not serious.

She worked on my leg as well as my lower back.

Fingered crossed that I can run again soon.  NYC HALF IS IN 3 WEEKS!!!!

Ever get ART? If so, did it work?

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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Friday Five – Runfessions for January

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest for the first time in 2019 with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1. I runfess…

I don’t sweat much when it is cold and I also don’t take as many running selfies. So I sometimes re-wear the same running outfit several days in a row.

Yup, same outfit for both of these runs – two days in a row.

Do you ever wear the same running clothes two days in a row?

2. I runfess…

It has been cold but I am still craving ice cream.  I parked at Stewarts for both those runs above and yes, I had ice cream afterwards.

Anyone else eat ice cream in the winter?

3. I runfess…

I was up in the air about running a full marathon but FOMO took over and I hit the register button. I know some NYC runners doing it but I hope some of my local running friends and other bloggers get into the lottery. I was lucky enough to have a guaranteed entry.

TCS New York City Marathon Route Map

Anyone else joining me in NYC on Nov 3? I’ll need all the the support I can get.

4. I runfess…

If I plan to run 26.2 miles, I need to make my feet feel better. I ordered these and hope they work.  I don’t plan on bunion surgery any time soon.

Anyone try these to correct foot pain caused by a bunion’s pressure on the metatarsals?

5. I runfess…

Running has been going pretty well, even with the colder temps but strength training…not so much. I played tennis twice but zero trips to the gym, and haven’t taken that yoga class yet.  Still 11 months to go, though.  Anything can happen.

I’m getting an A+ for eating out with friends though not a goal

How are you doing on your 2019 goals?

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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Friday Five – Runfessions for December

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest for the last time in 2018 with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1. I runfess…

My 2019 Racing Calendar is filling up. It is fuller than my social calendar.

01-01-19 –Winter Series #2 (3.5m)
01-13-19 – Winter Series #3 (10K or 3m)
01-27-19 – Winter Series #4 (15k or 3m)
02-02-19 – Polar Cap 4m
02-10-19 – Publix Florida Half Marathon
02-17-19 -Winter Series #5 (4.5m) volunteer
03-09-19 – Runnin’ of the Green (4m)
03-17-19 – NYC Half Marathon
3-22-19 – MY STEPSON’S WEDDING!!!!!
03-31-19 – Shamrock Shuffle (5m)
04-07-19 – Delmar Dash (5m)
04-13-19 – Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon
04-20-19 -Bacon Hill Bonanza 5k
04-27-19 – Hot Chocolate 15k (in Brooklyn)
05-05-19 – Tropicool 5k (in FL)
05-11-19 – Summer Smith Memorial 5k
05-16-19 – Workforce Challenge (3.5 m)
05-19-19 – Great Sacandaga Half Marathon
06-01-19 – Freihofer Run for Women
06-29-19 – Adirondack 15K Race to the Lakes

2. I runfess…

I planned to run a Florida Half as I always do just to stay motivated to run during those frigid winter temps.  Then I qualified for the NYC Half so, of course, I had to sign up for that one.  I needed one to seriously train for and I picked a NEW local one in May.  Then a new half was announced for April. It’s very nearby and is DOWNHILL.

April 13, 2019

And now I have FOUR half marathons scheduled in FOUR months. Oy!

3. I runfess…

I went to a medical appointment recently and they made me get on the scale.  (I don’t have a scale at home.) I was wearing a coat and boots… My first thought was that they must have added ten extra lbs.

My second thought was about that 4P Mother-of-the Groom dress that I bought last summer…will it still fit?

My third thought: Maybe I should cut back on my desserts and post run rewards?

My fourth thought: Maybe I should put batteries in my home scale.

What do you think?

4. I runfess…

I am part of a FB group for the NYC Half Marathon.  I think all 25,000 runners are posting in it daily. Anyway, the only reason I joined the group was to sign up for the bus from Manhattan to the start in Brooklyn. I did  (good thing since the first bus filled up in 4 hours).

It would be rude to leave the group now, right?

5. I runfess…

I won the book Couch to Active in a recent blog giveaway. Well, I am pretty active, as you know. I entered the giveaway because I’d like to give it to someone else who has expressed interest in running.

bcouch

Would you be insulted if someone gave this book to you?

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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Friday Five – November Runfessions ’18

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest about my most recent race-cation in France with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1. I runfess…

I know that I made the right decision to DNS my Thanksgiving Turkey Trot but there were so many friends who did run, I had major FOMO.

Darn…I like their medals this year too…

and I would have won an age group award for the first time.

2. I runfess…

I did not DNS the Thanksgiving race because it was too cold.  I had all my layers ready but I was worried about running a race so close to my half marathon (which was two days later.) The coach told me to run it easy and not to race it but knowing me, I would have….

3. I runfess…

Although I have complained about all my travel for work, I will miss some of my favorite running routes.  I will still be traveling but to NYC.

4. I runfess…

I feel grateful to still be setting PRs this year. As I age, I hope I will be able to accept getting slower.

5. I runfess…

This year I will have the lowest total mileage since 2014.  I guess if I am healthy it shouldn’t matter.  But since I do not do any cross-training and I rarely play tennis anymore, I feel like I should step it up.

2018 – 886 miles so far
2017 – 1041.5 miles
2016 – 1046 miles
2015 – 969 miles

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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France Runfessions

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest about my most recent race-cation in France with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1. I runfess…

My travel buddy was not feeling well most of the trip and she slept late.  Yes, I was a little relieved. I was able to go for a run most mornings and not feel guilty.

2. I runfess…

I thought I might have an injury and I imagined all the worst case scenarios.  That I would have to DNS my next 2 half marathons. I’d never run again.  Yes, I blew things out of proportion.

My foot was fine…phew!

3. I runfess…

I planned to take it easy the day before my “maybe” injured 20 km race.  We did take a boat ride but I still put in over 12 miles on that foot. Oops.

4. I runfess…

Everything in France tasted better than here. Why is that?  How are they so thin eating butter, jelly, mayonnaise on everything? Eating bread all the time and those desserts?  Don’t get me started. But I enjoyed EVERY calorie.

5. I runfess…

I was so thirsty during my 20km race that I was thinking of stopping in a store and buying a bottle of water.  But I only had a credit card (no euros).

I saw these throughout Paris (water) but not during my race 😦

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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RnR Montreal Runfessions

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest about my most recent race-cation in Montreal with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1. I runfess…

I signed up for the 5k only because if I ran both the 5k and the Half Marathon, I got THREE medals rather than ONE.

2. I runfess…

Even though I was planning to walk the 5k, I still carb loaded the night before the race…manicotti and an apple crepe. I ate more than before the half marathon.

This is Sunday’s dessert but Sat’s was similar

3. I runfess…

And after that 5k, I ate lunch as if I had just run an ultra -marathon….squash soup, bread and bagel & lox and salad.

This is Sunday’s soup too but you get the idea.

4. I runfess…

So as I said, I planned to walk that 5k.  I didn’t wear even wear my Garmin but… I DID NOT walk the race.  No surprise there.

I didn’t actually race the 5k.  I ran it slowly non-stop taking in every bit of the scenery.  Boy, is that the best way to race.

My pace was actually slower than for the half. (6:19 vs 6:16  – that’s kilometers).

5. I runfess…

During my half marathon, I planned to take a GU at one of the water stops but I ran past the water and there was only Gatorade. I hate Gatorade and I can’t take a GU without water.  So I saw a guy holding two cups of waters.  So I said “Are you going to drink both of those?” And he replied “No, take it.”

good but only with water!!!!

Yup, I drank someone else’s water.  I didn’t even care if he drank out of the cup first.  Don’t judge. LOL

And one more for good measure:

6. I runfess…

You know how I love getting age group awards.  I mean it validates that “old ladies can still fun fast.” Well, I saw on the big screen that they were giving out awards to the older folks but decided that I was too tired to walk all the way to the stage to see if I got one.

And of course, I did place 2nd!

I hope the award wasn’t anything good.

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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Runfessions for August

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

1. I runfess…

I signed up for a Virtual Race which I normally don’t do.

Because of the swag.

awesome medal

cool women’s tech shirt

When my Russian friend Anna came to visit, I (reluctantly) gave her the shirt because she loves Central Park…

she wore to the race (that we never ran)

but I kept the medal.

Then I felt guilty so I gave her one of my 5k medals that I won as an age group award.

Do you ever give away your medals and shirts?

2. I runfess…

As a Rock N Blogger, I definitely feel FOMO every time a Rock n Roll race happens. My plan was to run several Rock N Roll races.  But they cancelled Brooklyn and the only east coast race is Montreal.  So I signed up to run the half marathon…

Image result for rnr montreal

…then I also signed up for run the 5k the day before.

Image result for rnr montreal 5k

Yup, it’s all about the bling.

Any other Rock N Bloggers out there running RnR Montreal??? Hopefully “yes.” Anyone else run TWO races in one weekend to get an extra medal?

3. I runfess…

I used to race every weekend especially in the summer. But believe it or not, I skipped Jailhouse Rock 5K, one of my favorite summer races (and a PR op due to the downhill finish).

Having friends to run with on the weekend has changed my running…

Do you ever skip a race in order to run with friends?

4. I runfess…

If you read my blog, you know that one of my recent NYC races was cancelled. 

There was no refund but they re-scheduled the race. I live almost 3 hours north of the city and I would have pay to get to the city and pay for a hotel room in order to run the race on its new date.

Yes, you guessed it, I registered for the race anyway. I used my points for a free hotel room.

In order not to lose my $40 registration fee, I am spending $40 more for MegaBus tix to get to and from NYC.

Crazy, right? 

Anyone else want to join me?  Want to buy Anna’s bib?

5. I runfess…

I bought a new skirt from Skirt Sports (that I don’t need) because I thought that the new pattern matched my running shoes.

Women's Nike Air Zoom Vomero 13 Running Shoes - Color: Racer Blue/Blue Tint/Royal Pulse (Regular Width) - Size: 6.5

...except that it doesn’t match.

There’s a solution:

Buy a top that matches the new skirt and then another skirt that matches the shoes. (I am glad that I am an ambassador or I’d go broke.)

Ever buy new running apparel just because of the color?

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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Friday Five 2.0 – Runfessions for July

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

1. I runfess…

I signed up for a Virtual Race which I normally don’t do.  Yes, I love to give to charity but there are so many race local races where I can do that.

Why did I sign up?  The swag.

awesome medal

cool women’s tech shirt

Do you run virtual races? Anyone else love Central Park as much as I do?

2. I runfess…

As a Rock N Blogger, I definitely feel FOMO every time a Rock n Roll race happens (especially this month when all my favorite bloggers were running in Chicago.) I loved Vegas and ran Brooklyn and my plan was to run several Rock N Roll races.  But they cancelled Brooklyn and the only east coast race is Montreal.  But not until Sept 23….

Image result for rnr montreal

Any other Rock N Bloggers out there not able to run all the races they’d like? Anyone else running RnR Montreal??? Hopefully “yes.”

3. I runfess…

I used to race every weekend especially in the summer. But believe it or not, I only raced ONCE in July. Having friends to run with on the weekend has changed my running…

Do you ever lose the “racing fever”?

4. I runfess…

I used to reward myself with ice cream after long runs. But now I reward myself with ice cream after short runs and even after NO runs.

Ever give yourself an undeserved post run reward?

5. I runfess…

I bought a new skirt from Skirt Sports (that I don’t need) because I thought that the new pattern matched my new running shoes.

Women's Nike Air Zoom Vomero 13 Running Shoes - Color: Racer Blue/Blue Tint/Royal Pulse (Regular Width) - Size: 6.5

my shoes

except that it doesn’t match – still love the skirt.

Ever buy new running apparel just because of the color?

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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Friday Five 2.0 – Runfessions for June

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

1. I runfess…

I got my running shoes soaked during a 5k race so I took out the insoles to let them dry.

I took the same running shoes to NYC (for a week of working there) and put 11 miles on them in one day (only 3 was running) before I realized that I never put the insoles back into my shoes.

Yes, the shoes felt weird. I attributed it to different socks.

Since I had a 5k scheduled for that week, I had to go buy insoles for the shoes.

Good news – I like these insoles better than the ones that came with the shoes.

racing with my new insoles

Do you buy special insoles for your running shoes?

2. I runfess…

I ran a Brooklyn 5k where I definitely felt like a less than “serious” runner.

There were about 100 runners who finished with a pace under 7 min,

I ran well yet I finished near the BOTP. 438 out 657?

I guess I got spoiled with races where anyone regardless of pace signs up to run a 5k.

Do you ever run well and finish near the BOTP?

3. I runfess…

I might have been injured but I didn’t talk much about it in hopes that it would disappear.

After my Florida trip where I played tennis everyday, the arch of my right foot was very sore. It hurt after I ran. It hurt during the Brooklyn Half Marathon.

I googled it to death and iced after I ran.  No, I didn’t stop running. I thought it could be PF but to get rid of that injury, it seemed that I would have to rest my foot.

I had a 5k scheduled in Brooklyn and I hesitated to run it.  I thought about the fact that I could make it worse and be out of running for even longer.

But running is my therapy.  With my family, friend and job stresses, I needed to run or I’d go insane.

So I decided it was worth the risk of aggravating a maybe injury.

I ran the race. My foot was no worse and I’ve continued running and it feels less painful after each run.

not a great race but fast enough to win my age group

I guess I made the right decision. Phew!!

Do you ever ignore an injury and it went away?

4. I runfess…

I paid $39 to run a 5k just because there was ice cream afterward.

The ice cream was small and definitely not worth it. I could have run in the park for free and bought a huge ice cream sundae.

Ever sign up for a race because of the food post race?

5. I runfess…

I’ve been looking for a new pair of running shoes but didn’t want to pay full price – $149 (because truthfully I probably don’t really need them).

I found a pair for like $100.  They might have been cheaper because of the color??

Women's Nike Air Zoom Vomero 13 Running Shoes - Color: Racer Blue/Blue Tint/Royal Pulse (Regular Width) - Size: 6.5

I was excited. They match many of my race shirts and skirts.

It’s the little things that makes a runner happy…

Ever buy or not buy running shoes just because of the color?

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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