I hope you’re having a great day today!
For the first time I’m sharing “Runfessions” or “Runner Confessions”, hosted by Marcia’s Healthy Slice. It takes on the last Friday of each month. I thought it would be a fun way for you to get to know me better, as I tend to hold back a little bit on some of the less refined parts of race training! So without further ado, here we go!
[bctt tweet=”Oh I am spilling my runfessions! #sweatpink #runchat”]
My Runfessions
Post-Half Marathon Running Slump
Ever since the 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Half Marathon, I haven’t been enjoying running as much. I still feel GUILTY for taking off so many days after the race (6)…then again, it was the first real break I had since early January!
I really miss running 4 days a week. Is that weird? It really provided a lot of structure in my life, and I feel a bit lost without it. I’m slowly getting back into a routine but between this awful heat and my lack of direction, motivation is at an all time low! It is so easy to drop everything once your goal race is complete.
Thankfully, SweatPink has come to the rescue wih their #1MillionMinutes challenge!
SweatPink Ambassadors are encouraging everyone to get moving this summer to see if we can reach 1 million minutes of exercise! Run, walk, kickbox, garden, bicycle…it all counts! We’re sharing our tally of minutes on Twitter – since starting on Sunday, I’ve logged in 268 minutes! I’ve never thought of my workouts by the amount of minutes, so it really gives a great perspective on how active (or inactive) I really am. I can’t wait to see how many miles I log by the end of the summer! Maybe if you’re in a rut like I am, this will give you the kickstart you need!
[bctt tweet=”Join in the #1MillionMinutes challenge! #sweatpink”]
Summer Running Woes
I must also “runfess” that running in the heat and humidity has been torture for me! My favorite time of the year to run is Fall, Winter, and Spring. I still miss my winter running and the peace and tranquility of running out in the snow and cold! I don’t like running in any temperature above 70 degrees. I get hot very quickly and VERY sweaty…it’s not comfortable!
Not to mention, everyone and their mother are out on the trail now that the weather is nicer, which makes everything very stressful. Bikers do NOT follow trail etiquette and I’m constantly worried about getting clipped. If everyone was friendly I wouldn’t mind all the people, but where I run, it’s just not the case.
So I have to be a bit more strategic with my runs and avoid as many obstacles as possible. It’s hard enough trying to find a time of the day when it’s not 90 degrees out! Thankfully we’re getting some cooler weather and settling into the 80’s…geez.
One more thing before I end this rant: I do NOT like sweatie selfies! I’m hearing this is a thing now? I feel absolutely disgusting after a hot sweaty run…the last thing I want is a picture of me looking as gross as I feel! But hey, do you!
Group Run Struggles
I am really enjoying getting more involved with City Fit Girls, but it still a challenge for me! I just wrote a post about how to join a running group and keep encouraging yourself to stick with a group for a while to get past those initial feelings of awkwardness. That’s where I am right now. To be honest, I’m still working on breaking out of my shell. I’m not exactly a “regular” in the group so sometimes I feel like an outsider. Everyone is really nice, I’m just still pretty shy! Large groups of women intimidate me because I’m used to being with guys all the time! Now that it’s summertime, we’ll have over 20 women come out for the group runs…that’s a lot for me!
But anyway, I’m working on it. I also need to find someone in the group that I can count on to be my pace partner. Overall the group runs a bit too fast for my training needs. Maybe finding a buddy I can rely on would encourage me to come out more consistently!
What runfessions would you like to share?
Also sharing with Jill for Fitness Friday!
My running motivation level is SUPER low right now from all the humidity and heat. I have to suck it up if I am supposed to run a marathon distance over two days at the end of July, blagdhfsflsd;f. Also, I am not eating optimally to support my running lately. So, yeah, being a bad healthy runner, haha.
The weather is really zapping away our running motivations, ugh! I need to clean up my eating…thankfully I’m inspired to get back to cooking!
I feel the same way about the heat. It was 75 and SO humid yesterday when I ran it totally unraveled me. Cyclists are mean on paths! Even when I trail run, I have to go early before the mountain bikers come out cuz they are mean too! Thanks for linking up!
These cyclists out here are out of control…ugh. I like riding my bike but the trail isn’t big enough for all of us!
I’m lucky to get 77 degrees at 5:30 in the morning…yuck. I love winter running, but that’s because it doesn’t get below 30 but a few times every year. For several years, I’ve done quite a few half marathons. I’m a little lost right now because I don’t have one on the horizon, just the Chicago marathon (my first!). But it’s not until October. Ha ha – I don’t like ANY selfies.
Good luck with Chicago, that has to be so exciting!! Oh man, 77 at 5:30 am is BRUTAL! This past winter in Philly we had such cold temperatures it was crazy, but eventually I really enjoyed it.
I don’t like any selfies. Lol it’s. Even very humid here, so hard to get outside at all.
Lol the only time I’ll consider taking a selfie is out on a run, I can’t bear to do it in real life!
I totally hear you! Running in the heat just kills me! I am actually injured now and have not been able to run in six months! These days I would even take running on a 90 degree day to sitting on the couch!
Aw, I hope you recover soon…6 months is a long time, I hope you’re on the mend!
My runfession this week is that I am a week out from a half marathon and just don’t feel quite ready. I know as a runner we all have good days and not so good days so I’m hoping to put a bad running week behind me. Thanks for sharing your week with us #Food&FitnessFriday
Hi Sue, I am sure that once you’re at the race, everything will kick into gear! All of those training weeks prepare you for the main event – don’t worry too much about a tough week of running!
Im in on the #1millonminutes! That’s a lot of workouts ha! No runfessions but I love being a part of a running group that meets regularly. I also like to run by myself so a combination of the 2 is a great way to train.
Thanks for linking up with Fitness Friday!
I’m really enjoying #1millionminutes! It’s cool to see how all that time working out really adds up! Running groups are so motivating and help keep things fresh.
I”ll be runfessing tomorrow…I had to post that sunglasses post. And yes, one of my runfession is mojo lost… Hang in there, we’ll find it again!
Aw, I’m surprised to hear you’re in a bit of a slump too – I’d hardly be able to tell! Thankfully my new shoes are cheering me up!
You totally reminded me to log my minutes – I’ve been forgetting all week! The heat really gets to me too, so I am hydrating even more than usual and taking it very easy on long runs 🙂
Glad I could remind you! I just keep a tab open with the #1millionminutes and update it when I finish my workout for the day. Easy peasy!
I admire people who can run in the winter without injuring themselves – or maybe my city just needs to do a better job on clearing the sidewalks. There’s always a layer of ice.
Oh ice is the worst…I live near a popular running trail so that made life a lot easier. I heard that Yaktraks work well in the snow and ice but I never bought them!
Great blog! I don’t see a lot of fitness bloggers out there. I’m a new runner myself and I love learning new things.
Thanks so much, and thanks for dropping by! Hopefully you’ll come back! 🙂
The last thing I’m thinking about when I’m drenched after a run is a selfie. I usually grab water and nuun and a quick bite for refuel and stand in front of the ac unit until I feel okay enough to hop in the shower and rinse off all the gross-ness haha. Love these! I agree with group running it can be hard to find a pace partner or sometimes the group starts running faster when you want to take the run slower which is difficult.
I have yet to try Nuun…it sounds like it’s good stuff! Yes, I feel so gross at the end of the run, especially this time of year…I’m almost self-conscious when I run with other people that I smell too bad lol!
We all need to take some time off of running for a few days or even a few weeks. I’ve stopped feeling guilty about it as long as I am doing something else. I don’t want it to feel like a chore. Hope you find your running pace partner too-it really helps to have a few in the group
You’re right…if you overdo it, you can end up getting burnt out, and that’s the worst feeling! I think since I finished the half, I feel like I’m finally getting a break, but I just worry about losing my fitness by slacking off so much!
I’m so with you on the heat & humidity! It just sucks the life out of me!
Summer seems like it’s going to be longer than ever this year!
I really relate to your comment about being shy. I don’t run with a group because I love to think and work through any stress and worry. I also don’t like being around a lot of people. So I made a rule for myself: no negative thoughts while I run. I try to think of what I’m grateful for, what I do well, and how I can solve problems in my life. It keeps me from getting in a rut and makes running a treat rather than a chore. It takes discipline but it helps with attitude and injuries too. I think injuries can be our bodies trying to hold in stress and sadness. Thanks for sharing your thoughts; I enjoy your blog!
Hi Natalie, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I know sometimes negativity creeps up on me when I run alone because I pay more attention to the runners around me and get self-conscious, ugh! I use running with others as a distraction sometimes, but I totally know how you feel! Thanks so much for commenting!
I do hope you find your motivation this summer. And just think, it could be worse…I live and run in Barbados=\ You’ll get used to the heat, but definitely try to find time when the sun isn’t at it’s worst. Early morning is best for me and the coolest time of day. Anyway, hope you find that running buddy. Looks like an amazing group of women!
Thanks Bre! True, it definitely could be worse! The more time I spend out in the heat and humidity, the easier it will get…I think? Lol!
We are sole sisters about when and what seasons we like to run in! I miss winter. My whole Runfession was rather whiny about the heat. I have a hard time, but I am guilty of sweaty selfies on IG lol My increased shower time is adding up though, I just can’t scrub enough after a sweaty run!
6 days is not that much of rest, btw…no guilt! Four days is a good balance, that is my sweet spot as well.
Hang in there with the group, I am not real good at the social thing either, but even a few run buddies is good for encouragement 🙂