First things, first: Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful day today! Please know that this post was written in advance…I’m looking forward to some quality family time and LESS time on the internet!
But if you’re around, I hope you enjoy this fun post today…it’s runfession time with Marcia’s Healthy Slice! Runfessions are running confessions – and this is the last round of 2015, so let’s get it all out before the new year begins!
I’m also sharing my runfessions as part of the Friday Five hosted by Cynthia, Mar, and Courtney!
[bctt tweet=”Merry Christmas! Sharing some holiday running confessions aka runfessions! #runfessions #fridayfive”]
Last Runfessions of 2015
Somehow I missed the memo where everyone shared their runfessions last Friday – oops! Hopefully, you’ll still enjoy these few honest running reflections that I’m sharing. I’ve really enjoyed this linkup over the past year as I have used it as a space to vent, which is necessary sometimes!
I Overdressed On My Cold Weather Run
I am so ashamed! I am all about dressing correctly for cold weather running, and it seems that I forgot how to dress! Last weekend we had the first cold day of December…it was in the low 30’s with wind chills in the 20’s! I had an awesome 6-mile run, but between my long-sleeved shirt, zip up top, jacket, hat and gloves, I was hot within the first mile! To be fair, it’s been unseasonably warm lately in Philly…but I’m embarrassed that I made such a silly mistake!
I’m Nervous About My New Running Sneaks
My newest pair of running shoes are the Mizuno Wave Rider 19’s (affiliate link), the latest model. I got them for $78 from National Running Center about a month ago – an amazing deal! I first tried out the 18’s over the summer and loved them, but the 19’s feel a lot heavier…so it’s been an adjustment. It didn’t help that I had my first run with them after a 2-week drought post-half marathon. I’m not in love with the shoes yet, but I think they will work well in a rotation of shoes.
I Struggle Without a Training Plan
I am probably the queen of structure! Not having a training plan right now is hard for me…I get lazy really easily! And now that my fitness classes are done for the year, I really need to lean on the City Fit Girls #DecemberStrong challenge.
I’m really looking forward to race training for the Cherry Blossom Run, but that doesn’t start until late January! Thankfully, the ZOOMA Run Love Challenge includes a 10K training plan that I can use! The plan doesn’t start until January 4, but I think I’ll have to jump on it a little early so I can get more structure back in my life. Don’t forget that you can still sign up!
Can I Actually Improve in 2016?
2015 has been an incredible year of running and I’m a little bit scared that I have reached my peak. Isn’t that crazy?! I really want to have a great year of running in 2016, but I’m worried about putting too much pressure on myself and making awful mistakes on race day, like I did in Annapolis.
Running is such a mental sport and it can really make or break you. I have to ignore my negative inner voice, continue to put in the hard work, and trust my training. I’m not going to lie – I want to get faster! Do I have to stay in the 11-minute zone forever? Sigh…I want to run well, get faster, and stay injury-free. Can it be done??
I’m a Pretty Heavy Spitter While On the Run
Haha, you know I never talk about my body fluids but I wanted to end my runfessions on a light note! When I’m on the run, I spit a lot – maybe every mile or so, lol! No, I don’t hock before I do it…gross! And I promise you that I always look before I do it and have never spat on another person! Still, I wonder what people think about me when they see me do it! I don’t do it for fun, I do it because I need to! Can anyone relate to this or am I the only weird spitter out there??
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a fantastic weekend! Maybe you’ll even head out for a run – in my neck of the woods it will almost be tropical, so no excuses!
What runfessions do you have to share?
I overdress routinely but I’d rather be hot than cold so I’m cool with it, so to speak.
I totally get what you’re saying about your running, because I feel exactly the same way! I had a really good year of running, and I want to improve, but I’m afraid of pushing too hard & getting injured or there’s the whole I’m in my 50s thing.
I guess we just have to go for it & trust in the running Gods!
Merry Christmas!
True it is better to be hot than cold, but I seem to never have a problem with being too cold, except my hands on really cold days! You’ve had a great year of running – it’s tough to test your limits but I think 2016 will be an awesome year 🙂
One of my friends is practically a camel with regards to her run spitting 😀
I know a lot of people who are struggling to find a new plan and figure out where they want to go next with their running. That is the biggest goal for several of my clients! I am really looking forward to helping them find the fun in their run again!
Merry Christmas!
I LOVE Runfessions (and Marcia’s site!) And totally agree with all of these … Merry Christmas to you. 2016 has lots in store of all of us, I think 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Brandi! Runfessions are a lot of fun and Marcia is awesome, totally agree!
confession: i spit a ton too! especially when it’s cold. i also do a lot of snot rockets in the winter… i always look though! i do wonder what passing cars think haha!
merry christmas!!
LOL Katie, I’m way too scared to do a snot rocket. Yes drivers must think we’re crazy!
I’m scared my peak has come and gone. I once read that runners hit their peak in their 7th year of running, so I’m hoping to improve again before that year is upon me! Haha
Oh wow I never heard about the 7th year. I haven’t made it to year 7 yet so maybe there’s hope for me? I know you haven’t peaked yet – I’m so envious that you’ve run multiple marathons,such an awesome accomplishment! 🙂
So weird, I have never spit or had to on a run. Not sure what it is! But, you do what you gotta do!! Hope you had a Merry Christmas, thanks for linking up this week,
Haha yes I think my mouth is just dry from the air? Not sure LOL, be glad you don’t have that problem!
Yes you can get faster, friend! No way have you hit your peak 🙂 Hope you had a lovely Christmas!
Thanks Courtney, I hope you’re right! I had a great Xmas – hope you did too, loved the onesie, haha!
confession: gotta get my structure figured out too!
We got this, Sarah! 🙂
I’m struggling trying to maintain a training plan of any kind since I went from stay at home mom to working mom…
I only get like 1-2 days of running in per week and it’s killing me. I’m hoping that I can figure out some kind of balance soon, especially when the days get longer.
It would help too if my schedule wasn’t so sporatic at work. I work different hours each week.
Oh that makes scheduling SO tough. I just got a new planner and I’m making sure that I have all my appointments up so that I can work my running around my schedule. Hopefully you’ll find a rhythm that works for you too!
The Wave Rider 19’s do feel heavier – tried them on but haven’t purchased.
Hope you had a great Christmas!!
They’re definitely growing on me – will probably do best if I rotate them with another pair.
How did I miss this one?
Anyways…I don’t struggle without a training plan. Because even when I’m not training formally, I always have a routine that I stick to. 25 years of running will do that to you…
As usual I posted my Runfessions late, lol! I wish I could get a good rhythm like that!
Aw I love that you scheduled this for Christmas! That’s dedication! Every freaking year I overdress when it cools down. I blame the runner’s amnesia. When I’m not on an official training plan I tend to default to 3 weekly runs varying from 3-6 or 8 miles. Speedwork falls by the wayside. I definitely think you can get faster. Believe it! Thanks for linking up!
Thanks, Marcia! Runner’s amnesia – I was definitely suffering from that, since we’ve had a pretty warm summer, fall, and now winter! It’s good to have that default – I think I’ll develop a routine in good time!
I definitely relate to needing a plan, both as a running coach and as a type A runner. It helps to be organized and know when day-to-day will bring. But it’s also good to not have a plan every now and then as it helps with relieving some of the pressure of always having to follow a plan. And while I don’t spit on the run, my nose runs constantly, especially in cold weather. Typically the only thing that chafes on a run is the space under my nose from wiping it (I’m bad at snot rockets). My runner partners are saints for putting up with me! Happy New Year to you, Janelle!
I just did my first really cold weather run of the season-wind chill in the 30s and I think I dressed okay as I was cold when I started but taking off my gloves by the time I was done.
and Im all with you! I want to get faster! I have found by slowing down my runs and aiming for a 80% slow, 20% fast routine, I am getting faster in the sense that I can hold faster paces for a longer time. Running is seriously so mental!
Agreed, running is such a MENTAL game but that’s cool that you’re doing an 80/20 routine…that sounds like a smart way to get faster! Taking off gloves isn’t so bad, I get frustrated when I feel like I should have been wearing a tanktop instead of an extra long-sleeved shirt…hard to adjust!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I was late to the Runfession for this month too…at least we got them done though!
I am notorious for overdressing on cold runs. I actually use your guide, Deborah’s from Confessions and Runners World and I still get it wrong!! I think I heat up quickly and need to take that into account but I am also sooooo afraid of being cold (that is the worst!!!)
Girl!! Without structure…I fall allllllll the way off. I can’t do it! Even the loose structure I have now is killing me!
I hate heavy running shoes! I had a light pair of Mizuno’s and they went and discontinued them…uugh. I have the Pegasus now that are not too bad.
I am worried about 2016 too…2015 has been quite amazing…
I am not a crazy spitter but I do realize after about 5 miles, I tend to spit more than usual.
Same to you, Tamieka! It really takes a while to get those perfect cold weather outfits together…I’m usually warm by the first half mile haha! Yes, I need to get that structure back, grrr. I like the Pegasus, they are super light and were great to run in, I may be tempted to get another pair! I think 2016, despite the worries, will be awesome! Look forward to meeting you too!