I can’t believe that April is almost over! I’ve really enjoyed running and racing this past month and have had great success, but I’ve also had some challenges. I’ve been looking forward to sharing my runfessions for the month, so here we go!
Every last Friday of the month is time for Runfessions with Marcia’s Healthy Slice! Join us as we let it all out, the good, bad, and ugly! Forgive me for being a day early, but I do have a few running confessions that I need to get off my chest…I hope you’ll indulge me!
[bctt tweet=”Time to share your running confessions aka #runfessions – what do you want to spill?” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Runfessions for April
This month I have just a few runfessions, and that’s enough! I love being part of the running community as we can often relate to the same situations that non-runners just don’t understand. Hopefully, spilling my guts will provide you with a couple of laughs!
These PR’s Are Making Me Giddy
The last time I wrote a runfession post was in February, and I was boohooing about how I’ll never get faster and that my self-confidence in running is completely shot. Well, two months later, I have 2 new PR’s in the 10K and 10 miler and got super close to a PR in the half marathon distance. Clearly, I’m doing something right! It’s extremely exciting to see the hard work paying off and my confidence building. It feels amazing!
Running always has its high points and its low points. Instead of apologizing for “bragging” about my accomplishments, as I have been tempted to do, I want to savor these moments. If you’ve been running for any amount of time, you know that it isn’t easy at all! We have to enjoy our victories while we have them because you never know what’ll happen at that next race! Anything can change at any time. As corny as it sounds, running is a gift, and I’m enjoying all the fruits right now!
My Believe Training Journal Is Lagging
I have to runfess that I haven’t been using my Training Journal as religiously as I used to. Honestly, I just can’t be bothered with writing sometimes and I don’t write in as much detail as I used to when first got my journal last year. I also noticed that I wasn’t logging my shoe mileage in Nike+ and now I know why my knees hurt so much during my last couple of runs – my Mizunos have over 300 miles!
So I need to snap out of it and get back to properly logging my runs and workouts. I don’t want to miss out on any important details that could help explain the cause of any future injuries! I’m actually getting to the point where I’ll need a new journal so I can start the journey all over again! The sooner I get back into my good habits, the better!
My Toenail “Situation” is Stressing Me Out in Yoga
A few months ago I dropped an IKEA bookshelf that I just finished putting together on my right big toe. It was about 65 pounds, so…ouch. Since then, I’ve got an ugly “black toenail” and I’m super self-conscious about it, especially in yoga class. And no, I’m not posting a picture of it! I had my nails painted for a while but I don’t think it helped matters. I just have to “embrace the ugly” for the time being and hope no one notices in class, smh! Any suggestions on how to get rid of this thing and/or my embarrassment are appreciated!
Traveling for Races Can Be a Burden…
It has been an extremely busy racing season for me this year. Out of the 5 races that I’ve done so far, only 2 of them were local. I traveled to the DC area twice and did my first runDisney event in Florida. Now, I’m relieved that I don’t have any big races until the end of May. And that big race is, surprise, not in Philly!
My runfession is that I feel bad for being away from home so frequently. I cherish my weekends but so many of them have been devoted to traveling or running in races. The only race I’ve had that Bret has been to was the Clean Air 10K and that was because he raced it too. I love racing these days and I love this newfound self-confidence I’ve built, but it has to be properly balanced with my regular home life too. I had to miss a lot of fun events last weekend because I was at the Parkway Classic. It’s tough sometimes. It’s worth it, but it’s tough. Can anyone relate?
What runfessions do you have to share for April?
I have the opposite problem in some respects — missing fun racing because of family obligations. But that is (hopefully) temporary, at least to some degree. There will always be family obligations.
PRs should absolutely be savored, because they don’t happen every day.
I try really hard to journal — I’m working on my third year of journaling, and I often look back to compare or find out what I did. But sometimes, of course, it doesn’t get done. And then I kick myself a year later.
I hope that the family obligations get a bit easier for you soon! I know how stressful that can be.
Sometimes I’m just so tired after a workout (like today) I just don’t feel like writing in my journal haha! But with the new month coming, I’m hoping to get it together and make no more excuses!
You definitely had an awesome month! You should always feel proud of your accomplishments, especially PRs! I saw continue talking about it as much as possible, lol
I haven’t been traveling for races at all this year, so I’m secretly itching for a racecation!
Haha, thanks, Kimberly! I want to enjoy this time as much as I can and remember it on those days where I’m feeling low. I hope you get to racecation soon!
Enjoy those PRs – they’re not easy to come by.
I don’t journal…don’t have the time or the patience. I use my blog as my journal and I read my race recaps if I repeat a race.
I have going to NYC for a race this weekend and then to Fla for tennis for a week. It’s tough being away from the hubby. But I still enjoy my vacations.
I was really enjoying journalling, but between the blog and the journal and putting notes in for my coach, it gets to be a bit of an overkill lol!
I hope you have a great race!
300 miles? Time for new shoes! I keep track of the miles I run, but I also wear my running shoes to work each day. I know I shouldn’t, but if they’re fitted for my feet, then that’ll do. I’m sitting most of the time, and the tread is still looking pretty good.
Yeah, I’m a little sad to be done with the shoes but my knees are telling me it’s time! My other pair of running shoes is ready to go though I have done a lot of walking in them (like in Disney and on vacation in New Orleans earlier this year). I have a pair of running shoes that I never run in LOL that I wear to work every day…seems to work!
Yeah, I can relate! Trying to get 17 races done this year means travelling quite a bit for them, which means getting my parents or in-laws to help with kids. And then squeezing in my training also means getting someone to help when my hubby is not there. And then I feel guilty sometimes that I am not spending enough time with other people like I used to because of the running! There! I’ve off-loaded! Thanks for sharing x
Having children must definitely add another dimension of the challenge of traveling to races! That guilt-factor can be tough sometimes. I’m glad you could vent about that too!
The toenail will take care of itself. You’ll see! I had mine polished too–and when it was gone, the nail tech polished what was left. It was pretty funny. And annoying.
You’ve been having a great race season and it’s been fun to watch you reach your potential! Enjoy!
Thanks so much, Wendy! This has been an amazing spring and I’m loving it! Ah the toenail…so annoying every time I look at it lol.
There are always high points and low points in running- we always need to enjoy the high points! Its awesome that you’ve had so much success lately! Ive been slacking on using my journal too. Especially when I’m not running I have no motivation to write down my other workouts!
I’m so grateful that running has been going so well lately! At least at minimum blogging is a great way to keep track of ou workouts!
Frequent travel is definitely difficult, and very tiring. We travel a bit more than I’d like to, and I wish we made a better effort to stay home more.
On the one hand it’s fun, and on the other hand it’s like, I miss my bed!
I have had a black toenail as well and have painted it. At least yours hasn’t fallen off. Mine did awhile back and I just painted the skin…lol. And no one knew. When it did grow back it never grew back right. It is like a double toenail so now I always make sure my nails are painted. Probably a little TMI! So just be happy that yours didn’t fall off!
Oh Lacey, now I’m terrified LOL! I had a feeling if I removed it and tried to grow it back it wouldn’t be the same…I may need to go back to hiding it with polish for a while! I actually appreciate the TMI haha!
Savor and enjoy those PR’s you have worked hard for them! I do sometimes feel like I am missing something at home or should be spending more time there with the hubby but then I sign up for another race! It is about balance!
Thanks, Mary Beth! And you’re so right, getting the right balance is key!
This is the perfect place to savor and celebrate your running progress because we all get it! Congrats on the new PRs! I too feel like I’m pushing the envelope a bit with all the destination races I’ve been putting on the calendar. It’s making me race less locally.
Very true….you guys get what I mean! Thanks, Marcia! I do feel a little sad about running fewer local races, but I get bored so easily so I love switching it up!
This is my first year traveling for races, and I agree, it is a mixed blessing. In addition to missing fun stuff at home, you have to figure out how to get those weekend chores done! Congrats on your PRs – they are well-deserved!
Thanks so much, Coco! It’s definitely been a challenging balancing home responsibilities and traveling for races…but I’m optimistic that I’ll get the hang of it soon!