The month of July is almost over…this month is moving so quickly! How has your running been going this month?
I’m joining Marcia for Runfessions and Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday 5 2.0! I have 5 running confessions that I’d like to share, maybe you can relate? Keep reading to check it out and see what other runfessions folks are sharing!
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Runfessions – July 2017
I’m SO Glad to Be Training Again!
This week was the kickoff to my training for the Rock ‘n Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon in October. While the running off-season has its place when you train year-round, I’ve really missed being on a schedule. I didn’t run as much as I wanted to in July, especially when it comes to long runs (basically nonexistent), so I’m really looking forward to getting back to work!
I’ll be recapping my weekly training on Sundays and reporting my progress. Getting back to routine really makes me happy!
On a side note, I do have to also runfess that I may have pushed things a little too hard on my first week! I’m currently icing my left knee…who knew squeezing a ball between your knees in barre class could cause so much pain a few days later? My right shin wasn’t happy with me either after my run on Tuesday. I guess it really is official now, isn’t it?
The Empty Calorie Challenge Has Me On Edge!
I’ve been doing a no Empty Calorie Challenge the past few weeks as suggested by my dietitian since I gained a few pounds between May and July – by the way, I’m still trying to figure out how that happened! While I started the first week of no junk food, white flour products, or alcohol strong, I’m pretty much over this challenge two weeks later I’ve allowed myself a meal per week with some indulgences, but even when I’ve had those days, they haven’t been as rewarding as I’d hoped.
The good thing is that I am learning more about my relationship with food through this challenge. I’m just over all of the meal prep work…it never ends and it’s overwhelming trying to constantly figure out the “perfect healthy meal”. I have a little over a week to go until I’m over, and I wonder if I’ll even lose those pounds….ugh!
I’ve Been Getting Anxiety Over Group Runs…
When I was in my running off-season, I was excited because I’d finally have the freedom to do group runs with City Fit Girls. Here’s my runfession: There were 2 times over the past month that I was packed and ready to meet up with the group and bailed at the last minute. Why? A few things: the large group setting intimidates me, I don’t have a go-to buddy to hang with, and I get self-conscious about my pace.
I know that I’m missing a lot by not running with a group on occasion, but I don’t do well with large groups. Believe it or not, I am an extrovert and I get my energy from other people, but I find myself in outsider-mode at the group runs. It’s just awkward…everyone else is so close to each other, hugging, joking, and laughing at inside jokes. I live farther away from their meeting place so it takes more effort to meet them…I just wish I could get over my anxiety, smh.
…But Track Tuesday is Awesome!
Fortunately, I DID get to finally go to City Fit Girls’ Track Tuesday workout. They meet at a track at Temple University, right near where I work, so it couldn’t be more convenient. I had a really nice time at my first outing a few weeks ago, and the size of the group was much more in my comfort zone. I’d love to go at least once a month if I can. Everyone was really friendly. Maybe there’s some hope for me yet?
I Am NOT Loving the Garmin Watch
My last runfession is that my new Garmin 235 watch has NOT been easy to use. I constantly have Bluetooth connection problems, nothing feels intuitive, and the Garmin Connect app and website leaves much to be desired. Thankfully, I have my Garmin synced to my Nike+ and Strava accounts. I really miss Nike+…my watch was so easy to get started up and I never had any doubts about my mileage. And I’d love to maximize using Strava, but I really don’t know where to begin. I’d love if you’d add me as a friend on Strava!
I hope I get over my growing pains soon. Constantly having to repair my Bluetooth to my phone is ridiculous to me. Why doesn’t Garmin like me? LOL!
What runfessions would you like to share?
Oh no hope you did not tweak your knee too much in barre class. You do have a fun fall schedule planned and getting back on track always feels good doesn’t it?!
Thanks, Deborah. My knee feels good as new now, such a relief! And I’m so happy to be training again 🙂
I’ve been trying to do your empty calorie challenge with my husband and of course I think I’ve been taking it more seriously than him, but we’ve both been failing at it.
I love that you’ve been trying! It’s definitely a challenge…writing things down helps me stay honest!
I’m actually looking at the Garmin 235, but not for the bluetooth, or website stuff, or heartrate. There are a lot of bells and whistles, but Garmin doesn’t seem to have a watch like the 235 without the heart rate monitor. I need a new watch, but the 235 has a cadence counter listed as a spec, and I know that would be incredibly helpful with my work on cadence.
I really like that there is a cadence counter with this watch and it’s interesting to see my heart rate data for the first time!
I had a Nike+ watch and I’ll admit, it was definitely a lot easier to use than my Garmin watch, but I do like all of the features on the Garmin watch.
I’m sorry to hear about knee 🙁 I hope that it feels better soon – icing always helps!
Thanks, Kim. I’m so tempted to still slap on my Nike+ watch, but I’ve always been slow to like change, haha! I do def appreciate the HR monitor feature of the Garmin.
I have an old Garmin 205. I don’t use most of its features so it is super easy. I’ve gotten lazy and I don’t even upload to my race stats to GarminConnect.
Big groups can be intimidating. I hesitated for years joining. I finally did and it was the best thing because I made friends plus I found that there were runners at all paces.
I feel bad not using all the features of the watch, like I don’t wear it all the time so the step counting is useless to me, lol. But I’m slowly, very slowly adapting to the Garmin!
Yeah, I know the groups have so much value, it’s just so hard to break in, especially without a buddy to lean on, you know?
It could be a software thing with the Garmin. When I first got my Vivoactive, it constantly dropped the Bluetooth connection. Now that rarely happens (after a dozen or so software updates!
I hear you on group runs. I’ve been known to do that, too, and since I’m a lot slower than you, imagine how that feels! I have a friend who’s much slower than me, but she likes to run, and she is also looking for a group & having troubles finding one. It’s so amazing when you find the right group — but so hard!
Nutrition isn’t easy. And yes, meal prep takes time. But in the end, it really is wort it!
I just got another software update on my Garmin a couple of days ago. Hopefully it helps!
I wish I could find a group of runners that are in that 11-minute pace. I always feel like I have to “speed up” to hang with other runners when I go to a group, and hence I’m not taking it as “easy” as I’d like. But on the bright side, it’s good to have motivation to run solo!
I will keep working on meal prep/meal planning…one day it will click!
I’m laying here reading blogs and thinking my legs are soooooo tired tonight. Then I read this and I’m glad it’s not just me!
I love my Garmin 230 (which is like the 235). You’re right, it’s not intuitive, but you’ll get used to it.
Lol! I’m trying to get used to the Garmin…slowly getting there!
I totally agree with you about being mindful about eating is enlightening and I can totally relate to the meal prep woes. I’ve yet to find an easy “system” where it’s not a pia. All the best with Brooklyn training! And take care of that knee!
Thanks a lot, Marcia! If I could find a system to lock into, that would make all the difference!
Well bummer your 235 isn’t cooperating. I have a 225 and it is an amazing little gadget that rarely has a glitch, I wonder if it is that model?
I am exactly the same way about groups. I am slower and I train slow on purpose for long runs so my attempt at the local training team was a discouraging venture for me. I hope things get better and find you make some buds 🙂
Thanks, Karen. The 235 has been behaving better this week, thank goodness lol! Being a “slow runner” in a group is the most frustrating thing. It’s like you’re considered less serious because you’re not doing 7-minute miles…ugh. City Fit Girls isn’t that way, but other groups I’ve run with are.
Oh gosh, the Garmin thing would totally have me throwing it in the river. I am very tech-stupid (it just is not a match for my artsy-farsty brain LOL)…and I have to go with the simple, most basic model of everything when it comes to technology because I have a much longer learning curve than everyone else. My kids, though? They just pick up something and start punching buttons and have it mastered in less than 60 seconds.
It was really frustrating when I wanted to do an interval run and couldn’t figure out how to set it up and sync to my phone…I ended up wasting about 20 minutes before giving up! It’s still not intuitive for me, but I’m trying, lol!
Oh no on the Garmin! I have a 630 coming my way and I hope it doesn’t give me these issues. I’m really excited for it to arrive and to start playing around it with. I requested to follow you on Strava, but I don’t use it too often. I think I will after I get my Garmin, though. At least that’s the plan. I mostly use the Nike+ app on my phone right now but have been having issues with that lately.
I am 100% with you on the group runs. All of your reasons are exactly the reasons I have such a hard time making it out. I am an introvert, though. 🙂 I wish I could find a good group to join that was only 5-6 people. That’s more my size. lol.
I hope you love your 630, I know it has so many bells and whistles!
I didn’t start using Strava until I could sync it with the Garmin. I’m definitely more of a Nike+ gal, but with this watch, I can still stay connected to Nike+ too! So in that regard, I’m a happy camper.
Yes, 5-6 runners is a nice sized group! The huge groups where I end up all alone aren’t as fun, lol.
My Garmin (225) has connection problems too…but it’s almost certainly because the watch needs a software update. I know because it’s been telling me this every time I connect to my phone for…probably a year. I should really get on that.
Lol! I was getting so annoyed because I would connect, then it would make me pair the watch all over again a few days later! I just want to be able to grab it and run!
I signed up for a running group but I’ve never gone. I just can’t get myself out there.
I thought you had a fitbit.
It can be intimidating to run with a group as a new person…I guess we just have to go for it!
I do have a FitBit, the Alta, I don’t use it as a running watch.