I can’t believe it’s been 3 months since my last runfessions post!
It’s the last Friday of October, and I’m joining Marcia for one of my favorite linkups: Runfessions! This is an opportunity to get a few things off my chest. I’m also linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday 5 2.0! I have 5 running confessions that I’d like to share since entering my running “off-season”, maybe you can relate? Keep reading to check it out and see what other runfessions folks are sharing!
[bctt tweet=”What running confessions aka runfessions do you have? Spill them! #runchat #runfessions” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Runfessions for October
Still a Little Bummed About Brooklyn
I hate starting on a negative note, but it’s been almost 2 weeks since I ran the Rock ‘n Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon and I have to runfess that I’m still a little disappointed in my race performance. My running goal for 2017 was to run a sub-2:15 half marathon. And out of the 6 halfs I ran this year, I achieved my goal 4 times, including in Brooklyn! But I can’t help but have a few regrets (I know…so unlike me and the name of my blog!). I wonder if I looked at my Garmin more frequently whether I would have been able to kick it up a notch and push myself a little harder in those last couple of tough miles. I wonder if I could have at least hit 2:10 if I didn’t walk through a couple of water stations, which I only do in the rarest of circumstances. Grrr! There’s no point dwelling on the past. The weather made for a tough race, but I’m proud that I stayed strong as long as I did. I just need to remember to dig deep when it gets really tough! Plus, I can still say that I got my half marathon PR in my hometown!
I Miss Saturday Long Runs
Last weekend I went to the Chestnut Hill Harry Potter Festival with my sister (and it was AMAZING) – but it was the first Saturday in who knows how long where I didn’t have a long run on my schedule to start the day. And it was WEIRD! I am a creature of habit, so I will definitely look to keep my Saturday morning runs (though probably not in the double digits for a while) since it’s something I really look forward to. I’m also really looking forward to Saturday runs because we’re FINALLY getting real fall weather! This is what I’ve been waiting for! So I will definitely look to explore some new trails over the next couple of months and enjoy the beautiful foliage!
I’m Feeling a Bit Out of Shape
Now that I’m not on an official training plan, it’s time for me to finally get back to some of the other workouts I love, like yoga and barre. Since I was half marathon training, I’ve been especially scarce in barre class, so I finally went back last Friday for the first time in over a month. Let me tell you…use it or lose it is a real thing! When I was going to barre regularly, I was very comfortable with the 3# weights and I could really feel my body becoming more sculpted. Now, I’m struggling with the 2# weights and shaking a lot more than I used to. Barre is always challenging, especially as it works my hips unlike any other workout, but I was definitely feeling weaker than I like in the class. It was a wakeup call that I need to focus on strengthening my core and upper body, so I’ll be adding that to my goals for next month, which I’ll share on the blog soon!
My Food Habits Have Been Atrocious
I didn’t use as much cheese..but this is so good!There really is no excuse, but I have to admit that I have not been cooking much these past couple of months. At a minimum, I used to be good at packing my own lunches, but I’ve been getting WAY too much takeout lately. The good news is that I actually made this amazing three cheese spaghetti squash lasagna this week that took forever to make but was delicious and really inspired me to get back on the healthy cooking train. I enjoy cooking, but it’s so TIME-consuming, and time management is always a challenge, especially as my work and outside of work activities continue to get busier.
So if you have any tips on making healthy meals when you’re time-crunched, please share – I promise that I will actually heed your advice! Now that November is almost here, it’s a good time to start fresh!
I’ve Got a Spring Racing Surprise
Alright, here goes…I’m making it official: I plan to train for my second ever full marathon in spring 2018! My first was the Philadelphia Marathon in November 2016, which was such an amazing experience. I recently re-read the recap and got in all my feeelings again, lol. For the past few months, I’ve been seriously thinking about running another marathon, and all of the recaps from my blogger friends about Berlin, Chicago, and MCM have really inspired me to take that step forward!
Now, if you know me, you know that I LOVE running in the winter – it is actually my favorite time of the year to run and train, and clearly, my body enjoys running races in the spring! But I am definitely nervous about training for a marathon in the winter. Plus, I haven’t decided which race I want to do. I’ve thought about the Delaware Coastal Marathon, the New Jersey Marathon, the Vermont City Marathon, and even the Pittsburgh Marathon. I obviously want to PR for this race, but I have no idea which race to choose. Please share your recommendations! I’d like to stay on the east coast!
How has running been for you lately? What runfessions do you have to share?
I’ve never run VCM (again, you’d be passing right by us!), but I used to live just outside of Burlington. SUPER hilly. Darlene’s run the relay twice, so she could tell you more about it. Can’t speak to the rest.
I hate training through winter. Hate, hate, hate it. So much pressure when there’s so few places to run. I’ve actually only done it twice since I started racing — that’s about twice in 5 years.
I really do need to get on the stick about picking out some spring races!
People really seem to like VCM…hills are a bit scary though, lol! I’ll have to ask Darlene her thoughts!
I really love winter training, though I’m a little nervous about having to do my long runs indoors when they get 2+ hours long…hmmmm.
You know that I can totally relate to being disappointed over a race, but I’ll be the first to tell you to cut yourself some slack on RnR Brooklyn. The weather was so crappy and the hills at the end were just mean, lol! But I also have no doubt that you’ll get a new half marathon PR next year!
I’m also thinking of running a spring marathon in 2018! Like you, I prefer running in the cold vs. hot. I dont have any personal experience with the races you selected, but I have heard from a few friends that the New Jersey Marathon wasn’t that good, so just wanted to share that with you! I haven’t narrowed down any potential races yet, but I want it to be in a state that I haven’t run in yet so I can do some exploring/sight seeing!
I finally got back to meal planning last weekend and it made a world of difference this week with my eating habits. I know I need to get it under control before the holidays!
You’re right…I definitely need to cut myself some slack! I’m proud of what I was able to do, I just wish those last 3 miles weren’t so hard on me! I definitely hope to make more progress in the half distance in 2018…fingers crossed!
Ooh, yes — summer training is just MISERABLE and with the weather we’ve had, we’re not seeing those benefits when the race day is hot as heck! Definitely let me know what you’re thinking for the marathon! It looks like NJ is doing some re-branding, but it’s certainly not on the top of my list!
Meal planning is where it’s at. I have to force myself to do it – it works, but I need to make that effort. Don’t know why I keep fighting it, lol! And I can’t believe the holidays are almost here…!
OK, no more regrets about Brooklyn! You did great. I know for me, looking at my Garmin rarely helps if I’m struggling. Usually it just depresses me more! No advice on Spring Halfs, but wouldn’t Pittsburgh be very hilly?
You’re right…time to move on! I was probably a little too obsessed with race strategy since I wanted the PR so badly…argh, such a head case!
My friend had such amazing things to say about Pittsburgh, though she is an experienced marathoner and quite a bit faster than me. But I’m keeping my options open!
Yay! Go with Vermont! I love that race. Lots of good crowd support and it’s beautiful.
Oooh definitely keeping it on my list, thanks!
I don’t know any of the east coast marathons, but what is your favorite type of running terrain? I’d look for races that fit what you like to run.
I like road races generally, but it’s all about having great scenery that keeps me distracted lol! Flat would definitely be better for my confidence, but I haven’t ruled out hillier races either.
Oh wow that lasagna looks fabulous! I’m just getting back to cooking more now that it’s cooled off too. I’ve heard wonderful things about VCM but they’ve had a couple of hot years. That’s a big deal breaker for me. I too am tossing around spring marathon ideas in my head. Excited for you!
Thanks, Marcia! I know VCM did have a hot race recently…late May is definitely risky with weather, but it’s so hard to predict anymore (darn climate change!). What races are you considering?
Janelle I’m considering Grandma’s in June or possibly Eugene in April. I’ve always wanted to finish on iconic Hayward Field.
Great choices!!
I hope you are not too disappointed in your half marathon performance! You hit your goal more than once plus it gives you something to train for next year
You’re absolutely right! It’s good to know that even when I didn’t do my best, I still ran better than all of my races the previous year! I’m excited to see what 2018 brings!
By the look of that picture i was thinking that it was quite an indulgence but after reading that it is spaghetti squash my thoughts have changed. Even if there was a lot of cheese in it. You have to make up for the pasta right? Please share the recipe.
The recipe is here: https://www.smartnutrition.ca/recipes/three-cheese-spaghetti-squash-lasagna-2/
They required a WHOLE LOT more cheese than what I actually used. And I used grass feed ground beef from my farm share. Only thing I didn’t have was mushrooms. It’s been a really tasty meal for lunch during the week!
A spring marathon? How exciting! I’ve heard good things about the Providence Marathon which I think is in May. Looking forward to hearing which race you pick!
Ooh I’ll have to check out the Providence Marathon, thanks for the suggestion!
I’m thinking I should try barre! That is the one class I have yet to do.
As far as a spring marathon goes, you should consult with Marcia, because she’s looking for one too!
Barre is great! Definitely worth checking out to see if you like it…though it might be too easy for you as a CrossFitter and all!
I will definitely have to pick Marcia’s brain!
Another marathon! Woot!!!! That’s exciting!!! I agree with you on the food and cooking thing…it is so time-consuming! I have really gotten out of a consistent routine with meals….even though we’re down to one kid left at home, we’re seldom ever all here at the same time (especially when it’s meal time).
I’m excited! I know it’s going to be challenging, but I’m up for it…I think!
I’m hoping I can reset and commit to cooking consistently again. I feel like I’ve been spending too much money on not-so-good food, sigh…
I know the feeling of being disappointed in a race performance. But overall I think you did great.
I don’t hate running in the winter but don’t like it too much either. 🙂
Thanks, Zenaida! I’m happy, but those what-if’s are definitely getting to me a little bit…
LOL winter running has its pros and cons!
I runfess… I’m hunting for my next marathon as well. I’d prefer winter if it’s a southern race. But, I like to travel too and that would be the perfect excuse! That lasagna looks delicious. I runfess… I haven’t been cooking much at all lately.
Ooh I look forward to seeing what you end up choosing! The lasagna took forever but thankfully turned out delicious!
My go to recipe for the cold weather is always Beef Stew using slow cooker. It’s a time-saver as I leave it cooking, usually before I go to bed (although some say this is not safe) and it’s finished cooking when I wake up.
Vermont is a great race. Awesome crowd support. But there are some hills.
I feel about Wineglass the way you do about Brooklyn. I PRd in May but I was so close. I wonder the same things you mentioned
The hills do look a bit intimidating, lol, but Vermont is high on my list! Hmm….
Argh, it can be frustrating when you’re so close to your goal and don’t have the race you trained for.
I miss long runs SO much on Saturdays when I’m not training for a long-distance race, so I totally feel you there! And I really enjoy running in the winter too, probably more than I do summer running. But I feel the same, somehow committing to training in the winter for a spring marathon still seems kind of scary. But it’s definitely doable and you would rock it! Can’t wait to find out which race you choose 😀
Thanks a lot, Katie! The lack of Saturday runs feels so weird! I look forward to the cooler running weather but we’re still all over the place with our temps this fall!
Still deciding on a race…ahhh! LOL
That lasagna looks so tasty! I also love to run in the winter. It’s such a nice season to exercise… it does not get too hot and I finish it refreshed.