I hope you’re doing well and your year has been off to a great start!
Thankfully, I don’t have too much to complain about, but I always look forward to the last Friday of the month so that I can release a few runfessions, aka running confessions! It’s a fun way to catch up and relieve a little bit of stress, haha!
I’m joining Marcia for Runfessions and Join My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida for Fit Five Friday!
Runfessions for January
My “run when I feel like it” lifestyle ain’t so bad!
After running the Philadelphia Half Marathon last November, I declared that I would be taking a long break from training, and that’s absolutely been the case. It is so liberating to not be on a training plan. I’ve been trying to run about 2 days a week, and I have had some of the most enjoyable runs that I’ve had in months. I don’t know if it’s also because it’s winter, which is my absolute favorite time to run, but I’m feeling so much better. I’ve also had more stroller runs, which I really missed. I’m just glad that it’s been working out!
Instagram is getting on my nerves
IG and I have always had a complicated relationship LOL, but now it’s getting out of hand with all of the Reels and TikTok videos. My entire Instagram feed is filled with Reels. Literally. I don’t see anyone’s photos anymore. All my favorite people that I actually like to follow – I don’t see their stuff. So I guess the good thing is that I’m not going to be wasting as much time scrolling on IG. It just seems like everyone’s trying to go viral…where’s the authenticity? I’ll just stop before I say too much…
I’m avoiding using the Peloton app…
I don’t have a Peloton (because I’m too cheap), but my brother does and he sent me the 2-month trial to use the app. I have to runfess that I haven’t downloaded the app yet because I feel like it’ll be too overwhelming. I know that they have guided runs, yoga classes, boot camps…but for some reason, I can’t will myself to take the leap. Any suggestions on how to make it not so intimidating? Where should I begin? I struggle when I have too many choices!
What runfessions would you share with me from this past month?
I so feel you on free-form running. I’ve not been on a training plan since I finished London back in 2019. And I love it! Sure I still run, when I want, how ever far, fast or slow I want and it brings me so much joy. I also feel you on IG. So many people scrambling for popularity and trying to hack the algorithm. I’m over it. Thanks for ‘fessing!
running when you feel like it is the best! truly! I am training now and not enjoying it as much. but I have things I need to do this year so I can tick those boxes and move on. I still have a deferral from 2019 Chicago marathon and I need to go ahead and run it this year. So needs must. Run when you want to as long as you can. I’m looking forward to that after October.
I had a similar irritation about the reels and tiktoks about a year ago I think. the less you look at the reels and especially tap them, the less you’ll get in your feed. but it’s annoying. at the same time I started making reels for our parkrun and I enjoy that. but I don’t know what to do or say in a reel. and I just refuse to do what everyone else does. How many shuffling videos do I have to see anyway??
I runfess I have also a slight irritation about Peloton. I think it would be fine if it weren’t treated like it’s the ONLY app out there. I use Les Mills and have for years. I love it, I talk about it a bit but other than that no one asks me about it. I don’t need all the bells and whistles (and by the way you can buy a cheaper bike and tread – I don’t understand the cost AT ALL. i have an awesome spin bike that is half the price of the peloton) and I don’t want more numbers being thrown my way that I end up being obsessed about. I want to be LESS obsessed and just do things because I like to do those things.
Sorry, I kind of took over your comment section now!
Ah, well- the Peloton app can be intimidating just from the sheer volume of classes that are on there! You can decide what you want to do- like a strength class, yoga, run, ride- and then further narrow it down from there using the filter. I’m sure there are people who could give you better advice than that, because I really don’t use it for a lot- just strength and yoga. But for those two things, I like it! I would definitely take advantage of a free offer and try it out.
Thanks, Jenny! That’s really good to know. I’ve been such a wimp I haven’t even downloaded the app yet – filtering makes sense. I do want to do more yoga so I should definitely check it out!
I enjoy Peloton for indoor cycling & treadmill runs. They have a lot of other stuff, but I haven’t drunk the koolaid quite so much as some.
There is definitely something to be said for an off season & running when you feel like it!
Treadmill runs sound interesting, and now that I think of it, we do have spin bikes at my gym at work. I’ve been working from home all month, but when I get back in the office I would like to get back in there, maybe I’ll give it a try!
I feel you about IG. I did a Reel a few weeks ago, my first ever and clearly IG is pushing them because I got a ton of views on it. I don’t like them much tho–I keep the sound turned down because I don’t want to disrupt everyone around me when the music comes on.
Don’t have FOMO about Peloton–I’m not using it either, lol!
When I’ve made a couple Reels, it just seemed like too much work, and then I hate the feeling of waiting for/hoping for likes. It seems impossible to avoid. Congrats to you on having a hit!
Oh my gosh I’m so with you on all the reels and tik tok videos – I miss just the videos.
I think the key to the Peloton app is the filter feature – that plus recommended classes from blogger buddies 🙂 (there are a bunch of us on the app).
I will have to find you all on there! There are so many things that I enjoy so I could see myself trying to do too much LOL.
I’m so glad you’ve found joy in running again! That’s really what it’s all about.
As Michele said, you’ve got a lot of friends here who will help you sort out Peloton. I started using it for the strength workouts (Core and Strength for Runners are great classes to start with) and then added treadmill classes and outdoor runs. Then there are the post-run stretches and yoga ….
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt such freedom when running…I so needed this! Thanks for the recommendations, I definitely need to work on my core so I should bookmark that!
Peloton IS intimidating! I’ve been using the app for two months, and still have a lot of features I haven’t explored. I live the cycling & strength classes the most, but the stretching classes are nice as well. I don’t think one needs to “do it all” to reap the benefits of all that’s offered.
Stretching would be a good addition, I definitely don’t do enough of that! Sometimes when I have too many choices I just get overwhelmed! I just have to keep it simple!
I don’t use Peloton either, so no FOMO there.
I also don’t mind the reels and tiktoks. There are some people who grate on my nerves but not really anyone in my blogging community, and I just block or skip over what I don’t want to see.
I want Instagram to be just what it is, for me to see images/pictures and that’s it. I dislike Reels (though there is one follower that has cute ones with cats) and hers are the only ones I like. I have a Peloton bike and am using it more than before. I also enjoy the running classes. It can be intimidating but once you find something you like, it will be easier to navigate.