Well hello there! I can’t believe it’s been 5 months since I’ve shared an update. I hate that so much time has passed, but I would love to join you for a virtual coffee catch-up! Cheers to Deborah and Coco for hosting these each month!
Coffee Catch Up – Where to Begin??
If we were having coffee, I would tell you…that again, it’s been way too long. I never meant to spend this much time away from the blog, but as we know, life happens! After all these years, I’ve been struggling to figure out how to keep this blog engaging. Last month actually marked 10 years since starting Run With No Regrets! While I haven’t figured anything out, I’m glad to still be here!
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that 2023 has been a pretty good year so far! Honestly, 2022 was ROUGH. I had a lot of stress that I was managing at work and it trickled down to everything else going on, which is the absolute worst. This year has been flying by in a good way. I’d love to hear how things are going with you.
If we were having coffee, I’d be super excited to tell you about my running!! Things have been going really well. For the past few months, I’ve been training for the Rehoboth Beach Half Marathon that takes place in early December. Coach Laura has given me a great plan that I’ve been building on, and I’m so happy to see myself getting stronger again. As you know, this summer’s heat and humidity has been brutal! Summer running is my Kryptonite but I’m pushing through! I’m thankfully injury-free right now (I had a bout of plantar fasciitis last year) and excited to see how I continue to strengthen in the months ahead.
I’d also tell you when it comes to running, even though this isn’t a Runfession post, that postpartum running has been quite the humbling experience for me. I wanted to be one of those moms who “bounced back”, but I should have known better. I’ve run 3 half marathons since having E (one being on the trail which was amazing!), but having the time to train the way I like to just wasn’t in the cards at that time, so I should have done a better job of managing expectations. Now, I’m so glad that I have sort of figured things out to balance training with everything else. Most of the time I do my weekday runs before work, which means I’m out the door by 6 am, sometimes earlier (as long as the sun is up). I never thought I’d be that person but it’s working! Prior to that, I’d be too drained to do my runs in the evenings.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you about E!! She is an incredible little girl and very much in her threenager stage. She had a great year in preschool and is truly thriving. She loves to sing and dance, draw and paint. She absolutely loves being in the water so we’re planning to get her back in swimming lessons soon! When we had her 3rd birthday, we got her a cake with Spidey and His Amazing Friends and she loved it -she’s all about using her superhero powers and getting the bad guys! Bret actually still runs with her in the stroller at least once a week so I’m happy the BOB is still getting some good use! We haven’t gone hiking as a family in a while, but we agree that her time in the Osprey carrier is coming to an end very soon. Most of the time she wants to be on her feet and exploring with poles just like us!
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I’ve been using Noom since June to try to return to my pre-pregnancy weight. Over the past year, with all of the stress I had, food was my comfort and I did creep up to a weight that I wasn’t happy with. My sister was the one signed up for Noom and we decided to do it together, and it’s been surprisingly very effective! Earlier this year, I thought intermittent fasting could be the “solution”. I read a book, worked my way up to it for a month, and it didn’t work at all. Noom has the psychological approach to things which has realy been a game-changer for me. And since starting the program I’ve lost about 8 pounds and apparently the difference is visible. I may have mentioned in the past that salads aren’t my thing, but I’m trying! Do you have any favorite salads that you recommend? We’ve also signed up for a new CSA this year and the veggies keep coming!
Okay, okay, I’ll stop there! I hope you’re doing well and I plan to check out my fellow bloggers’ posts to see what’s been going on. I truly miss this community and I need to figure out how I can keep this place going. Do you think training posts would be interesting? Or maybe I should stick to runfessions and coffee dates for a while…
What would you share with me over coffee?
So nice to see you here Janelle! Wow can’t believe she is 3 already! That is fantastic that you feel like you are back on track w your running and training for your half. Finding balance after having a baby is not as easy as some people make it look. Give yourself some grace and time and all will work out
I’m glad you’re having such a great year and that E is thriving! She always looks so happy (which I’m sure isn’t always the case).
Unfortunately can’t say as my year is going great, but it could be worse so there’s that. Between an elderly mother in heart failure and an elderly dog in heart failure . . . most of the time the dog is easier, though, LOL!
8 lbs is wonderful. That’s a pants size!
So good to read about what is happening with you! Your little girl is amazing! Glad she likes preschool and loves doing many fun things. That is great news about plantar fasciitis. I know you were struggling with it, but how did you manage it?
Welcome back! I’m not really running blogging any more, keeping it to the books, although I will do race reports if I ever race again. Coming back from injury slowly and carefully but more strong than before. I’ll look forward to seeing your posts and love that your little one is so active and keen!
Welcome… loved reading your update.
I wonder if we ever figure out this running thing.
I seem to make the same mistakes over and over again.
And summer running is the worst. well at least this summer. I have to do it before work!! It’s often hard to make it happen.
E is so cute and seems very happy. You & Brett must be doing something right.
Good luck with your half training.
I have two in Sept but they are just warm ups for the big Nov marathon. Gulp.
Great to see you again, Janelle! I know you’re a busy gal (and a very active mom), but if you ever get the itch or have a few free minutes, we’d love to have you join us on the Weekly Run Down link-up! Maybe even just once a month, if weekly is too much of a time constraint. Nonetheless, it’s great to catch-up on all that’s been happening with your training and your little princess (super hero). Sounds like you’re on a great path with your upcoming race 😉