I runfess I am still looking for my mojo. Not my running mojo, the runs are getting done. But all the things to support the running? The things I need to do around the house? I runfess I’m struggling with it all. I’m not quite sure why. I think it’s a combination of the never ending winter, all the rain with its accompanying grayness, and the fact that we pretty much seemed to have skipped over spring (except for a day here and there) and gone straight into summer.
I’m joining Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice to get a few things off my chest.
I runfess . . .
I did it again. I let my inbox get way out of control towards the end of 2017. But I knuckled down for months (literally) at the beginning of the year and cleaned it all out.
I am proud to say that I delete emails almost daily and it has remained clutter free. Until I go on vacation, of course.
I runfess . . .
I was not super pleased when my mom asked to change our Mother’s Day brunch from Sunday to Saturday. She spends a lot of time telling us just how boring it is there — I get it, they can’t just get in a car and go where they want to — but then half the time when we try to make plans to visit they’re going out to something. This time it was to a play on Mother’s Day.
I would have to miss the training group and their “picnic”. Then the forecast changed to 100% rain. Maybe she did me a favor. Except of course we had to drive down there in that rain. At least I didn’t have to endure another soggy, cold run. And as it turned out, I had the most amazing run on Friday — and perfect weather, too.
Thanks, Mom!
I runfess . . .
Digging through a new protein powder container for the scoop – and getting protein powder under my nails — is a pet peeve.
So when I bought a new container (on sale!) and it said the scoop was in the top, I was psyched. The collapsible scoop, as it turned out. Which was really hard to un-collapse! I don’t really care for it, plus it makes it hard to figure out what’s half or a quarter of a scoop — and sometimes that’s all I use.
I give them points for trying, but they didn’t stick the landing IMHO.
I runfess . . .
I had a great prehab routine I started in April. I was doing it almost every day, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. My main goal for my 18 mile race is to finish uninjured (within the time limit, of course). I’m definitely not looking to crush it, just finish it with a smile on my face.
But somehow in May I have lost my motivation. I’m still doing it . . . sometimes . . . maybe once a day . . . a few times a week . . . I know that it’s going to be a key part to crossing that finish line with a smile on my face so while I don’t necessarily need to do it daily or three times a day, I really need to do it a few times a week.
I runfess . . .
I am not super fond of running with Bandit. There, I said it. Darn dog wants to stop and pee every time I stop to walk. It’s also clear that he loves it. At least most of the time.
So I think I’ve come to a good compromise: I pick him up for my cool down (when I can) and run just under a mile with him. He can keep a decent pace for that short a run and I’m cooling down anyway.
Ever gotten a collapsible scoop for something?
Do you really love to run with your dog?
What do you have to runfess from May? Come join us
I am also linking up with the Friday Five 2.0 from Fairytales & Fitness and Rachel @ Running on Happy today.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I used to like running with my dog Benji, but he is 12 years old now, and he can only run for about 1/3 mile before he tires out. He still loves to go for long walks, though! I totally get the loss of motivation for your prehab. There are exercises that I should do for my calves and ankles, but do I do them regularly? No.
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Bandit is about 9/10 (we’re not quite sure which ). He’s part JRT, so he’s a very hardy little dog. I had got him up to about 3 miles at one point, but it was just too frustrating for me. But when I can, he still gets a little bit of running.
Lola’s a sprinter . . .
I did do my ankle/knee exercises today but I think it was the first time all week!
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I have never received a scoop with my protein powders. I just use a tablespoon. 3=1/4 cup. Usually I only use a tablespoon to avoid that gritty taste. This weather is crazy. This weekend is my first half marathon & the temps will be in the 90’s. My goal is to finish (I am a slow sheep). I am sure you’ll find your groove. You always seem to rock it.
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I’m just going to throw it out there: have you considered not doing the half? I always think your first one should be a really good experience, and unless you love hot, it may not be. I’ve had some really miserable hot races. 😦
If you still do it, make sure you start off even slower than you planned to. Consider carrying water with you if you’ve trained that way — some races run out of water on unseasonably hot days (I’ve had it happen a LOT, especially for us BOTP folks)
Consider putting some ice in your bra or under your hat if you wear one (although a visor is better when it’s hot). Also wetting your wrists and the back of your neck at water stops can be really helpful.
Good luck! Be sure to let me know how it went.
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The race was not pleasant. It was 90 & parts of the course were scorching. I didn’t fuel properly & really bonked. I finished but barely. There was supposed to be bananas at mile 6, but I guess they ran out. I really needed it too. BOTP folks need them too! I was so disappointed with myself. I did so well with my training plan that I thought I had it. But this has only fueled my desire to do better. Is there a certain amount of time I should put between races?
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I am really sorry that the weather was so bad. :And I hear you on the lack of promised food/drink. It happens a lot in races & I’ve had it happen to me, too. It sucks.
It really hasn’t been long enough for you to be acclimated to that type of heat — I’ve had several races like that and quite frankly they always suck.
I’m glad to hear that you want to do another! I’m not a coach, remember. I know this was your first half, but how long have you been running? The longer you’ve been running, typically the less recovery time you need between races but you always need some recovery time. At the very least you should take a few days off of running — I would actually suggest a whole week (which doesn’t mean just lay around at home, of course — swimming, yoga, walking are all good).
If after those days off you feel good — no pains, no colds, normal energy — I’d say you could look around for another half. Because the good news is you’re all trained up. You just have maintain that base.
Don’t forget that racing is hard, though, so while you might feel ready to get back out there immediately, your body is still recovery, and your immunity takes a hit with running a half, especially a hot half.
Any coaches, feel free to chime in!
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I think a lot of us lost some mojo this month. Like you mentioned, the never ending winter and then all the rain certainly didn’t help at all either.
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I really have no reason for it.
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I feel you on the scoop thing! I hate when I have to dig for it! and I hate when I let my emails go. So much crap to get rid of.
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I’m notoriously bad about the email thing, but for the first time in my life this year I’ve been right on top of it. I know it’ll get bad when we go on vacation, but I also know I’ll knuckle down when we get back (too hard to delete stuff when we’re away, takes forever).
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I wish I was better at prehab too! The scoop thing why do they stick it under all the powder??
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I know! what is up with burying the scoop? It’s so annoying. I’m guessing maybe it just happens when it’s shipped.
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I would love to have a dog to run with someday! But of course I imagine it in my mind much differently than what the reality probably is!
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I think it probably depends on the dog. Although I think it always takes some training in the beginning!
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I have to stay on top of my email, with everything read. Sometimes my work email has a glitch and keeps showing there’s something in the junk folder, when there isn’t. I can’t stand seeing that (1) next to the folder.
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I used to love running with my dog when she was a puppy and super hyper. But she has really slowed down in the years and we just g on shorter walks now. That darn arthritis!
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I never ran with Lola & Chester. Well, I used to throw in some running intervals when I first started to run. They were sprinters and couldn’t go the distance, although oddly enough Chester in particular seemed to enjoy it — I think Lola was afraid of being stepped on.
Bandit’s part JRT so he’s a very hearty little dog.
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I used to always run with my Mini and she was so good at it too! She’s older now and I’m afraid to go the distance but I should do some short runs with her. Btw, you can find Mojo here…that’s my chihuahua/jack russell mixed terrier. 18 mile race? Wow! That’s a great practice for a marathon.
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Does Mojo look like Bandit at all? He is supposedly a Jackchi.
Nope, not planning on a marathon. But I’ve just been curious about what it’s like to run more than 13.1 miles for a long time & have heard really good things about this race.
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I always find it tough to stick with the prehab…it’s just so easy to skip!
I’ve actually been trying to tackle my Gmail inbox…I made some real progress but I still have thousands of emails I need to get rid of!
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I’ve done some prehab the last couple of days. Must be writing about it. 🙂
I haven’t even touched my Gmail inbox because that does just get automatically deleted. But my local email — if you hit the limit (yes, thousands) then emails start bouncing.
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I use a spoon when I cannot find the scoop. No reason for me to put my fingers inside looking for it.
I am constantly deleting emails from my gmail account. I also have to deal with my work one.
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A spoon is of course a good idea. But sometimes I forget good ideas. 🙂
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I feel you on the buried scoop. Such a PIA. I don’t really run with Ozzy on a day it counts for me. I just take him walk/running on crosstraining days. Having Bandit do the cooldown with you is a good idea.
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I definitely could never run with Bandit if I had speed work on the schedule! I don’t think he could go that fast (which of course isn’t all that fast), although I’m sure he could keep up with a tempo for a short while.
Nope, I’ve only ever done easy runs with him.
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I loved running with my dog Penny. She was such a great partner. Even when she got older and couldn’t run as fast, well, me too! We did finally have to stop because she really couldn’t do it and I settled for walks only with her until she passed away. I do miss it though
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I didn’t run much with Chester, but he loved it when I did (short little sprints), and even towards the end, he’d often make it clear he wanted to come on our walks — which meant I had to carry him. Good thing he was a little dog! He still got darn heavy though!
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Tiger Lilly wouldn’t run, but it looks like Scooby might be good for short runs. Right now we’re in a learning stage so our runs are all about him and not about any specific running goals for me — which is fine since I’m done with racing until the fall, I think. 😉
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I only ever did the easy runs with Bandit. It heated up so quickly this week that it got too hot to run with him!
Considering he never even really got walked before he came to us, he does pretty well.
Have a great holiday, Coco!
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