~ Runfessions ~
A collection of statements admitting
that one is guilty of a variety of running crimes…
It’s time again to join in on the fun and clear my conscience of recent running, biking, fitness, nutrition, and life in general faux pas. I know I’ll feel better when I’m done, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll give you a laugh or two in the process!
I runfess: Whenever I finish a non-running workout, Strava mocks me with this notification and even though I know how important recovery workouts are for me, this annoys me. 😉
I runfess: I was looking down when I should have been looking up… There’s a section along the parkway not too far from our house that’s a magnet for cars running off the road. I’m aware of four accidents that have happened at the very same spot and there may have been more that I didn’t see.
On Wednesday it was cloudy when I left my house for my walk, but while out, the sun started shining brightly. I didn’t have sunglasses or a visor with me and the sun was bothering my eyes terribly, so badly, that I had to walk looking downward. When I noticed car parts, a tree missing, and another tree knocked over, I realized that yet another car had run off the road. I was looking down and not paying attention and I cringed at the thought of being so careless – I’m normally hyper aware of the heavy traffic flowing along side of me .
Photo from an accident at the exact same location in July 2016…
I runfess: When I asked my balance and stretching class students to set at least one fitness goal for 2021, I set my own goal to stretch more. Even with my yoga strap setting out in my gym as a reminder, last week I forget all about stretching until late in the week. Some stretching is better than no stretching, but it would be better if I spread it out over the week instead of cramming it into Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This week was a little better and my first stretch of the week happened on Wednesday.
I runfess: I used to be the queen of having to make emergency pit stops behind a tree, in a construction porta potty, or worse (believe me there have been worse places) while out running. It took me years to learn which foods were the culprit and once I quit eating them the day before a run, my life forever changed. Not really, I still have those emergencies, but at least they’re fewer now.
I runfess: Speaking of not eating certain foods, I’ve been focusing on my eating habits for about six months now and feel so much better for it (not that they were terrible before). For the most part, I stuck with healthy eating during the holidays and even though I enjoyed yummy foods, I tried to stick with fewer sweets, sensible portion sizes, and not as many sugary cocktails.
There you have it, my most recent runfessions; and you can bet that it feels good to get another set off of my chest! See you next month in the runfessional.
- Questions:
- • Do you stretch regularly?
- • Are there any places you run, walk, or bike that you feel less safe?
- • What are your runfessions?
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Today I’m linking up with Marcia at Marcia’s Healthy Slice for her monthly Runfessions linkup. Be sure to check out her blog and those of the other great bloggers linking up.
I have been much better about stretching, in recent years, but I know I still probably should do more. I am doing a lot more foam rolling, though, so there’s that. We have a couple of busy highways that go through town, and it’s always a challenge to cross them on foot. Whenever Barb and I have been out running, and luck out (with no cross traffic), we have been known to high-5 each other LOL
That’s great, Kim! Stretching is one of those things that I’d gotten really good at until I stopped when my back was hurting last year. It’s amazing how hard it was for me to get back into the habit.
I do stretch. A lot. Helps that I enjoy it, I guess!
Glad you didn’t get hit by a car! The closest I’ve ever come to that is with people backing out of their driveways, thankfully. I want to pound on their car & say (maybe scream) “I’m walking here!”.
I don’t want to jinx myself, but I have never had to go behind bushes. Although there was one run a few years ago where there was unforseen leaking. Only time that’s happened! Not pleasant, but at least it was near the end of the run.
That’s great! It’s not that I dislike stretching, it’s just that other things take precedent (and I know they shouldn’t).
Here’s hoping you never join the “behind the bush” club. LOL
Yikes! That’s terrible that spot is so dangerous. I can always be better about stretching. I will say I’m good about foam rolling but it pretty much ends there. Ugh. Thanks for linking!
It’s weird that that spot has seen so many accidents because it’s AFTER the curve. I’d think people would be more likely to run off the road IN the curve. ♀️
Yes. I am a big non stretcher. Esp now that’s it is so cold out.
And yes. I often run and hike alone. One bike path is unsavory. The other day there was evidence of a homeless guy living on the trail.
Oh dear, please be careful out hiking alone!
I have made it my mission to make stretching both pre and post activity a priority. It’s really paying off for me and I has made a huge difference in how I feel. Just 10 min a day pre and post can do the trick for me. Doesn’t feel great to make nutrition changes that make you feel better? I have been doing the same and feel great
That’s great to hear, Deborah. And about our nutrition, I always say that we are what we eat – eat well, feel well and eat crap, feel like crap.
Hmmm…I runfess I don’t stretch as much as I should. I am doing a 30-days of yoga now during January so I do get some stretching in, but it’s sort of hit or miss. So glad the accident on the parkway didn’t involve you! I tend to get lost in my thoughts when I run and I am often oblivious about what is going on around me. Thanks for this good reminder to pay attention!
Laurie recently posted…Three January Runfessions
Thanks, Laurie! Who know how many days earlier the accident may have happened, but it still made me cringe to think how I hadn’t been paying attention to the traffic next to me.
Hmm, now I’m curious as to what those foods are that you stay away from before your run!
I usually run on trails or sidewalks ( because I worry about cars), but I always worry about my sister because she will run right along side of a road. It scares me! -M
Right, I guess i didn’t say what foods… desserts and/or foods with fatty dressings. I once ate a chopped salad with a mayonnaise based dressing and boy did I pay for it the next day on my run.
Tell Lacey to be careful running next to traffic!