Happy Black Friday to all of you who celebrate! OK, I know it’s not a holiday and you won’t catch me in any stores. So far, I haven’t even bought anything online. I’m sure I’ll breakdown and take advantage of a race discount at some point. After all, I don’t actually have any races on the calendar after December 10! Crazy!
November has been a bit of a crazy month, so here are my Black Friday Five Runfessions.
Wednesday I got a personal email from a charity offering me a bib for the Chicago Marathon. I runfess that I seriously considered it for a short time. It’s a group I have supported in the past and the amount was reasonable and, unlike Boston, I’d be happy to run it as a charity runner. But then reality set in and I turned it down.
Yesterday was the annual local Turkey Trot. Once again, I runfess that I opted to volunteer for the water stop instead of running. It was so cold that, despite wearing all the layers, I was pretty well frozen when I got done. So, instead of changing my shoes and going for a run, I took off a bunch of layers and ran on the treadmill.
Speaking of running yesterday, I runfess that I started my annual Runner’s World Streak. I’ve done this several years and I love that it works for me as a kick off for my spring training. I also love that it gives me a stopping point. Otherwise, I’m pretty sure I’d get obsessed and run on days when I really need to take a break. To up the ante this year, I plan to wear a different Skirt Sports product each run. I can’t promise that there won’t be duplicate patterns or that I won’t be wearing tights under my shorter skirts, but that’s my goal. It’s not like I don’t have a ton of skirts…
I have two more races coming up in December – a half marathon and a 15K. I runfess that I haven’t run farther than 7 miles on a run since I finished Marine Corps. I meant to do a longer run this past Tuesday, but I couldn’t find a block of time for decent length run. So, instead of running what I could fit in, I just skipped my run. Oops. That would explain why I have 30 more miles to run this month and only 7 days left to do it.
I runfess that I’m planning to shake up my training in 2018. I love Hansons and I’m a big fan of running 5-6 days a week, but I really need to be cross training and strength training more. I’ve been lucky enough to escape injury, but my recovery times are definitely longer and I feel like my core is pretty lacking in strength these days. For the first time ever, I plan to check out the Run Less Run Faster book. I don’t know that I’ll get faster, but I’m hoping that I’ll get stronger. Of course, if I’m going to have a training plan, perhaps I should find a race before the 2018 Marine Corps Marathon to train for…
For now though, I’m going to focus on trying to finish up all of my miles for the month and trying not to eat all of the sweet potatoes all by myself.
How about you? What kind of Runfessions do you have for November?
I’m joining Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! I’m also runfessing over at Marcia’s Healthy Slice.
I seriously considered putting my name in the lottery for Chicago. Until I didn’t. If I am feeling good and seriously want to do it, I’ll pull a charity bib.
Wendy recently posted…Runfessions: The Gratitude Edition
Yeah, I just can’t commit to things this far out right now. Someday I’ll do that race, just probably not this year.
It was cold here in PA for Thanksgiving too! But now today it’s going to be up to 52. 🙂 Can’t wait to get out in the sunshine and run! I bought a spiralizer off Amazon today but it wasn’t on sale. My SIL brought spiralized sweet potatoes to Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and it was so cool. Had to get one. 🙂
Megan @ Meg Go Run recently posted…Friday 5: My Favorite Christmas Songs
It’s gorgeous here today – looking forward to running this afternoon.
We had sweet potatoes but did not have sweet potato casserole. However my sister brought some home from her in laws and I will be diving into them today. I don’t know if I will do a Running streak. I never have before but it is a good goal that keeps you motivated. I do have a treadmill this winter so there is no excuse. Maybe I will.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Thankfulness
I enjoy the streak for the time it lasts, but I doubt I’d ever do one for a longer time. And having a treadmill makes it much easier.
I never run more than 4 days a week. It’s a time thing and I’ve stayed injury-free so why change?
Volunteering is tough in the cold weather. Good for you!
Darlene recently posted…Friday Five 2.0 – My Favorite Podcasts
I feel best running 5-6 days a week. I’m hoping that doing a mile warmup when I’m cross training will keep my legs happy.
Oooh, thanks for the reminder – I need to break out my run less, run faster book! I have a training plan/online coach (sorta) but I’m not sure I can follow it to the letter. That book has some really good tips! You should definitely get it – strength training is really important. 🙂
Jennifer @ Fit Nana recently posted…NOVEMBER RUNFESSIONS
I borrowed it from a friend. Now I just need to read it.
It was really cold out there yesterday morning! Do you run on your treadmill barefoot?
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner recently posted…November Runfessions Thanksgiving Edition
Yes, if I’m doing fewer than 5 miles I run in socks. It helps me work on my form.
I find 4 x week is a sweet spot for me. I’ve RFRL, but every run you basically have to go hard — I do like me an easy run now & again. 5-6 times would definitely be too much for me.
Wow! Just how cold was it? Or maybe you need to be better dressed (and how can that be with Skirtsports)? Yesterday wasn’t warm, but it was a great day for a Turkey Trot — even a really hilly one!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…I ate the yogurt but . . . : Runfessions November 2017
My toes were so cold and the pinky that got soaked was painful. The rest of me was warm as I had on all the layers. It was in the low 30s, so not the worst, but definitely chilly.
If you’re going to to RLRF, make sure you do a plyo interval day. 2 mins. of brisk walking (maybe at incline) interspersed with 1 minute bounding, high knees, fast feet, etc. You WILL get faster and your core will thank you!
Marcia recently posted…Black Friday Runfessions
Do you do the high knees, etc on the treadmill?
Hah, Black Friday is the one holiday I boycott! I hope that 15K is the same one I’m doing!
Coco recently posted…November Runfessions
Probably. I don’t think there are that many races at that distance. I did break down and buy a couple of things from Skirt Sports, but I haven’t bought anything else.
I runfess that I’m also streaking! This is my fifth straight winter streak. Like you said, I’m glad it has an ending point….not that I’d keep on streaking long after, but because it helps me to know I WON’T have to continue on LOL
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Runfessions?
I’m just afraid that if I was streaking long term, I’d make stupid choices LOL.
OMG those sweet potatoes look amazing ! My last race was last weekend. Things pretty much come to a halt for 2 or 3 months here in France. The race that kicks off the running season for me is in my home town in February. Enjoy the long weekend !
They were so good!
I have a couple more races this year, but I haven’t bought any for next year yet…
Aw that’s too bad you had to turn down Chicago. I would love to run that race one day, maybe I’ll throw my hat in for 2019??
It’ll be fun seeing everyone’s posts for the RWRunStreak. I’ve only done it once a few years ago. The past month I’ve been taking a lot of barre and it’s been kicking my butt! I love the variety.
I hope you enjoyed those sweet potatoes!!
I was tempted to jump on the RW bandwagon, but I know I do much better if I run no more than 4 days a week. Otherwise I need a challenge like the one I was doing this month where you can walk a mile a day instead of run.
Happy streaking!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Runfessions – Thanksgiving Edition