Fit Five Friday – Runfessions September
Welcome to the Fit Five Friday
Fit Five Friday meets the Runfessional Again
It’s Friday again already and time to link up not only with your FIVE amazing hosts – me, My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida … but also
This week we have the bonus link up, Marcia’s Runfessional!
Every month Marcia opens the runfessional – a place to let it all out and cleanse your soles; if you are needing to release some sweaty secrets or just want to get things off your chest, here’s the place to do it!
Let’s get right to it, shall we?
Rule-Breaking Rebel
First things first, I runfess I may have to break the cardinal rule of racing on the 9th of October. Why? I’m so glad you asked! I’m going to be on my feet for a while and I’ll need to carry those ever so wonderful sticky gooey gels with me to make sure I don’t crash and burn in Chinatown. I’m used to the gels I’ve been using for years now and don’t want to take the gastrointestinal risk of taking what is available at aid stations. We aren’t allowed to wear a hydration pack, where I normally also would store my gels, and I don’t really have but one running legging with deep and wide enough pockets to carry at least six of those babies. I looked online and at local shops for quite sometime and found nothing like these leggings I have from Fabletics. So I did some research and found a longer short (if that makes sense) from Oiselle with exactly the pockets I need. Of course I’ve heard from others that Oiselle is a great brand, so I bit the bullet and bought the shorts and had them sent to my bestie in Chicago (which happens to be where we are staying). So I may be wearing these on marathon day. If weather permits and I decide to do the 5K then at least I can try them there. I runfess I also am trying some last minute items to alleviate foot pain but to be honest I may just be clenching my teeth and dealing with it.
Bonus: I used my Visa debit card from my US account for the first time ever and it worked! Great! Spending the money before I even get there!
Is it preparation or is it obsession?
I would also need to runfess that I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos lately. Mostly about Chicago. Surprise! I’ve been watching marathon weekend/ day videos of people who participated last year. I’ve watched the course preview video several times. I’m already slightly, and cautiously optimistic but worried at the same time and this is fuelling the feeling. Good activity, or no?
I’ve also studied the course map and the road closure re-opening schedule. I wish I knew exactly when we would start, but all I know is that my wave goes at 8:35am and I’m in the first corral of that wave (when I signed up in 2019 was definitely optimistic of my time!). It’s slightly worrying to know I have to be at certain mile markers before a certain time. I know some of you have experienced that before…
A break is needed
I am certain I’ve said it before, but I runfess that I need a break from running. Or rather I need a break from training. I would really love to find joy again in running. Right now I’m just really not enjoying it. I do try, I try to be positive, I listen to positive music, I tell myself that it’s already 100% enough to be out there. But I would love to just run when I feel like it, do parkrun, run willy-nilly in the park or out somewhere in nature with no goal. At some point the desire to have a goal will come back, I am not worried about that. I still identify as a runner! It’s ok to take a break and do something else though.
Revisiting that 5am Club Again?
So, did I tell y’all I have a new job? I do! As of yesterday I have said “hasta la vista” to my employer! Lucky for me I hardly took any days off this year, so my actual end date is October 31st. So now I’ll have my holiday in the US, plus another week of last minute preparations/ relaxation, and then on November 1st I start my new job. And it’s in Amsterdam.
That means I’ll have to commute again to Amsterdam(different scenario to when I worked for Starbucks), but only twice a week with the other two days at the home “office”. Since I have to get up early again, I will finally be forced into the 5am Club! This is not a bad thing at all. Making it consistent is key, is what all of you have been saying to me. On work from home days I can still get up and get in a workout!
I runfess that as much as I really did try, lately getting up early has been a complete wash. I do think my sleep issues are not solely related to menopause; I’ve also had a TON of stuff on my brain that seems to not want to shut down when I go to bed. I believe the break will do me a lot of good and getting up early will take some time to get used to on the daily, but at least I can consistently do that whether going to the office or working from home. I’d say wish me luck, and I’ll certainly take those luck wishes, but I think this is going to caveat to the change needed.
What are YOUR runfessions?
Tell me, have you ever wore something new in a race?? Studied the course map obsessively? Taken a break from running? Struggled to become a member of the 5AM Rise ‘n Grind club?
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I have the Oiselle pocket jogger shorts and they are one of my favorite pairs of running shorts. Very comfortable and they stay in place. I don’t think it’s going to be an issue for you that it’s your first time wearing them.
I may have misunderstood you, but you don’t need to get to certain mile markers by a set time at Chicago–there’s no cutoff time. So relax and enjoy!
Oh that’s good to know Wendy! Zenaida has them too and they have really good reviews online. If the weather is ok I will likely try them on Saturday, that is if I decide to do the 5K. I need to really think about it. My physio is actually also in Chicago but for professional athletes from NL, but if he can work his magic on my feet after the 5K then I will do it.
So I am mostly worried about when the streets re-open. Basically I need to be at mile 20 before 3pm I think? But in actuality that should be more than doable. At least I will tell myself this over and over again until I 100% believe it. There is a limit of 6.5hours, they do allow you to finish after that by mygod if I’m still out there after 6.5 hours I may need a stretcher at the end. I just don’t want to be finishing when they are already breaking down the course.
Watching the course video is always helpful. I am sure you will have a blast in Chicago. Hope that helps you find your joy of running again.
I think so too plus it gives a bit of excitement :) Thanks a lot Deborah!
I definitely watched my share of Chicago videos before race day – nothing wrong with a little obsession ;) And, I agree with Wendy there’s no cutoff time for Chicago – soak it up and enjoy the experience!
And congrats again on the new job! Hopefully, a nice long holiday will help with your sleep issues.
Glad I’m not the only one! I’ve also started the weather stalking as well haha! As far as the cutoff, officially it’s 6.5 hours but they do let you finish. I just don’t want to be on the road when they start opening up again and breaking down the course. And thanks for the congrats! I’m looking forward to the change!
I am so excited for you for Chicago! A woman in my MRTT group is doing it and she has been watching those videos too, so I think it’s the right thing to do! Of course, I tend to do the same thing.
I might have those Oiselle shorts. They are longer than I like (keep in mind I am short) but I have had no issues with comfort or fit, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will work for you.
Woohoo on changing jobs and having such a nice break in between. I wish I could see you when you are in the U.S., but I’m still hoping to come to DK next spring.
Thanks Coco! I do think it’s pretty normal to try to prepare by watching videos! Glad I’m not alone in that!
I can imagine those shorts are rather long on you! But so many good things have been said about these shorts so I’m looking forward to trying them!
So happy to have the break, just wish the US wasn’t so big! it’s too hard to see everyone. I even was trying to figure out if we could do a side trip either Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri or Ohio but to be honest I just want to relax and see if I feel up to that later.
Do keep me posted about your trip to Denmark!!
This is exciting! That’s a bummer that hydration vests aren’t allowed…I’m sure that affects a LOT of the runners! While I have never taken a break from running (other than the two times when I was forced to), I do appreciate a break from “training.” having not had a marathon on my calendar this year has been refreshing…though, I am still injured at the moment, LOL.
yeah since the Boston bombing a lot of big races have cracked down on vests. In Chicago you can’t even bring liquid with you through security to your corral – you have to fill up once you are through. I am relying then on the water stations but don’t want to do the gels available there because I’ve no idea how it will affect me! As far as the break, I doubt I will stop running, but definitely stop training. Such a bummer you are still injured :(
I’m excited for you running Chicago! It’s a great race and the crowds will definitely have your back. There are tons of turns so be sure to run the tangents. Those shorts sound like winners to me. Have fun!
I’m excited too Marcia! Finally! Having experienced the sidelines already I am really looking forward to the energy!
Yes. I d worn new shoes and new skirt. I survived.
Of course I stressed about the NYC marathon.
Marathon training is draining. But the results are worth it. I’ve only done one. Not if I can handle it again.
I’m still working from home. It’s heaven. I will have to go back. My running will suffer. I cannot get up and run in the dark.
I don’t wear a watch when I train and I just sign up for races I like. Races keep me motivated. I’m not sure I would run just for fun. Or if I was always out there alone. I’m not that kind of runner.
Can’t wait to hear every detail of your big race.
I do think that some things you can wear as “new” in a race, I mean if you have the same exact shoes that you trained in, only now a new pair, what is the real difference? But I do understand not trying new gels and sports drinks during a race.
I do love parkrun and always get excited to do a new (to me) one. So that won’t change. I think just a little break and I can reset my mind again. I already was invited to do a race in London on Dec 18th and found myself actually considering it :D. So the break I need won’t be long. Short races are going to be in my future for sure.
Wow, I’m really excited to hear all about Chicago, and you’ve added the mystery of how the new shorts will work out! I hope it turns out to be really fun. A break from work sounds like exactly what you need. It sounds like you’re getting burned out in a couple different ways. You can run the marathon and then take a nice break and decide what you want to do moving forward. Good luck!
Thanks a lot Jenny! I do think I just need a bit of a reset, you know?
Congratulations on your new job! So exciting.
I rarely look at the course map. I don’t need the added pressure.
I have worn new things to a big race. At my last half, I had to buy an entire wardrobe the night before, when the weather deteriorated. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t the worst.
So exciting that Chicago is almost here! I know you’ll have such an amazing experience!
Congrats on the new job! I hope you enjoy a nice long, well-deserved holiday before starting the new gig!
I wish I could do workouts super early in the AM but that would require me to go to bed at like 8 or 9 pm which is way too early for me haha! I just try to squeeze things in when I can…
Hey, I’ve taken a break from training for the most part for the last two years, LOL! I actually do recommend it. If you’re not feeling the joy (mostly, we all know there will be bad days) — what’s the point?
I did once wear a new top in a half. and it went really well. I hope you have the same result in your marathon! I know how hard you’ve worked this. I really hope that you can find some joy in the race!