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in Runfessions, Running · February 28, 2020

End of Winter Runfessions

We are SO close to March that I can almost smell the fresh spring air! Ok, well not really, because more than likely we will have another month of wintery weather. But the worst of the winter is over for most of us! Since it’s the last Friday of the month and the end of winter, it’s time for Runfessions!

The last Friday of February means that it's time for end of winter #runfessions!

Winter Running

To be honest, I have sort of enjoyed winter running this year. There are a few reasons of this. First, the winter has been pretty mild. I haven’t had to deal with ice or too many days of sub-freezing temps. The rare days that have been very cold I’ve just run on the treadmill.

easy run

I’ve also appreciated being outside more this winter. I guess with working part time I spend a lot more time in the house. Last winter I was on maternity leave and probably left the house 5 times all winter. So getting fresh air feels good. Also, I appreciate every outdoor run I can get now that they are harder to squeeze in. I’m excited that it’s almost the end of winter, but this year hasn’t been so bad.

Stroller Running

Running with a stroller is stressful enough, but dealing with winter weather makes it even more complicated. I’m always wondering if its too cold to take him out and then once we are out there I am trying to decide if he is comfortable. I’m excited for spring when hopefully the weather will be ideal for stroller running. 

stroller run

Foam Rolling

I’ve managed to get in all my workouts and cross-training, but the one area I’ve been slacking in is foam rolling. I do a  little bit before strength training but that’s about it. I used to keep my Trigger Point roller in the living room and use it in the evening, but I’m pretty sure Grayson would think it was a toy, and hurt himself (or me) with it.

foam rolling
That one time I tried to roll with him in the room…

Fueling for Half-Marathon Training

Another area I need to work on is fueling better. Over the past year my own nutrition has taken a backseat while it’s been all about providing for someone else. I need to get back into the habit of prepping some healthy snacks to have on hand. There were a few weeks in a row that I made Superhero muffins. However, I used whole wheat flour instead of almond flour (Grayson has a nut allergy and I like to share them with him) and they came out kind of dry. So I need to figure out something else to try.

muffins

Baby Proofing

On a non-running related note, baby proofing the house is stressing me out. It’s such a long, ongoing process and I keep finding other things we need to baby proof. He has just starting taking a few steps and I know that he will be all over the place soon. Our house just does not seem baby friendly at all with the way it’s set up!

You may also like:
Runfession: I’m Cheating on my Running Shoe Brand
A Year Without Runfessions
Frederick Half-Marathon Training Week 3
Second Trimester Running
Thinking Out Loud #32: Winter Complaints

Have you enjoyed winter running more or less this year?
Do you have any good recipes for easy, nut-free snacks?
What do you have to runfess this month?

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Previous Post: « What Makes Stroller Running So Challenging? (Besides Pushing Extra Weight!)
Next Post: Frederick Half-Marathon Training Week 3 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wendy says

    February 28, 2020 at 6:57 am

    My boys used to use my foam roller as a battering ram…

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:16 am

      Oh good I guess I have lots to look forward to lol!

  2. Marcia says

    February 28, 2020 at 7:05 am

    Baby-proofing is no joke! I feel like we had foam edging on our coffee table and around the fireplace for a loooong time. Haha! Could you maybe make those muffins with coconut flour? Or is that an allergenic nut as well??

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:17 am

      That’s a good idea! Nope, he’s not allergic to coconut (its not actually a nut).

  3. Coco says

    February 28, 2020 at 7:23 am

    Hah! A toddler will find all the ways you forgot to babyproof! Hopefully you can stay one step ahead of him. I was lucky that my kids weren’t too “adventurous” although my son did teach me not to leave my keys on the ledge near the outlet …. We’ve had a mostly mild winter too. While I love a good snow day, I’m glad our snowless winter means we didn’t have any snow that made the sidewalks/paths un-runnable.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:18 am

      It was really nice to not have to deal with the snow- which usually turns into ice. I wouldn’t have minded one big snow, but at this point I am fine waiting until next year!

  4. Deborah Brooks says

    February 28, 2020 at 7:27 am

    I don’t really like baking w whole wheat flour for the same reason. I often use oatmeal and grind it up into flour. Maybe that will work for you.I can already see things blooming in my backyard! Spring is almost here

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:19 am

      Oh thats a good idea! I will have to try it.
      Last Sunday I felt like spring was right around the corner. Now I’m not so sure!

  5. Laurie says

    February 28, 2020 at 7:55 am

    It’s been so long since we baby-proofed our house. I forget all the dangers there are lurking for an inquisitive toddler!

    I am ready for some warm spring running, even though our winter here in PA was pretty wimpy. I am looking forward to seeing all the spring flowers on my runs and some sunshine after all these cold gray days!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:19 am

      The sunshine will be so nice! I feel like even though we haven’t really had snow, we’ve had alot of rain and dreary days.

  6. Kimberly Hatting says

    February 28, 2020 at 8:28 am

    I’m eager for the warm air…not that I’ve said that once or twice recently LOL Baby proofing was a nightmare! And visiting other homes (where there was ZERO proofing) was so stressful. My mom refused to “rearrange her entire house just for a weekend visit” but was constantly grumpy whenever the kids would get into something. It was crazy!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:21 am

      Ugh, I didn’t even think about that part! I remember when we traveled for the holidays it was a little stressful and he was only crawling at that point.

  7. Laura says

    February 28, 2020 at 10:27 am

    I’ve made the superhero muffins with whole wheat flour before and increased the butter (to 8 tbsp) to counteract dryness. That works well! I need to start babyproofing – even though Isla isn’t crawling yet, my sister and I were early walkers and I know it’s coming soon.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:23 am

      Oh that’s really good to know about the butter! We have been very slowly babyproofing for a few months now. It’s definitely a good idea to get started early!

  8. Catrina says

    February 28, 2020 at 12:40 pm

    Foam rolling! I’ve been very good about it for the last few months. However, this week I missed out for a few days and I feel the difference immediately.
    Baby-proofing would stress me out, too!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:23 am

      It’s amazing how noticeable it is to stop foam rolling for awhile when it’s been a part of your routine!

  9. fairytales and fitness says

    February 28, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    I love how this winter has been so mild. Sadly I have not taken advantage of the mild weather and have not spent that much time outside.
    I suspect baby proofing a house is a lot like puppy proofing!….lol. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately!

    Thanks for linking up!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:24 am

      I bet it is very similar!

  10. Jenn says

    February 29, 2020 at 11:37 am

    The weather has been so gorgeous and I am a little resentful that I have missed all the winter running. It would have been the perfect season. Oh, well.

    I wonder if you can add some apple sauce or something else to the superhero muffin to make them a little more moist? We aren’t nut-free, so I’m not too sure on substitutions for certain ingredients.

    I’m excited to see what spring holds.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      That’s good idea! I guess i would just need to figure out how much or if I should use less flour or something. I’ll have to experiment!

  11. Michelle D. says

    February 29, 2020 at 12:52 pm

    Oh my gosh, I remember the challenges of trying to babyproof our house. My boys used to get into everything!!

    I’m so ready for spring too despite the mild winter – I’m looking forward to getting back out into my garden!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      February 29, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      It will be really nice to be able to spend more time outside. And hopefully there will be more sunshine!

  12. Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder says

    February 29, 2020 at 5:19 pm

    I usually do enjoy winter running but this year its been hard to drag my butt out of bed when its cold! I feel like a bear and I want to hibernate haha. I’m actually looking forward to the warmer temps coming back so I can go back to wearing my crop tops with no jacket. Though I’m sure I’ll complain about it once it does get here…

    Speaking of foam rolling, I’m off to roll my calves. I need to get much better at that.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 1, 2020 at 2:37 pm

      I always wish for the summer and then I complain about the heat and humidity once its here! I guess we can’t win…

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Would it even be race week if I wasn’t a ball of n Would it even be race week if I wasn’t a ball of nerves and not able to sleep? This is my first big marathon in 10 years, my first time traveling to a race in 10 years, and my first time spending the night away from my kids. And of course I’m tapering so I can’t run off the nerves 🙃 #marathontraining #taper #richmondmarathon
Looked like fall, felt like summer 🍁 I was definit Looked like fall, felt like summer 🍁 I was definitely overdressed for this run but it was nice to not wear gloves or a headband! This was the run I needed a week before my marathon. After last week’s disaster of a long run it felt great to just run an easy 10 miles. (And these days 10 miles feels like nothing). I think I figured out the fueling and shoes 🤞so nothing left to do but take it easy, carb load, and get in the right mindset! Is it unseasonably warm where you are?

#running #marathontraining #longrun
Yesterday’s long run was not what I wanted it to b Yesterday’s long run was not what I wanted it to be. The plan was to take the day off from work, head to the trail where I could run 10 uninterrupted miles at MP (16 total) and practice my race day fueling while wearing my race day shoes.

What actually happened? All week I was stressed about this run and the condition of the trail. We had lots of rain on Thursday, and Friday was forecasted to be very windy. I tried to get in the best mindset possible, reminding myself that I won’t be able to control the conditions on race day. Meanwhile, I haven’t been sleeping well thanks to my 2 year old waking up every night, and my watch has been basically telling me that I’m losing all my fitness and need a week of recovery.

While I started the run feeling pretty good, after 11 miles (7 at MP) my stomach turned and I almost got sick on the side of the trail. I just couldn’t recover from that. The best I could do was run the rest of the miles easy, and needed some walk breaks. On top of that, my shoe kept rubbing my foot on top and I stopped twice to retie it. This has never happened before and now I’m questioning what shoes I should wear for the race. The trail was also in rough condition with several trees blocking it, lots of wet leaves, and rocks/sticks that I had to look out for.

I just can’t believe how bad I felt for the last 5 miles of this run and I can’t pinpoint the cause. Am I overdoing it with the fueling and can’t handle it on harder effort runs? Was it something I ate recently? The hard part is there’s no time to really try something different before the race, as all I have left is a 10 mile easy run next weekend.

I’m trying to remember that one bad run does not take away from all the good runs this training cycle. I’m using today to reset and move on so I can make the most of my last 2 weeks of training. It’s not the way I wanted my last big long run to go, but I suppose it was good practice for pushing through even when I felt pretty awful.

Who else has had a terrible long run close to your race?

#running #marathontraining #longrun
Spent almost every step of this 21 mile run questi Spent almost every step of this 21 mile run questioning my life choices. Like waking up at 3am to run 12 miles on the treadmill and 9 outside. This was a crazy week with a kid that wasn’t sleeping great and fighting a cold and super busy days at work. My legs were just tired the whole time today. It was really hard to run outside after so many treadmill miles and my pace was much slower than inside.

I reminded myself that this is peak week. It’s supposed to feel hard. If it was easy everyone would do it. I ran 53 miles this week and am not injured. The weather is perfect. I’ve gotten in every planned run of this training cycle so far.  I get to do this. 

And I managed to finish strong with my last 3 miles the fastest of the (outside) run. I owe that to a solid fueling plan and taking all my gels even when I really didn’t want to.

3 weeks to go until race day!

#running #marathontraining #longrun
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