October Runfessions

It’s the last Friday of the month, which means it’s time to bare our soles souls and come clean with our runfessions. Will they be extra spooky this month? Check out Marcia’s link up to find out. 

I’m also joining the Friday Five link up at Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness


Packing runfessions. I runfess that I hate packing. I hate deciding what I’ll want to wear days in advance and guessing what the weather really will be like. With all my business trips I’ve gotten better at packing, but last weekend I was too laid back about packing for our mini-trip to Bethlehem for the Runner’s World Half and forgot:

  • The E-Z Pass to pay the tolls on 95. We actually stopped at a Giant in Maryland and bought another one. It almost paid for itself with the 25% discount on tolls. 
  • My toothbrush and toothpaste. I decided to do without—it was just one night. KIDDING! We found a Rite-Aid a block from our hotel, but dang toothbrushes are expensive! (I have an electric one at home and usually travel with the one my dentist gives me, so I haven’t bought a “normal” toothbrush in ages.)

Of course, the fact that I was able to buy the items I forgot validated my lackadaisical approach. 

Recovery Runfessions. I runfess that I suck at taking rest days and recovering after races. My plan was to rest Monday, do Orange Theory Fitness Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (part of Hell Week) and yoga Friday. A last minute business trip saved me from my insanity–if only temporarily. 

Last year’s logo–still my favorite t-shirt!

Racing Runfessions. The Runner’s World Half was going to be my last race of the season—and it went so well it would be nice to end on a high note—but I runfess that when I had the opportunity to enter the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon (Nov. 12) in support of Back On My Feet, I couldn’t resist. And then Deborah suggested the Jingle All The Way 15K in December ….  

Outdoor Running Runfessions. I runfess that I’ve lost my mojo for running in the dark, which means I have zero motivation for weekday runs. I need to get back to doing MRTT group runs to get over it. 

The circle of dark -o’clock motivation. 😉

Indoor Running Runfessions. I runfess that I also have lost my mojo for treadmill running. I think Orange Theory has ruined me for anything except intervals. 

I’m just not inspired by this view!

[Tweet “How I #fail at packing and other #FridayFive October #Runfessions”]


No need to runfess that I’m looking forward to our coffee date next weekend. I hope you’ll join Deborah and me as we kick off November with a virtual get-together.


Have you forgotten to pack something essential? 

Are you still adding races to your 2017 calendar? 

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31 Responses to October Runfessions

  1. Another half marathon? Who are you? :p

  2. Marcia says:

    I’d be the same way about buying a toothbrush when all my travel ones are freebies from the dentist. I forgot to pack pjs once. Geez. I’ve got a few races left for the year but it’s never set in stone. Thanks for linking!

  3. I have an electric toothbrush as well and I intentionally never pack it when I travel for fear that I will lose it. So when I have to use the normal one it does feel a little weird. Those EZ passes are great! I bought it one time for a specific trip and find myself using it a lot and happy I purchased it.

  4. Well I never had motivation to run in the dark! I hate packing because I never know what I will feel like wearing and I like options. Excited that you will be doing the 15K with me!

  5. It ain’t a trip unless you forget something. That’s my motto. Did you know that most hotels will give you a toothbrush and toothpaste (and yes, I’ve done it) — but not floss. What’s up with that?

    Running in the dark is hard. Running in the dark & COLD — super hard!

    Our EZPasses velcro to the front window, thank God. But I did once forget my handheld water bottle for a race (thankfully that one was very well run & I did well) and of course there were those 2 left shoes at my parents that time . . .

  6. Kimberly G says:

    I also hate packing and usually wait until the last minute, lol. What has helped me is using a packing list. I use it anytime I travel and just check off items as I pack them – easy peasy!

    That Jingle All the Way 15K race sounds like fun – how can you pass it up!

    I usually don’t run in the dark in the mornings, but I will after work. Strange I know, but somehow I feel safer running in the afternoon vs early in the morning

  7. Oh I’m a notorious last-minute packer – thankfully a pack list means I usually remember most of the key essentials.

    Another half marathon? Does this mean you’ve crossed over to the dark side 😉 Reminds me I’m off to read your race recap!

  8. Chaitali says:

    I hate packing too! Mike is big into packing in advance, lists, and everything and I’m much more of a throw things into the suitcase at the last moment type.

  9. Rachel says:

    Haha, you’re going to have great races coming up! I hate packing too. It’s awful…

  10. Lesley says:

    I’m compulsive when it comes to packing. I make a list well in advance to make sure I don’t forget anything. I’m packed a couple days in advance, except for essentials.

  11. Oh my gosh I LOVE packing! I love making lists about what to bring along, laying everything out, and then packing it perfectly! I know, I’m a nerd.

  12. I HATE running when it is dark out as I am so worried I will trip and fall over something. I totally understand you on that one.

  13. HoHo Runs says:

    Another half marathon? I love it! I’m absolutely still looking at 2017 races. If only I can get my body on board with my mind. (Just a minor detail, right?) My hubs has NEVER remembered to pack his toothbrush. IDKW.

    • Coco says:

      Mine wouldn’t take responsibility for forgetting toothpaste because he thought he rightfully was relying on me to bring it – sheesh!

  14. I also runfess I’m bad at recovery days

  15. I gotta read your recap – I am so far behind, but congrats!

    I still need to try OTF – it looked like they were opening a spot not too far from me but then I guess the deal fell apart?

    I hate packing too. I always seem to do it last minute, and even when I don’t, I usually forget something.

    • Coco says:

      Sometimes the OTF studios take a while to open — maybe it’s still in process. I think some of our coaches have been going somewhere in PA to help train new coaches — I know that’s really helpful information. 😉

  16. Well, I probably don’t need to share my attitude with treadmill running…..UGH. I avoid it all costs!!!!! (like you, I can handle intervals…sometimes. But that’s it.)

  17. I’m struggling with working out in the pre-dawn hours myself. I just want to sleep, but I know if I can crank out a sweat before the kiddos wake up, I’ll be more productive and a happier mom that day.

  18. Mary says:

    I can relate on packing, I’m usually unmotivated and late getting it done. Glad the things you left behind were easily replaceable. I’m not a runner, but night runs and treadmills don’t sound too appealing to me either.

  19. I dislike packing too. I always feel like I will forget something and pack way too much stuff.

    I’ve heard so many great things about the Runner’s World Half. I would like to sign up for it one day.

  20. I travel for business and have the packing thing down to a science. If it doesn’t fit in a carry-on, it doesn’t come on the trip. My eldest son inevitably forgets his toothbrush everywhere he goes, so whenever he comes home I have one here for him–I’ve also brought one for him when we travel together, even though he is married!

  21. Andy Parsons says:

    Wow, you really do run a lot haha. That’s the kind of motivation, that I seek as I’m pretty new to running and for the better half of my life I was rather lifting. Thanks and good luck in beating them!

  22. Elle says:

    I confess to having purchased a dollar store toothbrush for one night!

  23. I hate packing too! I always try to do a little bit each day for a week leading to a trip. But I’m very good at taking recovery time off after a race 🙂

  24. Driving on 95 without an EZ Pass is just torture. I don’t blame you one bit for stopping to buy a new one. Great decision!

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