...and, just like that, we're back 'fessing our transgressions, running and otherwise. Are you ready? Let's get this Runfession session underway. Let me begin... All is going very well, I'm feeling pretty settled-in, and I'm loving my new place. I do have a 35-40 minute commute most days, though. I'm still trying to get in a good groove with the hair wash "mornings" vs. hair wash "evenings," and that *sometimes* affects how intense of a workout I'll do in the morning. In fact, I have to runfess that there have been a few times I've skipped washing my hair for more days than I care to admit ..read more

 There’s much to be said about going with your gut (and not your ego).  Such was the case last weekend’s Drake Road Races. I made the decision to scale-down to the 10K, foregoing my 9-year half marathon streak. And I did so, surprisingly, with zero regrets or guilt.  I registered for the half marathon back in October, well before I knew there would a house (finally) selling, another one purchased, and a stressful timeline of all things moving/relocating. In other words, my typical pre-spring training took an unexpected backseat and the probability of running 13.1 miles beca ..read more

Spring in Iowa.  Hmmm. It doesn’t feel like one specific “season.” It’s more like a random grab bag of all-season weather, where you don’t really know what each new day will bring. It’s definitely not boring, but it does keep us guessing on what to wear (for fitness and otherwise).  Before I “spring” all the deets on you, from last week, welcome to the Weekly Run Down! I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 8:00AM (EST) on Sundays and remains op ..read more

Hands down, my favorite race, every year, is DAM to DSM. I've been trekking to Des Moines, the first weekend after Memorial Day, every year since 2008 to run this iconic race.  Formerly known as Dam to Dam, this race was my first-ever long distance endeavor. Like a lot of distance runners, once I got a taste of that long distance finish line, I was hooked.  Even in 2020, when Covid tried to knock us down, this race persevered (albeit virtually). That particular year, after several postponements, the virtual event took place later in the summer instead of its usual early June dat ..read more

  Can you say WIND??? It's always windy in Iowa this time of year, but this past week was unbelievably gusty. As much as I love the great outdoors, even I struggled with getting my buttocks outside on the daily. Don't worry, the #OptOutside streak is still going strong...but there were a few bare minimums with my efforts due to this week's circumstances. Before I dis on the deets of the windy week, welcome to the Weekly Run Down! I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The ..read more

When they named this event the Fight for Air Climb, they weren’t kidding! Hot stairwells. Heavy breathing. Trashed leg muscles. But a finish line like none other.  There’s much to love and respect about fighting for that air, all for the sake of those who need it most. Many struggle with lung health, and it’s for them that I (and numerous others) return to the stairwells every year.  Now in its 21st year, Des Moines was the place to be, this past Sunday morning, for the Fight for Air Climb festivities.  Most know this wasn’t my first rodeo on the stairs. I fir ..read more

It's all fun and games, settling into a new place, until the weather gives you attitude. Although the week started off kind of winter-like (with the requisite cold temps, nasty precip, and blowing wind), things did turn-around by the weekend (except for said blowing wind). Oh, did I mention the wind was rather beastly and downright inappropriate? Nonetheless, what can we do but persevere, hopefully with a smile. A sense of humor never hurts either.   Before I delve into all the "moving" deets of the week, welcome to the Weekly Run Down! I love hosting this link-up with Deborah ..read more

 So, shall we chat?  It doesn’t need to be about running, or even fitness…but who am I kidding? There’s always plenty of that with which to chat.  Shall we get this chatty gathering started?  If we were having a chatty gathering, I’d start by discussing my stats from March. ((Gulp)). There wasn’t anything especially stellar happening, but plenty of maintenance.  Next, if we were having a chatty gathering, I’d disclose how painful moving was, on a physical level. Not only was my hyper-sensitive skin a dry (and cracked) mess, but there were numerous mystery bruises ..read more

Let's just cut right to the chase - this month's 'fessions are full-on stress-induced. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but there's plenty on my plate that needs released. Are you ready? Buckle-up, this may be a bumpy ride to the 'fessional... So, what's been happening? Well, for starters, March has been quite the action-packed month in my little world. Let me stressfess that although I have been (almost) at my wits end, I have also been pretty impressed at just how much #ish I can handle without losing my mind. Selling a house (and buying another, all on ones own nonetheless) is not ..read more

Isn't it ironic? The weather, that is. I mean, we all knew the pre-summer fun of recent wasn't going to last. This week's drastic temperature plummet (and accompanying precip), though, was a bit much.  But, it is what it is. We certainly don't have the power to change the weather (if only, LOL!), but we do have 100% control of how we deal with it. Anyways, before I drop the deets for the week, welcome to the Weekly Run Down! I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-u ..read more