Oh summer I love you and your long days lit by the golden sun. I don’t love the heatwave you’ve bestowed upon us lately, but after what feels like 9 months of cold, dark gloom (not really) I will take any and all summer weather I can get. We all know summer slips away far too quickly, so before we welcome in July, let’s open up the runfessional and cleanse those souls….and soles. Summer runnfessions here we go!
Summer Runfessions
You likely already know that I’m in a constant state of decluttering around here. The other day I was culling the herd of reusable bags I’ve accumulated. When I got to the bottom of the stash, I realized my old gym bag was there, sitting in a corner of the closet, right where I’d left it when the world shut down no thanks to COVID, circa 2020. Yes, I runfess it’s been sitting there, unopened for in excess of 5 years. While there were no crusty workout clothes to be found (thank heavens), there were some relics I’d long forgotten about. Shower slides anyone? Fitbit? How about a full bag of makeup, now well expired? I runfess I also found a few gels and a variety of powdered electrolyte drinks, along with my USA Triathlon membership card. Triathlon anyone? Um no thanks, been there, done that, I’m good.
Our Madison to Chicago Ragnar Relay team circa…maybe 15 years ago??
I runfess I’m struggling with ridding myself of a bag of low-light running accessories I’d last used when I ran Hood to Coast and Ragnar relays back in the day. I’ve got all sorts of blinky lights, a headlamp and a very bright. reflective vest a construction worker would envy. Why am I struggling to let this bag of bygone fun go?
We are in the final countdown until we head off on vacation and I runfess the anticipation is almost as delicious as the actual time away. Isn’t it fun to have something really fun to look forward to? I think so! That said, I decided to forego a cortisone injection for my angry hip. Knock wood, it’s been feeling pretty good lately and I think I can do without it. Fingers and toes crossed it continues to behave.
Okay you’re turn. What have you to runfess? What goodies do you have laying around? Have you run a relay? What’s your favorite?
Funny, i found a bunch of Ragnar gear recently too. That seems like another lifetime ago to me too. I did add it to my giveaway pile as there is no way I will find myself running through a park at 2 in the morning.
Hope you have a fantastic summer vacation! Can’t wait to see where you go.
I have yet to conquer a Ragnar, but I have done multiple Market-to-Market relays (similar to Ragnar, but “only” a 72-ish mile distance). I still have a box of race-shirts-to-donate that didn’t get dropped off when I moved to my house (like 15 months ago). I made the mistake of looking at some of them recently. For a brief second, I contemplated keeping them, but most are ill-fitting. WHIle I put every one of them back in the box, the box is still sitting in the closet of one of the spare bedrooms…
I still have my Ragnar vest and lights. While I haven’t used my vest since my last Ragnar, I do use my headlamp regularly during the winter. I’m looking forward to finding out where your vacation takes you!
Haha, those forgotten treasures! I’ve definitely eaten my fair share of expired Maurten gels on training runs, but I’m not sure about 5-year old ones! And those reflective accessories are absolute gold. You can’t just throw away Ragnar memories! 😅
Glad to hear your hip is behaving for now! Fingers crossed it stays that way through your vacation! And if you happen to have a bit of extra time when you pass through Zurich, I’d love to say hi.
I just bought a new dopp bag for traveling and cleaned out 2 old ones. No memories, just tylenol that expired in 2014? Old shampoo? Yikes
I’m glad to hear your hip is feeling better. I just got a steroid injection in my knee yesterday. After my incident on the trail a few weeks ago, I was feeling better, but it’s been bothering me for months. Here’s to hoping I can put that behind me!
Have a great trip! Where are you going?
Good luck with the hip. Hope it behaves.
And have a great vacation.
I recently opened an old tennis bag. Contact lens setting solution. I’ve worn dailies for a zillion years. lol.
Nope. No Ragnar or relay. Running at night? Never.
Oh, that sounds like good news about your hip!
Now that my trip to Switzerland is over I am itching to plan something for August — I need something to look forward to!
I still have a 1/2 packed gym bag in my bedroom and I haven’t gone to the office gym in over a year!
Good to hear that your hip’s doing ok. I hope it behaves for your vacation. Always so fun to have a trip to look forward to – can’t wait to hear all about it!
Well, darn! I was hoping for a full-on horror story from the forgotten gym bag, complete with mold, mildew, and crusty clothes. Oh well- it’s still pretty funny. I don’t… think?… I have any of those lying around.
Yes to having something to look forward to! I have a trip in two weeks and am enjoying the anticipation. I’m glad your hip is feeling better! I hope it holds up and your vacation is amazing.
Old gels and powders! I think I have some 10 year plus old spices hiding out – LOL.
I never did Ragnar but I did Hood to Coast (3x) and Reach the Beach. Love your team name! 😉
Have a wonderful vacation!
I’m getting ready to start purging all the things so who knows what I will find and struggle to release?
I”m excited for your trip and that you have something to look forward to. it’s so important to have that.