Summer is winding down and it’s the perfect time to share a few Runfessions and Confessions from this busy 2025 season. Thanks to Marcia for hosting.Let’s jump right in!
End of The Summer Runfessions and Confessions 2025
I Runfess and Confess…
I never thought I would be writing this! I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 12 years old and all was well and good until a few years ago. My body needed more protein and adding fish into my diet made a huge difference for me. In those last few years, I’ve also tried to give up eating veggie burgers with fake ingredients and significantly reducing overly processed foods. I now again have found myself needing a different protein source especially at lunch.
A girl can only eat tuna in their salad so many times! So last week, I added organic ground turkey breast to my diet.I prepared it with taco seasoning and it really was pretty benign tasting. I never thought I would be adding in a meat product not my world but reducing processed foods has stated to limit my diet. I guess once I started adding collagen to my coffee, I was no longer a vegetarian or a pescatarian. So here I am after all these decades. I still don’t see a steak in my future any time soon much to my carnivorous husband’s dismay.
I Runfess and Confess…
I have not run a step since June-June 12th to be exact. Between all the travel and more impactful the intense heat and humidity, I have had no interest in all. I’ve realized that I really do not tolerate the heat so well anymore and have no desire to run in it. Power walking with my weighted vest is still going well and I’ve increased my strength training to 5 days a week. Will I start running again when the weather breaks? Probably, maybe, who knows? You will be the first to know!
I gave up red meat for years! Then I had a completely clean colonoscopy, and I added it back into my diet. I have to admit that I missed steak! We only eat it 1-2x/month, so I don’t feel too concerned about it. I love turkey burgers–we have them pretty often. I use turkey to make meatballs too.
I don’t blame you for not running. This summer was extra challenging!
I don’t see me ever eating red meat again. Not sure my lifetime of vegetarianism helped me escape some of the health issues I was obviously destined to get anyway! Our genetics play a huge role. However, I am excited to have some new healthy foods to add to my diet
Just yesterday I read a report on how important animal protein can be for athletes – and really for everyone, especially as we get older.
The article mentioned that although plant proteins are great, they’re often less complete, so to get the same amount of essential amino acids, you’d need to eat quite a bit more – sometimes 2–3 times as much.
That can be really challenging, so I completely understand your decision!
I do completely agree with this which is why I have always eaten milk, yogurt and eggs and cheese. Adding in seafood and now turkey should give me lots more healthy options
Although you haven’t been running, you have been doing everything else. As long as you’re not missing it, it appears all is well 🙂 I recently met someone who had to give up running due to knee issues. He’s now an avid walker and doesn’t miss all the high-impact pavement pounding at all. We all gotta do what works best for us 🙂
yes we do have to do what works best for us!
As I have gotten older I am definitely finding that I don’t tolerate the heat so well any more. Nothing wrong with taking the summer off, especially since you’ve stayed so active!
agree on that summer heat!
I do use turkey for chili and meat loaf but I do love a good burger and a steak. I couldn’t give up meat.
I bet you do go back to running because you have friends that run. They may pull you back. Nonetheless, you are so active
This summer was tough for runners. I runfess I’m a little bit glad my hip has kept me to mostly walking. Thank heavens there is no more fall marathon training for me! Ground turkey for the win! It’s crazy how our body “asks” for different things. I don’t blame you for not wanting those highly processed vegan options.
I did not miss running this summer either and was also really glad that I had not signed up for a fall race. Wondered why I ever did!? Yes, it is amazing how our bodies change and so do our needs
Interesting… I was a vegetarian for years, but my body craaaaaaaaves red meat sometimes. I can’t get the amount of iron I need from supplements, so I just leaned into it. It’s hard because my husband can’t have beef, which means I only get it when we are out on occasion.
I don’t see me going back to red meat but my husband is a total carnivore always has been. We really don’t eat the same meals very often!