Coffee Talk: March 2021

Wow, It’s already March and soon it will be Spring! But right now it is time for the Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco so grab a cup and let’s chat.

You all are probably tired of hearing me talk about the Boston Marathon but hopefully as runners you get it. If we were having coffee I would tell you that the B.A.A. announced they have added a virtual marathon this year in addition to the in person marathon on October 11th. The virtual one will be open to anyone 18 and older and up 70,000 registrants. No qualifying time necessary. It’s in celebration of their 125th year and allows anyone to “earn” a unicorn finisher’s medal.

I feel like this just diminished the “worth” of my medal that I qualified for. I know that sounds petty and immature because all medals are earned and require work and discipline but I thought Boston held a certain prestige in the running community. Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t think I am all that, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I am pretty sure I couldn’t do it again. Please tell me what you think, I want to hear.

Over coffee i would tell you that I have been using my quiet room a lot more lately. I’ve been doing yoga at least twice a week for about 15 or 20 minutes at a time. I know that’s not very long but it’s better than nothing and 45 mins or an hour seems like soooo long. I recommend SarahBethYoga on YouTube. She has a wide variety of classes to chose from.

Over coffee I would tell you that I also have been using my quiet room to practice my guitar. I’ve taken guitar lessons on and off since I was 16 but I still can’t “play”. I know cords and can read music, or could at one point, but never practice enough to pull it all together. I’m finding it all comes back pretty quick, and I’m hoping to stick to it this time around. Why is it that I can run for an hour (or more) but not practice my guitar for 20 mins a day? I’m following Marty Music on YouTube if anyone is interested in learning to play the guitar.

And lastly, over coffee I’d tell you that yes I am late to the party but we are watching Game Of Thrones and HOLY COW! My husband and I started watching while he was home after knee surgery (all is well btw) and we are finishing season 5. I’m not sure I like the person I am when watching it because I have wished death on more than one character and cheered when some have been killed. Pretty awful, I know. Also, can I just say I am shocked at what they show in this series. I get that it’s HBO but full frontal nudity and the sex scenes are too much. Thoughts?

That’s about it for now. What’s going on in your part of the world?

Thanks for reading.

Denise

16 COMMENTS

Renée @runlaugheatpie | 6th Mar 21

as someone who will never qualify for Boston, it would be tempting to do the virtual to earn the unicorn, but… to me Boston is different. In fact, I won’t run any marathon virtually. My husband ran Boston in 2018 (cold, cold, cold, rain, wind, storm – it was AWFUL) and he worked H A R D to earn his place there. So I do understand how you feel. But just remember you did earn your spot, but there are others like me who will actually never get this chance (also others like me who just wouldn’t do it either).
- Denise | 6th Mar 21
  
  A friend of mine ran Boston in 2018, that was an awful year! I for sure wouldn’t run it virtually if I didn’t qualify but I guess if someone just wants the medal then more power to them.
Chocolaterunsjudy | 6th Mar 21

I actually agree with you about the diminishing of the Boston medal — and as someone who will never qualify, I have no interest in running it virtually for a medal I wouldn’t at all think I’d earned!

As a Yoga teacher (with a YouTube channel, just sayin’), a little more often is much better than a lot infrequently. Like most things when it comes to activity!

We watched GOT last year. We don’t have any premium channels, so we did a trail on HBO just to be able to see the last couple of seasons. 🙂 All cable (as it used to actually be) is really into swearing, sex, and lots of nudity. I suppose it sells, but it does turn me off sometimes & often seems unnecessary.
- Denise | 6th Mar 21
  
  I would never have run the marathon virtually if I hadn’t already qualified either.
  I didn’t know you had a YouTube channel. I’ll have to take a look.
  I agree that it seems unnecessary to show EVERYTHING.
fairytales and fitness | 6th Mar 21

Awww, I just seen an article pop up on my newsfeed about the controversy surrounding the Boston marathon but did not get to read it yet but I bet this is exactly what they were talking about. I agree with you 100% There is a certain prestige with “earning” the right to run the Boston marathon. My sister has run it twice and I know it was such a huge deal to her to qualify.
On the other hand, I am guess that they are opening it up to everyone because they need to recoup any losses from the pandemic. Although it is The Boston marathon, they are still a business and in it to make money. I’m sure they know this is a sure fire way to do that. I am just curious if the medals for virtual runners will be the same as the in person runners? Maybe they will use some of this money from the virtual registration fee to donate to all those charities that people run for? Which is always controversial in itself, there again is another group of runners ( although doing a very admirable thing running for charity) that get to run such a prestigious race without qualifying.
deborahbrooks14 | 6th Mar 21

I do agree with you about letting anyone run Boston virtually and I can see how you feel it takes away from what you accomplished. I sure hope you get to run it in person! I also can see how perhaps they did not fundraise as much this past year and are looking for a way to do that. But, they could host a virtual half or something to do it. I would never have it in me to do a virtual marathon and I think yours counts double! Keep us posted on what you decide to do
- Denise | 6th Mar 21
  
  I think you’re right about the money and maybe a virtual half would be better. I definitely won’t run it virtually again if I don’t get in. Once was way more than enough!
Marcia | 6th Mar 21

I don’t think you’re being petty at all. IMO it’s basically a money grab and a bad idea. The London Marathon is doing this as well. It does cheapen the whole thing and it’s a slap in the face to everyone who’s worked so hard to qualify. It’s funny because my BQs were run in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and never has the BAA ever sent me an email other than the ones directly pertaining to marathon packet pickup, race logistics, etc. Until recently. Now they send me emails all the time about different virtual series they offer. It’s all about $$$.
I love that you’re playing your guitar again. I played the violin for 8 years and right before the shutdown last year I tried to play my niece’s violin and it did not go well. At all.
We’ve not watched GOT but I’ve heard all about it. Yikes!
- Denise | 6th Mar 21
  
  I agree that it’s all about the money. I get that it’s a business but maybe they could’ve just had a different race on a different day. Idk.
  I love the violin. My daughter played for a couple years but gave it up. I guess I’m not the beat role model for following through. ☹️
  We took a break from GOT and started Good Girls. It’s way more lighthearted in a dark sort of way.
Kim at Running on the Fly | 6th Mar 21

Well, I’m even later to the Thrones party and have not even knocked on the door for entrance LOL I totally get what you’re saying about Boston, even though I have never qualified (nor probably ever will). I have a co-worker who does a lot of the races I do. She seldom trains (and when she does, it’s usually too little too late). Yet she brags about all the “races” she does, and winds up walking far more than running them. I’m glad that she’s out there, making an effort…but when she walks into the office on Monday mornings, wearing the same event shirt/jacket as mine, a tiny part of me feels a nagging jolt of annoyance. Oh well…
- Denise | 6th Mar 21
  
  I wholeheartedly believe you could qualify for Boston if you decide you want to. I realize not everyone feels the need though.
Zenaida Arroyo | 6th Mar 21

What is a quiet room but I love the idea just based on the name! 🙂 Yeah, I did read about the marathon and was actually thinking about it this morning. I will never qualify (but never say never, right) but I can understand how those that worked hard to quality are upset about what it being done now. Right now it is all about the money. Personally I wouldn’t run the virtual just to get the medal. But that is just my opinion.
Laurie | 7th Mar 21

So cool that you are learning to play guitar! I love that. Or maybe I should say, “practicing to improve your guitar skills”. I like a shorter yoga practice too. I figure I already get a workout when I run or do Body Pump. I don’t need another workout with yoga – just some gentle stretching and strengthening.

I agree with you about Boston. It meant a lot to me when I qualified the first time. I cried! Running the virtual without qualifying just to get the medal is like buying a Boston shirt on eBay. It’s not the same.
- Denise | 9th Mar 21
  
  I cried too when I qualified. And I haven’t worn my jacket yet even though I did the virtual one last year. It still doesn’t seem quite right.
  We are on the same page with short yoga classes too. 🙂
Wendy | 8th Mar 21

I don’t think the virtual Boston marathon diminishes your accomplishment at all. I do see both sides of the virtual Boston-but to me it’s like a charity bib, you’re basically buying the medal. I’ve sworn off virtual races for that reason. Last year was different, i did a few. But no more. I don’t need anymore medals, just to get them, that’s for sure!

I love that you’re practicing the guitar. I played the piano forever and recently sat down to play. It was great that my fingers still knew their way around the keys!
- Denise | 9th Mar 21
  
  I love the piano! Muscle memory is something isn’t it.
  I’m not “buying” any more medals either, and that’s exactly what Boston is doing.

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RunHeartFit.net

Coffee Talk: March 2021

That’s about it for now. What’s going on in your part of the world?

Thanks for reading.

Denise

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