Let’s see…

Last I posted it was Monday and I ran a couple of miles in the rain just to smell the sweet honeysuckles…well life got a little less sweet and a bit more honey sucky over the next few days.

I found out a few things at work that made me go “hmm” and not in a good way.

Then yesterday morning after going to the dentist I felt super sick. Aches and chills and a fever. So I stayed home and laid in bed all day taking tylenol and wrapped up in a bunch of blankets.

my home sick buddy

my home sick buddy

By 5pm I started to feel better. I wanted so bad to join my local Staten Island runners at the park for National Running Day so I rallied and drove there and made it just in time for the start of their fun run.

The runners

The runners

Let's Celebrate National Running Day

Let’s Celebrate National Running Day

HA!

HA!

I ran about a mile to the start. The fun run ended up being 2.2 miles which, for me turned into a speed run! Their conversational pace is about 8:50-9:30 pace per mile. LOL!

NRD-splitsMaybe I was still delirious from the fever but I managed to keep up (well I was dead last I think). They were all staying after for pizza but I just jogged the mile back to my car and took a few timer camera selfies although my phone can’t seem to focus for sh-t these days and got back under the covers and was asleep by 10pm.

and we're off

and we’re off

selfie

selfie

some feathery little ones

some feathery little ones

My favorite spot in the park

My favorite spot in the park

sports bra muffing top! Now you know I keep it real =)

sports bra muffing top! Now you know I keep it real =)

the phone fell twice trying to capture this gem. thank god it didn't crack

the phone fell twice trying to capture this gem. thank god it didn’t crack

I knew i'd find some honeysuckles!

I knew i’d find some honeysuckles!

truth!

truth!

I’m so glad that I got to participate even if I was a little under the weather. Last year I only ran 100 yards because of my tendonitis.

This morning right after Duncan and I went out for his morning walk I noticed he was limping. It got progressively worse and by noon he wouldn’t go down the stairs and he kept picking up his front paw. The pit in my stomach started to get bigger as I watched him struggling to get comfortable. He kept picking his leg up even when he was laying down and it would tremble. He was licking his lips a lot too which is a sign he’s uncomfortable. So I finally called the vet and they said bring him right in. Thank god I work from home on Thursdays!

keeping the weight off of his leg waiting to see Dr. Caban

keeping the weight off of his leg waiting to see Dr. Caban

The good news is that it’s nothing serious. Vet prescribed some doggie Advil and some R&R for a few days. We still don’t know what he did to cause this but it’s probably a muscular strain. No dislocations or broken bones. I could totally commiserate with him because I know he must be thinking he won’t be able to go for long walks today. It’s like me not being able to run.

And so I’ll cuddle with him just a little more these next few days (if that’s even possible!). He’s relaxing comfortably now since the first dose of meds. I’m hoping tomorrow morning he’ll be feeling even better.

finally able to sleep soundly

finally able to sleep soundly

I’m going to take today as a rest day as well and shoot for another short run tomorrow.

So what’s new with you? Did you do anything special for National Running Day? Did you know tomorrow is National Donut Day?!!!

Hi there

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend. I feel like the weeks are flying by. The year is almost half over.
I’ve been keeping all my runs nice and short and it’s been wonderful. I even ran 3 consecutive days (Thursday thru Saturday) and was all excited about running last night for a 4th consecutive day but then the rain, thunder and lightening came and didn’t stop 🙁 So I foam rolled and did some glute and hip strengthening instead.
But this morning I still had the bug to run only it was kinda late and I needed to get ready for work. It was cool and raining so I decided to give up the 20 min I would spend to do my hair which would only become frizz anyway and replaced it with a quick 2 miles. I knew the honeysuckles had just bloomed (I could smell them when I walked Duncan earlier) and I just had to grab one!
2 miles is better than none

2 miles is better than none

I was reminded this morning why I named my pup Duncan. Because he's the same color as my (Dunkin Donuts) coffee. I just changed the spelling. But I call him Dunkin Donuts all the time.

totally random: I was reminded this morning why I named my pup Duncan. Because he’s the same color as my (Dunkin Donuts) coffee. I just changed the spelling. But I call him Dunkin Donuts all the time.

Even Duncan loves a good sweet honeysuckle

Even Duncan loves a good sweet honeysuckle

I got rained on but the visor kept it out of my eyed

I got rained on but the visor kept it out of my eyes and it was so refreshing.

happiest honeysuckle admirer

happiest honeysuckle admirer

Yup, I ran just for the honeysuckles!
This Wednesday is National Running Day and I’m going to head to our local park in the evening for the festivities. They’ll be giving out some freebies and having an evening run hosted by our local running club. And I’m SURE I’ll be surrounded by honeysuckles! I can’t wait! I can smell them already.
What’s your favorite smelling flower?
Do you ever just run a mile or 2 when you’re pinched for time?

 

Happy Weekend!

How exciting that’s it’s already the weekend again!

Thursday I worked from home and managed to get in 4 miles around lunchtime. It was hot and humid but I survived.

I overdid it on the patterns. but somehow I think I made it work =)

I overdid it on the patterns. but somehow I think I made it work =)

RANDOM: The other night there was a thunderstorm just before sunset that left this beautiful rainbow.

Sunset Rainbow!

Sunset Rainbow!

Yesterday I ran another 3 miles. It was still hot but less humid. I’m feeling so slow with my running but happy nonetheless. I love runs that are only 35-45 minutes. Just enough to sweat out the small stuff but not too much that I have no time for other things.

friday-time

warm weather running means visor time!

warm weather running means visor time!

Duncan hates the heat and humidity. He prefers to chill out inside where the air conditioning is…

how many days until Fall?

how many days until Fall?

You go for a walk. I'll stay here. mmmkay?

You go for a walk. I’ll stay here. mmmkay?

This pillow isn't fluffy enough.

This pillow isn’t fluffy enough.

And to help keep him cool (and spot ticks easier) he got a haircut yesterday. So handsome!

I smell delicious!

I smell delicious!

Today I’m headed to a first birthday party. Tomorrow I have the day all to myself with nothing on the agenda which is such a rare thing these days. I’m giddy! I can’t wait to sleep in and take the day as it comes.

Warm weather running requires a few adjustments to make it through without melting. These are the things that I do to cope:

1. Protect the peepers: I always wear sunglasses to keep the sun (and little bugs like gnats and mosquitos) out of my eyes.
2. Wear a visor or light hat: I sweat a TON and the visor or hat help keep the sweat from getting in my eyes. It also helps keep the sun out of my face which is super important because I’m petrified of the damage the sun does to my face.
3. Wear sunscreen: This is a no-brainer. I wear SPF 60 on my face 365 days a year but once the warmer weather is here and my arms and neck are exposed i slather on the stuff.
4. Wear light, loose, sweat wicking running gear: While I am not a fan of wearing shorts I’ve discovered that compression shorts (alone or with a running skirt over top) plus my new Lululemon shorts make a huge difference at keeping me cooler than my capri or leggings. Just think about how the backs of your knees sweat. Isn’t it nice to let them be free? =)
5. Hydrate! I bought these nifty ice cube trays that make long sticks that fit into a water bottle and carry my amphipod with cold water. I also tend to run routes where I know there will be water fountains. And in the city I’ll take cash with me to stop into a deli to buy water if I need.
6. Slow down: I run a whole lot slower on a hot humid day and take frequent walk breaks when I need as well. If I need to do a speed or tempo workout I’ll hit the treadmill at the gym.

What are your warm weather running tips? Or do you live in Antarctica? 

I can’t believe it’s been just about a week since I ran the New Jersey Marathon and I am finally feeling like I can walk normally! But I’m still not ready to run. I’m not even ready to do any form of cardio really. My cross training has consisted of walking with Duncan and a little mall shopping.

This morning's walk complete with coffee and the doodle

This morning’s walk complete with coffee and the doodle

Hot on the trail for a squirrel

Hot on the trail for a squirrel

I’ve still got some problem spots that started to bother me just a few days before the marathon. There’s the ankle….you know the one i’ve now injured 4 times! I can feel some mild tendonitis lingering and am being VERY careful to let it rest and not end up where I was last year. And this new issue is my hip. It’s on the same side that my knee was bothering me so I’m wondering if it’s just more quad/IT hamstring tightness that’s causing the pain but now at the top instead of down at the knee. Sigh! I don’t feel the pain sitting but I definitely feel it when walking. I’m hoping to ease into some type of exercise next week….I’ll try the stationary bike and the elliptical and see if either seems comfortable. But I’m not going to run for at least another week which is so hard to do because the weather here is perfect!

Sweet budding tree and blue skies

Sweet budding tree and blue skies

So while mall shopping I got myself some “dressy” sneakers. Since I don’t always like to wear sandals in the warmer months (especially in dirty NYC) I wanted some sneakers that were comfy but didn’t scream athletic footwear. Enter these cute Easy Spirit and Sketchers slip-ons…

They've got memory foam! LOVE

They’ve got memory foam! LOVE

My "dressy" sneakers.

Rubber sole = sneaker in my book

On another foot note  I was sent some socks from a company called Kushyfoot. While they were sent to me free of charge I am not being paid to write about them. I just really liked them and thought I’d share. They have sewn in padding right under the toes/ball of foot area. I have worn 2 different styles. One is an ultra low cut foot cover that can be worn with my new “dressy” sneakers or even ballet flats. And the other are the athletic foot cover which is like a sportier “sockier” version.

Kushyfoot-polkadot

Their packaging is a little dated looking but I like the socks.

polka-toe-covers

I love that nobody will know i’ve got these cuties on under my shoes.

Kushyfoot-toepadding

This is a close up of the padding. It REALLY helps with my metatarsal neuroma issue under my middle toe.

kushyfoot-bottom

Can you “spot” the padding?

Kushyfoot-athletic

Athletic foot covers….

kushyfoot-atheltic2So while my body continues it’s marathon recovery resting period I’ll enjoy comfy feet. Duncan is happy to join me resting up.

We walked for a half hour and then he slept for 3 hours #typical

We walked for a half hour and then he slept for 3 hours #typical

I’m looking forward to feeling better and being active again. In the meantime I’m reminding myself how important it is to listen to my body. Hopefully I don’t continue mall shopping for cross-training because I won’t be able to afford it. 🙂

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend.

What are your most comfortable shoes?

Do you love shoes that you can’t wear because of foot problems?
I need to have a roomy toe-box so I can’t really wear ballet flats.