Sometimes I just can’t be creative with my post titles. So, here are some Friday Favorites:

  1. Inspirational: You must read about these 7 inspirational Boston Marathon stories. That Jeff Bauman and his wife…..they are my heroes!
  2. Happy Chicken: I ran 4 miles Wednesday and was so happy about my decision to chicken out of my NJ Marathon goals because I was struggling so much that I most definitely would have been grouchy had I been trying to keep a certain pace. I think I ran too soon after a big meal and after today’s run I also think the seasonal allergies are getting to me.wed-run
  3. Capris: Yep, I ran again yesterday.
    Testing out the Saucony Bullet capris

    Testing out the Saucony Bullet capris

    The sole purpose was to give my new running capris a test. I went ahead with the Saucony Bullet capri recco (Thanks Steph!) and they fit great! They didn’t budge one bit. And I LOVE the side mesh pockets that are big enough to hold my iPhone 6 and fuel. I might be able to lose the spi-belt for races if I wear these. The only issue is that I sweat so much. I’ll have to get a waterproof case for my phone. In the 3 miles I ran with it the camera lens got all wet since it’s the only part of the side of the phone facing my thigh that isn’t protected by the case. But the phone stayed put and I didn’t even feel it. I picked the pattern over solid because I saw a review that said if you sweat a lot it will look like you peed yourself. LOL. I have to say the pattern does a great job of masking that.

    Photo on 4-21-16 at 5.08 PM

    This big iPhone 6 fits in the pocket.

    Photo on 4-21-16 at 5.09 PM

    Ta-dah!

  4. Freshly Groomed: Duncan went to the groomer and upon returning home exhausted he grabbed his corn on the cob toy and proceeded to take it to bed for an afternoon siesta. I love how he picked a color coordinating toy.

    sleeps with yellow things

    sleeps with yellow things

  5. Seeing Duncan’s Pal: Before the groomer we walked at the park and bumped into Chance, the boxer, Duncan’s pal. We haven’t seen Chance in at least 6 months and I think his tongue grew a few inches.

    This is Chance and his ridiculous tongue

    This is Chance and his ridiculous tongue

  6. Talking About Running: I was interviewed for a podcast series this week and it should be out next week. I’ll share all the details as soon as I get them. Stay tuned! Spoiler alert: I admit to wanting to run another 5 half marathons in 5 days in 5 states like I did at the Center of the Nation Series.
  7. Honeysuckles: They’re starting to come out—earlier than usual—but I’m not complaining.IMG_2538
  8. Sunsets: Especially when the create a glowing doodle tail.
    he's glowing

    he’s glowing

    What are your Friday Favorites?

I was doing laundry earlier and thought about how erratic the weather’s been lately as I washed everything from light short sleeve T-shirts and heavy fleece pullovers. I was running in 79 degree weather just last week and then just a few days later running with wind chills in the 20s. Today it’s in the 60s but this weekend we’re supposed to get more freezing temps. I guess the life lesson here is just learn to be flexible about ups and downs.

Trying to be flexible with his cone of shame. Poor little fella is really getting frustrated

Trying to be flexible with his cone of shame. Poor little fella is really getting frustrated

I should have gone out for a recovery run on Monday since I spent most of the day sitting after completing the Cherry Blossom 10 miler on Sunday—but it poured down rain all day and I just couldn’t get myself to go. So by the time I set out for an easy recovery run on Tuesday I was tight, sore and stiff, especially in the hamstrings and hip flexors. It was super cold and windy and actually felt worse than it did on Sunday so I was happy to just get in 4ish miles and come inside to warm up.

The cow tattoo still holding strong 24 hours later

The cow tattoo still holding on 24 hours later and my “lucky” 11:11 pace required a wish for sure.

Yesterday I ran another 4 since my workload was light and I had the time. Another cold and windy one.

Forgot about this Adidas hat of mine. I love it. It's got a nice short bill.

Forgot about this Adidas hat of mine. I love it. It’s got a nice short bill.

4 is the new 3 for me lately.

4 is the new 3 for me lately.

There might be one more short run before the Philly Love Run half on Sunday. Otherwise I’ll enjoy the rest and hope that it results in fresh legs for Sunday. I’ve run this race twice before. The first year (2014) I set a huge PR and it was POURING RAIN!!! You can read my recap here. Last year I was still recovering from my wonky knee and just wanted to get through it in one piece. Ironically I had time to realize that the course wasn’t as flat as I thought. It made me relish in the prior year’s PR even more. There is a HUGE hill at mile 6 and another hill at mile 8.

love-run-map

Duncan and I are hoping the next week flies. We’re halfway through his cone/stitches recovery. We ventured out in public and he’s been getting better adapting so that he can play with his toys.

Work it

Work it

Squirrels better not be making fun of me...

Squirrels better not be making fun of me…

How has your week been?

Ever been to Philly?

Ever PR at a race with a huge hill?

Ever run in the pouring rain?

Well, I planned to post on St. Paddy’s Day to tell you all how lucky I felt even though I’m not Irish but then I got requests from 3 clients for graphic design work. Ironically that’s part of why I feel so lucky. Freelance life can be scary and I’m still unsure how long I can make this last but for now I’ve got a few more months of bills covered thanks to these new assignments.odoodlesIn other non-running news, Duncan and I both got haircuts and blowouts…

blowout-twins

I had a meeting in the city Wednesday morning with curls and got my haircut later that afternoon.

Curls to start the day...

Curls to start the day…

And then after 15 minutes walking outside just before a thunderstorm the pin straight became loose waves.

a little humidity is all it takes

a little humidity is all it takes

I also took Duncan to the vet. He’s got a lump on his chest that I was concerned about.

Chillin' out in the waiting area at the vet

Chillin’ out in the waiting area at the vet

The groomer mentioned to me that it felt like it got bigger so I decided to have the vet tell me what it was. 90 percent chance it’s a benign fatty tumor called a lipoma. We’ll check it again in May when he goes for some routine shots. Vet said he would biopsy it if it got larger. Needless to say after the good news I bought him a toy for waiting almost an hour in the waiting room at the vet’s.
duncan-zebra

So after my lucky 11:11 paced run last Tuesday, I ran again on Thursday and boy was I happy when my 10:40 pace felt relatively easy.
zippy-miles

And today I got in my long run which was the first double digit run I’ve completed since running the NYC Marathon last November!

Enjoying the last of the blowout.

Enjoying the last of the blowout.

This just might be the last of winter running gear days for me

Speaking of “lasts” this just might be the last of winter running gear days for me

Yay! Double digits!

Yay! Double digits!

It was in the 30s but the Daffodils have already sprung up. We might get snow tomorrow. Hopefully they will survive

It was in the 30s but the Daffodils have already sprung up. We might get snow tomorrow. Hopefully they will survive

The first 5 miles were fine but the second 5 were really hard. I had an attitude adjustment though and didn’t beat myself up over it. Frankly this SHOULD feel hard. It’s been 5 months since I ran double digits. I’ve lost a lot of long-distance fitness through the winter and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was busy skiing, snow tubing, snow shoeing, sledding, hiking and running shorter distances this winter. But now I’m ready for my Spring races, I’m ready to build up my mileage.

Well I better sign off. I’m headed out to see Mr. SOTSS and his family. His daughter is performing with her choral group in a concert. Have a great weekend and enjoy these adorable photos of Duncan before you go…

stretch

stretch

stole my pillow

stole my pillow

not amused

not amused

When he looks at me like this i melt

When he looks at me like this i melt

Fresh from the groomer

Fresh from the groomer

Are you excited for Spring? Have any Spring races on your calendar? Doing anything fun this weekend?

Hey ho!

So the bricks on my feet have gotten a bit lighter. I’m still feeling sluggish but definitely not like that 7 miler this past Friday.

I ran 4.5 miles around Mr. SOTSS’ neighborhood on Sunday and while the pace was similar my effort level was way less.

similar pace but way less effort

similar pace but way less effort

I was also excited to see some signs of Spring.

Purple crocuses popping up!

Purple crocuses popping up!

We took the dogs for a stroll in the woods too.

this tree stump spoke to me

this tree stump spoke to me

who's coming and who's going

who’s coming and who’s going

Duncan has been perfecting his posing on the stairs this week.

curled like a cat

curled like a cat

half sit half stand

half sit half stand

When I came home from Mr. SOTSS’ house I realized I grabbed his earbuds on accident. They were all tangled on his kitchen counter and I just scooped them up. Luckily he has an extra pair and hasn’t dumped me over this. 🙂

not my proudest moment

not my proudest moment

I ran another 4 this morning.

11:11 pace...make a wish

11:11 pace…make a wish

Today I hit the magical 11:11 average pace when I walked in the door it was exactly 11:11. Double wishes!

Do you make wishes at 11:11? I’ve been doing this since high school.

IMG_1725