Ah man! With National Running Day, then National Donut Day, now I want to celebrate more!!! Let’s just celebrate that I made it in to work today 😉
It’s Monday and it’s raining and I got to bed really late (we’re talking 3am!) after going out with friends to a concert last night.
Sevendust @ the Starland Ballroom — Photo @ C. Cerzosie
But I had my coffee so I’ll live 🙂
Ironically it’s the travel mug I got when I “graduated” from physical therapy last time I had ankle tendonitis. I need to go back! Hoping foot doc says I can when I see her on Wednesday. I remember this stage all too well. The foot is like 80 percent better but it needs some deep massage, ultrasound treatment and strengthening now more than ever. And I hope they still give these mugs as graduation gifts because it’s the only one that never leaks on me. I’d love to get a second.
Duncan wasn’t thrilled with this rainy Monday either.
Yesterday I got in another 8.5 miles on the bike. Apparently i was on a peaceful bike route 🙂
Bike path for peace!
While I was riding I passed this parked car:
eyelashes on the headlights. LOL!
Yes, those are eyelashes on the headlights of this car. Hysterical!
It was a real summer day yesterday with temps in the 80s so after my bike ride I decided to wash the car. It was so dirty I was embarrassed to take it to a car wash.
Duncan was just chillin’ in the shade enjoying the mist from the hose as it floated his way.
Ah! Life IS good!
Not to mention since I didn’t get all the dead bees off from that crazy experience a couple of weeks ago I had to pull out the big guns to remove them buggers from the headlights and grill.
Well today makes 30 days without running. I go back to the foot doc on Wednesday. I’m hoping she lets me ease back into running. I’m in the bargaining stage. Just let me run 1X per week for the next 2 weeks so I can complete the two 10Ks I’ve registered for! =)
Did you have coffee yet today? Are you a coffee drinker?
Happy Friday! And happy National Donut Day!! Not gonna lie this might even be better than National Running Day. It’s also Flashback Friday which made me think back toMay of 2011, when my running peeps and I did Ragnar (Relay) New England from Connecticut to Boston mainly because of this pic.
Hello Massachussets
I needed a donut after literally running across the state border from Connecticut to Massachussets. And you know there are only a few million Dunkin Donuts in Massachusetts right?!
about to step into Massachussets
Last night my running friend Elvia came to sleep over. She had a two-day seminar that’s right near my house so after the first day was complete she arrived at my house and her first order of business was to take a selfie with Duncan.
Cheese! Thanks Elvia for the photo.
Then we went to the park and she ran 5 miles while I biked along side. I did an extra mile as I would go ahead and then back track here and there. I didn’t get much of a cardio workout in but I kept it in high gear and toughed it up the hills for a nice burn on those thighs. After, we hit up Panera Bread for some dinner and then after chit chatting a bit hit the sack. We got up at 5:15 this morning and went back to the same park. But I swapped the bike for Duncan so Duncan and I walked and ELVIA ran another 3.
Duncan would get so excited to see Elvia every time she lapped us.
It’s always so much easier to get up early when you have a partner in crime. It was nice to have some mid-week fun with Elvia and she was grateful to have a place to crash so she wouldn’t have to sit in so much traffic traveling to and from her seminar.
Oh, and I forgot to tell you….yesterday I coaxed a pal into going to IHOP with me as I wanted to try their blueberry cannoli pancakes.
They weren’t that good 🙁 The “cannoli cream” was just a dollop of ricotta cheese on top. Eh. I’ve had better. Next time I’ll try the Jelly Donut ones…
I’m excited for another super-chill weekend with a superb forecast for the next 2 days too. Although I can’t believe how this 40 year old is getting so many aches and pains lately. I’m assuming that biking is just awakening muscles that have been dormant for awhile. First it was the front of my quad up toward the groin, then today i started to feel a pinched nerve in the back of my neck/shoulder blade area. Right at this very moment I’m sort of stuck only able to look straight ahead. I think I lean forward too much on the handlebars of the bike….and I know I’m still tense so that’s probably where that came from. I’ve been trying to steer clear of any and all pain maskers (like advil or tylenol) just to be in tune with how the tendonitis is doing (which I have to say is really WAY better!!!!) but I’ll try and have a glass or two 3 of wine tonight and maybe use a heating pad or something. If I remain so creeky we’re going to have to change this blog to Decrepit Runner or Dilapidated Runner or maybe Ache Out the small stuff.
I remember in my 20s and even early 30s when a holiday weekend would come I’d look forward to sleeping late and sitting on the couch. That doesn’t happen anymore.
I got up at 6:30 a.m. and after a quick breakfast and a walk with the dog I put the bike in the car and drove down to the beach to really test out my new wheels (and my bike riding confidence). More »
I have a new profound gratitude for spectators—it’s hard work!
This morning the doodle and I were up and on the road by 5:45am to head down to the Spring Lake 5 Miler in Spring Lake, NJ. We met up with Lisa and her cousin Bill who lives nearby and then walked a few blocks to meet up with Elvia, Colleen and Luie.
the first time i’ve ever been in a pre-race photo wearing jeans lol! (Thanks Elvia for the pic)
I stopped quick to pick up my tech shirt and commemorative glass. Hey! I might not have been able to run or get a medal but i did pay for this race and the swag that goes with it right? =)
Spring Lake 5 Swag
A few minutes before the race started Duncan and I skooched out to the first few hundred feet past the starting line so once the race started we could see everyone before scooting up a few blocks to wait for them at mile 3. (I kinda like that I used “skooched” and “scooting” in the same sentence.)
The cutest, furriest spectator just patiently waiting to see some of his favorite runners…
cutest spectator ever!
Well the start was successful. I snapped a few shots of the first group of runners passing by…
Then I saw Lisa and Bill, and while I was calling out for them Elvia saw me. So i snapped this pic of her and managed to get Lisa and Bill in the background (although they didn’t see me or know i was taking the pic). Spectator lesson #1: Call out to your runner by their name and SHOUT IT for best outcome. I had a moment of panic when I saw Lisa and Bill and all I could do was say “Hey! Hi! Let me take your picture”. Only problem was I didn’t say ” HEY LISA, HEY BILL”. LOL! Luckily at least Elvia saw me.
There they are!
Once they ran past, Duncan and I walked up a few blocks and got a good spot at the 3 mile mark to try to see them. Now when we arrived the lead male hadn’t even arrived yet so it was pretty empty. I set myself up on the outside of the turn so that I’d be able to get a good view as the runners turned the corner. Spectator lesson #2: Be specific to which side of the road you’ll be. I didn’t even think to discuss this with them and needless to say I missed EVERYONE!
Strangers at mile 3
I watched the front runners fly by, then the middle of the pack and then the back of the pack…. Finally I noticed the time. It was 9:11am. They started about 8:35. Surely they must have passed. With a bit of disappointment I decided Duncan and I better just head to the finish to catch them. But as we were about 2 blocks away I realized getting through the crowds of runners who had finished, especially with Duncan in tow, would be rather challenging. Just at that moment I got a text from Lisa that they had finished and were coming down the chute so I just stayed put. Spectator lesson #3: Pay attention to the time! I was so focused on making sure I had my camera at the ready I didn’t pay attention to my watch.
Good thing they found ME!!
Congrats to the cousins
Running Peepettes
It really was cool to be in the shoes of a spectator this morning for sure.
the spectator duo! (thanks Elvia for the pic
I don’t think I ever noticed how each runner has their own unique running form. And I enjoyed hearing one mom telling her small children to look out for daddy who should be passing by any minute. It’s a great thing when kids can be inspired by their parents healthy and active sport. I really was thrilled to have Duncan with me. He was quite a magnet and attracted many pet friendly people to give him some love.
When you really want to participate in something you just have to find a way to do it even if it isn’t in the way you wanted. I came home feeling happy. Just as happy as if I had run. Running races isn’t always about the actual running part….the social and energetic elements of race day were still there for me! And then the best thing happened. Lisa gave me her turkey sub sandwich (the race is sponsored by Jersey Mike’s Subs) Thank you Lisa for not only being a vegetarian but gluten free too leaving no chance in hell you could eat that sandwich!). So on the drive home duncan and I split it and all that remained was this little piece of lettuce…
little lettuce leftover
After an early rise and 3 hours on my feet Duncan and I chilled on the couch for a few hours before heading back out this afternoon for a walk at the park. It started to rain within minutes of walking but we kept going and walked an hour.
is this just pathetic or adorable or both?
My ankle pain, weakness and soreness comes and goes randomly from hour to hour lately so while I was walking this afternoon it actually felt pretty good but this morning it was achy. And now I’m icing it!!!! Not that I’m counting but its’ now been 14 days since I last ran.
Hope you are having a relaxing weekend.
Any spectator failure stories? Any spectator tips?
Well today makes 30 days without running. I go back to the foot doc on Wednesday. I’m hoping she lets me ease back into running. I’m in the bargaining stage. Just let me run 1X per week for the next 2 weeks so I can complete the two 10Ks I’ve registered for! =)
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