Hi and Happy Monday!

I’ve been thinking more about my goals for 2017 and in addition to wanting to run with friends for that “conversational pace” at least once a month I also want to PR in the 5k. The reason behind this one is that I really want to be able to run just one time with Mr. SOTSS during a race. He agreed to slow down to a 9 minute pace for me if I can speed up to it. My current PR is 9:12 average pace so I just need to shave 12 seconds per mile from that.

This past weekend we ran the Big Chill 5k and while I wasn’t trying to run hard I ended up feeling good and finished in 30:11 (a 9:39 average pace per mile).

I love the long sleeve shirts they give. I now have 3 and use them for pajamas

This was my 3rd time running the race and about the 8th time for Mr. SOTSS. It’s an awesome charity event. The “entry fee” is an unwrapped toy valued at $15 or more.

entry fee toys

In 2014 I had to walk it because I had a sprained ankle. And last year I ran about a minute faster than this year finishing in 29 minutes. The entire morning was great except that Jane and her hubby weren’t there this year. But I did see my friend Amy quickly before and after.

The gymnasium at Rutgers University was packed with runners checking in. The back wall is all the toys donated

I ran behind some elves

After the race we went for breakfast and I was so happy for a cup of coffee because the cup I made before leaving the house in the morning had to get tossed thanks to some curdled cream….boo!

coffee…YES!

Other than the race Mr. SOTSS watched me put up my tree this weekend.

Keeping me company while I decorate my tree

My newest ornament from my trip to Banff in September 🙂

My tree is up!

We took the dogs for a few great walks in the park.

happy Chester

me and my shadow….and my love and his shadow

I wonder if I look as happy as him when I run

We also went to a convention in Atlantic City for business but but enjoyed a nice meal and time away for a quick overnight. And I won $100 on the slots in the casino! Woot woot!

pub food…yum!

$100 payout in the casino and an overnight away with my sweets…. #winning

How was your weekend? 

Hi. I’m back from a 4-day weekend getaway in the Adirondacks.

Mr SOTSS and I (and Duncan and Chester too!) took a road trip.

my lap-mate

Chester napping in the back

Since we had the dogs (and since I get hangry if I don’t stop to eat during any drive more than 3 hours) we stopped in Kingston, NY on the drive up for a little lunch. We spotted this great spot with outdoor seating which was perfect since we had the dogs in tow.

We arrived at the Trout House Village Resort in the late afternoon. It’s on the northern part of Lake George in Hague, NY and offers many individual log cabins, as well as a more traditional inn. Pet friendly too! We stayed in one of the log cabins called the “Ethan Allen Patio”.

Our digs

at the park adjacent to the resort

Being silly at the park 🙂

Duncan loves benches

After getting the car unpacked and walking the dogs, we headed up to Ticonderoga (about 15 min away) to the WalMart for some groceries to stock the cabin which had a full kitchen. And we saw not one but 2 different rainbows!

One of our favorite walking destinations was this little park on the lake

Rainbow 1

Rainbow 2

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I’m just enjoying life as best as I can lately. I have a lot on my plate these days and my goal is just to try and keep my mindset in a Zen, happy place. Nobody wants a Scrooge around right? Here are 5 things to keep me happy lately:

1. Running: Of course! I ran on Friday around the neighborhood for an easy 3 miles. Saturday was a special run. It was the Big Chill 5k held on the campus of Rutgers University. Over 8,000 runners and walkers donate toys as their registration fee and then run. I got to see Jane and Mr. SOTSS ran as well.
   

   Me and Jane

   

   The entire back wall eventually is totally filled with donated toys

   

   Me and Mr. SOTSS….It was super sunny and I was squinting just a tad.

   While I didn’t pay the extra fee for a timing chip, my Garmin let me know that I ran a 9:26 pace and finished in 29 minutes! That’s pretty unbelievable considering A. I’ve been so slow lately and B. there were so many walkers to dodge and weave that I for sure wasn’t able to run freely leaving me to believe that my time would be much slower.In addition to running I also registered for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler lottery. It’s a very popular race held in Washington D.C. in April. After the Big Chill, Mr. SOTSS and I joined Jane and her posse for breakfast and we made the decision to enter the lottery. I’m looking forward to it if I get in. I want 2016 to be the year I run lots of shorter distances and 10 miles has always been a favorite distance of mine yet I’ve never run an actual 10 mile race.

2. Getting in the Holiday Spirit: Yup, I put up my tree and decorated a little outside while Duncan napped. That’s about right.
   

   Woke up for the picture

   Boy do I enjoy revealing all my ornaments each year that have been in hibernation for a year. And I had a new ornament to put up. The one I bought as a souvenir from my trip to Jamaica this past summer.Each ornament brings back warm fuzzy feelings. Totally made me happy.

   

   Why yes! May ALL your miles be merry =)

   

   Running chick!

   

   marathon ornament

   

   Doodle ornament

   

   My cute lil snowman

   

3. Spending quality time with my honey: We spent lots of quality time this weekend which culminated in a lovely hike today with the dogs.
   

   The boys in my life

   

   Even though it’s December it is still officially Autumn. 50s and sunny.

   And speaking of doggies….

4. Cute doggies!: I’ve had to do a large amount of freelance work today and seeing them cuddled so cute around me makes me happy.
5. Family dinner: This past Thursday my mom and dad had me over for dinner and homemade apple crisp. It felt really good to tell them all of the things in my life lately….the good, the bad and the ugly. They are so supportive and just want me to be happy….so….I’ll try as hard as I can to keep this mindset that way.

So how was your weekend? Can you tell me 5 things that have made you happy lately?