Figured I share some of the highlights of this past week and weekend.
Monday and Tuesday must have been fairly uneventful because I have no photos from the day :). Wednesday felt like a Spring day with temps reaching 63 so of course I took Duncan to the park.
Duncan and the sunshine
I went on another night hike as it’s now become my routine Wednesday night. We covered about 4 1/2 miles in about an hour and a half. But lots of elevation!
Thursday we had a snow storm. I slept over Mr. SOTSS’ the night before so we could ride out the storm together which really means take the dogs for some snow fun.
Lots of snow can’t distract Chester from wanting to play with his ball
I love this picture!
oops blinked!
The repercussions of snowplay
My view at sunset after the snow storm with an almost full moon
It seems I’ve turned into a once-a-week blogger and I hope you’re ok with that. I just can’t seem to find the time (to check in more frequently). I’ve also become a once-a-weeker in running and hiking too. I’m trying to fix my hamstring (and now hip!) issues by easing up on anything too strenuous more than once or twice a week and adding in 2 scheduled rehab days of lots of hip and glute strengthening exercise and foam rolling until my fascia is happy. I’m currently trying to rehab on my own but I might be making an appointment to see a sports injury doc soon if I can’t make progress.
A much less strenous activity last week was taking the Staten Island Ferry into the city last Tuesday to meet some former coworkers for some much needed cocktails and conversation. The view of the NYC skyline really never gets old….especially in the early evening when the sun has just set.
It was FREEZING on the outer deck but I couldn’t take the picture through a dirty window now could I? 🙂
So these night hikes have led to meeting some new people who like running on the trails as well as hiking. Yesterday morning I met up with a couple of them for 4.25 miles. And, my next run will be next Saturday so that works out!
I love trails that are just named by colors. Easy to remember
when you discover a random chimney ruin in the woods you take a picture in front of it
Mr. SOTSS and I had some fun with his girls this weekend doing some “candy chemistry”. We watched what happened when you drop Mentos candy into a bottle of diet cola.
A video posted by Sally Stilwell (@sweatoutthesmallstuff) on
Oh and I signed up for another race…. I’ll be running the Spring Lake 5 miler Memorial Day weekend. After spectating in 2014 and 2015, I ran it last year. It was hot! Anyway, I’m excited to run again and have some yummy brunch after with friends.
Duncan and I did plenty of exploring in the woods last week too.
So you hike these trails in the dark ma? How can you see any squirrels?
And I got a bee in my bonnet to do my hair straight this weekend. But only for a day.
And just a couple of cute dog pics to share before I sign off:
cute dog on couch #1
cute dog on couch #2
Tell me what’s new in your life. Any good news to share?
Happy New Year! Are you ready to attack 2017? It’s going to be full of change for me but more on that in another post.
I finished out 2016 with a couple of fun activities.
Night Hike: Last Wednesday I decided to join a local group for a night hike. We hiked over 6 miles and it was really fun. I thought I’d be scared of tripping and falling but our headlamps gave plenty of light and the trails are really well maintained. They meet every week and they also have a group of trail runners out there too. Maybe I’ll get the courage to try the running at some point this year.
Headlamps and smiles
Holiday City Run: Saturday morning (New Year’s Eve morning) I went into the city to meet some running friends—Lisa, Gary and Mike—for our holiday windows run.
We started here
We didn’t run past as many department store windows as usual but still stopped to see the tree at Rockafeller Center, Bryant Park and we discovered another really beautiful tree at a random hotel on Madison Ave.
Barneys
Saks 5th Ave
Bryant Park
Another shot from Bryant Park
Rockafeller tree and the gang
I take this exact shot every year.
We made a quick stop into St. Patrick’s Cathedral to say a prayer/light a candle
These oversized ornaments are a classic over the years
We also ran into Times Square as they were preparing for the big New Year’s Eve ball drop shenannigans. There were already people who had gone through security and were “in position” at 9am! This is crazy to me. They basically were going to be spending 15 more hours just standing there until midnight. And no opportunity to exit. No bathrooms. It was really cold. I just think that’s nuts. They did however have bags with snacks. #priorities
All ready for the insanity
Roads closed. You NEVER see Times Square without cars.
New Year’s Eve: I had a quiet evening at Mr. SOTSS’s on New Year’s eve with Duncan, Casey (it was my last night of dog-sitting her) and Chester. I almost didn’t make it until midnight.
Mr. SOTSS, Casey, me, Duncan and Chester….
Not at all interested in staying up until the ball drops
I leaned over the couch to reach for something on the sofa table and Duncan jumped up to get comfy. He’s a riot and a half
New Year’s Day:Â After dropping Casey off, we took Duncan and Chester to our favorite park so they could get some exercise.
Duncan decided to roll around in some sort of animal poo and I had to give him a bath when we got home. I really don’t understand why dogs like to roll in stinky things.
Hey ma! I’m having a blast and I even rolled in something really stinky!
Hoping 2017 is filled with lots of this
We also painted Mr. SOTSS’ bathroom. He started remodeling his bathroom 2 years ago. It’s been a slow process because he hardly gets free time but the tiling is all done and now it’s painted.
I volunteered to do all the edging
Classic subway tile and “country house” blue
It’s been really rainy here the last two days. I got some work done while Duncan kept me company. Not much different from 2016 🙂 I finally went to the mall to power-walk just to get my 10,000 steps.
my “office”
I’m always optimistic at the beginning of a new year. So far I’m on day 2 of trying to drink more water and track my food. I’m not ready to say I’m on a diet but I just want to start being aware of what I’m eating each day.
Are you a resolutions person?
Have you ever hiked at night? I had run at night during my Ragnar Relay events but never hiking on trails before.
Have you ever wanted to or been to Times Square on New Year’s Eve?
I’m getting ready to to clean out my home office and dump a lot of stuff. And since it’s Wednesday I decided “humpday dumpday” would be a cute post title. I also feel a little like humpty dumpty after eating so much this weekend.
I’m still dog-sitting for Casey but we brought the party to my house this week. I can’t tell you how happy I was to sleep in my own bed after 5 nights. Duncan is being a gracious guest and letting Casey sit in his favorite spot and play with his new toys. So proud of him.
it’s tangle….i mean walk time
Everyone likes my bed
Gracious Duncan
I’ve been sticking to my decision to skip out on running for the remainder of the year. But I just made plans to run with my friends on Saturday morning which is still technically 2016. Oh well, I’m giving myself a pass because it’s our run through the city to see the Rockefeller tree and department store windows. It’s tradition and I couldn’t miss it. Here’s my post from 2014 and 2015 which ended up being just Lisa and I. Today I walked a bit. Mr. SOTSS got me this new Garmin Vivofit for Christmas since mine broke at the beginning of October so I can get back to tracking my steps. Speaking of Christmas, it was very lovely. We got to spend time and exchange gifts with his girls on the eve and then we exchanged with each other on the day. I got some pretty gloves too from his dad’s wife.
the hearts are touch sensitive so i can use my phone
Always my favorite present
I also just made a last minute decision to join a local group for a night hike in the woods. I’m off to get batteries for my headlamp. I’ve never hiked in the dark. And I think it’s supposed to be about 5 miles. This should be interesting. I’ll fill you in on how it went next post.
Hope you all had a lovely holiday (or non-holiday) weekend.
What’s new? Anyone feel like the last week of the year always feel so out of sorts?Â
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