T.G.I.F!!!!

First, remember I told you about my friend Pete who has run 14 consecutive NYC Marathons? Well our local paper did a piece on him. You can read it here. And if you scroll through the photo slideshow you’ll see the last photo is the one I took of him last Sunday! =)

Tomorrow I’m running the Trenton Half Marathon in Trenton, NJ. It will be my 6th and final half marathon of the year. Crazy to think that last year I ran 11 half marathons!

I was originally going to let my friend Jane grab my race bib at the expo since it’s just over an hour’s drive from my house but the other day my dad asked if I could take him to his mechanic to pick up his mid-life crisis car which is pretty far into New Jersey. I took a look at the map and saw that the expo was about 30 miles from the mechanic and figured while I was in New Jersey i might as well just head there myself. Then I saw that I’d be traveling along a route that runs parallel to the Delaware/Raritan Canal towpath. I’ve always wanted to check it out since it’s 77 miles of (mostly) paved path that would make a great long run route and bike route as well. So I made a plan and the plan involved taking the doodle.

back seat doodle

We hit the road at 9am. Duncan was a gentleman and sat in the back so my dad could sit shot gun. By 10:15am we dropped off my dad and then Duncan jumped up front.

Co-pilot

About 20 minutes later we made our first stop in Stockton, NJ where I let him off the leash and stretch his legs.

Yippee!

Bull’s Island

Rt 29

Then we stopped in Lambertville where I got gas. The gas attendant gave Duncan some head scratches and a biscuit!

broken biscuit

And then we took a lovely stroll along the towpath in the most magical spot.

so scenic it almost looks fake

Duncan met a new friend, Max

Duncan and Max

And I just took in the view

Pretty as a picture

Delaware/Raritan Canal

Next thing I knew it was 11:45am so we jumped back in the car and continued the last 20 minutes until we reached Trenton where I literally walked into the expo, grabbed my bib # and shirt and walked out in a whopping 3 minutes and 27 seconds.

In….

….and out!

I really like the shirt for so many reasons:

1. it’s a women’s fit, not unisex.
2. It’s long sleeve with a v-neck which is my favorite!
3. It’s heather gray and I don’t own a single tech shirt in gray.
4. The design on the back is really cool and unexpected.

Shirt, race # and nifty gel hot/cold pack

back of the shirt

A total last minute plan really came together. And now I’m home resting up and planning on what winter gear to break out. It’s going to be 40 degrees at the start. Not terrible but maybe, just maybe a pair of throwaway gloves might make an appearance =)

As far as goals for tomorrow? I just want to finish with a smile on my face and no injuries. I’ll be sporting my knee brace again and probably taking lots of pictures. To be honest, I think I’m more excited for the post-race celebratory lunch with my friends. But I’m also looking forward to a relaxed run with no pressure.

On a totally different subject, today is a special date. 16 years ago on this day (way before I became a runner) I was a bride. I posted this picture (and caption) to my Instagram today.

I was a bride on this day 16 years ago. I was a widow 5 months later. My life is so wonderful and full of love again today but I will always remember the love that built me and the loss that changed me.

Have a great weekend!

Anyone else have a special date to celebrate or acknowledge this weekend? Anyone racing?

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