Back to back windy runs

07. April 2016 · 2 comments · Categories: labradoodle, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

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?

Related posts:

  1. Sickness happens
  2. Bring on the Rain and a Hamstrain
  3. What a weekend

A good run

23. March 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: running · Tags: , , , ,

Hello,

Hope you are all safe and sound. Working from home does have its drawbacks. When there’s a terrible global event (yesterday’s terrorist attack on the airport and metro in Brussels) there is constant news coverage. I was sick and full of anxiety and sadness all before starting my day. I handled a couple of urgent work tasks and then headed out for a run to get away from the television.

It turned out to be a really good run.

A good run

A good run

I really have no idea what I did differently. Only thing I can think of is that now that I’ve reached 10 miles for the long run the weekday runs that are 3-4 miles will just inherently feel easier.

Maybe it was my lucky PR shirt. I wore this shirt when I PR'ed at the 2014 NJ Marathon

Maybe it was my lucky PR shirt. I wore this shirt when I PR’ed at the 2014 NJ Marathon

Sunday I went to this fun trampoline place called Sky Zone with Mr. SOTSS and his oldest daughter. It was so much fun. I bounced a lot. We got a kick out of my hair during the slow mo.

Monday morning I woke up to the first full day of Spring with a blanket of snow.

IMG_1874It was so pretty but within a few hours it had all melted. Monday also marked 7 years since the day I picked up Duncan at 11 weeks old. Crazy!

On the drive home from western PA. I drove 8 hours round trip to get this munchkin

On the drive home from western PA. I drove 8 hours round trip to get this munchkin

And 7 years later he’s still attached at the hip (or maybe i’m attached to his hip.)

hipsters

hipsters

He is so good in the car. Just relaxes until we pull into the driveway and I tell him “we’re home”.

Well, I’ve got a busy day so I’m off to work.work.work.

Happy Humpday.

How was your last run? 3 fun things happening in your life right now.

Related posts:

  1. Mt Snow Vermont ski weekend recap plus healthy car snack options
  2. Meh
  3. I made a noodleless lasagna and a PRO Compression giveaway

Lucky Me—10 miles

19. March 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: labradoodle, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

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?

Related posts:

  1. In the meantime
  2. Nautical themed race medal holder
  3. My goals for the NYC Marathon

Running pace vs effort

16. March 2016 · 2 comments · Categories: labradoodle, running · Tags: , , ,

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

 

Related posts:

  1. Bring on the Rain and a Hamstrain
  2. In the meantime
  3. Hey hey hey today was the Queens 10k
« Older articles
Newer articles »