Hello September

07. September 2016 · 4 comments · Categories: recreational fun, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , ,

Well hello September!

I can’t believe it’s already September 6th! (and will probably will be 7th by time this post goes up!)

Thanks everyone who commented on the poll in my last post.

I ended up super busy with work last Thursday and Friday but of course I couldn’t ignore Duncan’s sad face stare and took him both days for walks at the park. Yep, he’s spoiled. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I'm busy working and he's busy er, dreaming

I’m busy working and he’s busy er, dreaming

too much squirrel chasing on a hot day means napping on the drive home

too much squirrel chasing on a hot day means napping the entire drive home. I took this pic right after I pulled into my driveway.

walkin....as we do

walkin….as we do

I love when I snap a mid-lip-licking pic. (that was hard to type!)

I love when I snap a mid-lip-licking pic. (that was hard to type!)

Another trip to the park

Another trip to the park

I also got a run in on Thursday evening. I waited for dusk hoping I wouldn’t struggle as much in the heat. I love the way my car looks at dusk. It’s really a charcoal gray color but it looks purplish when the sun sets.

Always reminded of how to live my life by my doormat

Always reminded of how to live my life by my doormat

Friday night I packed up and drove over to Mr. SOTSS’ house for the 3-day holiday (Labor Day) weekend. We had a list of things to accomplish and managed to get them all done! One of the things on the list was a long run along the course of the Staten Island Half Marathon that we’ll both be running next month. On October 9th I’ll be running it for the 10th consecutive year! It was my very first half marathon back in 2007 and I am excited to continue the streak. But I know from last year that the course now includes a fairly large hill at mile 9 and I thought it’d be a good idea for us to run it in training. Mr. SOTSS ran 8 miles with the hill being the last 1/2 mile of it and I ran 7. Close to where we’ll actually be running it on race day.

mr-sotss-hill

That’s Mr. SOTSS making his way up the hill! He’s faster than me but I ran a mile less so we finished our runs pretty much at the same time 🙂

vz-bridge-2 vz-bridge-hill long-run-7

Sunday morning I made us some pancakes. Mr. SOTSS had to work much of the day and I had some work to do as well so our day was spent mostly at our computers. pancakes

Sunday night we drove to Pier Village in Long Branch, NJ along the “Jersey Shore” to get a fix of the sounds of the ocean and watch the sun set. With Tropical Storm Hermine in the vicinity the waves were larger than usual. While we were there we strolled up and down the promenade a bit and then grabbed a bite for dinner. It’s the little things. I just love the sounds of the ocean.

long-branch-hermine

I always feel the compulsion to write in the sand.

I always feel the compulsion to write in the sand.

I love this! One of the restaurants along the promenade has a "dog bar". Tee hee!

I love this! One of the restaurants along the promenade has a “dog bar”. Tee hee!

And then yesterday we each went for a run in the morning and then took the dogs on a little hike.

more miles

more miles

monday-hike monday-hike-doodle hike-selfie

And I made sangria to go along with dinner to bring the weekend to a close.

Cheers to September!

Cheers to September!

How was your weekend?

Do you like running hills?

Do you like the ocean? Live near one?

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My religion is running

28. March 2016 · 6 comments · Categories: running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , ,

Hey yo,

So it’s Easter Sunday and while I’m not Catholic (or religious at all) I did pull out my token bunny ears for the Instagram op.  Duncan indulged me and let me put the bunny ears and a bunny tail on him too though he was none too pleased.

Who wore it better?

Who wore it better?

Not funny!

Not funny!

Both Mr. SOTSS and I ran 8 milers today and afterward while walking in the park with the dogs he said “we both went to church today….running is our church.” Yep, he pegged it! Running is my religion, it is where I go to sweat out the anxiety and crapola that builds up throughout the day. It’s where I clear my head, meditate, and feel fulfilled (even the crappy runs). It was a really great long run too.

IMG_1987

8 miles

8 miles

Negative Splits

Negative Splits

I didn’t slog through this one which felt good after a couple of really difficult long runs.

I don’t know if I’ve ever told you how stubborn I can be. I hate to make multiple trips so I tried to carry all of my grocery bags out of the car and into the house in one shot. Well, I dropped a bag and lucky me….it had the eggs! There were some casualties but I saved 7 of the dozen.

Unfortunately there were 5 egg casualties. Lost a few berries too

Unfortunately there were 5 egg casualties. Lost a few berries too

Tomorrow I’m headed back to the city for the last 3 days of this latest freelance gig. The office is in the Time Life building which is right across the street from Radio City Music Hall. Being on the 31st floor sure does make those yellow taxi cabs looks like Matchbox cars.

among all the concrete and skyscrapers there are always sprinkles color. Sometimes tulips, sometimes just a pretty yellow taxi cab. Sometimes both!

among all the concrete and skyscrapers there are always sprinkles color. Sometimes pretty pink tulips, sometimes just a pretty yellow taxi cab. Sometimes both!

Just one or two more short runs and then I’m headed down to DC next weekend for the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler. So excited! The only part that stinks is that Mr. SOTSS is going on a family vacation tomorrow and when he gets back I’ll be in DC so we won’t get to see each other for at least a week! He’s cool with it….I’m a mess. LOL. Guys are just so darn practical.

Well, I’d better tuck myself in. Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Are you stubborn too? 
How do you handle when you and your significant other are separated for a week or more? Do you make them check-in or just wait it out?

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18 miles despite cramped up legs

04. October 2015 · 10 comments · Categories: running · Tags: , , ,

Yesterday I ran 18 miles and I was reminded of something very important. Fueling and hydrating properly in the days leading up to a long run is so very important. It was still raining in the morning so I decided to re-arrange my day a bit. I spent the morning sipping coffee and cuddling with the doodle which was pure bliss, and then got some freelance work and invoicing stuff done.

a perfect morning

a perfect morning

the usual

the usual

By 1:30 in the afternoon I was ready to attempt my 18 miler. The rain had dwindled down to just a drizzle but the wind was still pretty intense.

23 mph winds!

23 mph winds!

I drove to my favorite long run route which goes along the boardwalk and to the Verrazano Bridge.

routeI’ve been able to make each loop about 7.5 miles now by going a little further past the end of the boardwalk on both ends so I only had to do two loops to get to 15 miles and then did some short out and backs for the last 3 (so I could be near my car in case I felt I needed to stop early).

My first 3 miles were into the headwind and while I felt like I was struggling I was actually keeping a good pace.

That's the Verrazano behind me. =)

That’s the Verrazano behind me. =)

For miles 3-6, I had the wind at my back which was awesome. Overall I kept around 10:45-11:20 min miles for the first 7 1/2 miles. But somewhere around mile 8 or 9 I noticed my legs cramping up. I even stopped a few times to stretch which I don’t ever do. The water fountains along the boardwalk were still on so I took a few sips every few miles and I took a few honey stinger chews every 5-6 miles. But the damage was done. The second half of my run was painful. But I never gave up. I walked a little and shuffled a little but I just kept going until my Garmin hit 18. I tried to focus on how easy it was to cover 18 miles as far as my lungs were concerned. I never had breathing issues. The cool weather definitely helped. It was just the leg cramping that I struggled with.

FullSizeRender 2

18 miles is far!

18 miles is far!

I was so happy to be done. I was on the verge of tears at mile 16.5 and wanted to stop but I really sucked it up to finish and I am so proud of myself for that.

IMG_8402After 3 hours and 39 minutes I got in the car, blasted the heat and headed home. Man was I shivering like crazy. This morning I’m feeling super tight and sore…..especially my calves, and hamstrings.

Next weekend I have my back to back half marathons (Rock n Roll Brooklyn Half and Staten Island Half) so I am going to focus on all the important stuff this week….stretching, foam rolling, hydrating and fueling with more nutrient dense foods and less crapola.

Oh and a big thank you to my amazing sister-in-law Sharon who sent me a new iPod Shuffle after reading that I lost mine. Thank you! What a perfect early birthday gift. =)

Have you ever had muscle cramps?

How do you keep your electrolytes in check for long runs?

Do you like the taste of water? 

 

 

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Weekend recap: my first long run complete

12. January 2015 · Write a comment · Categories: labradoodle, running · Tags: , , , ,

Hi!

Before Duncan and I get too involved watching the Golden Globes I thought I would just share a li’l recap of my weekend.

labradoodle

Golden Globes? Snooze!

It was the first weekend I had no commitment to anyone. No family get togethers. No friend get togethers. No dates with the boyfriend. Just me and the doodle. We enjoyed some time just before sunset on Friday just running around in the snow. We he ran around and I just took too many pictures watched.

labradoodle-snow run-free winter-walkAnd then for dinner I opted for a healthy combo of cheese, chips, chocolate and some wine.

My version of a healthy dinner

My version of a healthy dinner

Yesterday I did some cleaning and some finally finished my 2014 running highlights post in the morning and early afternoon and then I made the last minute decision to do my first long run.

looking all fresh BEFORE my run...

looking all fresh BEFORE my run…

7mile-long-run

I was originally planning on doing the run this morning. But after looking at my weather app although the temps looked to be a few degrees warmer today, there was only partial sun in the forecast. And at 3pm yesterday afternoon the sun was so strong I decided I’d rather have the solar power to warm me so I drove out to the flat path that runs adjacent to the beach. I was 100% right that flat terrain is exactly what I need to keep the knee happy. I covered exactly 7 miles and it didn’t really give me an issue. I also took a few minutes during mile 6 to test out my new iPhone tripod and timer camera app. Enter exhibit A: jumping shots…
up

up

jumping

jumping

All in all I call it a success!

I started off today with laundry, grocery shopping and a little more freelance work and then spent about 20 minutes doing strengthening and stretching exercises for the knee, hips, glutes and hamstrings. Later in the afternoon I met my friend and her dogs for a walk. It’s amazing how fast a day can go when you have no real plans.

Here’s to a great week ahead!

 

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