Lately my life has felt a bit routine and I think it’s time to edit my “template”. While I was running the other day this sentence popped into my head: “Life is a template and YOU just need to customize it.” I love when I have these profound moments. It dawned on me that I don’t want to make a drastic change to my routine…I actually like a lot of my routine. I like the structure. I like where my text boxes and picture boxes are anchored. I just need to add a few unique colors or shapes. (Yep, I’m a graphic designer so these metaphors are working for me. 🙂

I thought about the new things I tried in 2016: I added some new media “customization” in 2016 when I listened to my first audiobook and my first podcast and they immediately worked their way into my routine. If you’re looking for a good podcast to listen to while running (or walking) I recommend DizRuns.

Diz Runs

Diz Runs

Just lots of runner-to-runner kinda conversation. His first question to all his guests is “What is your favorite distance to run and why?” I love hearing the answers. On a recent episode an ultra runner’s response was “the 50 miler because I can sleep in my own bed”. That’s crazy! He even interviewed me on episode 248 earlier this year. I spent lots of summer nights walking for hours around my neighborhood just to finish up listening to the episodes in my cue. I want to do more of that in 2017.

I want to try some new workouts in 2017, cook some new recipes and maybe go as crazy as getting a new shade of tinted lip balm! Any suggestions?

Yesterday was Duncan’s 8th birthday. I can’t believe it.

lol

lol

I force him to wear his party hat for 30 seconds every year

I force him to wear his party hat for 30 seconds every year

I remember picking him up when he was 11 weeks old on March 23, 2009. A 10-hour round-trip road trip just to bring home this bundle of curls.

He stared at me for a good hour of the drive before he finally curled up on my lap.

He stared at me for a good hour of the drive before he finally curled up on my lap.

I’ve been dog sitting for Duncan’s cousin Casey. It’s been fun to see double doodles every minute of the day.

Door "flair"

Door “flair”

content to co-exist

content to co-exist

I got a lot of eyes watching my every move

I got a lot of eyes watching my every move

i guess i'll sit in the middle

i guess i’ll sit in the middle

 

Mr. SOTSS came to visit me the other night and brought me some roses. I love flowers on non-occasions. So special. img_8212Duncan was happy to snuggle between us. img_8215I had back-2-back crappy runs yesterday and the day before. 3 SLOW miles with my annoying hamstring tightness.

I did get to listen to an hour of a podcast between the 2 runs but that's the only thing that was good.

I did get to listen to an hour of a podcast between the 2 runs but that’s the only thing that was good.

I started to realize this hamstring tightness began right around the time of my birthday at the end of October. It basically feels likes there are resistance bands connected from the backs of my knees up through my glutes. I can’t seem to propel forward much which leaves me slogging through every run, especially hilly ones. Today I finally decided i’m taking a break. I’ll start with taking a week off and I’ll see how that goes. Maybe this will be the perfect time to customize that template with a new form of exercise 😉

Hope you all have a lovely fun-filled weekend, happy holiday and merry everything! Here’s my final holiday card that I promised I’d share.

The front

The front

and the back

and the back

P.S. Thank you so much for reading my blog. I don’t make a penny on this blog. It’s purely because I love to talk about my life and running.

I have 2 posts that seem to get a lot of traffic. Ironically one is about cookies…..ok maybe not so ironic 🙂 Anyway, these are my 2 most viewed pages

My review of the Nike Aeroloft Vest and the Starbucks Toffee Doodle Cookies I made.

 

Hi. Happy Thursday!

I’m getting into a bit of a routine now with the new job. Dressing business casual has been an adjustment to my normal jeans and hoodie sneaker ensemble but I’m more comfortable that I expected and I’m looking forward to the coming months when I can wear flowy tunic tops, capris and sandals.

Business casual wet hair.

Business casual wet hair.

Driving in has some pros and some cons. I started listening to podcasts while I drive and it’s so much better than listening to the radio play the same 2 songs over and over again. (Sorry Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift!) After being his guest on one of his recent podcasts I’ve been listening to some of the latest episodes from Denny at DizRuns including one with Jessica from rUnladylike. My commute has been anywhere from 40 minutes to about an hour and 15 minutes and the podcasts are usually about 55 minutes which is just perfect.

Last night was the longest drive home.

IMG_2821The distance from my office to my house is 23 miles. It took 1 hour and 15 minutes. Hmmm, Meb could probably have made it about 15 miles in that time.

I am still struggling to get my 10,000 steps in. I haven’t been taking much of a lunch because on Day 2 I was assigned a large project to work on. We just presented it last night and it was well received. Makes me feel good that I’m already feeling comfortable with the work load and learning curve.

I was able to go for a 3 mile run on Tuesday evening but other than that just some evening walks with the dog.

7:30PM Tuesday night 5k

7:30PM Tuesday night 5k

I’m definitely going to have to put in at least 30 minutes more of walking or a quick run each morning if I want to keep get anywhere near 10,000 steps on weekdays. And this is VERY important to me. So let’s see how next week goes.

I’ve been trying to eat healthy-ish so I packed my lunch today. A nice little turkey sandwich and some pretzel crisps. (and a 2 clementines that were camera shy)

IMG_2822

So excited tomorrow is Friday. I’m really looking forward to the weekend.

Do you pack your lunch or are you a big lunch purchaser?

Hi there.

Another week has begun. Yesterday was the busiest Monday I’ve had in a while with two freelance deadlines. I also wasn’t feeling so hot. Not really sure what the deal was….just felt weak and fatigued with a queasy stomach too.

keeping me company while i rest up

keeping me company while i rest up

I didn’t get as much work done over the weekend as I had anticipated either. Mr. SOTSS and I (and the pooches) drove out to Long Island to spend some time with his family. I thought I’d work in the car but someone jumped in my lap and I didn’t have the heart to move him so no room for a laptop.

no room for the laptop on my lap because of my "LAP-radoodle"

no room for the laptop on my lap because of my “LAP-radoodle”

While I was out in Long Island I got my last long run in before next Sunday’s NJ Half Marathon. I ran 8 very flat miles with ease. It was just the kind of long run you hope for. I enjoyed the new scenery and the miles seemed to go fairly quickly.

8miles

And there was a little walk on the beach too.

Beach Boys!

Beach Boys!

So the reason I started this blog was because I’m ALWAYS talking about running and I needed a place to share it where it made sense. Not all my family and friends are runners or interested in my running life so Sweat Out The Small Stuff really came to fit the bill. Last week, Denny Kahe, a runner and coach who blogs over at DizRuns asked if I’d be interested in being on his podcast show to talk about running. It was a no-brainer…..I love talking about running….especially with fellow runners. The podcast and post are now live and you can read/hear them here.

diz-runs

Denny has lots of great resources on his site. Check out some of his other podcast episodes if you get a chance. In addition to interviews with other runners, there are some quick tip episodes too. Plus on his blog, there are some great debate style conversations like wearing sneakers or going barefoot.

I’m going to take another rest day today just to be sure I’m in the clear. The New Jersey Half is just 5 days away!

Do you love chatting about running (or any other passion)? YES!
Are you a podcast person?
I’m thinking of listening to podcasts more often especially while running