Hi there

Before I get into today’s post I just wanted to share this sweet pic of me and my friend Sue from last week’s road trip to visit hersally-sueA sign I’m happy is my eyes practically closed….the bigger the smile the more I squint.

This morning I ran a local 5k trail race called the Fall Flat 5k.

Fall Flat 5k on a perfect Fall day

Fall Flat 5k on a perfect Fall day

It’s in a park that is just 10 minutes from home and while I’ve participated in some of their other events this was the first time running this particular race. Bib and shirt pickup was a breeze and since I was an hour early I enjoyed the views of the lake before sitting in my car for a bit. (This was clutch because I sat on a wet bench and used my heated seats in the car to dry off before the race began. HA!). img_7596Frankly, the sole purpose of registering was to see and chat with my friend Gina. It made me giggle when I thought that my goal for the race would be “conversational pace” but not in the sense of speed….more about the ACTUAL CONVERSATION. 15036309_10210994186871054_6300768106909354973_nWell, I hit my goal! I talked non-stop for the entire 3.1 miles and Gina got a word in every once and a while 😉 The entire run went by so fast that it left me wishing we had a longer course to run just to keep the conversation going. fall-flat5k-finish

It’s so important to make time for fitness but also to make time to connect with friends too. I’m determined to make 2017 the year of conversational pace! I want to commit to running (and chatting!) with friends at least once a month!

 Do you run solo or with a group? Like local races? Do you like to talk or zone out when running?

This weekend my running took a front seat for a change. Saturday I went to the first New York Road Runner’s Open Run held on Staten Island. The goal is to utilize the NYC parks more. They plan on holding this event (it’s a 5k but yesterday’s course was a little shy and they will be adjusting for next week) every Saturday. I almost didn’t get out the door because someone was holding my foot hostage.

IMG_7112Eventually he let go though and shortly after I arrived I bumped into an old friend I knew from when I brought Duncan to the dog park on a regular basis back in the day. He’s a school track coach. As a matter of fact he introduced me to KT tape and some great calf stretches too. I was training for my first marathon back in 2011 and I remember all the conversations we had about running. As with most friends from the dog park I only remember the dogs’ names. LOL! His boxers were named Nike, Swoosh and JD (for Just Do It.) See a theme?!

Anyway we chatted the entire (almost) 3 miles and I was excited to see I finished with a sub 10 min pace. YAY!

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Yesterday I went to the beach to run 9 miles. It was hot and I tanked the second half of the run. With all my walk breaks came lots of pictures…

Made me wish I was a boat...

Made me wish I was a boat…

mile 2

mile 2

these flowers make me happy

these flowers make me happy

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I picked the most not scenic spot for a selfie....next to the bathrooms. LOL

I picked the most not scenic spot for a selfie….next to the bathrooms. LOL

The day I can take a non-blurry shot with the self timer...

Just beachy

there was a classic car show happening in the beach parking lot

there was a classic car show happening in the beach parking lot

There was a great breeze that I enjoyed for miles 1 and 2 and 5 and 6. But the other miles my back was to the breeze. Oh well. Can’t have it all right? =)

I spent Saturday evening with my sister-in-law while my brother and nephew went to a rock concert (and my niece is still in Costa Rica). We had dinner and then went out for fro-yo. Then we walked the dogs around the neighborhood and then spent some time enjoying the lovely summer night on her patio sipping spiked lemonade.

I controlled myself with just one cookie.

I controlled myself with just one cookie.

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so relaxing!

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Doodle sniffing

I managed to spend a lot of time on the couch too which I think I really needed. Last weekend was go.go.go and it was nice to catch a breather.

Well, here’s to a lovely week people. Happy Monday!

One last thing! I’m excited to announce the winner of the Pro Compression Giveaway is Becky from OK so here’s the plan. She’s training for her first full marathon this fall and she has an adorable dog as well. Congrats Becky!

What did you do this weekend?