Reunited with the road

21. November 2013 · 3 comments · Categories: running, running gear, sweet treats · Tags: ,

So apparently 11 days without running caused a little concern for Runkeeper:

Runkeeper misses me!

Runkeeper misses me!

Well, I didn’t want them to worry so I went for a run today.

photo

It was chilly so I put on my new nike long sleeve half zip shirt that was a birthday gift. I love ripping off tags and wearing something for the first time. I also love thumb holes!

ready to run!

ready to run! (please excuse that mess).

What a great run! I kept an average pace of 9:32. I remember when I started running 5 miles would take me an hour or even a little longer (12:00 pace). So to complete 5 miles in 48 minutes feels really good! I spent the first few miles thinking about my goals for 2014 and what races I would sign up for. I have one full marathon planned at the end of April. My goal is going to be to PR. I have to clock in under 4:48. I’m going to train for a 4:40 finish which is a 10:40 average pace. I know it’s doable. I am going to make sure I really focus on speed work and tempos and try and get a 22 miler into training instead of stopping at 20. It feels good to have a goal to work toward. I spent the last couple of miles thinking about how I could get a 5k completed before the year is out. I need to find a local event. I still have yet to do a 5k that was timed (I ran the Tunnel 2 Towers 5K in September but it wasn’t timed). And with PRs in all the other distances this year (full, half and 10k) I’d love to complete a 5k (automatic PR for my first right?) So I can call 2013 the year of the PR.

Maybe it was being reunited with the runner’s high endorphins that I haven’t felt in almost 2 weeks, or the sunshine on my face but I felt so alive today. Mentally alive.

Running awakens the sole!

Running awakens the sole!

Yesterday was Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day. I made my boss hug me when I got to work. He’s a trooper!

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Speaking of yesterday I discovered the most amazing Mike and Ikes

RedRageous!

RedRageous!

I could have eaten the whole box but brought it to a meeting and shared with some coworkers.

Tomorrow I’m attending a fundraising Gala for a local pet rescue. It’s called the Blue Gala and everyone has to wear blue. I’m excited because I have a great navy blue sparkly dress that I will wear. It’s going to be the 3rd time wearing the dress this year and since I got it on sale for $79 to begin with that breaks down to $26.33 per wear! =)

Question: What’s your favorite candy? What are your goals for 2014

P.S. here are a few cute pics from the Trenton Half 2 weeks ago. I’m on the fence whether to shell out the cash for them. It’s getting out of hand! Especially if I keep running so many races each year…


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The hunt for new kicks

20. November 2013 · 2 comments · Categories: running gear · Tags: , ,

While I’m in between marathon training cycles I need to revisit the running sneaker situation.

To make a long story short I’ve worn Asics Cumulus 13s for ALL 4 of my marathons even though they are now already up to the 15s.

Asics Cumulus 13s 2011-2013

Asics Cumulus 13s 2011-2013

I gave the 14s a whirl when they came out:

No good!

No good!

They were stiffer and didn’t feel as cushy. So I continued to find random places online selling the 13s. Then earlier this year the 15s came out. I flocked to the store to try them. BOO! They didn’t feel right either. And so I opted to go to the more expensive Nimbus.

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I don’t mind the Nimbus (these are the 15s) but after I get to 10k they give me blisters and they feel a bit narrow.

My starting point will obviously be to stick to the Nimbus but explore either a wide width or a half size up to see if that helps. Otherwise I’ll just be Good Sally Hunting.

I’ll be heading to Jackrabbit Sports since I have a gift card. Plus, they helped me discover the Cumulus back in 2011 when I went to have my gait analyzed. So I trust them. Let’s see what happens.

Question: What type of running kicks do you run in? Do you find that as the revise the models that you lose the love?

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The best way to deal with stress and worry and a hike with the hound

18. November 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: helpful tips, labradoodle, recreational fun · Tags: , ,

Tricked you! I don’t have the BEST way to deal with stress and worry although I tend to think running is up there along with chocolate of any kind….

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Seriously though, I just read this article in Fitness magazine and found it interesting for sure. Decision fatigue? I’d never heard of that. But it makes sense. I’ve always been the indecisive type, but didn’t know that even mundane decisions like what to wear or what to eat for lunch could zap my energy leaving me more vulnerable to stress and worry. Then there’s the “toxic thought spiral”. I know that well. I think I was in that spiral for most of 2010 (blame that one on a boy who left out some serious details about his relationship status. I couldn’t stop the obsessive thoughts about why things didn’t work out. I wasn’t pretty enough, or smart enough or whatever enough. A year later I found out and now I look back and laugh at the whole situation but I truly zapped a lot of my energy with all the useless spiraling.) The article suggests doing something that lets you concentrate on your movements like spin or Zumba to break the obsessive thought spiral. I thank my lucky stars everyday that I found running and it’s theraputic effect on me. It’s been 9 days since I last ran and I’m thinking I’ll need a quick “hit” soon.

Over the weekend I learned of some troubling health news—one involving a human and one involving a dog—both very dear to me. It got me spiraling for a bit. Nothing worse than feeling helpless when people (and pooches) you care about are hurting and you can’t fix it. I knew I needed to do something. So even though it was drizzly and foggy I took an hours’ ride to the State Line Lookout area, a section of the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey and went on a short hike with Duncan. It wasn’t the 7 or 8 mile hike I’ve been really wanting to conquer but nonetheless, enough miles to get my mind back to a balanced state. And the weather actually made for some mystical magical looking photos.

fairy tale doodle

fairy tale doodle

photo 5[1]

the only thing “more difficult” about the trail was the slippery rocks and leaves

It was so quiet. At one point Duncan and I stopped to have a snack and all you could hear was our crunching.

dog biscuits for the doodle and trail mix for me

dog biscuits for the doodle and trail mix for me

A few more pics…

It was so foggy that you couldn’t see Manhattan’s skyline behind me.

photo 2[1]

After our hike, Duncan and I drove about 20 minutes north to check on my friend’s mom. She’s 90 years old young and while I was just there to keep her company for a few hours she took great care of me! She made me fresh coffee when I arrived and after chatting and watching some TV she cooked me dinner! It was lovely. Made me miss my grandparents. I haven’t enjoyed the company of a senior in a while.

Duncan had to watch to be in the kitchen the entire time those chicken cutlets were frying

Duncan had to keep an eye on things in the kitchen the entire time those chicken cutlets were frying. You know, just in case she needed a helping paw.

I’m feeling recovered enough that I’d like to start tossing in a few easy runs this week. Lots of bloggers were running marathons and half marathons this weekend and it was super fun to track them and hear their recaps. But now I’m anxious to start training for my next one. In the meantime I’ll keep cross-training with the doodle. It’s actually fun to spend so much time with him. So long as it isn’t another National Squirrel Convention anytime soon =)

How was your weekend? Anyone have the monday blues? Anyone run this weekend?

 

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A walk to remember

17. November 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: labradoodle, recreational fun · Tags: ,

I spent 2 hours walking through the park on Thursday scoping out a perfect spot for a Christmas family photo shoot I’ll be doing today. It should have been a perfect day. The weather was crisp and sunny. I brought Duncan and my camera.

I found a small area of picket fence by the lake. Tried to get a test shot with the dog. He wasn’t enthused. I was late getting the memo that there was a National Squirrel Convention being held at the park.

not enthusiastic about the taking photos bit

not enthusiastic about the taking photos bit. 

Seriously! Duncan was in his glory chasing squirrels. But that left me one cranky pants. Dogs must be leashed after 9am meaning every time he chased a squirrel, I got dragged with him (and so did my camera). I also hadn’t eaten anything so now add “hangry” (hungry and angry) to the list. Then there was my nose that wouldn’t stop running. I had no tissues. It wasn’t pretty.

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It actually was more than pretty. It was magnificent!

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There are 3 squirrels right in that tree behind me…take the photo already lady!

It felt good to be on my feet for 2 solid hours and not have any pain. It’s the most “exercise” I’ve done since completing my half last Saturday. Tomorrow I’m going to take a li’l hike with the hound because I want to abide by #7 from this post and then next week I’ll figure out what’s what. Maybe some elliptical or rowing machine or just some walking. I don’t think I’m ready to run yet.

I hope you are all having a swell weekend (did I just say swell?).

Question: What is your perfect day gone wrong story? 

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