I really do love October

31. October 2016 · 4 comments · Categories: holiday decorations, running · Tags: , , , , ,

Hi there and Happy Halloween!

img_7078

I ran the Trenton Half Marathon on Saturday! The abbreviated recap can be summed up into 4 sentences. No rain—yay! Seeing running friends—yay! img_9144Running a strong race—yay! Refueling with hard cider and salty/greasy food—yay!img_7015

I’ll have the full recap up later this week.

After getting home from the race I hung out with Mr. SOTSS and his kids for the rest of the day/night. We went out to dinner at Joe’s Crab Shack (I’d never been before).img_7025

Then we went to a Jack-O-Lantern “experience” nearby where we got to watch a very talented pumpkin carver and then see some cool Jack-O-Lanterns.

Say hello to my little pumpkin friends. They are all named Jack. LOL

Say hello to my little pumpkin friends. They are all named Jack. LOL

Cool right?

Cool right?

I was turning into a pumpkin myself by 9pm since I had been up at 4:45 to get to the race, so I headed back home to get a good night’s sleep.

Yesterday afternoon I met back up with them and we took the dogs for a walk and then went Trick-or-Treating where Mr. SOTSS’ mom lives. We had double the usual amount of pooches. The girls’ dogs Panda and Quincy came with.

Quincy borrowed Duncan's Pirate costume and I must say he looked awesome.

Quincy borrowed Duncan’s Pirate costume and I must say he looked awesome.

Panda borrowing Duncan's Sherif costume....but she looks like she's in jail so maybe the wrong costume?

Panda borrowing Duncan’s Sherif costume….but she looks like she’s in jail so maybe the wrong costume?

Chester looking "smashing" in his Pumpkin getup (anyone remember the band Smashing Pumpkins or am I showing my age?)

Chester looking “smashing” in his Pumpkin getup (anyone remember the band Smashing Pumpkins or am I showing my age?)

And Duncan got off the hook since it was so hot out (yes, unseasonably warm 80 degrees yesterday!) So I only put on the tie around his neck.

Keepin' it simple

Keepin’ it simple

I really do love October and I must say I’ve enjoyed it down to the bitter end. I’ve got lots of exciting stuff happening in November beginning with next weekend’s NYC Marathon. I’ll be spectating again like I did in 2014. I can’t wait! I’ve got friends coming from all over the country as well as a slew of local friends running and I just hope I get to see everyone! Crossing my fingers they’ll have perfect weather.

Hope your week is off to a good start.

BOO!

How was your weekend? Do anything fun?

Related posts:

  1. Inflammation is a four letter word
  2. 60 degrees in December
  3. testing out new shoes and a twisted knee in my sleep

3 easy miles, some birthday loot and dog costumes

27. October 2016 · 6 comments · Categories: running, sweet treats, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , , ,

Hi there

I started questioning this morning whether social media has enhanced my desire to talk about the weather or whether I’d just be rotary dialing my friends and family more often and still talking about the weather. I can’t believe I broke out my down jacket already.img_6967

This morning I ran an easy 3 miles and it was in the 40s and raining.

3 easy miles

3 easy miles

thumbhole shirt

why do we get so excited for thumb holes?

I broke out the thicker long sleeve running shirt with thumbholes! Before you know it I’ll have gloves and a wool or fleece hat too. I’m not complaining just yet. It is so nice to finally be done with 80+ temps and 80% humidity.

It's raining it's pouring....

It’s raining it’s pouring….

I had a lovely birthday that started out with brunch at my sister-in-law’s house. She made french toast casserole and candied bacon.

Candied Bacon and French Toast Casserole

Candied Bacon and French Toast Casserole

It was so delicious. Probably caused my arteries to clog but so worth it. Candied bacon is my new favorite sweet and salty combo. Sharon, my SIL also got me a few gifts including this plush faux fur dark purple throw that Duncan has already approved of.

Real fur on Faux fur

Real fur on Faux fur

Mr. SOTSS had flowers sent to my house and I almost missed the delivery.

Pretty flowers!

Pretty flowers!

I was in the bathroom coloring my hair when the doorbell rang. But I managed to not scare the delivery guy away when I answered the door.

The dogs just hung out right outside the bathroom watching me color my hair

The dogs just hung out right outside the bathroom watching me color my hair

I worked the rest of the afternoon with the dogs hovering.

Oh it's 5:00pm. Someone is letting me know it's dinnertime

Oh it’s 5:00pm. Someone is letting me know it’s dinnertime

In the eve when Mr. SOTSS got back from work we went to the local diner. He said I could pick the restaurant and I just wanted something simple. I’m not a fancy meal kinda gal AT ALL. I was excited to get the dinner special that includes Jello, ice cream or pudding for dessert. I went with the rice pudding…..my fave.

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me!

My birthday gift from him was the Train concert tickets last month when we were in at the Washington State Fair but he picked up a few additional things for me including a mirror and headlight for my bicycle and the solar windshield doo-hickey that helps shade the car cabin in the summer when it’s parked so it isn’t a million degrees when you get back to it. YAY!

I’m excited already for my birthday next year because 44 happens to be my lucky number. I don’t know why. It’s just been my lucky number since I was a kid.

So this weekend Duncan needs a costume to wear because we’ll be trick-or-treating. I am a little embarrased to say he has a lot of costumes to choose from.

dog costumes

Dog costumes galore rain,

The groom and line”barker” costumes haven’t been worn yet but I think we’re going simple this year with this goofy hat and tie.

Keepin' it simple

Keepin’ it simple

Although he did look adorable in some of those other costumes…

Argh it's a Pirate Doodle

Argh it’s a Pirate Doodle

The Sherif in Town

The Sherif in Town

Rufferee complete with whistle around his neck

Rufferee complete with whistle around his neck

Turtle

Turtle

Are you into Halloween? Do you dress up? Dress your dog or kids up?

What’s your fave? Sweet and salty, just sweet or just salty?

Related posts:

  1. BX and SI to BK (Prospect Park 10 miles)
  2. In the meantime
  3. Uneventful week except for a haircut

So long 42

25. October 2016 · 10 comments · Categories: running · Tags: , , , , ,

Well, it’s time to say so long 42. In a few short hours I’ll be turning 43. But let me tell you about how my last 3 days as a 42 year old went down.

On Saturday Mr. SOTSS and I took a boat trip along the Hudson River. (It was a birthday gift from my parents). It was super cold, windy and rainy but the trip was rain or shine.

Staying dry!

Staying dry!

This is about halfway into the trip. My hair was one big knot by the time we got back. #struggles

This is about halfway into the trip. My hair was one big knot by the time we got back. #struggles

The voyage took us past so many special places:

The Little Red Lighthouse (at the foot of the George Washington Bridge) which I’ve run to with my running friends…

Little Red Lighthouse

Little Red Lighthouse

The Statue of Liberty

She sure is pretty

She sure is pretty

Palisades Park which I’ve hiked in with Duncan

Look at the foliage colors!

Look at the foliage colors!

The Freedom Towerdsc_7216

Oh and I had an incident with my favorite Columbia hiking boots. The right boot literally cracked up. I guess I’ll be on the look out for a new pair. 14695534_10210832553111575_15519947979600462_n

Yesterday Mr. SOTSS and I packed up the dogs and headed to New Hope, Pennsylvania for the afternoon (It’s about an hour’s drive). We parked on the New Jersey side and walked along Delaware & Raritan Canal tow path for a bit before walking across the bridge into PA.

Walking from NJ to PA

Walking from NJ to PA

An abandoned old train

An abandoned old train

Happy Hiking Chester

Happy Hiking Chester

Happy hiking doodle

Happy hiking doodle

We found a pet friendly restaurant with outdoor seating and sweet potato fries were had by all.

img_6878

someone is eyeing my sweet potato fry

someone is eyeing my sweet potato fry

and someone else just took a fry

and someone else just took a fry

Headed back to NJ

Headed back to NJ

crossing back to NJ

Chester and I are in 2 states at the same time!

I ran my last miles as a 42 year old tonight just before sunset.fullsizerender

I love pink sunsets

I love pink sunsets

8 miles. 8 glorious, mind-clearing miles.

img_6912Boy did I need this. Aside from the fact I’ve got a half marathon coming up on Saturday I just really needed the time on my feet to gain some clarity on life stuff.

Duncan was not in the mood to start the day today.img_6898

But eventually we made it out for a walk.

fullsizerender-1

And at this very moment his head is buried in my armpit and he’s snoring.

img_6924

I’m grateful to get to celebrate another birthday. And I plan on spending my 43rd year on earth conquering, exploring, running, loving, and enjoying but more than anything, growing.

How do you feel about birthdays?
Do you have traditions? Do you like to be alone or go out?
How was your Monday?
Ever stood in 2 states at the same time?

 

 

 

Related posts:

  1. My goals for the NYC Marathon
  2. Bring on the Rain and a Hamstrain
  3. a little more about body issues and a wonky last 2 days

Marathon or Life: Just Focus on the Mile You Are In

22. October 2016 · 4 comments · Categories: running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , ,

Ah the mantras of running and life. I could write a whole post about it but today I’m going to focus on one—Just focus on the mile you are in.

Today, I got notification from my insurance plan that my new monthly premium for 2017 will be going up $200. Yes folks, my $650 a month health insurance premium will be going to $850. I read this at 7am while still in bed and sat there for an hour unable to get out of bed because I felt so defeated and overwhelmed at the thought of how I would find an extra $200 a month when I’m already feeling tight with my finances. I’ve been hustling and working my tail off to pay my bills. I’ve taken freelance jobs paying 1/4 of what my hourly rate is and I haven’t raised my hourly rate since 2007. But it’s catching up with me. And while I love freelancing I find it unfair that the costs of health insurance are so monumental.

Blah blah…..the point of all this is that I had this moment that finally got me out of bed….knowing coffee was waiting for me the mantra I’ve used while running marathons—Just focus on the mile you are in.

Today is #FlashbackFriday and I posted this photo of me running the NYC Marathon last year. It was a rough one.

mile 17ish and seeing my boyfriend, his 2 daughters, his mom and her husband.

mile 17ish and seeing my boyfriend, his 2 daughters, his mom and her husband.

My second slowest marathon as a matter of fact. And what kept me going mile after mile was pulling back my “freakout” and calming myself with my mantra. I didn’t have to think about the 23.2 miles ahead of me as I felt drenched with sweat and sluggish at mile 3. I just needed to think about mile 3. Eventually I’d get to the finish line.

I had a busy day workwise today and it helped reassure me that I will be just fine. And I’ll find ways to make more money. I’ll be smarter about my food shopping. Heck, maybe I’ll become an extreme couponer?!

The boyfriend worked from home yesterday and we took a stroll through the woods with the dogs at lunch. A total mid-week treat!

Shh...I'm hunting squirrels

Shh…I’m hunting squirrels

The boys

The boys

I love this pic of Chester

I love this pic of Chester

And today, after my deadlines for the day had been met, I went for a run. img_6809I probably should have tried for a long run because…..I just signed up to run the Trenton Half Marathon next weekend! I couldn’t resist the opportunity to see my friend Jane and it’s become tradition to go to a nearby pub for refueling after. I ran it in 2013 just 6 days after the NYC Marathon and again in 2014. I missed it last year but I’m happy to get back there…..I can already taste the celebratory cider and I’m looking forward to hearing all about Jane’s recent European vacation. photo-4-21

Well now I’m off to get another freelance project complete…I’m trying to stay ahead of the curve so the weekend can be free of the laptop.

What do you think your biggest stressor/anxiety provoker is in life? Money? Health? 

Do you ever register for races on a whim or do you book them all in advance?

What mantras do you rely on for running or for life?

Related posts:

  1. NYRR Mini 10K…Don’t let the “mini” fool ya
  2. Fun Valentines Weekend
  3. Why I loved the 2012 Philadelphia Marathon…before you met me
« Older articles