my blog was down but it’s back up now

27. February 2017 · 7 comments · Categories: running · Tags: , , , , ,

Because I’m sure you were all worried about me!

Seriously though I hate when I’m out of control. This was a DNS server issue and my hosting provider has fixed the issue”. But hopefully you were all busy enjoying your weekend away from the phone or computer and didn’t even realize.

After having a really good run early last week two so-so runs: A neighborhood 4 miler on Thursday and a 6 miler at the beach on Saturday.

All ready for my 6 miles at the beach

All ready for my 6 miles at the beach

just keep swimming

just keep swimming

IMG_0389I think that part of the issue is that I’m still not feeling 100% since getting the flu 2 weeks ago. Between fatigue, coughing, congestion and this nasty nasal drip that’s been leaving me so nauseous I’m just struggling. But I really enjoyed the sun on my face and warmer than normal temps considering it’s February still! My hamstrings do get a bit irritated after each run but I recover well and by the next day I’m fine.

In other news Chester and Duncan just get cuter by the minute. Duncan started limping again today. I am starting to realize at 8 years old he’s middle-aged and gets sore and achy just like his middle-aged mom 🙂

Oh and my phone broke on Thursday too! I had it in my hand and was walking around the neigborhood to stretch my legs and scrolling through Instagram and all of a sudden the screen went yellow, then got black vertical lines and then the screen just died. It’s out for repair and they gave me a loner in the meantime.

Other than getting in that 6 miler this weekend, Mr. SOTSS and I went out to a local Mexican restaurant for some burritos and then we saw the movie Lion which was really good!IMG_0407 We saw his daughter’s gymnastics meet this morning an then spent some time with the handsome doggie duo. And Mr. SOTSS has been teaching himself guitar so he practiced a bit. IMG_0496IMG_0486 IMG_0497 IMG_0405

Well, It’s 1am so I better turn in for the night. Just wanted to let you all know I’m still here! Still running, still eating sweets and still obsessed with my dog 🙂

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The Cold Feat 10k and day 1 of half marathon training today

21. February 2017 · Write a comment · Categories: running · Tags: , , ,

Happy Monday!

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. I ran the Cold Feat 10k trail run on Saturday and had a great time. 16826059_10212046217612429_5317901885331885100_oIt was more like a hike vs a run as I was still getting over the flu and just didn’t have the energy to move very fast, especially up all the hills. But eventually I made it to the finish line so I accomplished my goal!16649302_10212045563356073_7268340395980016362_n

After hiking these trails in the dark for the last 6 weeks it was fun to get re-acquainted with them during the day! I’m grateful for any time I can spend outdoors in the woods.

All you have to remember is to follow the pink ribbons and the arrows

All you have to remember is to follow the pink ribbons and the arrows

16807589_10212045566156143_6921085870943030387_n

This is one of the shorter hills!

This is one of the shorter hills!

16831060_10212045565076116_2305164421416021485_nThe weather warmed up into the low 50s by the end of the race which was just lovely. And I’m loving my swag! I’ve never owned a hat with a pom-pom on the top. Isn’t that crazy?16807342_10212045562916062_3733680363259412042_n

Meanwhile Winter is on hiatus for a while. It’s been in the 60s! What?! I hope we get some cold weather and snow again before Spring officially arrives in a month.

I had a really great run today…
IMG_9457I am starting out the week with my official half-marathon training schedule. Ironically after declaring that I wasn’t concerned about my pace or finish times at all for this training cycle, I just had such a zippy and fairly effortless first run. I chose the multi-use path by the beach today because it’s flat and I want to ensure I am kind to my hamstrings so I can make it through all the miles over the next 3 months. IMG_9463

I’m planning on 2 shorter weekday runs each week of 3-5 miles and flat when I can control it. And then I’ll build up my long runs each weekend starting with a 6-8 miler this coming weekend. Plus I’ll keep up with those weekly Wednesday night hikes and I’ll be doing lots of strengthening and stretching of the glutes/hammies/core/hips!!

Well, I’m off to do some glamorous stuff like laundry and paying bills. Catch ya later!

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Finish line vs finish time and flu recovery

18. February 2017 · 4 comments · Categories: running · Tags: , , , ,

Happy Saturday!

Flu Recovery:

I was just starting to feel sick when I wrote my last post on Sunday and the week went downhill FAST!

IMG_9293

Tea is a sickie’s best friend

The last time I had the flu was 2009 and I’m fairly certain I had it again this week. Whatever it was, it left me with a fever that reached 103 at one point and overall the fever lasted for 3 days with full on night sweats, chills, severe fatigue, aches and sore skin! Even the skin on my scalp was sore that washing my hair was painful. I managed to work in spurts when the Tylenol would kick in and then rest when I was caught up and did nothing but lay on the sofa or take Duncan for short walks the rest of the day.

One of the 3 times I ventured outside all week

One of the 3 times I ventured outside all week

Tuesday of course was Valentine’s Day and Mr. SOTSS was already starting to feel crappy too so we spent the evening on the sofa sipping hot tea and watching the Westminster dog show.

The winner!

The winner!

The other winners

The other winners

IMG_9315He was sweet enough to bring me candy and flowers and a beautiful card. I sent him home with hand written instructions for medicine that could help ease his symptoms. Fair exchange, no?

My V-day goods

My V-day goods

His goods

His goods

Wednesday I had to bail on the night hike which was really a bummer but I was in no shape and Thursday I popped over briefly to visit Mr. SOTSS and make sure he was recovering ok. Yesterday I was fairly busy with work and other than that just took Duncan to the park for a hot minute.

my laptop accessory

my laptop accessory

quick ride to park for hot-minute walk

quick ride to park for hot-minute walk

Meanwhile today is the Cold Feat 10K trail run (like in an hour!) and while I’m still going to run it, I’ll have to adjust accordingly. I still have a cough and some chest congestion and the coughing fits have left me with stomach discomfort and extremely interrupted sleep. This leads me to wanting to discuss “finish line” vs “finish time”

Finish Line vs Finish Time

I think it’s so important to have a clear goal in mind of ONLY one of these when running a race. Since the new year began I’ve run 2 trail runs and both races I knew going in were just to get to the finish line. I had not a single care in the world about what the time on the clock was or should have been. And each race I walked away feeling complete and accomplished. This is a new thing for me. I remember feeling like “why bother” if I knew I couldn’t run the race at a pace I thought I should be running. Today’s 10k will be solely for that finish line! I might have to walk/hike some of the course but I’m ok with that because I am choosing “finish line” over “finish time” in an effort to take care of myself.

Hope you have a great weekend! I’ll be back with a recap later this weekend.

How sick is the sickest you’ve ever been?

How do you decide if a race goal will be the “finish line” or a “finish time”? 

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a snow storm, a fab 40 party and a cautious trail 5k

13. February 2017 · 4 comments · Categories: labradoodle, recreational fun, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , , , ,

Hi and welcome to my weekly check in 🙂

Figured I share some of the highlights of this past week and weekend.

Monday and Tuesday must have been fairly uneventful because I have no photos from the day :). Wednesday felt like a Spring day with temps reaching 63 so of course I took Duncan to the park.

Duncan and the sunshine but winter storm approaching

Duncan and the sunshine

I went on another night hike as it’s now become my routine Wednesday night. We covered about 4 1/2 miles in about an hour and a half. But lots of elevation!

Thursday we had a snow storm. I slept over Mr. SOTSS’ the night before so we could ride out the storm together which really means take the dogs for some snow fun.

Lots of snow can't distract Chester from wanting to play with his ball

Lots of snow can’t distract Chester from wanting to play with his ball

I love this picture!

I love this picture!

oops blinked!

oops blinked!

The repercussions of snowplay

The repercussions of snowplay

My view at sunset after the snow storm with an almost full moon

My view at sunset after the snow storm with an almost full moon

More »

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