March 2017 - Page 2 of 2 -

10 miles before the downgraded blizzard

14. March 2017 · 5 comments · Categories: running · Tags: 10 miles, downgraded blizzard, half marathon training, high hamstring tendinopathy, running, snow, winter

Downgraded Blizzard! 🙂 I get such a kick out of weather lingo. Our blizzard watch was downgraded to a a winter storm warning. Basically after about 4 inches of snow it turned into sleet and rain. I feel bad for all the kids who were excited that they closed schools because this isn’t the kind of weather you can hang out in and build a snowman. The sleet pelts your face and HURTS. It’s 10am and I’ve only take 150 steps. If I plan to reach my 10k step goal I’ll have to get creative.

After taking 3 days off from running I got my long run in yesterday.

pre-run selfie

I wanted to give myself a 4th day of rest but knowing the snow was coming I figured better take advantage of dry ground. I set out at about 4pm. and was done before 6. And it was STILL DAYLIGHT! Sunset is now at 7pm thanks to Daylight Savings and that makes me very happy!

post-run selfie

The first 6 miles of the run felt really good. I could still feel my hamstrings a bit but overall felt good. I had pep in my step for the first time in a while and I was in a rhythm ticking off miles in the 10 minute range. I felt that emotional lift that long runs bring me. I was reminded how much I love distance running and once I’m not injured anymore I can get back to running more mileage.

Yassss!

And I’m obsessed with my latest iTunes download: Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran. That song makes me so happy. By mile 7 I had slowed down but my breathing was fine (Yay for my lungs! I think I’m finally done with being sick 4 weeks later). The last 2 miles were painful. And today, as I write this my hamstrings/hips/groin area are so sore. I’ll be ensuring that I take a few days off in between runs from now until the Love Run and continue to be diligent about my rehabbing. I know overall things are better. It takes a lot more mileage to overload my hamstrings than it used to.

I saw these Spring flowers just starting to appear yesterday and today they’re covered in 6 inches of snow!

And lots of seagulls kept me company. It was actually creepy quiet where I was running the first 3 miles and I got a weird vibe from a guy out in the brush by the water so I turned around and ran the rest of my miles along the busy roads. Better safe than sorry.

That’s the longest run I’ll do before the Love Run half at the end of this month. Well, I better go outside to keep shoveling my downgraded blizzard snow 😉

Do you ever feel unsafe when running?

Do you have to shovel today?

Do you have a song you’re obsessed with lately?

more winter fun and delaying my long run

10. March 2017 · Write a comment · Categories: running · Tags: dogs, hiking, running, skiing, snow, winter, winter fun

Hi there,

TGIF! Hope y’all had a good week. Tomorrow I had planned to run 10 miles in preparation for the Love Run half marathon coming up on March 25th. But after two not so amazing 4 mile runs this week thanks to my hamstring situation I decided to take a few days off and delay that 10 miler. I’m thinking of shooting for Tuesday. That’ll give me 3-4 days off to let things settle a bit. Of I couldn’t resist joining some of my hiking friends for some winter fun this morning in the snow.

Wait for meeeeee!

We had a quick storm that left a few inches and Duncan and I enjoyed the couple of hours out on the trails in the winter wonderland.

Hmm, red trail or blue?

There’s nothing better than fresh fallen snow in the woods

My little hiker

This is the gate that is at the entrance of the parking area at the trail head. It’s like sculpture.

Speaking of winter fun, last Sunday Mr SOTSS and I took his 2 girls and my niece skiing in Pennsylvania.

That's my niece behind me! Yes, I was able to snap photos and video while skiing. I just held both poles in the other hand. I'm so talented.

That’s my niece behind me after skiing down the “big mountain” for the first time! She did amazing. Yes, I was able to snap photos and video while skiing. I just held both poles in the other hand. I’m so talented.

This was only the 3rd time each of the girls has been on skis. Last year when we took them they had a lesson and this year we started on the bunny slope but after about an hour they all felt comfortable trying out the big mountain trails. I’m so excited that I was able to teach my niece AND Mr. SOTSS’ older daughter (she’s almost 14) how to turn.

Last run of the day. She was so excited that I taught her how to turn she wanted to practice. I’m so proud of her.

Once it clicked for them they got so much more confident and fell a whole lot less 🙂 It was a great day filled with lots of laughs.

A daddy/daughter chill session

Taking a quick nap before the struggle to get back up.

My week was pretty typical. Duncan and I had our usual walks and trips to the pet store and as I said earlier, I got two 4 mile runs in. The first one on Tuesday was in the rain but it was about 50 degrees and felt really refreshing. The second one yesterday ended up being more of a trail run/walk.

happy trails

I ran past the golf course and since it was 63 yesterday there were golfers in action. Hard to believe that today it snowed.

golfers

So now I’m going to do all the rehabbing for the next few days and see how it goes next week when I pick back up with training.

What is your idea of Winter fun? Indoors or Outdoors?

Any fun weekend plans?

What are your favorite glute, hamstring and hip strengthening exercises?

Don’t forget to turn the clocks ahead this weekend if you’re in Daylight Savings.

freelance life essentials and some running

04. March 2017 · 1 comment · Categories: running · Tags: dogs, freelance life, running

Hi there,

Happy weekend! This was my view when I woke up this morning.

Morning!

I love a good doodle view but I wish I would have got up earlier to see the sunrise. I haven’t seen a sunrise in so long. Facebook shared this photo I took 3 years ago yesterday. I was doing 16 miles in preparation for the NJ Marathon and I got to see this beauty.

sunrise

I just got back from an 8 miler. It wasn’t too bad the first half but the second half my hamstrings were on fire. I guess I kinda knew that they weren’t going to be cooperative so I’m going to have to keep working on strengthening, stretching and foam rolling and possibly go back to see Dr. Williams who helped me when my knee was causing issues. Of course he’s not on my new insurance plan so I’m going to keep trying to fix this on my own. Good news is that by the next day I usually feel ok so I’m not as bad as I was at the end of last year. It was so cold and windy today. But I kinda liked it. We’ve had such a mild winter that my body was yearning for the frigid temps.

before and after selfies. My cheeks got a lot rosier after.

So last Tuesday I went to a networking event in the city. I left Duncan (with his fresh new haircut) at Mr. SOTSS’ house when I traveled into the city. I got in a little early so I stopped in Bryant Park for a bit to enjoy the beautiful day. It was in the 60s. Then a client asked me to send some files so I tethered my phone to my laptop and got to business right there in the park. #freelancelife.

freelance life

Speaking of freelance life….when you work from home there is one major freelance essential: coffee! I was so happy my delivery came last week as I was running dangerously low.

my biggest freelance life essential…coffee!

After my networking event, when I got back to Mr. SOTSS’ house I got to see his girls for a few. His youngest was getting ready to go to gymnastics practice and asked me to french braid the top of her hair. I ALWAYS say yes when she asks me to braid her hair. She has the best hair! It’s so relaxing for me to braid it.

Another freelance life essential is having cute doggie coworkers who don’t really work. They crack me up.

Just stares at me while I work

Chester is just so big! He’s on Duncan’s little perch but enjoyed the breeze coming thru the window.

I had hoped to run 2x during the week but alas only got out once (on Wednesday) for a 4 miler. Meanwhile can we talk about the fact that it was in the 70s when I ran on Wednesday and I wore short sleeves and today it was 28 degrees with winds at 20mph.

But, I’m excited that the weather is finally cold again because I got to wear my new race swag yesterday.