In my last post I was still coming to terms with this injury and raw emotion poured out. Thank you so much to those who commented or even just read through my emotional word dump. It’s so helpful for me to have this blog and to be able to get stuff out like that. That was the catalyst for me to get back to being me…HAPPY SALLY. Sally who makes a Plan B when Plan A can’t happen. And so I did…
That 5k I was supposed to run on Saturday? I still went but I walked it and even with my limp I blew past so many other walkers. I think it took me about 57 or 58 minutes to complete. And you know what? It was fun anyway. I still got to meet up with friends beforehand and catch up on life.
Alex, Jane, Jane’s friend Amy, me and……OK, so my camera-shy boyfriend finally allowed me to take some creative license so I don’t have to crop him out of every pic. I’m pleased to present his blog persona: the always smiling, blue-eyed Mr. Sweat Out The Small Stuff (SOTSS)
Mr. SOTSS (Sweat Out the Small Stuff) finished in less than 25 minutes and then came back to the course with his dog and they walked the last mile with me. And afterward I went out for breakfast with my friends Jane and Alex who also ran it. The coolest part of the morning was seeing the college gymnasium filled from wall to wall with thousands of toys! The “entry fee” to this race was a toy ($10 or more in value). Giving IS so much better than receiving. This I know.
Me, Jane and Jane’s friend Bill
I iced my ankle a lot afterward. It didn’t feel any worse or better so I am happy about that.
My next compromise for the weekend was for the hike I wanted to do yesterday. I knew it was described as “moderate to strenuous” and that there were spots along the trail that would require literally using hands and feet to scale rocks! I knew that my ankle brace wasn’t going to be enough. My sneakers wouldn’t cut it for this hike. I am low on the funds front these days and fancy $200 hiking boots weren’t an option but I scored a great deal on some really sturdy Merrell hiking boots.
They were only $79 at Marshall’s. I took Duncan for a test walk in the woods to see how the shoes felt.
I had a nice change of scenery, AND routine today. The weather forecast called for our first snow of the season so I decided to work from home to avoid dealing with the bus later in the day. Our office was only open until 1pm anyway. But instead of working from MY home I drove to my brother’s house early this morning and spent the day here. It just made sense since they are hosting Thanksgiving tomorrow so I’ll just sleep here.
My view from the “office” today
It was Forest’s first snow!
Since it was our first snow of the season I could focus on how beautiful everything looked in a blanket of white. Ask me how I feel about snow at the end of February and I’ll probably tell you I’m sick of it!
The dogs (Duncan and his cousin) loved it too!
doodle butts!
#twinners
I spent a few hours working. And then I took advantage of my brother’s lovely finished basement with an elliptical just waiting for me to hop on!
#crosstraining
cat dog nap
I busted out a solid 30 minutes and my trusty sidekick sat on the beanbag chair to my right. Such a loyal doodle.
Tomorrow I’ll be heading out bright and early to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from my office. I have never taken advantage of this perk before but our office is moving in March so this was the last year I’d have the opportunity and I figured I should check it out.
Well Happy Thanksgiving to all you wonderful readers. Have a great day with family, friends and loved ones.
And don’t forget, take the meal like a marathon. Don’t start out too fast! You’ve got to get to dessert before you hit the “wall”! =)
Who’s hosting? Who’s just going to be a guest? Are you cooking at all?
I just got back from a short run. I went out SLOW and my knee seemed to hold up. YAY! At least I know I’m making progress. Crazy weather here. 62 degrees today and we’re expecting snowfall of 3-6 inches tomorrow!
So I made it through working 2 days straight at the Philadelphia Marathon Expo representing the New Jersey Marathon. Day 1 was AMAZING and EXHILARATING. But Day 2 was even better!
First and foremost, we gave out about a gazillion pounds of Jersey-shore-made salt water taffy. It’s nice to know the Expo patrons were able to get their fix. And we had so many people register for our races and enter our raffle. We gave out a bunch of magnets and shirts too.
It was so great to have so many runners stop by our booth just to say thank you. Many had qualified for Boston on our course this past year and will be running the Boston Marathon in 2015. Of course this means they probably won’t be registering for the New Jersey Marathon again for 2015 since it’s the week after. Some just told us that they love everything about the race. One man happened to mention to Joe (the race director) that his dad had run the race over 10 times at least.
Joe answering questions about the race. Otto (with the bright green cap), the pace team leader was answering questions about his pace groups.
Joe then pulled up his data conveniently on his laptop to confirm and then let him know that his dad was eligible for complimentary (FREE!) entry because of his consecutive completion status. YEAH! I’m already signed up for year 3. 7 more and I’ll get complimentary entry too. Joe really is such a wealth of knowledge not just about organizing a marathon but about the sport of running too. We discussed different training plans and always having a purpose for your runs. No junk miles! He took me to lunch at the Reading Market across from the convention center. Woah! Total food mecca! We went to Hershel’s Deli where I scarfed down the best turkey sandwich I’ve ever had (and didn’t even have time to take a picture of it before inhaling it!). We then split their famous apple cake.
Hershel’s East Side Apple Cake
By the end of the night my feet were killing me. So I used my co-worker’s bottle of aerosol deoderant as a foot massage. Weird? Yes. Efficient? Totally! I really needed to massage those arches.
A new way to massage your feet!
I keep thinking of all the folks that said Philly was going to be their first race! For some, their first 1/2 marathon. For others, their first full. I found myself excited for absolute strangers. That’s what I love about runners. We’re truly a community that feels more like a family. It just made me more energized for my next marathon training cycle beginning in January.
There were 2 specific negative response I received while working the New Jersey Marathon booth though. One man was disappointed in the finisher’s medal for this year. It wasn’t the size or quality but rather the message. He felt it was a bit juvenile.
Let Your Star Shine!
He suggested it be a more beachy theme since it is a race that is run at the Jersey shore and finishes on the boardwalk. We actually appreciated his feedback. And apparently I’m told the 2015 medal is already moving in that direction.
Another runner came to complain about the food at the end of the race. I must admit that while constructive criticism is always appreciated, she was a bit obnoxious. Luckily I didn’t take it personally. As a matter of fact I had just learned a few minutes earlier that the sponsor of the food actually dropped the ball. And this year that feedback has already been taken into consideration and a new plan is in the works. YAY!
After I wrapped up at the Expo on Saturday night I drove straight to my boyfriend’s house. He had been watching Duncan for me for the day.
Apparently duncan treats throw pillows like thrones. And Chester just needs lots of space =)
I walked into a house with the aroma of brownies in the oven. Oh yes, how lucky was I? The boyfriend had brownies in the oven and Ben and Jerry’s standing by. Perfect ending to a perfect night.
Sunday we went out for a bike ride through a state park nearby. We covered almost 10 miles. Very HILLY miles. It was a gorgeous day and we had the park practically to ourselves.
We both split up to take care of some stuff in the afternoon and then later in the eve he came to install my new storm door while the dogs supervised.
Hurry up so we can eat pork chops. Well you can eat pork chops and I can beg with my sad eyes
You almost done with the door install?
tah dah!
Welcome!
Can’t believe Thanksgiving is in a couple more days. They’ve already started setting up last night for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
This is 34th street! They’ll be doing audio rehearsal and sound check tomorrow probably
Are you a Thanksgiving person? I like it but it always stresses me out that Christmas is 4 weeks away. Sometimes I wish we could just hit the pause button for a bit.
I just can’t get enough of the amazing colors surrounding me these days. I love this time of year.
I told y’all about my scenic drive on Friday. Well yesterday and today I spent time hiking and walking and took in some more gorgeous scenery.
oh the colors!
beaches are fun in the fall!
Oh, and I ran the Trenton Half Marathon yesterday.
Full recap will be up in a bit but all you really need to know is I wanted to die at mile 4. I basically thought about the meal and adult beverage that I would be having at our post-race celebratory lunch. It worked. Visions of french fries and hard apple cider got me through =)
November is just an extension of Oktoberfest….Bring on the Strongbow Cider!
Big group! And lots of PRs. Some raced the 5k, some raced the 10k and others raced the half. Pick-yo-distance! Photo courtesy of Jane
Since I actually didn’t feel too banged up today I took my bike out for a short recovery ride. Instead of cruising the neighborhood I put the bike in the car and went to the beach to ride along the flat paved access road. First time that Schwinn(y) got to ride in Forest(er). All my wheels have nicknames!
I hope you had a great weekend too.
What’s your favorite thing about Fall or November?
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