First meal of 2014, favorites, a 4 miler and a mystery

02. January 2014 · 1 comment · Categories: desserts, labradoodle, recreational fun, running, running gear, sweet treats, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , , , ,

I woke up on New Year’s Day and decided I’d have Harry & David’s Moose Munch for breakfast. It just somehow felt like the right choice. I’ve got 364 more days to choose something healthier right?!

moose munch

breakfast of champions…starting the year off right  on my own terms.

After breakfast I waited for this guy to get up…

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We stayed out late on New Year’s Eve. He and his two pals Angus and Lu went a little overboard with the champagne treats.

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please give us more!

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hey! it’s midnight…give us those treats!

This New Years Eve celebration is for the dogs

This New Years Eve celebration is for the dogs

It was a fun night. Humans had a good time too! We put champagne in shot glasses for some reason. #champagneflutesareoverrated

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So finally when the dog woke up, we went for a walk. We saw Bambi!

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Then I left Duncan at home and headed to my aunt’s house for her annual New Year’s Day party. She’s 86 years old now and I didn’t want to skip out on this as I’ve done in the past (it’s mainly her friends). I got to drive a different way than usual so I took a pic of the Verrazano Bridge from a different angle than I usually do. (I have a weird affinity for the Verrazano Bridge if you didn’t know).

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My aunt had lots of fresh daisies in vases on the table.

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Her mom, my grandmother, Dorothy had been given the nickname “Dashing Daisy” from my grandpa. She always had a ton of energy and zipped around. I love the nickname and since I always felt closest to her as far as grandparents went I like to think I carry on her legacy….”Dashing” is nicely covered by my running, and “Daisy”….well, this is my Jeep spare tire cover…

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The sweetest things that my aunt had at the party were the dessert table…

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homemade italian cheesecake, homemade rum cake and a few other pastries that were delish

And this cardboard “resolutions” sign-in board…

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As I said, my aunt is 86 and many of the guests were seniors. Really? One man wrote that he wanted his wife to regain her sight! I hope everyone’s wishes and dreams do come true.

This morning as I was getting ready to go for a run I realized that I couldn’t find my favorite black running hat that I wore just a few days ago…

favorite black hat

favorite black hat

So I grabbed a substitute that I didn’t love but figured I needed to get out the door and didn’t have all day to continue the search.

black hat substitute

black hat substitute but the same vest lol!

There’s just something about favorites—hats, capris, socks, scarves, jeans….Next time I’ll just buy 7 of each of my favorites! (PS: I found my hat….it was in the dog’s toybox and it wasn’t his fault. I was straightening up before my friend was coming over and scooped up all his toys scattered on the floor and the hat must have been on the floor too and they all ended up getting dumped in the toybox. It was funny because initially I blamed the poor dog. Then I remembered.)

I covered 4.35 miles according to my Garmin….but lately mr. watch has been locking its satellite in the wrong spot. I start at my house and finish at my house yet at looking at the maps of my last few runs, clearly it thinks i’m starting a few blocks from my house.

mystery

I have lots of benchmarks along the route. I know it’s .3 miles to get to the main road and it’s exactly 1 mile when I get to the overpass that crosses the highway. Everytime I looked at my watch at these spots they were .06 off. It’s not the end of the world. I mean what’s the difference between 4.35 or 4.41? But I do wish I can fix it. #OCDwithnumbersrunner.

As for my new Brooks Ghost sneakers…..I still am unsure how I feel. It’s only the 2nd time wearing them. They definitely don’t suck, I just was hoping to feel like I had more spring in my step. I kept a 10 min mile pace which after using this training pace calculator, seems to be what my tempo pace should be as I begin marathon training…

pacesSpeaking of marathon training, mine begins next week!!! AHHHH!! I’m so excited and nervous. I hope my goals aren’t to out there. Meanwhile I found out that I won a special VIP package so I’ll get reserved parking and “upscale fare” in the VIP tent before and after the race. Hey, that’ll be my consolation if I don’t reach my PR goal of 4:40.

OK, off to batten down the hatches….we’re expecting a blizzard here in NYC. Hope your year is off to a great start.

Question: How was your New Year’s Eve? What did you do? Anyone eat something crazier than Moose Munch for their first breakfast of 2014?

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When one year closes….another opens

01. January 2014 · 2 comments · Categories: labradoodle, running, running gear · Tags: , , ,

I’m not a very sentimental New Year’s Eve person. Frankly I feel that EVERY MORNING is our chance to start fresh and set goals. I learned that from this guy:

C'mon ma! Wake up and let's go for a walk. I have a goal to chase more squirrels today than yesterday.

C’mon ma! Wake up and let’s go for a walk. I have a goal to chase more squirrels today than yesterday.

So last night I had what I hope to be the final casualty of 2013 (unless I drink too much tonight before the clock strikes midnight. =) I was tossing the ball for the dog and since I’m as clumsy as they come I threw the ball directly into the Christmas tree. Genius Sally! I heard the ornament shatter but was too afraid to look….thankfully it was just one of the cheap ball ornaments and not one of my expensive ones.

stop playing ball in the house

stop playing ball in the house

I had a final splurge purchase of 2013 too!

Brooks Ghost 6's

Brooks Ghost 6’s

Well, technically only 1/2 a splurge. I used a gift card that I got for my birthday a few months back to pay for half of these. My first pair of Brooks. I had mentioned my need to find a new style running sneaker back in this post because I could no longer buy my beloved Asics Cumulus 13s (they are now up to 15s). And after explaining my woes to the sales associate she had me try a few different options. First were the Brooks Glycerine. I immediately nixed them because just taking a few steps cause pain on the ball of my foot. But the second option were the Brooks Ghost and as soon as I put them on they felt like a great fit! I was concerned though that they didn’t feel as cushy as the Cumulus but figured I would try them.

So today I set out for my last 5 miles of 2013 and my first 5 miles in the Brooks.

turquoise, yo! #trendingcolorsin2014

turquoise, yo! #trendingcolorsin2014

And the verdict is…..

I’m really not sure yet. I felt they were lighter than my Asics. Almost invisible to me. (hmm, maybe that’s why they call them Ghost?) But….I felt there was no spring in my step and no cushion.  Usually wearing new sneakers I always have a zippy run. Today not so much.My shins felt tired and my knees hurt a bit.  But my lower back has been bothering me and I haven’t been eating very well lately so it might not be the shoes. Lol. I will continue to wear them a few more times before I decide how I like them. I’ve got time still to mess around since my marathon isn’t until April. And I still have enough miles left on my Asics for the beginning of training and my January races.

So now I’m off to hang with friends and ring drink in the new year.

I don’t know what’s in store for 2014. But I do know I’ve got a bunch of races to run and that always makes me happy. Bring on the small stuff!!!! I’m so ready to continue to sweat it all out and focus on the good stuff….the big stuff…the fun stuff!

 

Hope y’all have a stellar 2014.

 

Question: If you’re reading this post are you at least sipping champagne? 

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Saturday sign up and a run and a walk

29. December 2013 · 2 comments · Categories: labradoodle, running, running gear, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , ,

Hi!

Last night I met up with a whole bunch of friends from High School at this old German bar near where I live. We had fun catching up on what’s been going on lately and talking about the past too. Then we went to the diner and ate french fries and such. I didn’t get home until after 1am. It was so much fun! Sometimes I wish I could re-do High School. I was so insecure then.

This morning I got up and took it easy on the couch just burying my head and recovering from my late night.

not ready yet!

not ready yet!

Of course my laptop and my credit card were in arms reach, so I signed up for some more races for 2014. I’ll be doing the Fred Lebow Manhattan Half on January 26th, the Love Run in Philadelphia on March 30th and the Trenton Half (again) on November 8th.

I <3 Half Marathons!

I <3 Half Marathons

By 11:30 I was ready to go for a run. Again, no particular distance to cover. It was warm again. In the mid 50s. I ended up with just under 7 1/2 miles total. (watch got screwy and I had to restart around .37 miles in.

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I did the usual neighborhood jaunt and entered into the park for about 1/4 mile for a nice change of scenery (and for a photo op).

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Oh, and I’m starting to change my mind about the new HB Tuneband phone holder strap. I wore it today and found it much easier to remove the phone to take pictures and then put it back in. =)

Since the dog didn’t get much of my attention yesterday I made up for it with a nice long walk.

saturdaywalk

We really exhausted ourselves up and down hills through trails, open fields and on the beach.

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I tried really hard to get a good photo of us using the timer camera app on my phone.  I’d say after 3 tries it was a great big #fail…

failedattempts

We got home a little while ago and now it’s already dark:( But the days are officially getting longer…The doodle is worn out after that long walk.

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And after 10+ miles on my feet I’m worn out too. Time to kick back and relax for a bit. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Question: Have you made any plans for 2014 yet? Vacation booked? Signed up for a race? Getting together with an old friend (or group of friends)?

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My almost favorite gift and other nonsense

27. December 2013 · 3 comments · Categories: running, running gear, Uncategorized, vacation · Tags: , , , , ,

I’ll let you in on a little secret….12/26 is my favorite day! I’m always happy to be done with the holidays. I find it’s just a whole lot of pressure…finding the right gifts and determining who’s house I’ll be going to for the eve and the day. I’m a little like a nomad. =)

I ended up spending both the eve and the day at my brother and sister-in-laws. I didn’t take pictures but I ate more food in 48 hours than I did all year:

• eggplant rollatini, penne with vodka sauce, chicken cutlets, potato croquettes, rice balls,
• baked clams, shrimp scampi, tilapia, scallops
• brownies, cookies, rice pudding, pound cake, cheesecake

Quite healthy no? 🙂

This morning, I continued the “health kick” with some french toast casserole that my sister-in-law made.

french toast casserole

french toast casserole

I ran another 4 miles and then walked 2 1/2 with the dog.

run-walk

I really love these 4-6 mile runs. I know in a few weeks they will be my “short” runs, but right now they are just enough to feel good physically and mentally but give me enough time to get other stuff done on my days off.

While I bought most of my own gifts this year (the trampoline, jewelry and sunglasses to name a few), my friend bought me one really cool gift that I had my eye on. It’s the HB Tuneband, a phone holder that straps to your hand.

jazz hands

jazz phone hands

I am not a big fan of arm bands because they feel more like a tourniquet. So usually I use a phone pouch (I have this one from amphipod) attached to my spibelt to hold it. Mostly I use my phone for races where I need to be able to meet friends before or after and need to text or call them. This is a nice alternative to the phone pouch/belt combo! There’s only one fly in the ointment….I was hoping to be able to have easy access to the phone for taking pictures while running. #fail! It does have a clear touch screen so i can send a quick text if I had to while running. But the camera lens on the back of the phone is covered and the strap is a bit too cumbersome to undo and free the phone while running (unless of course I want to trip and fall flat on my face =).

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you can access the screen ok but can’t take pictures….the lens is covered 🙁

For races where I’m planning on focusing on time and not picture taking i’ll definitely use it. Of course having a new phone contraption to add to my arsenal left me with the itch to clean out my electronics/running gear catch-all drawer. I think I had one too many iPhone cases…

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I think my sunglasses and earbuds multiplied too. I found some phone chargers from the 2 flip phones I had years back (Can you say MotoRazr? LOL!)

So back in October I turned 40 and my parents offered to have the inside of my house painted as a gift. I’ve lived here 13 1/2 years and most of the rooms are still “builder’s white”. I’m not very good at committing so choosing colors has taken me months. But I’ve finally made progress…

photo 1I find it ironic that the main living space color I chose is called “meditation”. Hmm, maybe I’ll be calmer finally! Today I have to work, but I’m going to start adding my marathon training runs to my calendar. I officially will begin training in 10 days! WOO HOO!

I hope you all had a lovely (and somewhat stress free) holiday. And I hope you’re not working today like me.

SO, Tell me what gifts you got? Anyone else in a food coma? Anyone gearing up to train for a race or other event soon?

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