I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was taking photos at a top secret photo shoot.
It was for a friend of mine and her husband, the cutest most adorable couple I’ve ever really met. It all started a few years ago when they asked me to take their engagement photos and I’ve been their go to “photog” ever since. Well this year they asked if we could do a little shoot for their holiday card. I’m excited I can finally share some of those photos.
the most beautiful sunset left beautiful pink light.
Hi there,
It’s Thursday. I love Thursdays because it’s my day off.
Last year on this day it was 12.12.12. Today is 12.12.13 and tomorrow is 12.13.13 (Friday the 13th! Are you superstitious?) If there were a 13th month what would we call it? Where did the months of the year get their names anyway? And why am I talking about this?
I had plans to go Christmas shopping with a friend at some outlet stores at 11am so I got up early, put my coffee in a travel mug, bundled up and took the dog out first to the park because I am the best doggie mom (according to the dog anyways).
Then I went out for a brisk 5 mile run. I love cold weather running. It was 21 degrees (RealFeel of 12).
Christmas shopping on a weekday is just so much more civilized. And since the outlets we went to are outdoor (vs a mall) and with the temps in the 20s we pretty much had the place all to ourselves. No lines! There was just one unfortunate aspect of the day…my credit card is bleeding out. It was abused and I feel no remorse (yet).
Confession: This is not the first time I’ve gone outlet shopping during the holidays and spent more money on myself than for the gifts I should have been buying for other people. Yes, I’m afraid this has become an annual tradition and I’m not proud of it. My excuse is that I’m not one to spend a lot on myself during the course of the year (except for running registration fees of course) but come December, I go nuts.
It really started on Cyber Monday when I ordered that trampoline. (Which came yesterday—YAY—except it was missing a leg—BOO!—but I called the company’s customer service and they’re mailing me the missing leg—YAY! I’ll report back on how I like it in a future post.)
Then last night I went to a Touchstone Crystal jewelry party. I fell in love with this pendant necklace so I bought it.
Today’s purchases included a whole bunch of winter gear from Columbia Sportswear because I’ll be doing a lot of running in the winter. Some of the items were originally $130 and marked down to $50. Others were $65 marked down to $20. Have I mentioned how much I love outlets?
striped long sleeve half zip, 2 cool running jackets (one with armholes!) and two vests. (Duncan thinks the blue vest is for him)
The black vest (4th from left above) is a lighter weight with a hood. It’s going to make the perfect extra layer of a long sleeve tech shirt when I’m running in 20 degree weather for sure. And that light blue jacket (2nd from left above) has soft cuffs with thumbholes! I LOVE thumbholes.
Then I bought not one, but 2 pairs of sunglasses.
Maui Jim Ho’okipa Sport, Oakley Break Point, Lucky jeans, earrings and iPad cover
I scored a pair of Oakley Break Point sunglasses for $45 (original price was $130) and then I got a pair of Maui Jim Ho’okipa Sport sunglasses for running. They definitely were not a bargain but since the Oakley’s were practically free…..ok I’m rationalizing. =)
Oh and I got Lucky at Lucky Brand Jeans. A sweet leopard print ipad case for $9.97, some cute earings at 50% off and 2 pairs of really awesome “baby” boot cut jeans that were buy one pair get the second 1/2 price. They are soft and stretchy (think a combination of denim and leggings) and the darkest indigo which really flatter my athletic runner’s thighs =) Finding good jeans is as awesome as eating an ice cream sundae for breakfast!
So all in all a great day. The season is quickly spinning into a frenzy of events….I’ve got the 15K tomorrow morning, a holiday party on Sunday, and 2 holiday parties next week back to back. I’m making a pact with myself to remain true to my blog’s title and not sweat the small stuff but rather sweat out the small stuff. I don’t want to lose sight of the spirit of this time of year by being overwhelmed and worried about “fitting it all in”.
My dearest friend Sue who is a writer and an animal lover (she doesn’t run but I love her anyway) has been writing over at Writeawaysue. If you’d like a nice mix of humor, inspiration and some “reality check—life could be worse” go take a read.
Question: What are your weekend plans? Are you behind with your holiday preparations/decorating/shopping? Running any races? Anyone start thinking about New Year’s Resolutions?
So apparently 11 days without running caused a little concern for Runkeeper:
Runkeeper misses me!
Well, I didn’t want them to worry so I went for a run today.
It was chilly so I put on my new nike long sleeve half zip shirt that was a birthday gift. I love ripping off tags and wearing something for the first time. I also love thumb holes!
ready to run! (please excuse that mess).
What a great run! I kept an average pace of 9:32. I remember when I started running 5 miles would take me an hour or even a little longer (12:00 pace). So to complete 5 miles in 48 minutes feels really good! I spent the first few miles thinking about my goals for 2014 and what races I would sign up for. I have one full marathon planned at the end of April. My goal is going to be to PR. I have to clock in under 4:48. I’m going to train for a 4:40 finish which is a 10:40 average pace. I know it’s doable. I am going to make sure I really focus on speed work and tempos and try and get a 22 miler into training instead of stopping at 20. It feels good to have a goal to work toward. I spent the last couple of miles thinking about how I could get a 5k completed before the year is out. I need to find a local event. I still have yet to do a 5k that was timed (I ran the Tunnel 2 Towers 5K in September but it wasn’t timed). And with PRs in all the other distances this year (full, half and 10k) I’d love to complete a 5k (automatic PR for my first right?) So I can call 2013 the year of the PR.
Maybe it was being reunited with the runner’s high endorphins that I haven’t felt in almost 2 weeks, or the sunshine on my face but I felt so alive today. Mentally alive.
Running awakens the sole!
Yesterday was Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day. I made my boss hug me when I got to work. He’s a trooper!
Speaking of yesterday I discovered the most amazing Mike and Ikes
RedRageous!
I could have eaten the whole box but brought it to a meeting and shared with some coworkers.
Tomorrow I’m attending a fundraising Gala for a local pet rescue. It’s called the Blue Gala and everyone has to wear blue. I’m excited because I have a great navy blue sparkly dress that I will wear. It’s going to be the 3rd time wearing the dress this year and since I got it on sale for $79 to begin with that breaks down to $26.33 per wear! =)
Question: What’s your favorite candy? What are your goals for 2014
P.S. here are a few cute pics from the Trenton Half 2 weeks ago. I’m on the fence whether to shell out the cash for them. It’s getting out of hand! Especially if I keep running so many races each year…
While I’m in between marathon training cycles I need to revisit the running sneaker situation.
To make a long story short I’ve worn Asics Cumulus 13s for ALL 4 of my marathons even though they are now already up to the 15s.
Asics Cumulus 13s 2011-2013
I gave the 14s a whirl when they came out:
No good!
They were stiffer and didn’t feel as cushy. So I continued to find random places online selling the 13s. Then earlier this year the 15s came out. I flocked to the store to try them. BOO! They didn’t feel right either. And so I opted to go to the more expensive Nimbus.
I don’t mind the Nimbus (these are the 15s) but after I get to 10k they give me blisters and they feel a bit narrow.
My starting point will obviously be to stick to the Nimbus but explore either a wide width or a half size up to see if that helps. Otherwise I’ll just be Good Sally Hunting.
I’ll be heading to Jackrabbit Sports since I have a gift card. Plus, they helped me discover the Cumulus back in 2011 when I went to have my gait analyzed. So I trust them. Let’s see what happens.
Question: What type of running kicks do you run in? Do you find that as the revise the models that you lose the love?
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