40 is just a number, so is 11.8

27. October 2013 · 3 comments · Categories: recreational fun, running, running gear, sweet treats, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , ,

Happy Sunday!

First, let me start off by saying if I don’t make complete sentences it’s because i’m so tired! I’ve partied like a rockstar at the new Club 40 (years old) for a few days straight now…

Friday night I met some good friends and former co-workers for a celebratory birthday dinner. We’re closing in on almost 20 years of friendship!

this is what friendship that lasts looks like

this is what friendship that lasts looks like

I stayed out fairly late and didn’t really sleep or prepare much for yesterday morning’s long run. But I pulled it together and met my friends at the base of the Queensboro Bridge where we ran over it into Queens, then back into Manhattan, up 1st Ave into the Bronx and then back down 5th Ave in Manhattan before splitting up at 90th and Central Park West. (basically the last 11 miles of the NYC marathon course).

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peeps!

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I’m coming for you mile 16 next Sunday 2:10pm!!!!

I continued running toward my car on 57th street and although I was shooting to run 12 miles, I stopped at 11.8 because Starbucks had made me a latte (well, technically they didn’t start making it until I went in and ordered it….technically schmecnically)

lots of traffic lights slowed us down

lots of traffic lights slowed us down

I walked an additional block back to my car and then headed home for some last minute packing and prep before heading to my brother’s house for my big party.

Have I mentioned how much I love the fall foliage lately? (probably a dozen times i’m sure)

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Then my party happened:

 

It was such a great night! My cake was made by an amazing cake decorator who took my bib/medal/mums idea and ran with it (get it? see what i did just there?). And my amazing friend, the Rescue Baker made my favorite delicious cookies.

7 heavenly layers of awesomeness

7 heavenly layers of awesomeness

I got so many wonderful gifts, many of which were running inspired…

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tech shirt, running mitten/gloves, It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon” bracelet, and sporting good store gift cards

even these could be running inspired….

refuel and celebrate with candy and booze and sooth sore achy muscles and feet after running

refuel and celebrate with candy and booze and sooth sore achy muscles and feet after running

I am so truly lucky to have great friends and family. So now I’ve caught you up on my birthday weekend. I am going to hibernate for a long time take a nap now and then get myself prepared for the week.

At this time next sunday I’ll have just crossed the finish line of the NYC Marathon! Woo hoo!

Question: What’s the best birthday gift you ever got? How much cake is considered too much cake to eat in a day? 

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Birthday Girl

25. October 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: recreational fun, running, sweet treats, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , , ,

Morning!

Life is busy. Life is good. It’s my 40th birthday today!!!! I feel like an old lady in the world of blogging. Had one martini last night and I feel like I have a hangover 😉 I’m meeting friends for dinner tonight and plan on these accessories:

accessories

Yesterday I started my morning taking my dad to his mechanic to pick up his car in this really pretty town in NJ. Fall foliage is just in full effect here on the East Coast.

morningautumn

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Then I took the doodle on our favorite mystical magical walk in the woods.

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Then I attempted what I thought would be an easy thing to make….Caramel Apples. I wanted to give them as favors to the guests at my party tomorrow. I went apple picking and (discovered the best cross training ever) last weekend and picked 36 Granny Smiths for the task. Everything started off successful! They were lookin’ good.

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All the elements before the debacle

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The first batch….lookin good!

I even wrapped one to see what the final product would look like

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Short-lived success

But a few hours later, the caramel slid off the apple and I ended up with this…

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pool of caramel with an apple garnish

I managed to salvage about 2 dozen buy melting chocolate and spreading it on the apple with some toffee bits but the rest were a total bomb!

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Saved!

I’m praying that The Rescue Baker saves the day. She mentioned maybe she could make mini cakes for all! After the apple debacle I went for a run because that’s what I do right? I sweat out the small stuff 😉

Duncan sticking his nose into everything as always

Duncan sticking his nose into everything as always

All was good until I got a weird side stitch just before mile 4. It lasted for forever a few minutes and I had to walk. I freaked out! What if that happens to me during the marathon?

Then came my first of many birthday celebrations. Sushi! (and a coconut lychee martini which I drank too fast to photograph)

the heart shaped roll was called the Cupid Roll.

the heart shaped roll was called the Cupid Roll.

I arrived at work today and these lovely gifts were waiting for me…

flowers and cupcakes....works for me!

flowers and cupcakes….works for me!

And now I better get back to work. I’ve got another celebratory dinner tonight and then tomorrow my running peeps and I are running the last 10 miles of the NYC Marathon route in preparation and then in the evening I’ll be partying it up!

Catch ya later.

Question: What’s your favorite tradition on your birthday? I always like to take a walk in the park and enjoy the Autumn leaves. 

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  1. Thursday Thrills
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Small stuff adds up…480 calories to be exact

10. October 2013 · 1 comment · Categories: labradoodle, running, sweet treats, Uncategorized

Small stuff is usually what I call annoying things in life that aren’t really major, right?

Well today I’m talking about some other small stuff….as in Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Munchkins. I’ve fallen in love and we need to set the date for a union but it’ll end in divorce so forget it.

punkin2

perfectly pumpkin-y cake-y munchkin

A coworker brought these sweet little spheres in today and they bullied me in the breakroom until I caved.

punkin

I started with 2. But then I had to walk down to the printer and pass the break room….2 more….and then there was a trip to the ladies room….you guessed it….2 more. Well 480 calories later I finally got some self control and walked down to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Brooklyn 10K packet pickup during lunch.

diggin' the shirt

diggin’ the shirt

The expo was small and I’m not a blogger who likes to dissect expos so let’s just leave it at that. On my way back I noticed that the Diana Nyad pool was almost completely drained and disassembled.

drain

The walk to and from the expo totaled about 2 miles so perhaps my calorie deficit didn’t hit the ceiling yet. If only I had just listened to the dog…

dog

stay home with me

I’m enjoying today and tomorrow as lovely rest days. I’ll check in over the weekend for sure to let all 7 of you know how my races went. (Of course half my readership will be running with me).

Question: Today is 10/10/13. Does anyone remember where they were and what they were doing on 10/10/10? Ironically enough I was running a the Staten Island Half Marathon and I finished in 2:26:48!

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