Back in business

20. February 2016 · 2 comments · Categories: running · Tags: , ,

It’s 60 degrees! 30 degrees above average and that was all I needed to help push me out the door to finally get a run in since recovering from that nasty upper respiratory infection.

pretending to be in jail.

pretending to be in jail.

I’ve been feeling better since probably Wednesday and I’m sure I could have managed a few miles on Thursday or Friday but I was scared that running would cause me to relapse. Or maybe I was just being lazy? I ended up being rather busy with work on Thurs/Fri so I just took the extra 2 days to take it easy.

And today, with the warmish sun on my face, I set out for 3 miles which turned into 3.5.

IMG_1186

I think my favorite color combination lately is this chartreuse green and turquoise combo on my shirt and sneakers. I even have the green stitching up the sides of the leggings and on the cuffs of my socks.And I love that my earbuds match too!

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Of course I’m not loving the extra lbs I feel like I’ve gained over the last few months. I can see it in this picture for sure 🙁 Time to work on that. #storyofmylife

The highlights of my week involved spending time with Duncan, Mr. SOTSS, Chester, and various combinations of all 3.

Duncan squished in between me and Mr. SOTSS.

Duncan squished in between me and Mr. SOTSS.

Chester using Duncan as a pillow and Duncan using me as a pillow

Chester using Duncan as a pillow and Duncan using me as a pillow

IMG_1147 IMG_1134 IMG_1126

I’m going to shoot for another few miles tomorrow and then on Monday I’m dropping my Subaru at the dealership for service and I plan to run/walk the 6.5 miles from Subaru to Mr. SOTSS’s house. This should get me back on track for training for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler.

Speaking of the Cherry Blossom 10 miler, have I mentioned how excited I am for it?!

Are you excited for any Spring races? What are you up to this weekend? 

Related posts:

  1. Another Memorable Winter Vermont Weekend
  2. What a weekend
  3. Meh

A really good run

07. February 2016 · 8 comments · Categories: running · Tags: , , , , , , ,

I can’t remember the last time I felt the endorphins like I did today. I ran 5 miles which is the longest I’ve run this year.

5 miles to start....building up to 13.1

5 miles to start….building up to 13.1

Even the iPod felt good enough to last 52 minutes all while saying "battery low".

Even the iPod felt good enough to last 52 minutes all while saying “battery low”.

Happy!

Happy!

And technically I’m calling this my first long training run for all my Spring races. I’ve got the Cherry Blossom DC 10 miler the beginning of April followed by the Philly Love Run Half Marathon the week after that and the NJ Marathon (Half) the first week of May.

Yesterday I slogged through 3 miles but definitely didn’t feel as amazing.

3-kicks-watch

New kicks couldn't give me the oomph.

New kicks couldn’t give me the oomph.

I’ve been fighting a cold since I came home from Vermont. But today the cold symptoms didn’t hold me back one bit.

This is all so perfect for me right now. To feel that boost in self-esteem and to feel happy and excited for racing again.

Aside from sniffling, coughing until my abs hurt and going through 1,250,400 cough drops and tissues, not too much has happened since I came back from my ski weekend last Sunday. I worked from home the first 3 days of the week.

This was my Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

This was my Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Duncan got a haircut…

Coiffed!

Coiffed!

Thursday and Friday I worked in the city. Friday morning was interesting. It was snowing heavily for my commute in but by the time I left in the evening you’d never know it.

First I had to clean off the car

First I had to clean off the car

I drove to the train station and walked through a winter wonderland to get to the platform

I drove to the train station and walked through a winter wonderland to get to the platform

and then I waited forever for the train

and then I waited forever for the train

Two hours later I got into the city to see that the snow wasn't even sticking.

Two hours later I got into the city to see that the snow wasn’t even sticking.

I caught a gorgeous sunset with the Statue of Liberty to the left while waiting for the ferry home

I caught a gorgeous sunset with the Statue of Liberty to the left while waiting for the ferry home

And then captured this shot....all the exhausted, disgruntled commuters inside the boat and the gorgeous colorful sunset and statue right outside the window

And then captured this shot….all the exhausted, disgruntled commuters inside the boat and the gorgeous colorful sunset and statue right outside the window

And now it’s time to prepare for the Superbowl. I have no interest in the game really, just the food, commercials and the Puppy Bowl during halftime 🙂

Got any plans for the “Big Game”? 
Have you had any endorphin filled runs lately?

Related posts:

  1. 60 degrees in December
  2. testing out new shoes and a twisted knee in my sleep
  3. O’Hammy! And props to Miss Frankenbooty!

The Blizzard of 2016 recap. Nope it isn’t a race.

27. January 2016 · 4 comments · Categories: labradoodle, recreational fun, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , , , ,

The Blizzard of 2016 recap. Nope it isn’t a race.

Warning: a ton of pictures of snow and dogs. 🙂

I am doing my best to type this as the hours of shoveling on Sunday have rendered my body sore beyond belief.

Mother nature dumped over 2 feet of snow on us over the weekend. It was awesome! Well, except for the shoveling.

blizzard

I drove over to Mr. SOTSS’ house Friday night when there was only a few inches on the ground. I figured if I was going to be housebound for a bit it would be more fun spending the time with him and his girls. We completed a jigsaw puzzle…

we counted....1008 pieces....that's 8 more than the box said!

we counted….1008 pieces….that’s 8 more than the box said!

And made Shrinky Dinks…

I made the rainbow, pencil and shooting stars....The other beauties were done by Mr. SOTSS' 10 year old. She's quite the budding artist. Love her evenly spaced sprinkles and watermelon seeds

I made the rainbow, pencil and shooting stars….The other beauties were done by Mr. SOTSS’ 10 year old. She’s quite the budding artist. Love her evenly spaced sprinkles and watermelon seeds

And during the peak of the storm when they had a travel ban we just took the dogs and the sleds around the neighborhood streets. Chester actually pulls the sled. He’s pretty talented.

blizzard-neighborhoodBoth Mr. SOTSS and I tried out our snow shoes too.

G-snowshoe

Just snow shoeing around the hood in the middle of a blizzard

Just snow shoeing around the hood in the middle of a blizzard

my new snow shoes!

my new snow shoes!

More »

Related posts:

  1. Let the weekend begin
  2. 36 more days!
  3. Mt Snow Vermont ski weekend recap plus healthy car snack options

Winter has arrived and I’m going cookie crazy

19. January 2016 · 8 comments · Categories: recreational fun, running, sweet treats, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

Hi there.

We finally got snow! It might be just an inch but enough to make things look pretty. Duncan couldn’t believe it….white flakes finally arrived.

Finally!

Finally!

Pretty soon he’ll be wearing his ridiculous snowsuit.

I came home from work on Friday and had some freelance work to do. Good thing my Girl Scout cookie order arrived. I paired it with a nice Cabernet and hit the ground running.

Time to start the weekend.....

Time to start the weekend…..

Saturday morning I ran a local 5k trail run literally 10 minutes from my house. It was held at Duncan’s and my favorite park.

trail-run

Pink ribbons marked the trail. Photo: King of the Mountain Events

resolution-run I really enjoyed it. I will be running these trails more for sure.

On Saturday evening, I packed up my nice little portable life (cookies, wine, my laptop and the doodle) and headed over to Mr. SOTSS’ house for the remainder of this nice long weekend.

Cookies, Wine, Duncan....ok let's go!

Cookies, wine, laptop and Duncan….ok let’s go!

We saw the movie Sisters. OMG so funny! Not PG, but SO FUNNY!

best theater ever...recliners

best theater ever…recliners

Yesterday we took the dogs on a really muddy 3 hour hike. Hiking is one of our favorite things to do. The dogs agree. =) I always laugh how the first 2 hours I’m fine and then my legs get tired and I start tripping over every single tree route and then I get cranky. Mr. SOTSS knows when the wheels start to fall off the bus but somehow he gets me to continue a little farther without me realizing it.

Chester!

Chester!

I have this strange obsession with moss. I'm fascinated by it.

I have this strange obsession with moss. I’m fascinated by it.

I'm coming ma!

I’m coming ma!

There were lots of mountain bikers in the park so they must use this ramp. Notice duncan's muddy dipped feet

There were lots of mountain bikers in the park so they must use this ramp. Notice duncan’s muddy dipped feet

My secret selfie. LOL!

My secret selfie. LOL!

The boys

The boys

After hiking we grabbed a bite to eat and then ran a few errands. Mr. SOTSS has been renovating his bathroom so we made a pit stop to The Home Depot for a few things. He’s up to the electrical….

I don't know why but I love the way Home Depot smells.

I don’t know why but I love the way Home Depot smells.

And then we picked up the ingredients to make toffee doodle cookies. I had one at Starbucks the other day and it was so good I decided I needed to find a similar recipe and bake them.

Toffee Doodles!

Toffee Doodles!

Fresh outta the oven

Fresh outta the oven

If you’re interested, here’s the recipe.

The dogs relaxed after their hike.

sleepy-pups

This morning started with coffee, freelance work and two dogs for company while Mr. SOTSS fixed his door lock and then went to work on his bathroom.

working

Working at my house and working at Mr. SOTSS' house are pretty much the same only I have two dogs cuddled on the couch next to me

Working at my house and working at Mr. SOTSS’ house are pretty much the same only I have two dogs cuddled on the couch next to me

door-fix

Mr. Fixit!

After a few hours of working I went for a short run. It was COLD and WINDY!

mlk-run

must have ears covered when it's windy and in the 20s

must have ears covered when it’s windy and in the 20s

The exposed skin was only an issue for the first 1/2 mile and then I warmed up enough that it didn't bother me

The exposed skin was only an issue for the first 1/2 mile and then I warmed up enough that it didn’t bother me

Now I’m back home and I realized that I forgot to take some of those toffee doodle cookies home with me! So Mr. SOTSS scored at least a dozen all for himself. Good thing I still have plenty of Girl Scout cookies to get me through the week 🙂

What is your favorite type of cookie? Do you like soft or crunchy cookies?

 

Related posts:

  1. I had myself a merry little Christmas and the Luna Bar Giveaway winner
  2. My process is my process and new foot doctor shed some light
  3. Taking a few days away from SOTSS
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