Wedding Weekend in Block Island

02. August 2015 · Write a comment · Categories: running, Uncategorized, vacation · Tags: , , , , , , ,

Hi guys. Happy Sunday! I’m on Block Island (off the coast of Rhode Island) this weekend to attend a wedding. But first let me fill you in on the last couple of days. 

I decided to do my long run on Friday morning instead of today since I wasn’t sure how much down time I would have while here in Block Island.  It was a drop back week so I only had 7 miles on the schedule. No issues. I took it slow thanks to the heat and covered the 7 miles without any issues. 

7 miles done!

7 miles done!

My normal drill before running is making Duncan sit for a cookie. He loves when I go running!

IMG_7201Then I went for a much needed mani/pedi so all my digits would look great this weekend. 

Gel for the fingers and regular for the toes

Gel for the fingers and regular for the toes

I packed and said goodbye to the doodle and then headed out to Long Island with Mr SOTSS and his girls to catch the first of 2 ferries that eventually got us here to the island. 

11794339_10207189059586514_2728188075784639120_o

Block Island, here we come!

We had a lovely lunch and then checked in to our room and spent some time on the hotel property doing cartwheels and handstands and basically just having fun. The only problem was that in my enthusiastic attempt at a cartwheel I seemed to have pulled my hamstring.

An injury in the making :(

An injury in the making 🙁

Seriously as P!nk says I’m a hazard to myself. I didn’t realize how bad the pull was until later on. 

The hotel has been here since the 1850s and the surroundings are breathtaking.

wildflowers

wildflowers

well hello

well hello

a bee enjoying a sunflower

a bee enjoying a sunflower

The hotel

The hotel

In the evening it was time for a fun clam bake at a restaurant that had access to the beach. The kids really enjoyed it.

We watched the sunset and the moon rise and then sat around a bonfire to toast marshmallows and make s’mores. 

Goodnight moon

Goodnight moon

Now that's a fire!

Now that’s a fire!

Getting ready to make S'mores

Getting ready to make S’mores

sunset

sunset

She's just taking it all in.

She’s just taking it all in.

Happiness!

Happiness!

IMG_7236-1

This morning I got up with the sunrise and tried to run. It was basically a shuffle. And I only did that because it actually hurt less than walking. I stopped plenty to take pictures and then snuck back in the room by 6:30am before anyone else even woke up. I covered about 2.5 miles and my pace is really not important to share. LOL!

Smiling anyway despite the disappointment about my hamstring

Smiling anyway despite the disappointment about my hamstring

The south east lighthouse.

The south east lighthouse.

i will never get sick of a gorgeous sunrise

i will never get sick of a gorgeous sunrise

good morning!

good morning!

And now I’m going to the wedding. 

Hope you have a great day!

Have you ever hurt yourself doing something that you didn’t expect to get injured doing? 

Have you ever been to Block Island? Beach wedding? Clam bake? 

Do you like S’mores?

Related posts:

  1. My goals for the NYC Marathon
  2. Thursday Thrills
  3. What if

100 days until the NYC Marathon

24. July 2015 · 6 comments · Categories: running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

Happy Friday!

First let me say I’m loving your fun fact comments. To anyone who hasn’t entered/commented on my previous post and Pro Compression giveaway, go do it now!

So, 100 days until the NYC Marathon. Actually that’s really a lot of time and I’m glad because I’m nowhere near ready. My weekly mileage is only at 10-15 miles per week. It’ll go up to about 40 miles in my highest mileage week before the taper.

Wednesday morning I tried to get a run in before work. The weather was perfect but I didn’t give myself much time and to make matters worse my back was screaming and my calves were barking (or maybe the calves were screaming and the back was barking =) I just couldn’t get my legs to move…but I managed to shuffle through 2 miles and at least mentally I felt like I can start getting back into a routine of running before work. I’m not a morning person and I hate giving up any time with my dog before work. He’s got me wrapped around his little furry paw for sure.

almost 6 months later and I can finally support myself on my elbows

almost 6 months later and I can finally support myself on my elbows

The exciting thing about yesterday was realizing my rotator cuff has healed enough that I can finally support myself on my arms to do a plank and push ups. Woo hoo! I’m basically starting at zero here. Boy has my upper body (which wasn’t too buff to begin with) suffered in the last 6 months.

The weather the last 2 days has been so lovely. Lower humidity and cooler mornings reaching into the 80s during the day. Duncan and I have been loving the beautiful blue skies and cool “Dr. Seuss” clouds.

Those clouds...I see so many Dr. Seuss characters

Those clouds…I see so many Dr. Seuss characters

He's glowing

He’s glowing

Nope, I'm not licking anything mom.

Nope, I’m not licking anything mom.

I was off yesterday so I went for a run late morning. What a difference a day makes. I covered 5 miles and the heavy legs were gone. I was in a nice steady rhythm. I could have run more but I know i’m going to be running both Saturday and Sunday.

IMG_7053I also got my haircut yesterday and have been enjoying running my fingers through my hair since she blew it out straight which is a rare thing in my life.

IMG_7084Today it’s back to work but then other than running and an evening with one of my girl friends I’ve got a really relaxing weekend ahead of me. Maybe I’ll even grab my lounge chair, sit by the beach and read a magazine or something.

Have a great weekend! And I’ll announce the Pro Compression winner on Monday.

Will you be having a relaxing weekend or a wild and crazy one? 

Related posts:

  1. A What If, Weekend and PT Update
  2. Wednesday what-not
  3. aches and pains and I skipped the gym

I made a noodleless lasagna and a PRO Compression giveaway

21. July 2015 · 29 comments · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

My folks had so much zucchini in their garden so I decided tonight to make a lasagna without noodles.

IMG_7006I sliced the zucchini super thin and sautéed it in a pan with garlic and oil first. I should have read the Internet before that because apparently you’re supposed to salt the zucchini to draw out moisture. My finished product was a little watery but not that bad considering I didn’t use a recipe. I layered the zucchini with ricotta, mozzarella, fresh basil (also from my dad’s garden) marinara sauce, and some bread crumbs. Tasty! I’ll be eating this for lunch the next few days paired with some pasta and meatballs…Bellisimo!

IMG_7010

So just a few weeks ago i was the lucky winner of a pair of PRO Compression sleeves from a giveaway on another blog (Thank you Ali On the Run!). I had the choice between socks or sleeves and I chose the sleeves since I already own 3 pairs of socks and wanted to give the sleeves out.
I became a big fan of compression gear when I started running marathons. I use compression socks after running while i’m recovering from those weekly long runs. And with all of the tendon issues I’ve had in my legs I swear that the socks have helped me recover quicker.
I don’t usually wear them for races but last summer I did wear them when I ran the San Francisco Half Marathon.
Think pink!

Think pink! Boy was I sweaty!

me and Lisa after running the San Francisco Half last summer

me and Lisa after running the San Francisco Half last summer

I was just coming back from an ankle injury and my calves were super achy. I think the only reason I don’t wear them more is because I usually wear capris and it looks kinda silly for some reason to have tall socks on.

Anyhoo—I was super stoked when I was asked to do a giveaway on my own blog. YAY! I get the chance to pay it forward.
So here are the details:
  • All you have to do to enter for a chance to win a marathon sock or sleeve of your choice is comment below with a fun fact about yourself.
  • You can comment until 10pm on Friday 7/24. I’ll contact the winner on Monday 7/27. 
  • Also, be sure to follow PRO Compression on Facebook and Twitter.
  • And if you prefer getting info about sales, discounts and other sweet giveaways emailed, you should go here to sign up for their newsletter.
  • Oh, and if you are chomping at the bit to buy yourself some PRO Compression gear ASAP you’ll get 40% off with the discount code PRO15
If you have any questions for me regarding socks, sleeves or even their amazingly comfy leggings which I now own 2 pairs of just let me know.
 
One little mention…this giveaway is only open to US residents so I apologize to all my loyal non-US readers. 
Have a great day!
Fun fact about you….GO!

Related posts:

  1. Walked the High Line and Blogaversary Number 3
  2. BX and SI to BK (Prospect Park 10 miles)

Weekend Recap and NYRR Open Run

20. July 2015 · 4 comments · Categories: recreational fun, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , , ,

Hi folks I’ll catch you up on my weekend and then tell you about a cool local event.

Saturday Mr. SOTSS and I, and the pups drove to Virginia and back (same day!) to deliver a sailboat that he had sold.

I like Virginia!

I like Virginia!

Bye bye boat

Bye bye boat

We figured it’d be just under 5 hours but there was some insane traffic that tacked on an extra hour+. Eventually we made it and passed off the boat and then headed back up into Maryland where we stopped in Annapolis for lunch and some play time for the pups.

IMG_6955

I did some research and found this place that had been featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. It was great!

crab dip on pretzel bread with melted cheddar

crab dip on pretzel bread with melted cheddar

crab dip on a burger

crab dip on a burger

I had done a little research to see what, if any restaurants that had been featured on Diners Drive Ins and Dives might be nearby. Sure enough there was a place by the water that had outdoor seating and allowed dogs. It was called Davis’ Pub and there were so many choices on the menu I had a hard time deciding. We started of with the Crab Pretzel Bread which was pretzel bread with amazing creamy crab dip on top covered in melted cheddar.

Then I had a burger with more crab dip and fries. And a spiked lemonade. Yeah baby! We also headed over to a park that had a dog park and was adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay. It was HOT and the dogs weren’t to happy about that but they were still excited to be out of the car and able to stretch their legs and get a little exercise.

One of my favorite photos i've ever taken of Chester

One of my favorite photos i’ve ever taken of Chester

FullSizeRender 13

nothing better than being by the water

nothing better than being by the water

My boys

My boys

Then it was about 3 1/2 hours until we got back home. And we were armed for the ride with Slurpees!

The couple who slurpees together...

The couple who slurpees together…

Wearing Mr. SOTSS coveted hat

Wearing Mr. SOTSS coveted hat

And he's out...

And he’s out…

Chester isn't always the calmest in the car but after being out in the heat for a bit he was content to chill

Chester isn’t always the calmest in the car but after being out in the heat for a bit he was content to chill

It was a successful trip.

=)

=)

I had plans on Sunday as well so I didn’t have time for a full length long run but honestly it was so hot and humid I barely made it 3 1/2 miles and wouldn’t have made it for 7+ miles anyway.

shortest long run ever

shortest long run ever

OK, now on to business:

If you’re local (NYC/New Jersey) but especially if you’re on Staten Island, NYRR (New York Road Runners) is spearheading FREE local runs in the park and they teamed NYCrunningmama for the Staten Island Location.

Every Saturday at 9am there will be a 5k open run at Conference House Park starting July 25th (and continuing every Saturday after).

Details from NYCrunningmama’s blog:

“Here are the details:

  • The 5k is completely FREE
  • 3 loop course (no requirement, however, to run all three)
  • Registration opens at 8:30am; run begins at 9am
  • ALL are encouraged to participate
    • Walkers
    • Strollers
    • Dogs
    • No minimum ages
    • No time cutoff
    • Run/Walk 1, 2 or 3 loops (3 loops = 5k)
  • NYRR will help set the program up but it will continue because of volunteers in the community – so please come out and volunteer if you are able!”

So if you’re local come out for one of these open runs! And stay tuned for a giveaway coming in my next post!

Have a great week!

What did you do this weekend?
Do you like road trips?
Most hours you’ve ever driven in one day?

 

Related posts:

  1. Thursday Thrills
  2. Let the weekend begin
  3. 36 more days!
« Older articles
Newer articles »