The marathon is always on my mind

03. December 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: cross training, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , ,

Yesterday I hit the gym during my lunch break and did 15 min on the rower and 15 on the stair master. My upper body got a good workout as did my glutes..and my tender foot got a reprieve. Happy to report it is feeling good and I should be just fine to run on it in a day or two.

I had these sourdough pretzel nibblers with my lunch and had a smile when I realized they were from my goodie bag that I received as soon as I crossed the finish line at the NYC Marathon exactly one month ago!

photo 2Then  when I came home I was snacking on some popcorn (theme of the day was carbo snacking-busted!) and happened to notice the “sell by” date is April 27th, 2014 which is the date of my next marathon (the NJ Marathon). I had a chuckle.

popcorndate

Admittedly, I’m a running junkie and running is always on my mind. So even while I’m enjoying being in this non-structured time period right now to let my body rest and focus on cross training, it’s nice to be reminded again of my marathons both past and future! I’m super excited to start training for NJ. Just 5 more weeks until training kicks off. Let’s see if I’m still super excited as I hit the beginning of April. At least I won’t be running my 20 mile long runs in the heat and humidity!

I often get caught up in the frustrations of working in Manhattan—the crowds, the commute, the time lost as I sit in traffic…but last night as all the tourists were busy taking pictures of the decorated holiday windows at Macy’s I grabbed this shot of the Empire State Building. It looked extra specially beautiful with the blue and white lights shining.

photo 3

Tonight they’ll be lighting the tree at Rockafeller Center. I could easily walk there from my office to see the tree but let’s not get silly now! WAY TOO CHAOTIC for me. =)

3 more weeks until Christmas day. I’ve got my holiday cards designed, ordered and shipped. As soon as I get them mailed I’ll post the final card here. It’s really cute if I do say so myself.

Happy Hump Day. 

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Sayonara Sunday

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

This morning I finally tackled the closet and drawer cleaning in my bedroom. I filled an entire garbage bag with old worn out socks, shirts (mostly cotton race t-shirts), and pajamas. I also filled a second bag with clothes to give to Goodwill. Sayonara! See ya! So long! Boy did that feel good!

I treated myself to a celebratory breakfast. Nothing says, celebratory clean closet more than bacon and eggs (i even added some sauteed onions and celery)

doodle + coffee + bacon and eggs = happy girl

doodle + coffee + bacon and eggs = happy girl

Then I took the dog for a 2 mile walk in the woods. We’ve been doing that a lot lately. It’s one of my favorite ways to relax and sweat out the small stuff.

walk and sniff and sniff and walk and CRASH in the car on the ride home.

walk and sniff and sniff and walk…then pass out in the car on the ride home.

I dilly dallied for a bit and then got a phone call from my friend. But as soon as I hung up with her I got ready to go for a run.

my karate kid meets marathon runner look. not one i suggest.

my “karate kid meets marathon runner” look…Sally Miyagi. not a flattering look. (note to self: stick to black buffs or maybe just wear a hat)

It was already 3:30 and the sun sets here now about 4:30. I didn’t have a specific distance I wanted to cover but I did want to get home before it was pitch dark. So I stopped my watch at 5 miles and then walked about 10 minutes longer to cool down.photo 2

Most of my route was on the pavement but I finished the last 1/4 mile on a foot trail right near my house. Saw a few interesting things along the way.

Left to right: 1) Looks like a fellow NYC Marathoner runs the same route as me and they lost a glove. 2) I like the name of the contractor because I think running is cool. 3) Anyone need some honey? Bee's nest free to good home.

Left to right: 1) Looks like a fellow NYC Marathoner runs the same route as me and they lost a glove. Notice the 5 borough fingers? 2) I like the name of the contractor because I think running is cool. 3) Anyone need some honey? Bee’s nest free to good home.

photo 3

last 1/4 mile in the woods. I like me some criss crossed branches. I think I scared some wild life with my yellow forehead.

After coming back from my run I’ve basically been snacking and couch surfing. Something about fleece loungewear that just makes you feel all loungy. It’s been nice to have some downtime without having to be anywhere. No time restraints. I feel a little lazy but then I think about all running around I’ve done this year and frankly lazy is just fine this weekend. I’m not ready yet to brave the stores for holiday shopping or to put up my tree and decorate but perhaps next weekend I’ll get the ball rolling.

4 day weekends rock….I’m already breaking a sweat at the thought of returning to work tomorrow.

Question: When do you start decorating for the holidays? Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving? 

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Alka Seltzer Friday

29. November 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: labradoodle, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

Sorry, no shopping today, no great deals to share. I don’t buy into the whole Black Friday thing. Cyber Monday, on the other hand is totally fine by me =) And today I’d like to call Alka Seltzer Friday. C’mon, don’t tell me you don’t have a smidge of indigestion goin’ on today?

Yesterday included a marathon of eating but it started with a lil’ run. Shocker! I stopped at 4.3 because I wanted it to rhyme with turkey. I’m a nerd. It was windy and cold and Jack Frost was nipping at my nose cheeks.

4.3 for turKEY

4.3 for turKEY

Running outdoors means there are always things to battle. Hard to believe just a few months ago I was worrying about cicadas landing on me.

nasty bugger

nasty bugger

So who ate pie? Me! Who’s in a carb coma today? Me!  Not only did I have mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and stuffing but I also had potato latkes since Chanukah and Thanksgiving overlap this year (Thanksgivukah).

Next stop was driving to my brothers house where I left this guy to hang with his furry cousin and some adult supervision.

not enthusiastic about the taking photos bit

not enthusiastic about the taking photos bit

I then hitched a ride with my brother and his family to my cousin’s house for the main event. Traffic was intense. I got the run-chies. So I did what any one would do and broke into the container of fresh whipped cream that was supposed to go on the cake we brought. It worked. And honestly the cake was delicious even without the topping.

photo 2-1

Caught up on my running reading and took lots of traffic selfies.

Reading does a body good

Reading does a body good

The niece photobombing from the 3rd row

The niece photobombing from the 3rd row

After close to 3 hours we arrived and stuffed our faces while enjoying the company of family, including my cousin’s newest addition, Teddy a sweet little poodle who they rescued just a few days ago. This boy struck gold. And he was so sweet.

pretty apricot curls and a cute poodle

pretty apricot curls and Teddy the poodle =) Seriously is my niece not so beautiful?!

This morning, I convinced the niece to run with me. She ran 1 solid mile with me. I’m pretty darn proud and I know i’ll get her ready and excited to run a 5k with me in 2014.

photo 3We are so alike we both ended up wearing black 1/2 zip long sleeve shirts today.

photo 1

photo 2I felt like running a little more so I took Duncan for a mile lap as well. A minute slower because he stopped to pee in a pile of leaves once and at a hydrant once.

photo 4

photo 2

Duncan was pooped after that. Amazing how 11 minutes could tucker him out so much.

tuckered out doodle

tuckered out doodle

I probably should have run a few more miles solo but there was pie being served in the kitchen. The pie won out! After a little more visiting and a little more squirrel watching Duncan and I headed home.

photo 1-1

double doodles

And now it’s Operation Clean! I’m determined to get my house spotless decent before the end of the weekend.

I hope you all enjoyed your Turkey (Tofurkey) day. What fun things do you have planned for the rest of the weekend. Anyone get any great deals today? Anyone want to admit how much pie they ate? 

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Reunited with the road

21. November 2013 · 3 comments · Categories: running, running gear, sweet treats · Tags: ,

So apparently 11 days without running caused a little concern for Runkeeper:

Runkeeper misses me!

Runkeeper misses me!

Well, I didn’t want them to worry so I went for a run today.

photo

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!

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!

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!

photo 1

Speaking of yesterday I discovered the most amazing Mike and Ikes

RedRageous!

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…


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