Well, it’s time to say so long 42. In a few short hours I’ll be turning 43. But let me tell you about how my last 3 days as a 42 year old went down.

On Saturday Mr. SOTSS and I took a boat trip along the Hudson River. (It was a birthday gift from my parents). It was super cold, windy and rainy but the trip was rain or shine.

Staying dry!

Staying dry!

This is about halfway into the trip. My hair was one big knot by the time we got back. #struggles

This is about halfway into the trip. My hair was one big knot by the time we got back. #struggles

The voyage took us past so many special places:

The Little Red Lighthouse (at the foot of the George Washington Bridge) which I’ve run to with my running friends…

Little Red Lighthouse

Little Red Lighthouse

The Statue of Liberty

She sure is pretty

She sure is pretty

Palisades Park which I’ve hiked in with Duncan

Look at the foliage colors!

Look at the foliage colors!

The Freedom Towerdsc_7216

Oh and I had an incident with my favorite Columbia hiking boots. The right boot literally cracked up. I guess I’ll be on the look out for a new pair. 14695534_10210832553111575_15519947979600462_n

Yesterday Mr. SOTSS and I packed up the dogs and headed to New Hope, Pennsylvania for the afternoon (It’s about an hour’s drive). We parked on the New Jersey side and walked along Delaware & Raritan Canal tow path for a bit before walking across the bridge into PA.

Walking from NJ to PA

Walking from NJ to PA

An abandoned old train

An abandoned old train

Happy Hiking Chester

Happy Hiking Chester

Happy hiking doodle

Happy hiking doodle

We found a pet friendly restaurant with outdoor seating and sweet potato fries were had by all.

img_6878

someone is eyeing my sweet potato fry

someone is eyeing my sweet potato fry

and someone else just took a fry

and someone else just took a fry

Headed back to NJ

Headed back to NJ

crossing back to NJ

Chester and I are in 2 states at the same time!

I ran my last miles as a 42 year old tonight just before sunset.fullsizerender

I love pink sunsets

I love pink sunsets

8 miles. 8 glorious, mind-clearing miles.

img_6912Boy did I need this. Aside from the fact I’ve got a half marathon coming up on Saturday I just really needed the time on my feet to gain some clarity on life stuff.

Duncan was not in the mood to start the day today.img_6898

But eventually we made it out for a walk.

fullsizerender-1

And at this very moment his head is buried in my armpit and he’s snoring.

img_6924

I’m grateful to get to celebrate another birthday. And I plan on spending my 43rd year on earth conquering, exploring, running, loving, and enjoying but more than anything, growing.

How do you feel about birthdays?
Do you have traditions? Do you like to be alone or go out?
How was your Monday?
Ever stood in 2 states at the same time?

 

 

 

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?