Mornings

Monday morning brought with it a fresh blanket of snow along with very blue and sunny skies. Something about the combination made the day seem a little bit less like a dreadful Monday. Maybe it was the fact that I have a 4 day week followed by 8 days in sunny California with family and friends, or maybe it was the fact that there are some new things happening around these parts and some changes are finally starting to feel a little bit more real (very vague, I know). Or maybe it was winter's way of showing us that it can actually be quite beautiful, even when it feels like darkness is trying to seep in through all the cracks in our lives. Maybe, just maybe.

Whatever the reason, I was very grateful to this particular Monday morning, and for it's almost perfect peacefulness.

FHR does Hyannis Half Marathon

 

^^Maura's face clearly shows how we all were feeling pre-race!

^^snazzy singlets.

^^and then I ate a hamburger in less than 3 minutes.

Notice how all of these photos were taken inside?

There's a reason - rain.

Even though it rained throughout the entirety of today's race, the ten hardcore/extreme/dedicated Forest Hills Runners who ran and resilient cheering squad were all smiles after the race. 

As far as the race was concerned; the goal was to run the race comfortably, but not hold back too, too much at the same time. I ran with my Garmin, but didn't look at it until I crossed the finish line since I was running by feel rather than by checking my watch constantly. I attempted to keep an even pace throughout the whole race and managed to do that for the first ~9.5 miles.

After I passed the 10 mile mile marker I was pretty soaked and starting to get a little cold. I decided that I would pick up the pace a bit until the finish. This tactic led to miles 12 and 13 being quite quick, but after a very comfortably paced race I was feeling good about it (plus I was VERY ready to be done at this point). 

The course was pretty flat with only one or two short hills throughout the whole race. It wove next to the water and through neighborhoods for the majority of the race. Honestly, I had trouble remembering any specifics from the race (probably due to the fact I was so focused on running comfortably and trying not to let the rain bother me). There were a couple memorable spots by the beach with boarded up snack shakes and boat rental shops (which made me really excited for summer)! Other than that, just a lot of cape-y homes and neighborhoods.

All in all, it wasn't my favorite course (and probably my least favorite race conditions in the last year), but having so many of our running group complete the half today was really something special. It's so nice to be part of such a great group of people who trained all winter together and to see everyone's hard work pay off! Congrats to all the runners out there (and especially the full marathoner's who ran the second lap in even worse conditions than we had)!!

And here are my splits and route map!

Official Time: 1:58:56

(Garmin read 1:56 since I stopped it when I used the porta-potty around Mile 5)

Happy Sunday!

Masa brunch + other Saturday things

                 

Oops.

^^I didn't have any plans for Columbus Day this year and was beginning to feel like I'd end up having nothing to do that weekend. Fall marathon is officially on the calendar!

Snippets

^^just the coolest kids I know.

Another full weekend has come and gone. Luckily, tomorrow is President's Day and another chance for me to get those two loads of laundry, grocery shopping and studying that I neglected today. 

In marathon training news -- I am currently in full taper mode! I completed my last long training run on Saturday (20.32 miles, woot!) and am feeling good with two weeks to go until 26.2 eeeeeeeek!

I hope everyone's weekend was productive, relaxing and just plain awesome.

Sending all the hugs and kisses in the world your way!

Just a little snapshot of some tops-of-buildings from my walk home yesterday.

I hope everyone eats lots of chocolates and heart shaped food today (I know I will)!

Happppppppppy Valentine's Day.

Happy almost love day

Source

 

Muziki Monday

In the past four days I have logged 20.5 miles on the treadmill. As I've said before, I don't mind the treadmill and often feel like I work harder on indoor runs when I can control the pace/incline (and when I am not constantly distracted by the sights and sounds of the outdoors). That being said, I do require music to listen to while on the treadmill. I have a couple of favorite Pandora stations that I migrate towards but every once and awhile I'll get hooked on a station and have a string of really great treadmill runs as a result. Enter: "Today's Hits Radio". My current obsession. Especially, this song. Happy Monday.

Weekend photo dump

Aftermath of the blizzard:

^^ trekking to Ula Cafe to get some snowstorm studying done.  ^^ failed attempt at taking a short cut.^^ 2 pm Saturday: time to start digging out the cars!

^^no brewery tours yesterday.

^^Sunday: sunny + 40 degrees + cabin fever = seeing everyone you know on a walk around J.P.

^^ I wasn't the only person taking photos of the diving swans!

^^tons of people taking advantage of the beautiful day and fresh snow!

Happy Sunday.

NEMO Updates

Friday - 2 pm

Saturday - 8 am

The blizzard dropped 17 inches of snow overnight (20+ in other parts of Boston) and it's still coming down out there! We're on our second episode of Glee (thanks Hulu plus), knitting needles in hand and I am about to have a third waffle. I'm not sure I will make it out of my PJ's today, but it might be too soon to tell.

Happy shoveling!

Stormin'

The much anticipated blizzard has arrived! Winds are picking up, snow has been falling for a couple of hours now and there is a driving ban in effect as of 4 pm today. While I was very excited for the early dismissal from work today, I am not looking forward to shoveling 2 - 3 feet of snow tomorrow.

After a slight anxiety attack that we weren't going to have enough snacks to last us the weekend, I ran over to the corner store and bought all the chips, salsa, cheese, Annie's, frozen pizza and waffles I could find. A few too many dollars later and I am feeling a little bit better about the possibility of being cutoff for the next couple of days. The only question now is how I am going to run a "half marathon race" in 2 feet of snow tomorow!? There is a very strong chance that I will end up swapping that for a shorter treadmill run in the morning. I am pretty sure that a couple of hard miles + some solid hours of shoveling = half marathon race. Right?

Happy blizzarding all, stay safe!

Black and white weekend

This past weekend was jam packed with lots of parties, running and relaxation. 

Andddd here are the only three photos I managed to take.

Some activities that didn't make it onto film included a potluck with friends, 20 mile training run, Dogwood Cafe brunch, Girl Scout Cookies, Valentine's Day card making, BBQ chicken dip eating, Target shopping, and Tasty Burger eating.

Is it Friday yet?