Fall Photos for Friday

October is almost over! I can't believe it! This Fall has been one of the best I can remember. There is a tree right outside my apartment building that is several shades of color. It is just beautiful!




I took off yesterday and today from working out because I felt I needed the rest. Tuesday I did a timed 5k run to see how it would go. I was just under 8 min/mile pace and I didn't feel like I was pushing it, just gliding along. Things are looking good for running!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Three Things Thursday!

I am stealing "Three Things Thursday" from The Redhead and also Marlene because I think it an awesome idea!

1. Winter is right around the corner and I have been on the prowl for a good pair of boots! I found these in the Eddie Bauer catalog and I love them! Don't they look comfy?

2. I am thinking of signing up for a 5k on December 5th...I am still on the fence about this and wanted some input. I want to start doing some light speed work again but I worry about moving too quickly and hurting myself again.

3. Thursday = TIART at Runners' Lounge and this week's topic is hosted by Julia. Her questions is:

If a genie were to appear and grant you any three running wishes in the world, what would you choose? It can be anything from superhuman powers, new running inventions, race entries, shoes, you name it! What would be your three wishes??

1) Run injury free - I know we all hate injuries that keep us from running!
2) A pair of shoes that would never wear out and always look brand new!
3) Become a professional runner/athlete!


Happy Thursday and Happy Halloween!!

Weekend Runs!

This past weekend I got out for two runs - One Saturday and another Sunday! This is the first time since the injury that I have done back to back runs. Usually I take a day off between to rest up. I felt pretty good though and enjoyed being outside in the nice fall weather! The leaves are so vibrant this year!

Yesterday morning I went to a new pool. The one I have been going to since the summer is a bit far for me and also costs money. This new one is in my town and is free to residents. My dad wanted to check it out too so I picked him up and we headed over. When we walked into the pool area there were no lane lines in the pool! It was ridiculous swimming there because it was so wavy! I don't know what to do now - its close by and free, but without lane lines its just a disaster! My dad is addicted to the swimming though - He went again this morning. He is rehabbing from shoulder surgery so this is really perfect! At least one of us is going to get to swim!

Hope everyone is having a good week! Its almost 60 degrees here and I am headed out for a run! Happy Tuesday!

P.S. Check out Tall Mom's great giveaway HERE! Its pretty awesome!

A day late, A dollar short

Yesterday once again turned out to be a busy day and I never got around to posting. This morning I got up and went for a 2.8 mile run. I felt good for the first half but the second half was a struggle. I felt tired and sluggish by the end. Its going to take me a while to get back my endurance!

Here are some pictures from apple picking last week! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Rows and Rows of apple trees!

Smile!

That little stake says "EMPIRE" which is my absolute favorite type of apple!!!

TIART: Racing!!

I cannot believe it is already Thursday (night). Work has been kicking my butt this week but I have been getting in my runs.

Since it is still Thursday I thought I would include a little thing from TIART which is hosted by MCM Mama this week. She poised this question:

We've discussed why we run, but why do you RACE and how do you choose which races to run? Do you look for certain distances, swag, location, start time, or something else? Tell me how you decide where and when to race. Also, I'm currently on a quest to run a race in every state. Please tell me --and others about a particular race you've run that is not to be missed.

I love to race just because of the high feeling that comes with the running of the race and the finishing. The feeling of accomplishment and achievement that is felt after all the hard work and training. I miss that feeling because I haven't felt it since July. I am itching to start racing again.

My favorite race has to be the Boilermaker which I have run the last 5 years. It has to be the best 15k to run and I think everyone should run this at least once if you are ever in Utica, NY in July! This was my first "real" race and I feel in love with running because if it!

*******

Morning Runner is back! I have my headlight and my florescent vest and I have been good to go! My headlight does slip down my forehead when I get sweaty though...anyone else have this problem??? Its been about 50 degrees in the morning this week which has been perfect! This morning I ran 2.5 miles with Brian. We ran up a few hills and I could feel my hips start to get achy and tired - otherwise no pain!! I am just slowly building up the milage. This week my grand total will be 7 miles! That seems like such a little bit compared to what everyone else is running but at least I am running now!

Thanks for reading - Tomorrow I will have some pictures from apple picking last weekend! The pie made from those apples is in the oven now! Yum - I love fall!!

Just checking In

A few weeks ago Tom at Runners Lounge emailed me to let me know that I was the winner of the New Balance 910 Trail shoes! Well they arrived in the mail last week and when I opened the box I instantly fell in love! Aren't they beautiful??!! And they are GORE-TEX!! I can't wait to try them out!


On Saturday I went for a 2 mile run. It was pretty good - I just took it easy and felt great pretty much the whole time. There were some hills and they were hard! My lungs are slowly getting used to running again, I am not liking this cold weather though!

The swimming continues - even though I am back running I don't think I can give up swimming. I just like having the variety. This morning I swam 2100 yards.

And Congrats to LACEY on an awesome first marathon! Seriously girl I don't know how you do it but you are FAST!!

That's all for me now! Happy Monday!

The Weekend!

Sunday was another alphabet date, E is for Event. I know that the title is very vague but we went to a football "event"! I have been a Buffalo Bills fan since I was little and I thought that this would be a great date for Brian and I since we both love football and fall!! (sounds like a lot of 'F' words - too bad I didn't have the F date!!) So here are some pictures from the game - although the actual game was not that good, we did have incredible seats right by the end zone!! I got to see Terrell Owens up close and personal!!




On the running scene - I have been slowly inching up my mileage. For right now I am about 1.4 miles for each run. I don't want to increase my mileage too quick but my legs feel ready to go! I know they say don't increase over 10% each week but when I am only running 1 mile, 10% is not a lot at all. Any ideas or personal experiences with this??

Congrats to all the marathon finishers from this weekend! It is awesome how many people ran amazing races and had PRs!! Enjoy the runners high!! Enjoy the week and happy running!

FRIDAY!

Happy Friday to everyone!! Anyone have some fun plans for the weekend?

Tomorrow Brian and I are going to pick apples and maybe even carve a pumpkin! Sunday we have the 'E' date (which I planned) for our alphabet dates! Ill post on Monday with all the lovely details!!

I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK to all the bloggers running marathons this weekend!

Nicole, Melanie, Glenn, Jamie, and Morgan (if i missed anyone please let me know!)

Danica and Amber running a half marathons this weekend!

And to X-Country2 who is running the Market 2 Market relay!

I can't wait to read all the race reports!! Have a fabulous weekend!

TIART: Running Camp!

Thursday = TIART and this weeks question, brought to you by Lacey is:

Imagine you are attending a week-long running camp. Where would it be? What would you do? Would there be classes? Bootcamps? Socials? I want to know all about the kinds of things that make up your ideal running-related week. No work, no obligations outside of camp,... for one week you can have it exactly your way! Tell me all about it!

Well thanks for asking because HONESTLY I would love to go to a running camp! I have been to basketball and soccer camp but never running camp!

It doesn't really matter where it is, just the fact that I can eat, sleep and live running! I read last summer about a camp that Laura went to in the Adirondacks (in NY) and it sounded so much fun. It was scheduled but also flexible with runs at all different times of the day and classes on training, nutrition, etc! Here is one of her posts about it!

So basically I guess I am saying I want to go to that camp....!! Maybe next year.

*****

The doctor's appointment went very well today - Thanks for all your thoughtful comments! I have to continue with my exercises but pretty much I am good to go! Slow increase of mileage is in order but it looks like my hip is healed!! The doctor actually said that my right leg might be stronger than my left now! The doctor also said to watch the tendon pain in my quad/upper knee area (it seems to be getting better with each run) but if it doesn't I have to head back to the PT to work on it!

It's almost FRIDAY!!!

The perfect run

Yesterday when I got home from work I immediately changed into my running clothes and headed out for a run. It was a perfect fall day and I ran for a whole mile! It was glorious! This morning I am feeling pretty good. I have been feeling some soreness above the knee near the quad but today it seems ok.

Tomorrow I have my follow up appointment with my Orthopedic doctor so I will be sure to ask him all my questions! So far things are looking good though!!

*****

It is (Literary) Wednesday and I have been slacking on my book recommendations.

I just finished The Shack by William P. Young. It is a very thought-provoking book and may not be for everyone. If interested, here is a link to the back cover of the book.

I also just finished How I live Now by Meg Rosoff. My bff Kaylie recommended it because she read it for one of the high school English classes she teaches. It is about a 15 year old girl, Daisy, who travels to visit her cousins in England and war breaks out.

Slowly but surely I am getting back on the book reading train!

Happy Wednesday!

Nom Nom Cake!

First, I got up and ran this morning. It was dark, it was morning, it was cold (42F cold) and I loved it!

Second, its OCTOBER!!! This has to be one of my favorite months and especially this year because I have so much fun stuff planned including the next alphabet date which is the "E" date next weekend.

Third, I made Brian's cake last night and it was quite an experience! You can find the recipe that I used here from Food Network. I used a different recipe for the frosting only because I had a minor mishap with the stove! Plus this cake recipe called for 2 ounces of food coloring and I grossly underestimated how much 2 ounces actually is. So the cake turned out a little pinky but that is ok! For the first time Cake Maker it is not too bad (I wont be opening my own bakery anytime soon though).






I am so excited to eat it tonight! I hope it tastes good! Now it is off to work!! Happy Thursday!!