weekly wrap: 5.21.17 – 5.27.17

Posted on May 31, 2017 by runswithpugs

Happy Monday!  It’s time for the Weekly Wrap with HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin!

WeeklyWrap

If you do a weekly recap post, this is a great way to check in with other active bloggers for extra support, sharing and accountability!

For us, it’s summer! And while we are enjoying a semi lack of schedule, we are also trying to get used to the lack of routine. Summer vacation is always tough for us – little man and I, especially, are creatures of habit, and it’s nice to have our days kind of planned out.

However, we are also pretty adaptable, and so we will fall back into stride.

Sunday – rest

Mr PugRunner went out to pick up some craft donuts for breakfast, and we all enjoyed the heck out of them.

Then we had an afternoon planned at a friend’s farm. It was such a nice, chill day. the kids played video games, shot bows and arrows, rode ponies and fished. It was absolutely wonderful and just what we needed.

Monday – rest

It was a pretty busy day at work, and I was thrilled to get home. Little man had field day, and an ice cream sundae party and the class watched Moana. He had a blast, and I was so glad to see that his last week of 3rd grade was off to a good start.

Tuesday – 4 miles, running

I wasn’t really into the run, but knew it had to be done. I went alone, for maximum misery.  And four miles later, it was over.

Second to last day of school. He was doing some fun projects and games, but at this point, it was all part of the countdown to the end.

Wednesday – rest

Happy last day of school!

It was actually kind of a rough day. We finally got some must-needed rain, but with it came high winds and tornado warnings. The school kids had to go through all their tornado drills, and Mr PugRunner finally decided to just go pick him up and bring him home.

We were planning to go out for dinner and ice cream to celebrate, but since the weather was just so awful, we settled for homemade pizza and diy sundaes. Little man was just as thrilled, and it was probably for the best as we had a busy weekend ahead.

Thursday – rest

Little man and I were up with the sun and on the road to Legoland with the tickets we had won a few weeks ago. The plan? To spend a crazy day of fun in the park, spend the night, and then continue the party on Friday with Mr PugRunner and little man’s bestie and her parents.

It couldn’t have been more perfect. The weather was cool and overcast. We didn’t wait on a single line. We were able to get through everything, check in to the Legoland Beach Retreat,

and enjoy dinner and a swim in the pool, followed by s’mores.

Friday – rest

After breakfast, we met up with everyone and entered the park for day two.

It was much hotter and slightly more crowded, but it was still an incredibly fun an exciting day. Little man was thrilled to have a buddy with him, and the adults were glad to get a little break from the rides.

At the end of the day, we said our goodbyes. Our friends were sticking around for their second day. Mr PugRunner was going to go visit his father, and little man and I were going to drive home.

When we arrived, our neighbors were having a culdesac party to celebrate the start of summer. Obviously, we couldn’t go to bed with all the fun going on, so we stayed up WAY too late. The highlight of the night was the kids signing karaoke to the Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 soundtrack.

Saturday – rest

Although I didn’t set an alarm, we did have plans to meet friends at the beach, so there wasn’t too much relaxing in our future. We picked up subs at Publix, and made our way to one of our favorite  beaches.

We spent almost all day there. The weather was just too beautiful, and the boys had a blast playing. They buried each other in sand, and little man, who is normally extremely cautious, worked up the courage to head out into neck-deep water.

I wasn’t able to get a picture, but dolphins were playing in the was the entire time we were there. It was so amazing.

When we had had enough sun, little man and I went on an adventure to Peace Pie for ice cream sandwiches. It was well worth the walk to enjoy these shortbread cookies stuffed with ice cream and pie filling. I can’t wait to go back.

 

And so that’s how our first days off shook out.

Obviously, there wasn’t much running or working out, but there were plenty of laughs and memories and good times. That’s what matters most.

The week off also did me a little bit of good. I really didn’t like how I felt with al the slacking (intentional or not), so I’m freshly motivated to get back at it with a vengeance. The temperatures are making it difficult, but that’s how summer goes in this state. I’m just going to work with what I have and get it done.

Also coming up? Lots of fun summer races. Sure, they will be sizzles, but they will be incredibly fun!

How was your week in training?

How are you going to spend the first weeks of summer?

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run for the pies 5k + recovery at tropical smoothie cafe

Posted on May 23, 2017 by runswithpugs

This is a sponsored post. I have been compensated for my promotion of Run for the Pies and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. All opinions are my own.

There is a race tradition in Jacksonville. On an evening in June, athletes assemble to Run for the Pies, a 5k sprint through the streets of the city. On June 10, at 7:00 PM (for the Championship 5K; the Open 5K starts at 7:30 PM), be ready to run your heart out in one of the community’s most popular events.

 

This race draws a pretty sizable field, and the atmosphere during and after the run reflect that.

Cash prizes are available to the top three Overall Men and Women in the Championship Race, and pies will be awarded at the finish line to the top 200 runners coming in under 20 minutes for men and 24 minutes for women (while they last)!

And that’s not all! At 8:00 PM, the block party begins with live music and free beer. Not only that, but runners can take part in a pie-eating contest and all registrants are entered to win prizes from 1st Place Sports, including running apparel, shoes and bags!

It promises to be an incredibly fun night, so register online here or in person at any 1st Place Sports location. The registration fee increases on June 1, so get your spot soon!

After this race, don’t forget to treat yourself to something cold and refreshing, like the Island Green Smoothie at Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

This smoothie is packed with greens like spinach and kale, but sweetened with mango, pineapple and banana for the perfect recovery drink. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has plenty of fresh, tasty and healthy smoothies and meals to help keep you on top of your running game this summer.

Will you be earning your pie on June 10?

What’s your favorite Tropical Smoothie Cafe flavor?

 

 

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weekly wrap: 5.14 – 5.20

Posted on May 22, 2017 by runswithpugs

Happy Monday!  It’s time for the Weekly Wrap with HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin!

WeeklyWrap

If you do a weekly recap post, this is a great way to check in with other active bloggers for extra support, sharing and accountability!

All good things must come to an end, and so does our jetsetting adventure, at least for a little while.

Sunday – rest

Mother’s Day! Because we had been doing so much and I had been so spoiled, I felt bad asking for anything or scheduling anything specific, so I left it up to the rest of the family. We opted for a pretty low-key day.

After a nice breakfast of donuts and bagels, with some beautiful cards and flowers, we went to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

It was amazing, although perhaps a little too intense for little man.

After that, we met my parents for dinner at a local seafood place, and then went back to our place for ice cream cake.

Monday – rest

Time to get back to real life. Womp womp. It was really hard to walk back into work that Monday and not into the nearest city bagel shop, but the good times can’t last forever.

That night, Mr PugRunner handled karate duties so I could attend some administrative and PTA meetings for little man’s new school. It’s a really bittersweet adventure – I don’t tend to get too emotional about change, but this one is hitting us all hard. Due to zoning, we don’t have much choice in the matter, so it is what it is and we are just going to make the best of it and do everything we can to make it awesome.

Tuesday – 4.5 miles running

I met S for some bridge repeats.

The morning was humid and we were both hating it. I’m glad we did it, but I had a hard time getting my body temperature under control all day. It’s just a reminder to hydrate well and watch my salt intake.

We had our last triathlon club practice that afternoon. We worked on transition and doing a mock run through of the whole thing. It was so cute seeing how far the kids have come over the last few weeks, and I can’t wait to see them in action on the big day.

Wednesday – rest

Wednesdays are turning out to be my quietest day of the week. I’m ok with that.

Thursday –  3.5 miles running, 100 yards swimming, 3 miles cycling

I was feeling a little unmotivated, so I went for a quick, 3.5 mile run. Halfway through, Mr PugRunner texted me to let me know that we had to bring Bentley in to the vet. He’s had some funk going on his ears (but he’s very sensitive to people touching him so it’s been difficult to really assess).

It seems that he had a bit of an ear infection, so he got treatment and medication, and I think we are in good shape. As a reward for behaving so nicely, he got some chicken nuggets.

After school, I brought little man to the pool, were we practiced swimming laps and biking. It was a lovely afternoon together, and I was happy to see him take to the water pretty well after a whole winter out of the pool.

Friday – 275 yards swimming

Yay for lazy-ish Fridays. My big goal for the day was to purchase a bike rack for the car. I’d like to be able to go for couple or family rides in other locations, and there’s just no way for us to transport our bikes at this point. I was successful.

I also purchased a QALO ring. I had been looking at them for a while, but they had a display in the sporting goods store and I decided to go for it. My fingers swell so badly when I run, so the idea of having a silicon ring to wear for races or when I travel on runcations was very appealing. It’s a great solution.

Oh, and there was more time in the pool. Little man did 100 yards, while I went a bit farther. My goggles have been leaking, so it slowed me down just a bit.

Saturday – 4 miles running, 400 yards swimming

Since Mr PugRunner was sleeping, I convinced little man to run a mile with me before continuing on for another three. It was fun to spend that time together, and we had a nice chat while we ran.

After breakfast, we headed over to the pool, and got in some more laps between rain storms.

The rest of the day was spent hanging with friends and just enjoying the beautiful, breezy weather. All the fresh air really did me in, though. I was ready for bed at around 8:30.

 

Well, that seems much less exciting than the last few weeks. The heat, humidity and drought conditions have made it hard to get outside, but at least the pool is there, and we can get a little breeze on the bikes.

This is the last week of school for the year, so we will be caught up with all the festivities and fun that go along with that. It’s been a wonderful year of 3rd grade, and we will be sorry to say goodbye.

How was your week in training?

How is the weather treating you?

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race report: ultimate tri

Posted on May 19, 2017 by runswithpugs

It’s time! It’s time!

So, I’ve been blathering on about doing a triathlon for the past year or so. Everything was on track, until Mr PugRunner threw out a little caveat: he really wasn’t comfortable with the idea of me doing an open water swim.

Womp womp.

I agreed to respect his concerns, but kept looking for the opportunity to register for a sprint tri with a pool swim.

And so, I discovered The Ultimate Tri.

When I mentioned registering, my friend Stacey piped up and said she would go ahead and do it with me. She is always so incredibly supportive and wonderful, and I felt much more confident knowing I would have a buddy there.

Packet pickup was the Friday before the race. I picked up for both of us. We got our bibs, t-shirts and number temporary tattoos. I was literally shaking when I showed up and spent a few minutes talking to the race director, who gave me some really incredible advice.

First, he said to just take my time. He then said that between the setup and the start, we would have time to get in the pool. His suggestion was to get in and do a few easy warm up laps to settle in. That most people hop in and try to hammer it out, exhausting themselves and tanking on the rest of the race. A quick warm up would alleviate those nerves. He also said to be careful on the last stretch of bike, as there was a downhill coming into transition, that could be tricky.

Alrighty then.

I packed my bag on Saturday night. I must have checked it ten times to make sure I had everything. My plan was to wear the speedo bathing suit (and swim shorts) in the pool, and then just pull on the tank and running shorts in transition.

Stacey picked me up early on Saturday morning. We strapped the bikes to the back of her car and made the drive to the Jacksonville Golf and Country Club. When we pulled in, and caught sight of some of the fancy bikes and official tri kits, I started to feel a bit intimidated. This smile is hiding a feeling of abject terror.

We picked up our ankle chips and got ourselves situated. It was my first time racking a bike and setting up transition, and I have to say, I think I did a decent job.

It helped that my bike was at the end of the row, closest to the walkway. Yay for beginners’ luck.

Then it was time for a bathroom run, and to get some pool time. I was thrilled that the pool was heated. With morning temperatures being pretty low, it would have been torturous to get in an unheated pool. Stacey and I found a lane and took on a few nice, easy laps, just as instructed. Immediately, I felt a lot better.

Mr PugRunner and little man arrived and I was really happy to see them before we got going.

And then it was time. We were asked to line up in order of our numbers (except Stacey and I, and some others had been repositioned in the order and were to fill in as instructed at check in) so we could start.

Swim – 300 yard

Swimmers were sent into the pool every 10 seconds. We would swim up one side of the lane, turn, down the other, go under the lane marker and do it again for the entire width of the pool. The race director requested that if we needed to stop for rest, to please grab the next available wall and let others pass, or if we wanted to pass, to tap the foot of the swimmer ahead of us and pass at the wall.

We agreed that Stacey would go in front of me and I would stick right behind her. We were in no rush whatsoever. I just adjusted the length of my stroke to stay right in her wake without hitting her. We passed one swimmer, who then passed us, but then she had to stop again and we went by her.

I felt great. I got a little cramp in my foot in the first few lengths (it always seems to happen), but it passed, and I settled in nicely. When we got to the end of the pool, I felt like I could have kept swimming.

Transition 1

We had to jog a fair distance to T1, which ate up some of our swim time. Boo. I wasn’t really a fan of this part – barefoot running isn’t my thing, especially with the ground being gravelly and gross. However, I dried my feet, got my socks and “cycling” shoes on (I use a pair of very light, non-cushioned Mizuno Wave Catalysts for cycling), pulled on my shorts and tank, got my helmet and shades on and unracked my bike.

Instructions advised us to walk out of transition, so we did.

Cycling – 8 miles

We had pumped our tires before racking the bikes, but I was a little disconcerted when my bike started making a fairly odd sound. Within the first two minutes of the ride, my chain popped off and left me spinning aimlessly.

To be honest, I would have had no idea of what to do if Stacey hadn’t been there. We pulled over, she popped the chain back on (getting a fair amount of grease on her in the process) and we were able to get back to work.

The ride was nice. It was the first day in a while without wind, and I felt great pedaling along. She was right behind me the whole way, which meant we couldn’t chat, but I guess that’s the nature of the sport.

The other thing that was weird was seeing people already starting or completing their run while we were riding, but since we had such a staggered start, it was how things fell out. I think it kept the course from being crowded, which I appreciated.

Transition 2 

We braked down the hill, and walked our bikes back into transition. I just had to swap shoes and put on my visor and we were good to go. I also grabbed a gu for the road. I didn’t know if I would need it, but I wanted to have it just in case.

Run – 3 miles

I’m not going to lie. The run sucked. By this point of the morning, it was humid and sweltering, and I couldn’t get a good lungful of air. Stacey was really patient about it, but I was frustrated. I know that it’s something I deal with, but it never fails to embarrass me on the course. Everything else felt great, but gasping like a fish out of water is never fun or encouraging.

I did what I could. I didn’t attribute this to bad or ineffective training, but more to what the day handed out. I had done plenty of runs off the bike, and while they were never fun, none of them ever felt quite like this. I’m sure it was nerves, relief at being almost done, and the weather.

After what felt like an eternity, we were crossing the finish line, and would you believe it?

I am a triathlete!

We grabbed snack boxes from PDQ (at that moment, it was the most delicious chicken I have ever eaten),

and I was hoping for a celebratory beer, but the line was long and they had run out of cups at the keg, so I figured I would make it up later that afternoon at my friend’s house.

What I loved?

This was a great starter tri. The pool swim definitely led to a more controlled situation, and it was a great way to get one’s feet wet (pun intended). The staggered start helped the bike course from crowding, which was a huge concern of mine. There was plenty of assistance at all stages, and the volunteers were encouraging and helpful.

I also loved having a friend at my side, and seeing Mr PugRunner and little man there. We haven’t been doing as many races together, and I’ve been letting them sleep in on the days when I do have a race scheduled. That being said, it was nice to see them in transitions and at the finish line.

What didn’t I love?

The bike and the run courses measured a little short. On the one hand, it saved me on the run, but on the other, I feel like I need a crack at a redemption course. I also was bummed that there wasn’t any on-course photography. I would have loved some swimming and cycling pictures. Mr PugRunner was there with his phone, for which I’m grateful, but it would be a nice touch going forward.

Will I do it again?

You know, I think I will. Now that I’ve put myself out there, and know that I CAN do it, I kind of want a crack at doing it better. Things like transition are hard to visualize and mentally prepare for, but now that I have done it, I know how to be more efficient and make the most of that time.

Pool triathlons are few and far between, though, so that makes it a bit more challenging to find an encore, but I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.

Have you ever taken on a multi-sport race?

What are your best tips and tricks for triathlons?

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weekly wrap: 4.30.17 – 5.13.17

Posted on May 16, 2017 by runswithpugs

Happy Monday!  It’s time for the Weekly Wrap with HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin!

WeeklyWrap

If you do a weekly recap post, this is a great way to check in with other active bloggers for extra support, sharing and accountability!

Brace yourselves. This post incorporates two weeks of some whirlwind travel, training and fun. After little man’s birthday came my 40th, and the boys had quite a surprise in store for me. I’ll try to keep it as short as I can, but there are a ton of great photos to share!

Sunday – 21,714 steps

Magic Kingdom day! There’s really nothing quite like walking down Main Street, especially when you haven’t been in a while.

Our friends had to leave in the afternoon, but we were in for another day. Little man said he wanted to see the fireworks, so I got him to agree to a bit of a break after lunch so we would be rested for a late night.

He loved it.

Monday – 10, 353 steps

After watching “Must Do Disney” in the hotel room (whenever the TV was on), little man decided he wanted to try the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. We didn’t have a fast pass, but I was more than willing to get up early, be one of the first ones in the park, and get right to the line to avoid a long wait.

We packed, checked out and got to the turnstiles right as planned. We made it quickly to the front of the queue, and then my poor guy looked up at me and said “I changed my mind.” I hated that he was so intimidated by the loud music and the screams in the building, but I gave him a big hug, told the cast member we were going to child swap and headed to the exit platform so Mr PugRunner could ride. It worked out fine, and we went on to do all the Star Wars things we could find.

After lunch, we hit one last ride and made the drive home. We were exhausted and happy and had had the best time.

Tuesday – rest

We fell right back into our weekly routine. I was a little stressed because we had some big things happening on the weekend and I only had a few free days to get it all done. However, I buckled down and got to work.

Wednesday – rest

Absolutely nothing to report.

Thursday – Montoya & Associates Corporate Run 5K

I spent the morning running errands, confirming orders and getting things set up for Saturday’s shindig.

That evening, I had a 5K for work. The weather was fairly threatening, and as I drove to the race site I really wasn’t sure if the lightning was going to hold. Fortunately for the runners and involved businesses, the rain clouds cleared and we were good to go.

Friday – rest

It was a quiet day and I confess that I did a lot of cleaning and movie watching.

Saturday – rest

First up was a morning hair appointment.

And then it was party time. I had been planning to keep my birthday very lowkey, but Mr PugRunner wanted it to be special. I had no idea the real surprise he was giving me, and so we planned a bit of a dinner party for some friends. It was really such a beautiful night and I am so grateful for everyone who was with us.

Sunday – rest

Even though it was a late night, I was up early enough. I wanted to make sure everything was in order for Monday. My 40th birthday present was a trip to NYC with a 6AM flight! My parents would be staying at the house, so things needed to be clean, groceries purchased and everything set for little man.

Mr PugRunner assumed responsibility of the more mundane details so I could enjoy brunch

and a performance of Kinky Boots with one of my girlfriends.

It was a fabulous day.

Monday – 19, 675 steps

The alarm rang at 3AM and we got ourselves up and out the door to the airport. I was absolutely beyond excited: New York is one of my favorite cities, and I had some serious plans.

We arrived at JFK pretty much on time, but it took a little while to get to The Paramount Hotel, due to traffic. I was more than ready to be out of the car when it pulled up to the front door, and I was thrilled that our room was ready and we could drop off our bags and freshen up before hitting the Big Apple.

 

Tuesday – 4 miles running, total of 31,065 steps

When the sun rose, I laced up and headed out to run four miles in Central Park in honor of my 40th birthday.

Mr PugRunner was in for quite a day.

We got Dough donuts for breakfast.

And then we cabbed it downtown. My plans were to visit Trinity Church, walk the Brooklyn Bridge and get dessert from the new raw cookie dough place we had been hearing about.

We wore ourselves right out.

We had dinner reservations at Lavo, and it turned out that my brother-in-law was in town for work and could join us! All the walking and fresh air had taken it’s toll and we were pretty exhausted. Dinner was delicious, but there was literally no way we could make a dent in this 20 layer chocolate, peanut butter cake.

Wednesday – 16,747 steps

And, finally, the Big Day had arrived. That night, we had tickets to Hamilton: An American Musical. Oh. Em. Gee. I have been absolutely desperate to see this show, and I couldn’t get a grip. Seriously.

I settled my excitement with a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr PugRunner really didn’t enjoy it, but it’s something we never do when we visit the city, so I insisted.

We enjoyed an early dinner at a Cantonese restaurant. And then it was showtime.

Guys. It was beyond. I had goosebumps nearly the entire time. I sobbed more than once. I was completely wrung out by the end. It was easily my favorite performance of all time, and while I am so grateful to have had the chance to see it in NY, I was left wanting so much more.

I don’t know how I managed to fall asleep after.

Thursday – 16,406 steps

After the awesomeness of the week, it was really hard to pack up our things and get ready to leave. I was absolutely not to be deterred from enjoying a nice walk, so we made our way to a new shop specializing in booze-infused ice cream.

It was every bit as perfect as it sounds.

And then it was back to the hotel to catch our transportation to JFK. Once again, we lucked out with a flight that was relatively on time, and were back home by about 9PM.

I was so excited to see little man and the pugs, but I confess…. it was hard to leave the city.

Friday – body circuit, 60 minutes

I had lofty plans of staying in PJs and watching TV all day, but my friend/coach caught wind of that plan and told me to come out to her body circuit class, under the guide of sharing about my trip. I wasn’t going to sit there and not work out, so I dove in to some weights. It was good.

That evening, there was an event at little man’s school. The students showcase all their art, while one of the musical groups performs. There are food trucks and and a teacher lip sync battle and a basket raffle.

My mom moved from an area where “tricky trays” are a thing, so she takes the basket raffles very seriously. We bought our tickets and strategized, and dang did we clean up! She won a car wash basket and a laundry basket. We won a Pokemon basket for little man, a baking basket, a game night basket, and a Legoland basket, which included four day passes to the theme park! Score!

Saturday – rest

And finally, a day of rest. We hung out with friends at their pool, and then spent the rest of the night chatting with neighbors in their driveway. It was such a great end to the week.

 

Now, we are back, and I’m trying to catch up with real life. It’s pretty daunting – even getting back on track with blogging seems like a huge task. However, I am devoted to getting on top of everything by the end of the week, before the start of summer!

Coming up? More running, more cycling, and getting back into the gym for strength training. Now that I plan on being home more regularly, I don’t feel like I’m throwing money away on a monthly payment. I definitely walked enough in Manhattan and Disney to compensate for the running sessions on which I slacked, but I want to spend more time on my cross training over the next few months.

How was your week in training?

Do you struggle coming back when your schedule is off.

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weekly wrap: 4.23.17 – 4.29.17

Posted on May 3, 2017 by runswithpugs

Happy Monday!  It’s time for the Weekly Wrap with HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin!

WeeklyWrap

If you do a weekly recap post, this is a great way to check in with other active bloggers for extra support, sharing and accountability!

Things are starting to slow down on the running front. I have a few 5Ks on the calendar (including one on Thursday night), but no big plans on the immediate horizon.

Sunday – Ultimate Tri

Somehow, I managed to complete my first triathlon! I promise that race report is coming!

After the race, we were off to a friend’s pool party. It was really the perfect way to come down from my swim-bike-run adventure. We had some drinks and some delicious food and chilled in the pool and hot tub. Perfection.

Monday – rest

Obviously, after Sunday’s endeavors, I was pretty well ready for a rest. I spent the day at work, and spent my evening writing and catching up on housework.

Tuesday – 5.5 miles running

I broke this run into two parts: four miles with S, and then another 1.5 on my own at home. It’s been a decent system, even if I am getting up a little earlier.

After work, I met little man at school for tri club. This session called for bikes and helmets, and little man did great with his transitions and maneuvering. I’m excited to see him in action on race day.

Wednesday – rest

Little man started volunteering to help out with the lower belts in karate, so he is doing back-to-back classes this night. I’m really proud of him for the hard work he is putting into his sport.

I also got a pretty sweet surprise in the mail: new Brooks Adrenalines in the new Rock ‘n’ Roll pattern! I love the electric guitars! They were a birthday gift from my parents, and I love them to the moon and back!

Thursday – 4.5 miles, running

I opted for a solo run so that I could sleep in some. I also earned my Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Tracks MP3 Player medal (and also the challenge medal) AND got to do it in my new kicks! Yay, me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rest of the day was a whirlwind: shopping, cleaning, packing. Mr PugRunner and I had a nice lunch date and turned in early.

Friday – 18,106 steps

We were up at the crack of dawn to load the car. It was time for little man’s birthday celebration! This year, in lieu of a party, he asked to go to Disney. Since he is finished with testing and school is winding down, we opted to take four days and do it. Even more fun, a few of our friends are annual pass holders and decided to join us for part of the weekend.

Our first day was spent in Epcot, and little man was ready to take on tons of new rides.

We got pretty lucky with most of the lines, and had our Fast Passes all lined up to help with the rest.

He was so excited.

Towards the end of the day, we split up: Mr PugRunner took the bus with one of his buddies back to our hotel, while little man and I rode a few more attractions and then took the car over.

We checked into Port Orleans Riverside and really loved the property. It was our first time there, and we found it quaint, quiet and manageable in terms of size.

The evening was spent lounging around the pool and the food court. We were all exhausted but we somehow didn’t get in bed until much later than usual.

Saturday – 16,732 steps

Happiest 9th Birthday to our little man!

We had planned Animal Kingdom for the actual big day.

Little man said he was ready to take on Everest, and since the wait was short when we arrived, we popped right on!

 He rode it again several hours later!

After lunch and a birthday cupcake,

we did a few more rides and returned to the hotel for swimming and drinks. It was the perfect way to end an amazing day.

 

Due to the trip and the crazy amount of walking we did, I didn’t bother with a long run. The mornings were cool enough that it would have been nice to run on the hotel grounds, but it also would have worn me right out for the fun days ahead. I was ok with my decision.

Not having any large goals is both good and bad. It’s summer, so it’s definitely getting to be too hot for any serious mileage, but it also kind of messes with the motivation.

I confess, the next week will be slow-ish, just due to a few fun events going on. Also, the end of the school year is coming, and that will put a bit of a wrench into the schedule for a bit. However, I’ll be back in business, and mixing it up, after that.

How was your week in training?

What’s on your summer calendar?

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race report: publix savannah women’s half marathon weekend part ii {4.7 – 4.9.2017}

Posted on April 27, 2017 by runswithpugs

This is a sponsored post. I am an ambassador for Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon & 5K. Due to that relationship, I receive a complimentary race registration, as well as other sponsor amenities in exchange for my honest reviews and promotion of the event and affiliated sponsors. All opinions are my own.

I left you at the finish line of the Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon, reveling in our accomplishment and in our pretty fantastic pro pictures.

But now it was time for the rest of the fun!

Saturday – Post Race Party

We collected our medals and worked our way through the finisher’s chute, stopping for a photo and grabbing our reusable Publix grocery bag, filled with water, a banana and a pack of (the most delicious) blueberry mini muffins.

Continuing through the park, we passed the main stage and went to the adult beverages! Each runner was entitled to two beers or mimosas (or one of each, if you were so inclined).

I was delighted to take advantage.

We listened to the local headliner band, Tell Scarlet, rocking out on stage, and it was nice to see people camped out on the grass, enjoying the tunes and the glorious morning.

We did it!

Quite frankly, I could have hung out there all day. But, we were tired and sweaty, and ready to brunch.

The Ordinary Pub post-race has become a bit of a tradition, and I was happy to order a cocktail

and their interpretation of Chicken and Waffles. Again. I just can’t resist. And I got the very last order. Whew.

After our recovery meal, we shopped a bit and then gleefully headed to Leopold’s for ice cream cones. Leopold’s is absolutely amazing and not to be missed. Ever. Meghan and I had (and adored) the Thin Mints Cookies and Cream. Amy got a Lavender flavor. We were all very happy with our choices.

By this point in the afternoon, we were pretty tired and agreed to take a quick nap before going out for the evening.

The plan? Drinks at the rooftop bar at Rocks on the Roof,

with the most incredible view.

And then dinner. I had really wanted to go to The Olde Pink House as a celebratory meal, but there were no available reservations. Meghan called and they were on a rather short wait, so we walked that way, only to find three open seats at the downstairs bar. Winning!

We had more drinks and split three delicious appetizers: cornmeal dipped oysters with green goddess sauce, a local cheese board and fried green tomatoes.

Of course, after the long race and an even longer day of walking the city, we weren’t game for much more. I think we all fell asleep the minute our heads hit the pillows.

Sunday – Yoga On the Square

All good things must come to an end, and we were sad to wake up to our last day in Savannah.

We showered, dressed for yoga, and packed, and then stowed our bags in the car. We planned to go to yoga, get lunch and then collect the car and hit the road.

It was a lovely walk to Ellis Square and we set up our mats on the grass. There was a great turnout.

The practice was quick and challenging, but also just what I needed. Even though I was tired from Saturday’s race, it was wonderful to stretch and breathe deeply and be grateful.

And then it was time to say goodbye.

It was a somewhat sad walk back to the hotel, bidding farewell to Brandi and Amy along the way. Boo.

Meghan and I decided to have one last meal in Savannah, and tried to Public, right across the street from our hotel. It was delicious, and enough to fuel us for the ride home.

Until next year, Savannah!

 

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weekly wrap: 4.16 – 4.22.2017

Posted on April 25, 2017 by runswithpugs

Happy Monday!  It’s time for the Weekly Wrap with HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin!

WeeklyWrap

If you do a weekly recap post, this is a great way to check in with other active bloggers for extra support, sharing and accountability!

Sunday – rest

Hoppy Easter!

Since we had been on the road for the last few days, and my parents were recovering from being ill, we had a very, very quiet Easter. I had cooked everything the night before with the exception of the ham, and we were happy just to enjoy a nice meal together.

The bunny was especially good to little man, bring him a new, 24″ bike with his basket.

He has had quite the growth spurt in the last few months and was in desperate need. He is definitely going to need to get used to the hand brakes and gears, but he is so much more comfortable!

Monday – rest

I think we were all just excited to get back to our regular schedule. With all the craziness and travel, I can’t even remember the last time we did a full grocery shop. Fortunately, we had plenty of leftovers to carry us through the week.

Tuesday – 5 miles running

I was able to meet up with S for four miles and then ran one more when I got home. It felt pretty good, and it’s nice to be back running with a buddy.

Wednesday – 4.5 miles running

Mr PugRunner had to leave town for a conference on Thursday, so I met S for a second run. I hate going back to back and this one was definitely tough.

Thursday – rest

I had the day off work, and spent it finally cleaning and getting to the store. We had tons of laundry and organizing to get down, an edit was the perfect opportunity to do it.

That evening, little man had his Blue & Gold Ceremony or Cub Scouts.

He earned some more patches and badges and moved up to Webelo. There was a celebratory dinner and lots of nice speeches. I was so proud of him, and he’s very excited for next year.

Friday – rest

Friday was incredibly unproductive. I picked up my packet for Ultimate Tri on Sunday, and then sat myself down on the couch and didn’t move.

Mr PugRunner came home that evening, and we were all just happy to spend some time together.

Saturday – rest

Since my parents aren’t going to able to make little man’s birthday celebration next week, they asked to do a beach day so they could surprise him with their gift…

A metal detector!

He LOVES hunting for treasure and has been intrigued by people using these on the sand, so now he can join right in the fun!

We had a little bit of cake,

and then I spent the rest of the afternoon prepping for Sunday’s Ultimate Tri. I had to pack, eat, and get myself to bed for a good night’s sleep. Eek!

 

So, there was a lot going on, but at the same time, not much. I assure you, the next few weeks are going to be a frenetic whirlwind. I have a few 5Ks coming up in May, but nothing more ambitious than that on the running front.

I do plan, however, on upping the mileage on the bike. Mr PugRunner wants to join me, so we are in the market for a bike rack so the whole family can partake.

How was your week in training?

Is there a workout or activity your whole family enjoys?

 

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race report: publix savannah women’s half marathon weekend part i {4.7 – 4.9.2017}

Posted on April 19, 2017 by runswithpugs

This is a sponsored post. I am an ambassador for Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon & 5K. Due to that relationship, I receive a complimentary race registration, as well as other sponsor amenities in exchange for my honest reviews and promotion of the event and affiliated sponsors. All opinions are my own.

Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon Weekend is fast becoming a highlight of my running year. With three days of activities in one of the Southeast’s most beautiful cities, it is a perfect destination race.

Let’s get to it!

Friday – New Balance Fashion Fitness Expo

Meghan and I arrived in Savannah around lunchtime. Our room at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto wasn’t ready yet, but they happily stowed our bags so we could get something to eat.

After a few hours in the car, we  wanted to stretch our legs, so we made the walk to City Market to grab pizza at Vinnie Van Go Go.

We got a text that our room was ready so we returned to the hotel, brought up our suitcases

and hit the New Balance Fashion Fitness Expo.

 

We were able to score our race bibs, runner’s gift,

and some sweet swag from the race sponsors.

We were also able to do some shopping! I have been loving New Balance’s running gear lately, and was excited to score an adorable tank with the race logo on it!

Amy met us at the expo, and we made our dinner plans: Treylor Park!

So it wasn’t the traditional carb-loading dinner, but it was delicious and satisfying and just what we needed.

We had to get to bed because race morning was going to come early! Flat runners were laid out and the alarm got set!

Saturday – Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon

Amy, Meghan and I met in the lobby (and we also met our fellow ambassador Amy) at 6:45 to walk the few blocks to the race start. The weather was glorious! Cool and breezy without much humidity. We were absolutely stoked!

At 7:15, we got a group shot

Anna-Marie, me, Meghan, Amy, Cecilia, Brandi (not pictured: Amy & Andrea)

And then we hurried to get in the bathroom line. With so many women, things were slow-moving, but I was hopeful to be able to go before the race began.

We made it with minutes to spare! The start corral was self-seeded, and we inserted ourselves in the middle of the pack. Cecilia performed a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and we were off!

Here’s a look at the course:

Miles 1 -3

The half marathon and 5K follow the same route through about the 2.5 mile mark. Runners proceed towards the river, and then take a few left turns to head back into the city. There were some cobblestones and some squares to be navigated, but because it wasn’t wet or slick, we were able to maintain a steady pace. Conditions were great, too – I was a little worried about sun because I had forgotten my visor, but my sunglasses were perfect. The 5Kers turned left to head to their finish in Forsyth Park, and I was grateful to be moving on to the miles beyond.

Miles 4 – 6

We followed a long straightaway from downtown to the smaller neighborhoods beyond. Water stops were situated about every 1.5 miles, and were well stocked with cheering volunteers, water and electrolyte drink (red!) and even blasting music. This part of the race was a bit challenging – there were a lot of little out-and-backs, loops and switchbacks on the road. I knew we were heading towards Daffin Park, but I had lost all sense of direction. Fortunately, our little group was enjoying the morning, and the houses and little parks and squares are always fun to look at, so I just figured if we followed the crowd and the arrows, we would be fine.

Miles 7 – 9

These miles brought us into, through and out of Daffin Park, home of the Savannah Bananas Stadium. There were some pretty shaded parts of this area (Meghan and I ran a 5K in this area last year), and of course, the park’s trees and scenery is lovely. Volunteers were handing out gels and there was  medical station on our way to Mile 9. It was time to start heading back!

Miles 10 – 13.1

These last few miles are a wee bit deceiving. After a couple more out-and-backs and turns, runners find themselves back on the long straightaway last seen at Mile 4. However, rather than following that straight back to Forsyth Park and the finish line, the course hooks right, away from the festivities. We could hear the music, and even see the finish line a few blocks away, but we had more work to do before getting there. Boo!

That being said, once we we finally started winding our way back in the direction of the park, we were elated!

I would also love to point out that even though we were towards the back of the middle of the pack, the aid stations were going strong. Plenty of volunteers were still out with cups, the tunes were still blaring, and the drinks were plentiful (I even commented that the Gatorade wasn’t warm or watered down). It was such a morale boost.

Just a few more squares, and then the fountain and finish line were in sight!

Victory was ours!

We were all smiles when we crossed that finish line! And I was beyond thrilled because I had my redemption from last year! I was so glad to be able to take on the full distance, and feel great the whole way!

I was also so grateful to have some wonderful running friends by my side.

Stay tuned for Part II, for the after party and second part of the weekend!

What do you love most about racecation weekends?

 

What’s something that boosts your morale during a race?

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weekly wrap: 4.9 – 4.15

Posted on April 17, 2017 by runswithpugs

Happy Marathon Monday!  It’s time for the Weekly Wrap with HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin!

WeeklyWrap

If you do a weekly recap post, this is a great way to check in with other active bloggers for extra support, sharing and accountability!

For those readers who celebrate, I hope you had a wonderful Easter! We had a very quiet day, which was really just what we needed, after a whirlwind week.

And of course, congratulations to everyone who ran Boston today! It was a hot one out there, but I know those 26.2 miles had to be amazing!

Sunday – Yoga on the Square, 6o minutes

Full details of my Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon weekend are coming this week (just waiting on some final pictures), but Sunday morning was designated for a really intense yoga practice. There was a great group of participants assembled in Ellis Square, and I think we all had a really incredible workout.

After lunch, Meghan and I hopped in the car for the drive home. I was sad to leave, but super glad to see the boys and the pugs!

Monday – rest

I was pretty sore after yoga, so I was grateful for a day off from workouts. Plus, it’s always good to recover after a half marathon. I took advantage.

Tuesday – 4.5 miles, running

I was able to meet up with an old friend for a really nice morning run date. We were able to change up the scenery a bit, and I was even able to catch the sunrise over the water when we were finished.

Even better? I earned my gramophone medal for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Tracks Virtual Series! Can’t wait to add these pieces of bling to my medal rack!

Little man worked on transition in his triathlon club, and at his next meeting, he will need to have his bike on hand to practice some cycling.

When Mr PugRunner got home from work, I was off to a dinner with some girlfriends. It was a lot of fun and I’m glad we are in a phase where this is happening more frequently.

Wednesday – rest

It was the second to last day of standardized testing for little man. Mr PugRunner took him out to breakfast to give him a good start to the day, and we wished him luck.

We skipped out on karate so he could get a good night’s sleep for his final day of testing.

Thursday – 5 miles, running

S bailed on me for our run, so I handled five on my own. The weather was actually nice enough that I was able to go after little man went to school. I am going to miss the cooler mornings and nice breeze.

(And I was able to earn my Boombox medal, too!)

That afternoon was a bit insane. I did some Easter shopping, and then when little man got home from school, it was off to the mall for Easter Bunny pictures, dinner and then another meeting regarding our community’s new school. I was exhausted by the time we got home, but we still needed to pack for a quick road trip. Ugh.

Friday – rest

We were able to leave pretty early in the morning, to go visit some family members. It wasn’t going to be a long trip, so we wanted to get in as many hours as we could.

It was nice to see everyone, and we even managed to squeeze in lunch on the Gulf.

 

Saturday – 4 miles, running

I was hoping to get on the treadmill in the hotel gym, but by the time I rolled downstairs, it was in use. I mapped out a route on the roads, which I shared with Mr PugRunner and made it outside to get in four miles. It wasn’t my favorite run, but it got done.

We had to leave after lunch so we could get home in time to dye eggs (thanks to my parents for hard boiling them in advance and dropping them off at our house), and prep dinner for Sunday.

I didn’t want to have to do much cooking on Easter Sunday, and I was able to throw together a macaroni and cheese, potato salad and pickled beets before I went to bed.

We stayed up late to take care of our Bunny duties, and finally fell into bed around 11:00 PM.

 

It was a fair recovery week. It was good (and smart) to have some downtime, and I’m glad I was able to get in some good runs, even if I missed out on some cross training. I was also reminded of how much I miss yoga and I hope to be back to it soon.

How was your week in training?

How do you recover after a big race?

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