Runs With Pugs

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!

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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POSTED IN: 40th birthday, birthday, celebration, Hamilton, jacksonville running blog, New York, orlando, running, running blog, theater, travel, walt disney world, week in review, weekly wrap

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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!

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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POSTED IN: disney vacation, family vacation, jacksonville running blog, orlando, running, running blog, travel, ultimate tri, week in review, weekly wrap

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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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POSTED IN: half marathon, Leopold's Ice Cream, Publix Savannah Women's Half Marathon, race report, racecation, Rocks on the Roof, running with friends, savannah, The Olde Pink House, The Ordinary Pub, The Publix, yoga on the square

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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!

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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POSTED IN: cycling, easter, family holidays, jacksonville running blog, running, running blog, ultimate tri, weekly wrap

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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

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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POSTED IN: half marathon, jacksonville running blog, Publix Savannah Women's Half Marathon, race day, race report, racecation, running, running blog, running friends, savannah, visit Savannah

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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!

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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POSTED IN: easter, family, jacksonville running blog, Publix Savannah Women's Half Marathon, recovery, rock 'n' blog, rock 'n' roll running tracks, running, running blog, week in review, weekly wrap, yoga on the square

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wine + chocolate + running + smoothies!

Posted on April 14, 2017 by runswithpugs

This is a sponsored post. I have been compensated for my promotion of Wine & Chocolate 5K and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. All opinions are my own.

It’s probably fair to say that running is my favorite hobby. I love the physical activity, the health benefits and the sense of community. I love it even more when running takes the guise of a fun night out.

Enter the San Marco Wine and Chocolate Run.

1st Place Sports will be hosting this 5K through the lovely, historic downtown San Marco area on Saturday, April 22 at 4:30 PM. Runners get to enjoy 3.1 miles of gorgeous neighborhoods, and then celebrate their finish in San Marco Square with each participant receiving a customized wine glass. Wine will be flowing and chocolate will be plentiful at the afterparty, and local merchants will be raffling off some awesome prizes.

Register online here until Wednesday, April 19 or visit any 1st Place Sports location to enter in person. You will not be sorry you did.

Of course, since this is a late afternoon race, you’ll want to make sure you have a light but nourishing lunch beforehand.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a great option.

Try the Cha Cha Sriracha Chicken Flatbread: toasted flatbread packed with delicious grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, shredded carrots, house-made roasted pineapple salsa, cilantro, scallions and caramelized pineapple Sriracha sauce.

Pair it with one of Tropical Smoothie Cafes Boosted Smoothies, in refreshing flavors like Acai Berry Boost, Chia Banana Boost with Strawberries or Chia Banana Boost with Peanut Butter.

You can even enjoy the Smoothie on its own – it’s definitely filling enough for a pre-race meal!

Grab your best running friends, and prepare to make a complete day of April 22: lunch and running all rolled into one!

Cheers!

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POSTED IN: 1st Place Sports, boosted smoothie, cha cha sriracha flatbread, i want a buzz, jacksonville race, jacksonville running blog, Run Jax, running, running blog, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, wine and chocolate 5K

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race report: ready. set. glow 5k {3.31.2017}

Posted on April 12, 2017 by runswithpugs

I received free registration to this event for myself and my family in exchange for my promotion of the race. All opinions are my own.

For the second year in a row, three neighborhood schools came together for one of the most fun races around: Ready. Set. Glow 5K!

Due to a prior commitment, I missed out on the fun last year, so I was incredibly excited. In fact, the only negative was the Mr. PugRunner had to go out of town, so we weren’t able to run as a family.

Packet pickup took place on Thursday, the day prior, outside of Willie Jewell’s BBQ. Pre-registered runners got bibs, glow-in-the-dark cotton t-shirts (in youth and adult sizes), and a glow stick. It was quick and easy, plus we were able to grab dinner while we were doing it.

The festivities started on Friday night at 6:00 PM. Participants were advised to arrive early , in order to get parking in the main lot. Overflow parking was also available, but it was a bit of a walk from the start line (as were the portapotties, but it was manageable).

Race day registration was also available, but those who signed up last minute would not receive a shirt. The registration table was hopping all the same.

The staging area was set up with sponsor and vendor booths: there was a DJ, an ice/ice cream truck and Chick-Fil-A sandwiches for sale; other sponsors offered face painting with glow-in-the-dark paint and all kinds of glow gear.

Little man and I brought some of our own glow sticks, but we also took a few extra from the offerings.

I also customized our running shirts with glow-in-the-dark paint. Hey. We’ve got spirit.

At around 7:15 PM, the one mile Fun Run started. We continued to walk around, meet up with friends and hang out until it got a little darker and it was time for the 5K.

The sun started to sink, night fell, and we kind of lost track of time, so we headed over to the start line…

Only to realize that people had already begun to run! Oops! It’s always been a fear of mine to miss the start of a race, so we hurried to catch up and got ourselves in with the other runners!

Little man was sporting his new shoes, which he proclaimed made him extra fast. We had chatted a little about strategy prior to the race, and I thought we decided to take things like Daytona: run for about a half mile or so, until we were out of the initial crowd, and then fall into our :30/:30 intervals.

We were not on the same page.

With his “fast shoes”, he darted ahead, and I was compelled to keep up. At this age, I’m ok with him being a little more independent, but it was quite dark and hard to see, so I didn’t want him out there alone. When I did catch up to him, we quickly discussed a meet up plan, just in case he crossed the finish line before me.

That being said, after the first mile, we slowed down considerably. Fortunately, we were out of the thick of the crowd, and I tried to keep us moving at a nice clip. Pacing is not in little man’s vocabulary quite yet.

The course was simple enough. It was one and a half loops along a stretch of road with a median in front of the RingPower facility. Since it’s dark, the scenery comes from all the participants in their glow gear, helped along by some black lights set up at one point on the course. There was one water stop set up in the median that served for both sides of the course, and seemed well supplied.

This was the best I could do with photos. Let’s just say we were so fast all you could see was a blur.

The chute to the finish line was full of cheering spectators, glow sticks and cow bells! We kicked it in and collected medals, bananas and water.

I have to say, last year’s glow-in-the-dark medal was fun, but this? This was incredible.

RSG medal

The best part? Little man PR’d! I was so incredibly proud!

The Ready. Set. Glow 5K is a growing event. It’s a really nice size, and I love the community involvement and local support. Most of all, I love seeing all the kids and families come out to participate. Proceeds from this race go to improvements at three of the area’s neighborhood schools, which is definitely a great cause. I will always support any activity that gets people of all ages moving, and this is truly one of the most fun around!

Ever run a glow run?

Do you have any local events that go to support your community?

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POSTED IN: family running, fitfam, jacksonville running blog, race day, race recap, race report, ready set glow 5k, running, running blog

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weekly wrap: 4.2 – 4.8 + publix savannah women’s half marathon race week

Posted on April 10, 2017 by runswithpugs

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

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!

This week came with its share of ups and downs. I tried really hard to focus on the good (a weekend in Savannah for the Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon) over the rest of it, and managed to get through that way.

Sunday – rest

We slacked on Sunday. Big time. Little man and I had planned to run a race in Jacksonville, but it was early, and we would have had to get up and out the door by around 5:15AM. After all Mr PugRunner’s traveling and dealing with some not so great news, we were just really tired. I decided that if we woke up on our own, we would go. If not? Well… it’s ok to have some rest.

Turns out, we did not wake up on time. I felt a little guilty, but also decently rested, so I got over it quickly. We went food shopping and then I took little man to see Power Rangers, which he had been begging to see. Honestly, I usually dig these kinds of things, but I didn’t love this one. The language was awful for a young adult movie (and we aren’t particularly strict about that), and it was just a bit more intense than it needed to be.

However, Mr PugRunner finally made it home from his trip! We were really happy to see him and spend the evening hanging out at home. Things finally started to feel settled again.

Monday – rest

Monday was just getting everything back on track. We had school and karate and all the regular things. Normalcy is much appreciated.

What wasn’t appreciated? This guy. It was tough removing him from our garage but we got it done.

Tuesday – rest

I had planned to run, but when I woke up, we were in the midst of a crazy thunderstorm with tons of lightning. Obviously, I didn’t have much of a choice but to roll over and go back to sleep.

Little man had his first day of triathlon club, and it went really well. The coach will be working on something different each week and I am hoping to be able to pop into some practices.

We also attended a meeting for little man’s new school. We were able to meet his new principal and get some ideas as to when things will be ready. It’s bittersweet – we love his current school, but this one will be brand new, with a great administration and a smaller student body. Fingers crossed that it all goes well.

Wednesday – 3 miles running

I was able to slip in three miles before work. I cut it a little closer than I would have liked, but miles are miles.

It was a busy day and I was ready to turn my focus to my upcoming weekend in Savannah by the time the day was done.

Little man had a great karate session, despite some raging storms. When we got home, we hunkered down for the night, and hoped that everything would pass quickly.

Thursday – 2 miles running, 6 miles cycling, 2 miles running

Even though the storms left us, the winds were crazy all through the day.

I had planned on a two mile run – 10 mile ride – three mile run series, but when I got on the bike, I quickly found out that Mother Nature was not on my side. I ended up turning in six exhausting miles and cut my second run down to two miles. I wanted to do more, but I still had a half on Saturday and the wind was blowing my bike all over the place.

Little man had his final Honor Roll awards ceremony at school, and then we left there to have lunch with a friend.

While the boys went to Cub Scouts, I finished packing for my Savannah trip. I was in desperate need of this weekend.

Friday – rest

After sending the boys off to school and work, I packed the car and waited for Meghan. We were on the road by 10:00 AM, and made the drive to Savannah in record time.

I’ll recap the whole weekend in an upcoming post, so stay tuned for all the great details!

In the meantime, little man and Mr PugRunner put in some workouts for little man’s upcoming tri! One half mile run following 1.6 miles on the bike. Way to go, guys!

Meghan and I were pretty worn out from our drive, so we laid out our flat runners and got to bed early. It was almost go-time!

Saturday – Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon

Race day! Not to worry, full recap to come! I can’t wait to write it all out! I had the best time with some really awesome running friends, and celebrating the rest of the weekend in Savannah!

Workout wise, this was a great week! I still desperately need some swim time, and my friend has offered up her heated pool for some laps, so I’m going to try to take advantage of that. With the half behind me, it’s time to start focusing on the spring and summer 5Ks and shorter races, while building up my cross-training.

How was your week in training?

How do you supplement your running in the summer months?

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POSTED IN: brick, cycling, jacksonville running blog, Publix Savannah Women's Half Marathon, racecation, run Savannah, running, running blog, savannah, triathlon training, week in review, weekly wrap

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race report: gate river run 15K {3.11.2017}

Posted on April 7, 2017 by runswithpugs

This has taken a while to write. I was waiting for the professional race photos, which are trickling in slowly. I can always add photos later.

2017 was the 40th anniversary of the Gate River Run 15K. That’s fairly exciting when you think about it. I should have been more pumped to run it, but I was dragging mentally. The bulk of my ennui was how quickly plans kept changing. I was invited to the Girls On The Run Solemates shindig, which was really exciting, but then my host got the flu (I still got to go and had other friends there, but I hated that my host missed out). I had a friend who was going to run with me, but then she had to bail due to other commitments, so another friend wanted to join me, but then SHE got really sick, and I was back on my own.

There was nothing to be done about that, so let’s get to it!

I arrived at around 6:30 AM and got my assigned parking spot at the FJCT building where the Solemates event was being held. We had been advised to be parked by 7AM because that’s when the road closures would start, and with so many people trying to get into the area, traffic builds quickly.

It was still pretty chilly out, so I was grateful to be able to stay warm inside. There were real restrooms (with no line), and a great spread of bagels, bananas, fruit, coffee and water. I met up with my other friends who were there and we grabbed a table. My stomach was being cranky, so I definitely took advantage of the restroom more than once.

Being inside and away from the bulk of the runners made it hard to gauge the crowd mood and when it was time to start getting into the corrals. I think we left with sufficient time (the Solemates also provided private gear check, so we could just leave our stuff while we were running), and I was able to make one final portapotty stop.

The Gate River Run starts a little later – 8:30AM. This means that things heat up quickly. It’s all part of the experience, and I was prepared with a handheld of Gatorade.

I crossed the start line close to 8:45. At this point, my strategy was just to run and see how I felt. It’s so crowded in the beginning that popping in and out of intervals is difficult, and I made it all the way to the Main Street Bridge (Mile 1) before I needed my first walk break. My fourth Gate River Run was off to a positive start.

Start – Mile 2

Things stayed pretty crowded all through the first bridge and into the San Marco area. I thought about how last year, I wasn’t able to run any of the Main Street Bridge because of my hip and felt extra motivated to push this year. My right glute was (and has been) annoyed with me, but I was able to work it out on my walk breaks. I felt pretty good, and although it was warm, the humidity didn’t seem as ridiculous as in the past.

Miles 3 – 6

This is the heart of the race. So many people are out in all the beautiful neighborhoods. They cheer, hold up signs and offer refreshments. There’s lots to see and with the live bands playing along the route, there is more than enough to keep one’s mind off the actual running.

I had Gu with me, but I was more than happy to accept a cold orange slice and a popsicle along the way – the sweetness of the fruit and the sugar of the popsicle were everything. In the past, I’ve snagged sausage and beer, but this time, I didn’t want to stop.

Mile 7 – 9.3

The end of this race is pretty brutal. There is a long stretch of highway leading to the Green Monster. And then it’s just the interminable climb to the top of the Hart Bridge. This year, the wind was, indeed a factor. After the summit, the last mile of the race is a winding downhill, which can be treacherous on tired legs and failing form.

I put my head down and focused on my music for the whole of Atlantic Boulevard. It seemed a little shorter this year, and soon I made the left and started the climb to the bridge.

My buddy Mike was out in a sombrero, cheering on all the runners on the ascent. I didn’t realize how tired I was until he started yelling my name and taking selfies (it’s what he does). He gave me a hug and asked if I needed water or Gatorade and I realized I just needed to be done. He told me to get over that bridge and sent me off.

At the start of the metal grating (again, treacherous for tired feet), a runner wiped out. It’s really hard watching people fall, either by tripping or from exhaustion – I got a thumbs up from her and kept going.

Finally, I reached the 1600m timing mat (there is a contest for fastest downhill mile). I was just about to open it up, when a runner saw the photographer a few yards ahead of me, cut across most of the course and attempted to get a pro photo of her leaping in the air. The whole thing seemed to happen in slow motion: she ran, launched herself…. and crashed flat on her face directly in front of me. I had to brake hard to keep from tripping and falling over her. I stopped to try to help, but she would not get up. Two women came back (maybe they were with her?) and created a road block so other runners wouldn’t trip. She finally sat up and seemed to be ok, short of some road rash, so I ran off.

My groove had been interrupted, but I got back in stride and finished pretty strong.

I met up with a girlfriend and we went to grab a free beer (the event is all you can drink) before heading back to the SoleMates event. We were both pretty happy with our performances.

We enjoyed the outdoor festivities for a little, but we were both starving, so we returned to the FJCT building to get some food. There were burgers with all the toppings, salads, chips and cupcakes. And drinks. Everything was delicious and it was nice to chill in the air conditioning and enjoy.

It wasn’t until I got home that afternoon that I realized I had, in fact, PR’d. Which was just huge and unexpected. I was fairly sure my PR days were over, but maybe there is still gas in the old tank.

I say it every year, but it bears repeating. The Gate River Run 15K is really one of the best races in Jacksonville. Not only is it an amazing running event, but it’s just a wonderful all around experience. The community and crowd support is second to none, the course is always a challenge, and the atmosphere is always incredible.

Even though I wasn’t feeling motivated at the start of the race, things worked out. I was sufficiently trained, and even though I was a little discouraged at having to run 9.3 miles alone, I found a good place in my head and ended up reaping the benefits with a personal best on this course. I didn’t stop for selfies or photos, passed on most of the treats being handed out and took advantage of feeling good. I hope more races can go this way in the future.