Hi there.

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s a silly day to me because I think we should be lovin’ on everyone every single day. And I hate that it makes some people sad (I was that person for many years). But I’m on board to celebrate it today. Especially with my two favorites:

coffee and dog

my doodlebug and my coffee…LOVE!

I found the best candy ever:

wonka candy

YAY! Wonka makes sweetart conversation hearts

I’ve always said those conversation hearts are so chalky and taste like antacid and wouldn’t it be cool if Wonka would make a Sweetart version….My wish was granted!

Wonka candy

Be Mine!

I finally made it to the orthapedist and 11 days after falling off the snowmobile got an X-Ray. No breaks! So that’s great.

no breaks

no breaks

They can’t get me in for an MRI for another 10 days but apparently whether there is any type of tear to the rotator cuff or not, the treatment is the same….rest. Yep, rest. I could have saved myself some $$ on copays.

They gave me a sling so my surrounding muscles that are picking up the slack can get a break but it’s pretty uncomfortable so I haven’t been using it much.

sling

I need to bedazzle it.

This should be a fun weekend. Tonight I’m headed to Mr. SOTSS’ house. My sweetie’s cooking me dinner! I am loved (and lucky)! And because I love him back I’m baking dessert and I’ll even share it with him (although I already tapped into the can of whipped cream I bought to top the dessert with). Tomorrow I’ll be going to the Borgata (hotel and casino) in Atlantic City for a “wolf pack” birthday celebration for my friend Lisa.

wolf pack

The wolf pack from our last trip to celebrate Barbara’s birthday!

In case you care to read about our previous shenanigans at the Borgata you can read this post and this post.

The doctor said I can run if I want and won’t cause any damage to my shoulder but it might be uncomfortable. She said perhaps I should use the bike or elliptical. Since I don’t plan to start running again until 2/21 (which will make 4 solid weeks of no running) I might just ease back into cardio with some biking at the gym next week. Although I have to say I’ve been loving being lazy. It is really weird.

I have been walking with the dog when I can but that’s really all the exercise I’ve been doing.

struttin

struttin

brisk walk

enjoying the sunshine and the freezing temperatures

doodle

reflective doodle

freezing temperature

cold.just.cold

So here’s my life lesson: TIME and REST heal everything

Let’s face it, in this world where everything around us is instant—instant food, instant gratification, instant conversations, instant access to information—it’s hard to grasp the concept of slowing down and taking it easy. I’m going to stop Googling “how to heal faster from runner’s knee” and “how can I train for a marathon in 8 weeks” and instead I’m just going to take it one day at a time. I remember my foot doctor saying to me when I was suffering with ankle tendonitis “If it feels better give it one more week to be sure”. While I can do things like apply heat and ice, strengthen and stretch and foam roll, I think rest and time are really the clinchers in the healing process.

I know in time I’ll be feeling healthier and stronger and I’ll start craving those long runs…In the meantime I’ll enjoy  the time and the rest and the healing.

Duncan doesn’t mind all this extra time I have had for him…

the "stop taking pictures" look

the “stop taking pictures” look

stocking up on doodle supplies

stocking up on doodle supplies

The light is just too bright

The light is just too bright

Valentine's day means a special cookie!

Valentine’s day means a special cookie!

In honor of Valentine’s day what color would you choose Pink or Red?

Who else loves to squirt whipped cream into their mouth straight from the can?

 

Happy Friday everyone. It’s Valentine’s Day.

I have a beautiful treasure.

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A Valentine’s card that my Grandpa gave my Grandma back in 1954. They were high school sweethearts and spent close to 70 years together before my grandpa passed in 1992.

And just literally a minute ago I received a delivery…

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My brother and sister-in-law do so much for me. I’m so lucky to have them. And today I was surpised with some chocolate covered strawberries and a reminder that I am loved. AWWW!

So not only did I weather the storm that dropped over a foot of snow and lots of rain and sleet as well but I MADE IT TO THE GYM last night in between bands of snow. Girls gotta make it work when training for a spring marathon right?!

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gym parking lot selfie

photo 1

5 miles done!

It was supposed to be an easier run as I just did a tempo on Tuesday but I felt good. So after a warmup mile at 11:30pace I kept my pace about 9:30 for the last 4 netting an average overall pace of a 10 minute mile.

There is just so much snow everywhere…

photo 2

photo

not my car. these folks never bothered digging out from the last couple of storms. They’re probably not gonna drive until spring.

Tomorrow my peeps are trekking here to Staten Island to run a 10K trail run called the Cold Feat 10K! We ran it last year too. I’m really excited because we’re supposed to be getting a few more inches in the morning so it should feel like we’re running in a winter wonderland. And then I’ll be serving everyone brunch before they trek home to Brooklyn and the Bronx. And Sunday I’ve got a 14 miler to complete. I am already planning to scale back my running next week because i think all these treadmill runs are putting some stress on my shins and also I seem to be speeding up too much on the treadmill runs. I don’t want to burn out.

I’ll leave you with this video of the doodle in the snow. Have a great weekend y’all!