I can’t remember the last time I felt the endorphins like I did today. I ran 5 miles which is the longest I’ve run this year.

5 miles to start....building up to 13.1

5 miles to start….building up to 13.1

Even the iPod felt good enough to last 52 minutes all while saying "battery low".

Even the iPod felt good enough to last 52 minutes all while saying “battery low”.

Happy!

Happy!

And technically I’m calling this my first long training run for all my Spring races. I’ve got the Cherry Blossom DC 10 miler the beginning of April followed by the Philly Love Run Half Marathon the week after that and the NJ Marathon (Half) the first week of May.

Yesterday I slogged through 3 miles but definitely didn’t feel as amazing.

3-kicks-watch

New kicks couldn't give me the oomph.

New kicks couldn’t give me the oomph.

I’ve been fighting a cold since I came home from Vermont. But today the cold symptoms didn’t hold me back one bit.

This is all so perfect for me right now. To feel that boost in self-esteem and to feel happy and excited for racing again.

Aside from sniffling, coughing until my abs hurt and going through 1,250,400 cough drops and tissues, not too much has happened since I came back from my ski weekend last Sunday. I worked from home the first 3 days of the week.

This was my Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

This was my Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Duncan got a haircut…

Coiffed!

Coiffed!

Thursday and Friday I worked in the city. Friday morning was interesting. It was snowing heavily for my commute in but by the time I left in the evening you’d never know it.

First I had to clean off the car

First I had to clean off the car

I drove to the train station and walked through a winter wonderland to get to the platform

I drove to the train station and walked through a winter wonderland to get to the platform

and then I waited forever for the train

and then I waited forever for the train

Two hours later I got into the city to see that the snow wasn't even sticking.

Two hours later I got into the city to see that the snow wasn’t even sticking.

I caught a gorgeous sunset with the Statue of Liberty to the left while waiting for the ferry home

I caught a gorgeous sunset with the Statue of Liberty to the left while waiting for the ferry home

And then captured this shot....all the exhausted, disgruntled commuters inside the boat and the gorgeous colorful sunset and statue right outside the window

And then captured this shot….all the exhausted, disgruntled commuters inside the boat and the gorgeous colorful sunset and statue right outside the window

And now it’s time to prepare for the Superbowl. I have no interest in the game really, just the food, commercials and the Puppy Bowl during halftime 🙂

Got any plans for the “Big Game”? 
Have you had any endorphin filled runs lately?

Today I’m going to recap my Mt. Snow ski weekend in Vermont and tell you about my healthy car snack options. I’m recapping everything but races lately and I’m quite ok with that. =)

I’ve got races coming up in March, April and May so indulge me for the next few weeks with these recreational winter fun posts =)

Friday morning Mr SOTSS and I headed up to Vermont with a quick stop to drop off Duncan at my friend Nicole’s house. 

doesn't matter if it's 1 hour or 6 hours. He just lays on my lap the entire time

doesn’t matter if it’s 1 hour or 6 hours. He just lays on my lap the entire time

napping in the car

napping in the car

Waiting for us to pack up the truck

Waiting for us to pack up the truck

This ski weekend was a gift from Mr SOTSS for Christmas. He gave the same gift last year only we chose a different bed and breakfast this year. I love traveling, especially road trips. There’s something so enjoyable about spending the long hours in the car listening to tunes and talking about so many things we never seem to get to talk about normally. Road trips aren’t complete without snacks because, let’s face it, I can get really cranky if I don’t have access to food. Usually I make poor choices for snacking when traveling but I had just been online reading about healthy snacks at nuts.com and then saw this cool “snack hack”:

nuts_new_year_snack_hack_v02I was so inspired that I packed up some healthy stuff like apples, almonds and cranberries, a granola bar and some pretzels.

unsweetened applesauce, apples, raw almonds and dried cranberries, pretzels, and fruit and nut bar

unsweetened applesauce, apples, raw almonds and dried cranberries, pretzels, and fruit and nut bar

As we approached Vermont it started to snow. It was exactly the way it should be when you’re driving up for a ski weekend. So picturesque!

Welcome to Vermont

Welcome to Vermont

We checked in to the bed and breakfast just before sunset and I forced Mr. SOTSS to take some pictures of me for the blog. He is so tolerant.

me and the sign

Welcome Weary Travelers. HA!

 

Me and the sign and the actual inn More »