Back in NYC!

As sad as it is for an amazing trip to end, I am pretty happy to be in one place and back at home! 

This summer has been a roller coaster. 

Mid July my job finally ended (for those who don't know my company closed so after 3.5 years my job that changed me career wise was over).

Then I was hired to freelance at both the RNC and DNC so spent two weeks on the road. 

Then I jetted off to Europe for three weeks! I spent the bulk of my time in Croatia then went on to Italy and Spain on my own. I will plan to recap but in a nutshell...trip of a life time. 

Until then just a little preview.

Basically how we spent our days. Sailing to an island, dropping anchor, and jumping in the Adriatic.

Our boat crew on the Split Kiss!

Italy! I was just captivated the entire time.

Sangria in Barcelona. Enough said. 

So now, I am back. 

Jobless, but not stressing as I have some things in the works. I am lucky enough to be okay for a long while and am toying with continuing the freelance route or going full time. We shall see where the cards fall in due time.

And, back to the grind with marathon training. I was SO active on vacation (averaged 12-15 miles running/walking every day) but never ran more than 9 or so sooooo my first long run back should be super fun! 

August - A Month of Running Happy

I haven't really recapped much about my running in detail on the blog, just mentioned that I am running quite a bit. I have a loose plan most weeks of 2-3 quality runs: tempo, speed/hill and long run. The rest of the runs have just been whatever. For the most part I like to "workout" for at least an hour most days which has translated into a lot of days hitting 6 miles or so.

Nevertheless, I was kind of surprised when I saw my mileage for the month and it was 179 miles!

I have not run that volume in quite some time. From what Daily Mile is telling me in fact, even last year in my Chicago and NYC marathon build up I wasn't running that much. Although to be honest I didn't look back further than September because I am lazy.

But August was pretty awesome for running...

I was away in Montauk which translated to my first real run since NYCM outside.

I love the open road.

August means summer streets and me further getting comfortable with breaking free of the treadmill.

Who doesn't love a desolate Park Avenue?

More than anything else though running became less anxiety filled over my stomach (not without a couple dicey runs that ended in less than ideal situations...but I blew those off immediately) and a lot less frustrating. A short time ago 11-12 minute miles on the treadmill were hard. I've managed runs outside in the past month busting out miles in the 8's and steadily in the 9's. I know pace isn't everything but good lord it is satisfying.

AND I finally feel ready to take the plunge back into races. I haven't raced ONCE this year. The past few years I have run 20+ races each year but this time around I just didn't want to waste the money not knowing how I would feel.

While I am not in the least bit thinking I will be throwing down PR performances (because sub 1:53 half marathon is kind of doubtful right now) I want to get through them feeling good and strong.

I have 2 half's planned right now and have not problem saying that I would really be thrilled to break 2:00. I haven't since fall 2012. That is ridiculous.

If things on the Crohn's front continue to be positive then at least I can get through them happy if nothing else!

But thank you August for a great month. Everyone else might have been bitching about the never ending heat and humidity but every day that I was well enough to wake up and chase down the sunrise, I was happy.

How can this not make you happy?

Onward and upward.

September, I'm coming for you.

Summer Don't End.

I am in denial that tomorrow is September. 

Everyone is all rush rush rush to fall and I am over here team make summer slow down.

This one has been a total whirlwind, and also when I finally started to regain my health. I think that is why I am so eager for it to stay, this summer has been so cathartic for me. 

I went from hiding myself during my Crohn's flare, and being anti social to feeling like I have my life back. 

I have been on a few vacations, run hundreds of miles, lazy days at the beach, wine tours, happy hours, brunches...the list goes on and on - and it has been amazing. 

I am not ready to trade in the warm days just yet. And you will never hear a peep out of me about the heat or humidity. 

This is the girl who refuses to get AC in NYC. I have gotten by with a couple fans just fine. 

So let's all stop this I CAN'T WAIT FOR FALL stuff, please?

I want to live in bikini's and sundresses forever. 

Because remember how quickly fall turns to winter...and there is nothing I dread more than taking the wool coats out of their plastic for the next season. 

#NeverEndingSummer please. 

A Perfect Saturday

I think I was looking forward to Saturday for the better part of a month. 

NYC's Summer Streets is one of my favorite things of summer - and although was excited for my Montauk weekend - I was sad to miss a week of it. 

So all last week was eagerly awaiting it. 

It has been no secret that I have been a slave to the treadmill as I have come out of this Crohn's flare - and having access to rest stops and open road was very very appealing to me. 

I woke up before my alarm and at 6:55 was on the train into the city. 

I quickly dropped a bag at the gym and was off and running. 

And the day did not disappoint. 

The weather felt perfect, it was early so it wasn't too crowded, and god I was just HAPPY. 

Just look at it! 

I decided to run over the Brooklyn bridge and on the way back decided to drop the pace because I was feeling good and tempo a bit. 

I was using map my run because my Garmin is all sorts of f'ed up (probably rebelling me trying to charge it and use it after so long, haha!). And was NOT trusting the splits. So I asked this gentleman I was pacing off what he was doing and he said 8:30ish so I guess it was right! 

I stopped twice for water but other than that I just RAN. People, never ever take that for granted. If I have learned nothing it is that I love to run, and being able to run healthy is a blessing. 

Anyways sorry for the cheesy stuff but necessary. 

So I finished my run of awesomeness at a sub 9 pace. I still don't 100% trust it but I do know that I am feeling more confident to run some half's this fall. Not trying to PR or anything but run them not stopping every two miles. 

Then I headed home to NJ to the parents for some R&R and it was fabulous. Long run recovery done right!

Rounded out to be quite the perfect day! 

Thank you Summer Streets!

Long Weekend Necessities: Bikini + Running Shoes

I finally made it to my family’s beach house in Belmar, NJ for the FIRST time this summer. I took a long weekend (Monday off, YES!) filled with perfecting my tan, running along the boardwalk, wearing a bikini for about 10 hours each day and not stressing about anything (well until I made the mistake of looking at my work email on Monday afternoon, ugh).

Commence, weekend perfection, pictorial style. 

Shark River Sunsets

Relaxing on the dock with a book + coffee = evening wind down

Back drop for morning workouts 

Views from a lounge chair 

Fully embracing wearing a bikini for the day. No pants FTW

Evening walks along the boardwalk

Super moon!

Our guests who seem to have taken up residence on our dock

Simple salads, and The Good Wife

Mulit colored sun rises. Leaving was so hard.

Treat Yourself Tuesday #3

It's about that time folks! Thanks to Becky for hosting each week, I have so much fun thinking back on all the ways big or small I have treated myself. 

Lately I have been trying ALL the classes due to the beauty of ClassPass! They had a special going on that if you purchased prior to Memorial Day then instead of the 10 classes per month - during summer it was unlimited classes per month! Best investment ever. And with the typical class anywhere from $25-35 in NYC - even going to a few a month is 100% worth the investment. So I have been trying to sign up for classes at all the studios I hear about. I will definitely share my thoughts on that in a later post. 

I then went on a little bit of a shopping spree. Loft kind of reeled me in at a week moment. Between upping my CC limit and having a zero balance on that card...I decided it was time to do some damage with the major sales going on. I made out like a bandit getting about $800 worth of clothing for a little over $200. Victory, right?

Then I realized my regular "commuting" black ballet flats were getting a bit rugged looking so I had to replace them...and unfortunately another pair of wedges found it's way to the cash register. Don't you hate when that happens?

My youngest sister who I was just visiting in Miami was up for the weekend so we had a really lovely sisters night (other sis lives in the city). She brought her pup up with her so HE got the pleasure of walking around NYC (and the luck of getting in to the city and off the train from Jersey a couple hours prior to the Rangers game...oh the craziness at MSG he was shell shocked!). So her pup met my sisters new pup and we had a great night of catching up, ordering tapas, drinking beers and obviously selfies for my Mom!

And finally with all these gorgeous days happening I've been treating myself to some ice cold brews. There are SO MANY new ones to try that I just can't help myself. And so refreshing especially after a hot hot run. Luckily this girls tolerance is pretty much zero so I am good with just indulging in one MAYBE a second but honestly I rarely finish it because the first one has me buzzed #cheapdate

And there we have it! I love TYT! Although mine are HOPEFULLY going to be a little bit less shopping heavy. I am in savings mode at the moment as I am planning a move and want some money in the bank! So I shall be getting a bit more creative in the treats which is also fun to remember it doesn't have to cost a lot to be a treat or special. 

Calm Before the Storm

I have really been bad at blogging lately...but I have just been super busy! Work is keeping me quite occupied and I have been spending as much time as possible in my downtime offline.

But, I have SO much to share this week. Marathon training kicks off today! But that is all for another post.

If you follow me on instagram, you are well aware of what I am up to.

Beach. Running. Eating.

That pretty much sums up my downtime in a nutshell.

This past week, I took it on the easier side (errr I took one rest day. woo hoo?) But in all seriousness - not a single double workout day, long run totaled 10 miles and a whopping 22 miles done overall.

I have battling a virus/cold - to the extent that I even stayed home from work last Tuesday and this darn thing is still lingering on. I am ready for it to totally move out of my system.

Especially since I head to Miami on Thursday!! Long weekend with my sister + half marathon + shenanigans = totally stoked.

And of course - Happy Father's Day to the most amazing man in my life. He is still one giant goof ball to this day and there is absolutely NO question that I am his daughter. I love this man more than words can express.

He is always there for me to support me, or give me tough love. He has let me make mistakes but been there to pick me back up. He has led by example and I owe my independent, strong willed nature to him. He has taught me to never be afraid of failure and always set your goals and self expectations as high as possible. Because of him, I am always striving for better and refuse to settle. One lucky girl.

Circa mid 80's

And now...I shall bombard you with my weekend in pictures!

I am blessed that this is my life in the summer.

Belmar Lagoon

 

Backyard

 

Lucio!!

Views from the run.

 

More of my favorite eager swimmer!

Morning sunshine.

 

My grilling skills!

Sunsets from the front dock.

 

And this is what I was leaving to this morning. Savoring every last second.