National Dog Day

Today’s post goes out to my fur baby.

Gatsby is the…best co-pilot, most loyal soul, best snuggler, biggest bed hog, worst beggar, fastest runner, most handsome little man in my life. I can’t believe this little hair ball has been in my life for 4 years. Thank you Gatsby for being by my side each and every day. Your love doesn’t go unnoticed and I hope you know how much I love you every day.

On the National Dog Day website, they encourage dog owners/lovers to do one or some of the following: (I’ll be completing No. 8 with lots of puppy play this afternoon!!)

1. Adopt a dog from your local shelter or pure breed rescue organization. Volunteer at your local shelter and offer to walk a dog or play with a dog, clean cages or anything else they need help with.

 2. Have a safety check of your home to make sure it's safe for your dog and others.

 3. Donate blankets, food and toys to animal welfare organizations.

 4. Organize a peaceful demonstration in front of your community pet store that sells puppies.

 5. Write your Congressman and ask that he/she support the ban of Puppy Mills and Gas Chambers in your state.

 6. Order an adorable dog shaped flower arrangement from 1-800-Flowers.com and enjoy a 10% discount by using code DOG when placing your order!

 7. Have a National Dog Day party and invite all your friends and their dogs!

 8. Spend the day taking photos of your dog and then enter our photo contest!

 9. Buy an official National Dog Day Tee here and sport it proudly!

 10. Assist an ill or elderly neighbor by walking their dog.

 11. Have a portrait painted of your dog to suspend the fleeting magic of dogdom.

 12. Buy your dog a fun new dog toy....or two...or five.

 13. Give your dog some fun exercise by taking him or her to a doggy play resort.

 15. Brush your dog to eliminate excess fur.

 16. Give your dog a massage or holistic spa treatment.

 17. Teach your dog a new trick.

 18. Buy your dog a fashionable collar and leash.

 19. Hire a professional pet photographer for a fun photo shoot.

 20. Take your dog to the beach.

Motivation Monday VIII

For a while now I’ve been in desperate need for new running sneakers. I’ve had my current pair since April and have logged several hundred miles in them so far. I can tell the cushion is starting to fade and my feet feel it.

Running is a pretty expensive hobby with race entry fees, gear and sneakers. Over the last few months I’ve been searching the internet for the sneakers I currently have – the Nike Zoom Vomero+ 8 in orange - but I’ve been putting it off because I don’t really have the funds for it right now. Nike of course has new Vomero’s out, but I was searching for other styles that have a lower price tag.


This weekend my mom and I headed up to the outlets in Limerick and they have a Nike Store there. So in I went, looking to find the new Vomero shoe, bending over and paying the $130 price tag (with HOPES that maybeee because it is the outlet the price would be a little lower.) Luckily to my surprise I found my current shoe in a different color (pink and black ohh la la!!) with an AWESOME price of $62!!! Paying $130 for them back in April, I was ecstatic to pay HALF the cost this time around. I’m glad I didn’t go with a different style shoe because I really love this fit which made me think, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Old on left, new on right

I of course will be wearing my orange Vomero’s for a little longer as I transition into my new shoes, but I’m a little sad to fully retire them within the next month or so. I’ve had some great memories in these kicks – setting two new PRs (my half and Broad Street), but I know with this new pair it’s going to be creating new memories – like running 7 races for LIAM!!! (And hopefully setting new PRs!!!)

Motivation Monday VII

Motivation Monday this week is coming to you from Wildwood, NJ. (I didn't forget!!) My family is on vacation for the week but I was only able to sneak away for a few days due to work and vacation time. Regardless of how long I'm here, I always appreciate the little things it offers each time I travel here. 

I love the beaches. I love the boardwalk. I love the memories it always brings me. And today I captured a new memory. For the first time in the 27 years I've been coming here, I saw my first Wildwood sunrise. I knew I had an 11 mile training run this weekend and purposely saved it for one of the days I would be here. Hitting the pavement around 5:45am, I just made it. Seeing the sun creep up over the sea horizon -- so large like it was literally in arms length. 

I've never felt the serenity like I did on my run today... The view was absolutely breathtaking and it made the run so much more enjoyable. I ran on the boardwalk, along the sea wall all the way to the bridge that enters into Stone Harbor and then back. 

I'm so glad I saved my run. Enjoy the little things in life friends because it may make your day. Xox