Today, we adopted a female chocolate Labrador Puppy.  We love her so much! Welcome home Zoey!  Last month, my beloved chocolate lab Zohan died of old age complications, cancer +severe arthritis.  Life is busier these days, but my pack is complete again.  Retrievers are the best.

Owner of all the colors….

 #Yellowlabrador, #Blacklabrador, #Chocolatelabrador, #Golden

Time for another cup of coffee……before I go outside in the backyard to play fetch with all 4 dogs.  Must burn my dogs’ energy off.

…………………………………………..

Running.

After Dopey…..48.6 miles

I am recovering very well.   Even though, I love running I am taking the winter months off to prevent burnout.   Instead of running, I will be enjoying group fitness classes and lap swimming at Life Time.

Then it will be Spring time…  which means local neighborhood races  …..more fun races

Hello all, in 2000, I ran my first Marathon.   It was the Boston Marathon.  Twenty-two years later, I am still hooked on running 26.2 miles.  Running has been an amazing activity for me.

However, my journey in life has not always been an easy ride.  I had my share of failures and struggles. For example, I always struggled academically. I was very insecure about not being “book smart”.  Never made it through a 4-year college.  Struggled with reading comprehension + writing.

All my failures, I believe, were gifts from higher above.   My path was redirected, which led me to the world of running. I love running!

As I flew back to Boston, I had plenty of time to reflect on the fun events this weekend.   I am so blessed to be able to still run at the age of 52. I have so much to be thankful for.  I am very pleased with all my running accomplishments throughout my life.   I have run many consecutive Boston Marathons for   various charities, at least 17, and many other races that pushed me to reach my best. I am so fortunate to be able to continue running marathons.  I realize some people may never be able to run a mile or even 26 miles. I am so honored to have the gift to run.

 Now at age 52, I have a new running goal. I am going to try to run many consecutive Dopey’s.  

I DID IT! I am Dopey. 48.6 miles around Disney 4 parks…Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

I crossed the finish line.  Smiling from ear to ear. Happy tears.  I collected all my medals, then I made my way to the Disney buses that would take me back to Old Key West.  

Climbing those 3 steps to board the Disney bus was hard after completing 26.2 miles!    After a ten-minute ride, I was back at the resort.

First stop off the bus …Hugging spouse…

Second stop ……nap.

 I finished my second Dopey Challenge.

These Dopey Challenges are a mark of time for me.  A lot of good has happened since the last Dopey Challenge 2020.  

I am now age 52.  I am in great health and married so far for 27 years. I am now a grandmother (Bubbie Yiddish) to a granddaughter named Sarah. Sarah is already 18 months and will be 2 in May of 2022.  My oldest daughter Carrie and John are the proud parents.

My youngest daughter graduated college in May 2021 and now has her own apartment.

Husband is doing well and moved his business to a bigger location.

It was an excellent race and the best is still yet to come

Official time 7:04:00

I am pleased with the results.

  It’s been two years in the making …. Tomorrow is the Disney Marathon.  I am so excited!   The Challenge is almost done.   Wish me luck!

 Thursday 5k done.

 Friday 10k done.

 Saturday Half Marathon done. 

I had a good race.   I ran this race very slowly to conserve my energy for the marathon. Runners started the race outside of Epcot, then we headed up to Magic Kingdom, around all the attractions, and back to Epcot for the finish.

So far, all my races were a success.

I have been feeling good.

No allergies, no asthma issues, no hay fever, no headaches, no dehydration, no stomach issues, no overly sore feet or legs, no electrolyte issues, no fatigue issues……

So, tomorrow my body and brain will hopefully know what to do……  Disney Marathon here I come.

I am so thankful to be able to enjoy the excitement and camaraderie again among the runners. Big races are so special.  Thousands of runners shared one goal …… to finish.

Let’s do it!

 My costume theme is Monster Inc….

The Thursday 5k is done. The race traveled through Epcot and the World Showcase.

The Friday 10k is done. This race traveled through Hollywood Studio, Boardwalk, and ended at Epcot.

Both races went well.

  Tonight, my husband and I will be having dinner at my favorite Disney restaurant Citricos located in the Grand Floridian.

Tomorrow is the Half Marathon 

Shout out….  to my daughters …Carrie and Izzy for letting my spouse enjoy a mini vacation as they hold down the fort at A Plus Warehouse. 

Also…Izzy for watching my  3 dogs…

Carrie and Izzy …. Thank You!

Enjoy the snow storm.

January 5 2022…Wednesday

It’s been two years since I’ve been to Disney World and I am glad to be back. 

Time to run….  5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a Half Marathon on Saturday, and a full Marathon on Sunday.  48.6 miles

My husband and I left cold winter Boston at 8: 00am and we arrived in Orlando around 11:00am.  By the time we reached our resort, it was noon. We checked in, and then we were off to the ESPN Wide World of Sports to pick up my race numbers, and running tech shirts. I got 6 awesome long sleeve tech shirts for the 5k, 10k, Half, Full, Goofy Challenge and Dopey.  We walked around the expo a bit and then it was time to head back to the hotel to unpack.

That night, my husband and I had a delicious Italian dinner at the Il Mulino located at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. I ordered my favorite pasta dish, spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce. It was so good.

Tomorrow the Challenge begins….I will keep you all posted throughout the weekend.

My husband and I are having a quiet New Year’s and I couldn’t be happier.  We chose to hang out in the comfort of our own cozy living  room. We both are blessed with good health and a great family.

 Overall, I am happy with the year 2021. 

This past year….

I have been working on cutting my sugar habit. I lost about 8 pounds and lowered my AIC.

I have been drinking more water. 

I have been keeping up with my exercise throughout the pandemic.  Both running and strength training.

 I have been a member of LifeTime Gym for 2 years and still love it. 

I have been enjoying hanging out with family and friends.

I am thankful for all the good in 2021. Cheers to 2022. I had a good year. In a few days, I will be in Disney World for the Disney Marathon Weekend. I will be starting next year running 48.6 miles. I will conquer all the miles….and whatever life throws at me in the future good or bad.

As 2021 comes to close, all that matters is love and memories, so make sure you give and make them.