Solstice means it's officially summer!

It is absolutely gorgeous today in Brooklyn, we were out of the house this morning by 9 am to enjoy the longest day of the year.  We did our usual long doggy walk down Franklin St. and Kent Ave. to Williamsburg.  We always stop at Sweetleaf Coffee on N. 6th, which serves the best coffee and pastries on the planet.  Then we go to Bushwick Inlet Park along the waterfront to enjoy our tasty treats while we watch soccer.  Of course, we always take the doggies to the dog park at McCarren Park.  Oh, did I mention that we got another doggy?

Landon was showing signs of boredom, so we adopted a sister for him.  Irene is a chihuahua pug, she has a mean looking grin, one ear that is always curled forward, and she snorts like a pig.  And she is an alpha female. We love her so much, but these two are a hand full!

According to my new Misfit Shine activity tracker, I have walked 4.8 miles before noon today.  (Shine is "the world's most elegant physical activity tracker": http://www.misfitwearables.com). I still need to run 55 minutes today (about 5 miles), according to my Gipis app marathon training program.  

Izzy and I have had sinus infections that are interfering with our training.  Izzy is still set to box in the ring for the charity at Gleason's on July 19th.  I'm running the Queens 10k tomorrow and marathon training is gearing up.  I am registered for long training runs through NYRR in July, August, and September.  And I'm thrilled that the Queens 10k is a month earlier this year (and probably 20 degrees cooler), and that I will earn a medal.  Last year I finished in 1:08:02, and hoping to finish under an hour. Check out this photo of me last year, apparently I looked like I just bought a Toyota.

If anyone wants to track me, NYRR offers live tracking here: http://liveresults.nyrr.org/e/NYRR-QUEENS-2014#b=na&v=ptrack  My bib # is 9058.

I started Day 1 of 30 day abs, but I never got to Day 2.  I am using a free app called 30 Day Ab by Jozic Productions.  I am recommitting to this, starting today.

Long overdue update

I have been extremely busy since my last post, and happy to report that I've made some serious progress towards some of my goals:

1. I am registered for the NY marathon this year on November 2nd.

2. I ran the NYC Half on March 16, and finished in 2:29:13, which is a better time than my first half marathon.  And of course I got a medal!

3. The next 3 weekends are very exciting: 5 Boro Bicycle Tour on May 4th, Healthy Kidney 10k on May 10th (I'm fundraising, please support me--> National Kidney Foundation), and the Brooklyn Half on May 17th.

4. I got laid off from my job at the end of January.  We adopted a rescue dog and I planned a vacation to Mexico where I met my future father-in-law.  Then I got some freelance work, followed by full-time job that was a big step up for me.  It was actually a miraculous turn around since I was unemployed for such a short time, and my freelance clients were very sad to see me go.

5.  I think Izzy and I decided on a wedding location.

I am going to try to blog more regularly, in an effort to become more focused for the next month.

Julie and I in Merida, Mexico with Ollie, my future father-in-law.

Izzy with Landon the chiweenie