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The weather here is still fabulous, and all I want to do is lay in my hammock.  However, there’s one big problem.

 

Do you see it?

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Right over the hammock is that broken branch.  The end is pointed directly where your stomach would be if you laid down in the hammock.  It’s too high for me to knock off, so I’ve been patiently waiting for it to break off and fall.  So far, no dice.  I want to enjoy my hammock!  Come on, branch.

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#SpringProblems, right?  Heh.

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Yesterday was a bit warmer than today, and we spent a lot of the morning and evening outside in the backyard.  I’m so glad that we transformed our backyard into a more useable space because it’s so fun to be outside now.

 

Remember when the backyard looked like this?  Ugh.

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It looks way better like this!

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Anyway, over the weekend, we did a little more yardwork.  We took the planter boxes off the rails on the deck (they were too heavy) and stacked them near the back fence.  And we cleaned out Henry’s sandbox and repositioned the nearby bench.

 

Yesterday, I hauled six 50-pound bags of sand into the backyard (with a toddler hot on my heels!) and filled up the box with new sand.  That was after an hour spin class.  I was ready to drop by 9 PM.  Women who regularly do Crossfit-style lifting – you have my mad respect.

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Henry liked the new sandbox a lot!  We did a lot of digging, and then we graduated to turning over big rocks to find worms.  Good times.

 

Afterwards, we definitely needed lots of food.  I blended up some smoothies.  I’ve been adding lemon juice to my berry smoothies – it tastes SO good.  You should definitely try it if you’re bored with the same old smoothie.

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Join Me At Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon

 

I am super-super-super excited to announce that I’ll be running the Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon as a blog ambassador.  This race takes place near the Boston College Campus over June 6 – 8, 2014.

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The event includes running seminars, a keynote speech by Ironman and Paralympian Sarah Reinertsen, a prerace dinner with Runner’s World editors, and a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon race.  Also, there are special multi-race options, including the Hat Trick (which is the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon), and the Five & Dime (the 5K and 10K).  And last, but not least, there are Kids Runs and a 2-Mile Dog Run!

 

I’m signed up for the Hat Trick, but I think I was suffering from temporary insanity when I agreed to that.

 

If you’re in the Boston area, I’d love for you to join me (and several other bloggers, including Julie, Anne, Monica, and more!).  If you sign up, be sure to use these coupon codes to get 10% off your race registration.

 

blogtippingpoint5&10 <— 10% off the Five and Dime

blogtippingpointHalf <— 10% off the Half Marathon

blogtippingpointHat <— 10% off the Hat Trick

Happy Running!

{ 40 comments }

 

  • Michelle March 13, 2014, 2:57 pm

    Your yard looks fabulous 🙂
    I can’t believe how big your little boy is!

    • Caitlin March 13, 2014, 3:00 pm

      Isn’t it craaaaaaaazy?!

  • Jen March 13, 2014, 3:14 pm

    Cool, I’m running the hat trick too! I’m kind of bummed I can’t use the discount as I already registered. That kind of sucks.

    • Caitlin March 13, 2014, 3:15 pm

      Awww darn. We should meet up and I’ll buy you a beer to make up for it 🙂

  • Erin March 13, 2014, 3:19 pm

    I would start chucking stuff at that branch until it falls, lol.
    And you can totally rock that Hat Trick!

  • Shannon March 13, 2014, 3:25 pm

    I wanted to do at least the half so bad, as I live on South Shore of Boston and bucket list to do a Runner’s World half. Unfortunately I will be North in New Hampshire for a wedding : ( This wedding is also prohibiting me from doing my annual Walk for Hunger as well blah.

  • Sarah C March 13, 2014, 3:28 pm

    My whole family is planning on doing this run! I tried to use the 5k discount but it didn’t work :-/ Is it for 5k OR 10k or do we have to register for both? Thanks!

    • Caitlin March 13, 2014, 3:34 pm

      Let me ask my contact – hang tight!

    • Caitlin March 13, 2014, 3:37 pm

      My mistake – the discount is only for the Five and Dime, so you have to do the 5K and the 10K together. I’ll edit the post. Sorry about the confusion!

      • Sarah C March 14, 2014, 10:13 am

        Thanks for checking! Doing the 5k with hubby and my kiddos are doing the kid fun run 🙂 Looking forward to it!

  • Kathleen Ojo @ My Ojos March 13, 2014, 3:36 pm

    It’s a good thing you noticed the branch! Your backyard is gorgeous, it looks like such a fun and relaxing place to play 🙂

  • Kerry March 13, 2014, 3:54 pm

    Some of my favorite bloggers will actually be in my neck of the woods! I would totally come cheer you guys on but I’ll be on my honeymoon! I’m so sad! But I’ll be in Hawaii, so not that sad. 🙂

    • Caitlin March 13, 2014, 3:55 pm

      not sad at all 🙂 happy wedding!

  • Sara @ LovingOnTheRun March 13, 2014, 3:54 pm

    I’m so sad I was invited to do this race, but we are moving that week and I think that would just be too much to try and fit in! Hope you have a blast and hope I can be there for the next one!

    • Caitlin March 13, 2014, 3:54 pm

      not sad at all 🙂 happy wedding!

  • Sana March 13, 2014, 4:27 pm

    The Hat Trick sounds like a lot of fun! Can’t wait to see how you train for it 🙂

  • Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily March 13, 2014, 4:33 pm

    Oh, Spring. The things I would do for spring weather right now…

  • Melissa March 13, 2014, 4:52 pm

    AHH!! I’m doing the 5 & dime!! All of my Boston friends are doing this…I’ll be (injuries barred 🙂 )for Philly’s Broad Street Run in early May, then sort of tapering to this! Hope to meet you there, I love your blog 🙂

  • Alli @ Getting fit, getting awesome March 13, 2014, 6:33 pm

    Ahhh, this looks so cool! And it’s about 10 minutes from where I live, too. I probably wouldn’t be ready for the half marathon on Sunday, and I might have an all day event at the high school I work at on Saturday… boo! Maybe I should up my game and make the half marathon my goal…. hmmmm 😛

  • Leah March 13, 2014, 6:46 pm

    Can’t wait to hear about how the hat trick goes for you!
    I need to do another 5k, maybe this summer depending on how adjustments with new baby go (I’m due in 3 weeks!). But I really want to get back to running 🙂

  • Hannah March 13, 2014, 7:05 pm

    AH that would be the perfect time of the year for me to do a half. Now I just need to convince my husband that we need a Boston vaca…

  • TJ March 13, 2014, 7:49 pm

    I live in Boston (fellow Cane too) and have been thinking about the Hat Trick as well, but haven’t been able to pull the trigger. How long is the coupon code good for? I may need some time to work up the courage!

  • olivia March 13, 2014, 8:49 pm

    You should throw a hard ball like a basketball at the branch to knock it off.

  • Runner Girl Eats March 13, 2014, 9:07 pm

    One day I will actually do one of these RW festivals! They always look like so much fun!! You will kill that hill 🙂

  • Barbara March 13, 2014, 9:48 pm

    Im already signed up for the hat trick! I also went to BC and ran the boston marathon last year, so I am totally pumped to be back in the neoghborhood! See you there!

  • Megan March 13, 2014, 11:02 pm

    Even though I live half a country from Boston in the midwest, I would really consider traveling for that race- my dad is from Boston and I have a bit of family that still lives there. Unfortunately (or not), I’ll be in the Caribbean at that time 😉 I’m doing a half marathon about 3 weeks before that, though.

    Sarah Reinstein spoke at our small, local half marathon about…5 yrs ago. She was really amazing. Bart Yasso spoke, too, at the same pre-race dinner. Sarah wasn’t able to run that race due to an injury, but Bart ran it. They were both incredibly friendly and didn’t seem rushed to get away after the race- plenty of time for photo ops and small talk.

  • Cathy March 13, 2014, 11:58 pm

    Love that you are running with Runner’s World! Can’t wait to follow you along on that weekend! Good luck 🙂

  • Laura@SneakersandSpatulas March 14, 2014, 8:51 am

    That hat trick races sound so fun!

  • Ali March 14, 2014, 9:37 am

    Your back yard looks amazing!! What a beautiful space! The Hat Trick looks intense, but good for you for doing it. That looks fun.

  • Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} March 14, 2014, 10:11 am

    That is so great about the race! I have always wanted to run this race, I might have to think about doing it! 🙂

  • Jen March 14, 2014, 10:15 am

    I’m running the Boston’s Run to Remember 1/2 a few weeks before and it’s my first, so I think I’ll skip out on this…but I’ll look out for you! My husband works at BC 🙂

  • Lori March 14, 2014, 12:44 pm

    My husband and I did the Hat Trick in Bethlehem, PA last year. It was a lot of fun. I took all three races a lot slower than normal and didn’t feel all that bad afterwards. Good luck!

  • Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork March 14, 2014, 1:21 pm

    That’s so exciting that you’ll be nearby! I’ll definitely consider signing up if the plantar fasciitis is better by then (fingers crossed)! It would be fabulous to meet all of you!

  • Aqiyl Aniys March 15, 2014, 5:04 pm

    Yeah, I love the look of your backyard in the most recent picture.

  • Amanda - RunToTheFinish March 19, 2014, 11:34 am

    Just found out I’ll be going, can’t wait to get to say hello again!

  • Jessica @ Keeping Mommy Sane March 20, 2014, 8:32 am

    I’m part of the Runners World blogging crew too! I decided to run Five & Dime since I am running a half here in Boston the previous weekend, but I’ll be there cheering on all of you doing the Hat Trick. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

  • Jess B March 20, 2014, 8:28 pm

    I’ve been thinking about doing a half marathon for a while and always have an excuse…I’d have to travel, it’s going to be too hot or too cold, etc…but this race starts about a mile from my apartment so I really don’t! I’m scared that I won’t be able to stick to a training program though. I can’t decide!

  • Kaylin April 22, 2014, 9:28 pm

    Just signed up for the five & dime! Would love to meet you Julie, Anne and Monica! You guys should coordinate a meet up spot! My pup will be there for the dog run, so I know you and Julie will like some puppy love 🙂

    • Caitlin April 23, 2014, 8:49 am

      Awesome!! I think we will coordinate something – I’d love to meet you too!!!

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