Speaking at Salem State

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Hello, beautiful Boston!

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Look who I found in the great state of Massachusetts… Murphy the pug.

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Oh, and Tina, too! Smile

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Boston colleges sure seem to love Operation Beautiful – I’ve been to the city so many times for so many presentations.  And every time I come, I get to stay with Tina, which is always a treat.  It’s so funny – five years ago, I was a random blog reader who loved to comment on Carrots N Cake.  And now, half a decade later, we’re in-real-life friends.  Life is weird sometimes, huh?

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Murphy is weird, too… and so are my socks.  Weird, weird, weird!  But good. Smile

 

I got in late last night, and although Tina and I had fun plans for this morning, I accidentally slept in!  I thought I’d be woken up by the sounds of Mal getting ready for work because the master and guest rooms share a bathroom, but he must’ve been super quiet but I snoozed away.  Next thing I know, I’m being woken up by the sun.  Whoops.

 

We did have time for coffee – Mary Lou’s!

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This coffee is ridiculous. I think mine was called ‘Peanut Butter Blast’ and it was essentially dessert for breakfast.  Not that I’m complaining…

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I said my goodbyes to to Tina and Murph, and then I headed out to Salem.  It was a long drive, and I got lost a few times… But I made it!

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Just in time to deliver the keynote speech at the Annual Women’s Conference.  It went well!

 

One down, two more to go.  I’m going to be traveling all over the country this week to give Operation Beautiful presentations.  I’ve only ever been away from Henry for a single night, but this time, I’m going to be gone for three, back for one, and then gone for another night. It’s fun to travel, but it’s more than a little strange to be away from the family for so long.

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I made my way back to the city (and got lost again – damn you, Boston traffic!)…

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And now I’m set up at a Starbucks, drinking a yummy latte and waiting for Tina.  We’re going to squeeze in a workout before I have to go to the airport.  With so much traveling this week, my challenge is definitely going to be making healthy choices.  I’m determined to eat (relatively) well – it’s so hard when you travel! – and stick to my Ironman March goals.  I’ve already swam 1,000 yards and ran a 5K this week, so I’m well on my way to a great workout week. 

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Have a great Monday!

{ 29 comments }

 

  • Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction.com March 4, 2013, 3:31 pm

    Welcome to Boston! 🙂

  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action March 4, 2013, 3:39 pm

    I’ve never been to Boston- but it does look beautiful!

    Good luck with your upcoming travelling! I’m sure it’ll go great and you’ll be back to Henry in no time.

  • Megan March 4, 2013, 4:03 pm

    Thanks for coming to SSU!! I really enjoyed hearing you speak again!

  • Cindy March 4, 2013, 4:13 pm

    How I managed to drive around Boston for over a year doing EI without going completely postal, I will never know. Boston traffic is the suck.

    I hope you enjoyed your time there, despite the traffic!

  • Grace @ Grace Dishes March 4, 2013, 4:26 pm

    I haven’t been back to Boston in years (My last time was to attend a wedding) and it’s always been a city that I’ve loved and wish I had more time to explore.

    Great pictures and safe travels 😉

  • Lauren @ Eat Like An Elephant March 4, 2013, 4:43 pm

    I did a double take as I started reading this post, because I definitely thought I saw the wrong dog or was reading CNC! lol

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat March 4, 2013, 4:54 pm

    I kind of want to go to Boston just for Mary Lou’s coffee. But I’m sure the rest of it is nice, too. 😉

  • Allie March 4, 2013, 4:56 pm

    I love Boston, but hate driving in the city! It seriously stresses me out.

    Safe travels!

  • Jill @ a Girl in Progress March 4, 2013, 5:53 pm

    I love Murphy! Thank you for sharing so many photos of him. What a cutie! I have a pug dog, too, and they are so silly and funny. They make life more interesting for sure. Have fun with your travels!

  • Debbie in WBL March 4, 2013, 6:46 pm

    Hate Boston traffic!

  • Babs March 4, 2013, 7:12 pm

    So jealous that you got to hang out with Murphy. I absolutely love pugs and Murphy seems so funny (from Tina’s posts). While you’re traveling just think how lucky you are to spend all the time you do with Henry and try to enjoy a bit of Mommy-time (in between running around the country giving presentations)

  • Anne March 4, 2013, 7:13 pm

    Wish I’d been there, too! 🙂

  • Lauren March 4, 2013, 8:32 pm

    Salem State is my alma mater-got my Master’s Degree in Social Work from there! So glad that the lovely people of SSU got to hear you speak :). In the SSU social work lounge bathrooms I encountered many an Operation Beautiful sticky note!

  • Amber K March 4, 2013, 8:35 pm

    lol, at first I was like “wow, she’s in Oregon?” Duh Amber, there are other Salems… ha! Have a safe trip home!

  • luv what you do March 4, 2013, 9:05 pm

    I love that blogging has brought you guys together as real life friends : ) Boston is a fun city to explore and even better when you have someone fun to hang out and workout with! Thanks for reminding me that I need to start counting my miles for the March challenge. Hoping to get to the indoor track tomorrow before the snow storm!

  • Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness March 4, 2013, 10:53 pm

    I love Murphy pictures, he is the cutest pug! I have been reading Tina’s blog for years and want to travel there just to have Mary Lou’s coffee and buy Teddie peanut butter 🙂 Glad you got to visit with your friend!

  • Art @ Fit at Fifty March 5, 2013, 7:21 am

    I was in Boston for the first time this last year.
    Running the Boston Marathon in on my bucket list.
    Art

  • Katie March 5, 2013, 8:28 am

    Good luck with all of your presentations and exercise goals! If I don’t exercise the day I give a talk, I’m super jittery.

  • Susan March 5, 2013, 9:15 am

    Who gets to take care of Henry and the animals while you are on your work trips? It seems the Hus has to work a lot!!!

    • Caitlin March 5, 2013, 11:06 am

      Thankfully, because he owns his own business, he just closes up shop for the week and gets to be full time dad 🙂

  • Victoria March 5, 2013, 9:20 am

    I hope you’re having fun! Would you be able to tell me where you got that T-shirt (I assume it’s a t-shirt) laying next to your books? I absolutely love it. Thanks!!

  • Karen @ Runner Girl Eats March 5, 2013, 9:56 am

    Traveling to cities with friends is the best. I find it pretty easy to keep up my healthy eating while traveling but working out is another thing. Its so tough for me to kind the motivation when out of town.

  • Jen March 5, 2013, 10:46 am

    Proud of you for successfully navigating Boston traffic! It’s nuts here.

  • Stephanie @ Food Fit 4 Real March 5, 2013, 12:23 pm

    I love how blogging develops friendships on-line and then in real life. I met so many blogging friends at my first Healthy Living Summit a few years ago and we have continued those friendships. So excited that you got to visit Tina (and Murphy) in Boston. Hope you don’t miss Henry too much while you are away but enjoy the time you get for yourself while you are gone.

  • Sharisse March 5, 2013, 12:26 pm

    I love when some of my favorite bloggers are in the same post! =) Kinda creepy/stalker-ish, but it’s the truth! Glad you had a great trip!

  • Alex March 5, 2013, 12:46 pm

    That picture of you on the beach is in Swampscott, isn’t it? I grew up in Swampscott, so it was very funny to check out your page and see a picture of you with a view that I used to see every day! Hope you enjoyed your stay.

  • Sarah (Shh...Fit Happens) March 5, 2013, 1:44 pm

    That is awesome! I love your story. I went to Boston once, for a rainy bike ride for charity…got super lost (not on my bike, luckily!)

  • Shel@PeachyPalate March 5, 2013, 2:18 pm

    Well done on keeping up the workouts! At least you got to stay with Tina and have a healthy start to the day! Safe travels!

  • Jenn@ Be Me March 7, 2013, 2:13 pm

    I can’t wait to travel to Boston one day. I was supposed to be running the Boston Marathon this year but am expecting my first child, so next year I will be there instead (hopefully).

    Hope your speaking went well and I would love to hear you speak one day! Do you ever come to VA or DC?

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