Grits in the City - Fitness. Family. Food.

Hope you enjoy all these as much as I do!

Training update: Longest run before Boston Marathon

by Leave a Comment

Yesterday was the longest run of the training cycle. I wish I could be in Boston to run the rest of the Tedy’s Team runners, but I put on my gear and gave it my all just the same from NJ. I could do 18, 20 or 22. I decided to set my goal at 20. Not too bad for your standard marathon training program but definitely ambitious for how behind I am versus where I thought I would be. I originally planned to do 22 but decided to not go quite so far with all things considered. I woke up at 4:30AM to get out there with plenty of time.

Or so I thought. I found out that the early wakeup still wasn’t early enough. I watched the time fly by and started to realize my deadline before I had to take L to dance was looming. Would 20 consecutive miles have been preferable? Sure, but the goal is mileage on your feet so a little break in the middle is better than not doing it at all. I ended up doing 14.5 miles early morning outdoors, taking a breakfast / ballet break midday and then tacking on another 5.5 miles on the treadmill in the afternoon. But I did it!

[Read more…]

Boston Marathon Giving Day: Win a Signed Football from Tedy Bruschi!

by Leave a Comment

Today is Boston Marathon Giving Day, a moment to allow all the runners for this year’s marathon to celebrate and share about the causes so meaningful and personal to them. I set the goal of trying to hit at least $1,000 in donations before the end of the day. Our kids are even rocking their own Tedy’s Team shirts to join the celebration! Overall, I have just under $4K left to hit my goal before my April 14th deadline. Let’s make it happen!

Donate through the link here and you’ll also get a chance to win a signed New England Patriots football by 3X Super Bowl champ and 2X stroke survivor Tedy Bruschi! Bonus, reshare my post on Instagram Stories for 2 extra entries! No donation is too small. Also please share this post with any Patriot super fans in your life who might love to get their hands on this football too!

[Read more…]

Stacks for Stroke Awareness

by Leave a Comment

Kick off your 2025 reading with a purpose! On International Book Giving Day I’m kicking off my raffle benefitting stroke awareness for Tedy’s Team. Enter for your chance at winning a signed copy of one of 9 books, or choose your own next several reads with a $100 gift card to Bookshop — the amazing online shop that both helps you find all the great books AND helps to give back to your local bookstore of choice.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or $12 for a pack of 3! Get em through a donation to the fundraiser on this post or through the link in bio if you prefer to checkout using Venmo instead. Raffle tickets open through March 2nd.

[Read more…]

My first marathon: NYC 2024

by Leave a Comment

This escalated quickly. I entered the lottery in February for the TCS NYC Marathon, knowing it could take years before I might be selected and if I wanted to do it sometime, it couldn’t hurt to start now. And then I donated to get some extra chances through the extra NYRR draw. Oh and now the NYRR members would be eligible for an extra “last chance” draw. Sure — let’s do that too. Somehow after all of the above, the idea of waiting to go through the same thing a second year felt too much. I was ready already!

Back in 2023, I ran the NYC Half Marathon with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. I started thinking — wonder if they have any bibs for the marathon? Before I really thought about it too long, I’d emailed to see about a spot and found myself on the team, trying to figure how on earth you train for a marathon! Shoutout to this amazing organization. So honored to run with you again and to help raise ~ $3.4K for the cause!

[Read more…]

2024 Black Friday Deals

by Leave a Comment

If you’re a big bargain hunter, ‘tis officially your season! If you are like me, it’s all about trying to get all the gifts checked off in November so December can be focused on festivities, family and a big ol’ dose of relaxation. Sharing a few of my fave finds over the last several days — and you can probably tell I’m gearing up for my next marathon with the running slant!

[Read more…]

Next up: Boston Marathon for stroke awareness

by Leave a Comment

It happening — I’m training for my next challenge, the Boston Marathon! After running NYC, I found myself trying to think of the next challenge I could work towards and it immediately struck me as my choice.

Somehow, once I got through my first marathon, I immediately found myself trying to find my next challenge. Why not try for the 6 stars of the Abbott World Majors? The hardest to check off seemed to be Boston — since as a slow runner, I would never time qualify (even by age 80+…) and it also has the highest fundraising commitment for a charity spot. I decided immediately that was going to be my next challenge.

I was reading about Tedy’s Team as I looked into the different charities and I immediately knew that they were the one for me! Tedy’s Team was founded by 3X Super Bowl Champ and 2X stroke survivor Tedy Brushci. Such a legend and the work Tedy’s Team has done to help support both stroke awareness and support for survivors on their comeback is so amazing. I’m thrilled to be able to play a small part of it all — and to run in our daughter’s honor.

[Read more…]

Janie’s Life-Changing Baked Goods

by Leave a Comment

When I learned there was an “official cookie” of the TCS Marathon and — gasp — it was one I didn’t know, I had to say “tell me more!”. I came into NYC the day before the race so I wouldn’t be rushed and, ideally, could get a bit of extra rest in a more peaceful and controlled environment. The latter didn’t quite pan out as hoped (more on that in another post) but I tried to make the most of the former.

[Read more…]

Birthday brunch at Stone House at Stirling Ridge

by Leave a Comment

This year we did something different to celebrate my birthday — a birthday brunch! We’d been to Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren, New Jersey before but only at night. I was so curious to see what brunch would be like and it felt like a luxurious throwback to the more carefree days when we lived in the city and brunch felt like a way of life. Plus? We didn’t know but they had live music. So fun!


We made reservations and I was thrilled to see we could even reserve their outdoor seating. It was mid-September — warm but with a slight chill in the air. They did it right, with their fire pits lit to take just a bit off of the crisp starting to be noticeable in the air. I told them that it was my birthday when we reserved and they surprised me with a custom printed menu wishing me happy birthday at the top. A lovely touch!

[Read more…]

See you someday, sweet Dixie

by Leave a Comment

I might be okay but I’m not fine at all…

Oh My Little Dixie Cup (as her registration papers read.) I found her at a time where I think I found myself — when I reached the point where I knew it was time. That if I didn’t finally get a dog, I was going to make some poor life choices. I held her close when I was threatened and had to move apartments, scared for us both and grateful to be safe. She loved the beach, and didn’t mind the weekend we got stranded in Long Island with friends since we were there together.

[Read more…]

Summer art strolling at New Windsor’s Storm King Art Center

by Leave a Comment

I’ve been curious about Storm King Art Center for ages so when we switched to a staycation, we decided it was a perfect time for a visit. We stopped for brunch on the way at Willow & Whisk in Wyckoff (so delicious — highly recommend.) That proved to be a wise choice as we then walked around a lot in the sun without easy access to food or drink. Note though you can bring your own picnic supplies to enjoy!

[Read more…]