Category Archives: NYC

Misting Station Ahead

Comment 1 Standard

You know when you are running, and it’s one of those days when you just feel slow, you feel hot, and you’re using your sacred bits of water to splash yourself? Well, that was me today for parts of the Queens 10k.

So I was about halfway and really in need of a boost… and then… there it was.

The misting station. Ah! Yes!

It was just past the 5k point, a point where both me and the guy beside me needed some encouragement. As we approached and ran through the sprinkles, we both giggled and sighed, then kept on moving with a little more oomph.

Thank you NYRR for adding these little refreshing spray stations along the routes of the last couples of races. (This photo was the misting station at last weekend’s Oakley Mini 10k – love the joy on her face!).

I Call Him Gilligan

Comments 3 Standard

He sits at the same table on the patio at Pescatore on 2nd Ave every afternoon (weather permitting), with his little Lenovo netbook, his plate of bread and glass of wine.

I call him Gilligan because of his hat. I’ve never seen him without the hat. And he does kind of look like Bob Denver.

I imagine he’s a writer, but I have no idea. I just like to have that romantic image of him emerging from this glorious library in his multi-level townhouse. But he prefers to sit on the patio at Pescatore with his little netbook and eat his bread and drink his wine.

It’s Official – I’m in! Times Two!

Comments 7 Standard

Today is the day I knew I would qualify for the 2015 TCS NYC Marathon. Nine races and a volunteer opportunity through the NYRR since January, and I’m in. Ah!

But then life threw us a little curve ball … but a good one.

Yes I am now officially qualified for the 2015 marathon, but I’m not sure if I will be here. Brett’s new job is taking us to Singapore next year, making me unsure if will be able to make it back to NY in November, soooooo – what do with all these races I’ve been doing? Use them as training runs! That’s right – an email I got the other day made me realize I should marathon THIS year. I received an email that there were still charity spots available for 2014 so I have decided to fundraise with Fred’s Team for Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Yes I’m fundraising – which I’m horrible at, but I’m going to raise the $3,400 I said I would, even if I have to chase people down the street! – and run the 2014 marathon!

Screenshot 2014-06-14 11.05.11

I must be freaking crazy? Ya, I guess I am. But this is something I said I would NEVER do, just a year ago. You see how hard work and a strong mindset changes you to want to do awesome things?! If you think you will never do something because of whatever excuse you have – you are short-changing yourself. Do it! Stop making excuses and do something big, drastic, crazy and insane. You can do it!

So obviously, my campaigning starts now, with you. Please click my Fred’s Team link above or the picture below to donate to my charity on the Fred’s Team page.

images-17

Whether we know each other or not, we all know people who have been affected by cancer. Those of us who run do it for these reasons. We want our miles to go to something big and worthwhile. So I choose cancer research.

I look forward to seeing your donations on my page. Thank you!

mskcc.convio.net Can't wait to be one of these people!

mskcc.convio.net
Can’t wait to be one of these people!

 

WW #23

Comment 1 Image

20140611-181932-65972409.jpg

Just One More!

Comments 3 Standard

Today’s Brooklyn Half was a great race! My eighth qualifier for 2015! Only one more to go!

To prep – I fed myself well this week, had decent sleep, and was mentally sound (neither the bike nor the basketball incidents affected me!).

Getting there was fine – the 2 train was running and the operator was humorous so that was nice. I also helped a girl try to locate her lost contact in her eye – not a good way to start a race!

Arrival – I’d say this was the only snafu. The bottlenecking into the security screening for low-alert level event was not ideal… but other than that, no big deal.

En route – nice weather, great course, good energy! Only a little IT discomfort on the downhills but nothing major. Although the new Mizunos are great, my feet felt quite fatigued by about mile eight. Nothing one can’t power through!

Finish area – so awesome! On the boardwalk (which was a bit slippery from the sand) of Coney Island, surrounded by an amazing crowd cheering, and along side the beach and the Atlantic. I didn’t stick around for the after-party though, it was quite crowded so I hopped on the subway to head home for my iced beer. 🙂

20140518-083312.jpg

#tbt #19 – One Year Ago

Leave a comment Standard

This is really weird.

For #tbt I thought I’d look back in my photos to one year ago today. There was a photo of an old student on a field trip with a look of bliss because he had never been to the beach, and there were several other photos of schedules.

Summer schedules. Schedules for the outdoor summer flicks.

The weird thing is that I was doing the same thing today! Except instead of taking pictures of the schedules, Tina and I were emailing them to each other… Weird… Obviously I’m ready for summer!

riverflicks.com

riverflicks.com

Brooklyn Half Expo = Awesome

Comments 3 Standard

This is why the Brooklyn Half Expo was awesome – because of the views mostly!

IMG_6653

Expo at Pier 2 Brooklyn Bridge Park with a view of the Statue of Liberty

IMG_6655

Pier 2 left, downtown view right

IMG_6656

Three day pre-party with food, beer, music, gear and hair cuts

IMG_6657

Brooklyn Bridge to the right

IMG_6660

View of the Presidential helicopter coming in

IMG_6663

Music with a beautiful backdrop

IMG_6665

Presidential choppers over the Hudson

IMG_6666

Other side of turfed stage area

IMG_6669

Suspension bridge leading to the park area

IMG_6670

New condo construction under the walking bridge

Sorry I didn’t capture my short rib taco or pumpkin whoopee pie 😉

So Worth It

Leave a comment Standard

This was mentioned a few times at school today during our Dance/Arts Festival – and I’ll say it again.

Despite the head aches, annoyance, frustration and hours spent in dance rehearsals with children … as a teacher, you are always proud when your students perform.

Dancing the Kuku

Dancing the Kuku

Double Qualifier Weekend

Comments 3 Standard

This was the first time I’d run two races in one weekend. Why would I do that? Well because I wanted to get my qualifying races done before summer. So – because I completed two races this weekend, I only have two more to complete my 9+1 qualifiers for the 2015 TCS NYC Marathon! And to think – a year ago I said I would never do a full marathon… Never say never.

1471317_10152087056023324_1390799910_a

“My Mom Gave My Dad a Kidney So I Run For Love”

Comment 1 Standard

That was the sign on a girl’s shirt today for the UAE Healthy Kidney 10k. That’s when I decided I finally need to pick a charity to donate my miles to. For the amount of running I do, I should be, and now I will run with a greater purpose. Yes, there are times when partial registration fees are contributed to charities, but not always. I’ve been struggling to decide which charity to run my miles for.

I know a common charity choice is some sort of scientific research around diseases like cancer, usually because loved ones had been affected by it. Totally makes sense. There is often a lot of focus on supporting children, and again – very valid. So as I ran and thought and ran and thought, and as I ran past some older runners – and by older I mean 70ish – I wondered what supports they had in their want and need to remain active. Or what about bettering our communities through building gardens or something like that? So my quest is to choose my charity in the next short while. Or maybe I’ll just have to pick a few!