The first day of fall!

Fall has officially hit New York, which is quite well-timed considering the seasons officially changed around 10:30 PM last night. (these are the things you learn when you spend each morning watching the Today show) Meaning this morning was our first glorious day of sunny skies and chilled air. Those crisp mornings are so fantastic after months of sweaty, hot sunrises.

This past weekend we had visitors again! Cara, my former Boston roommate texted on Thursday explaining that her brother was in New York. He’s also in the military (Air Force) and visits can be sporadic so I understood how lucky it was to be somewhat close to each other. So Cara and Stephanie made a quick trip down for Saturday night. We met up and spent Saturday slurping oysters and chardonnay at Fish in the West Village at 11 AM, eating spicy Jamaican food at Miss Lillys with her brother, wandering through Central Park, and finally drinking at a very dark dive bar in the Upper East along Lexington. They continued on, but I headed home to celebrate a friend’s birthday with Selemon. The celebration included guacamole, pumpkin cookies, their puppy Lucy, and Cards Against Humanity…otherwise known as the perfect way to spend an evening.

The next morning Cara, Stephanie, and I walked to Baz Bagels where I had my first official New York bagel! It was smothered in scallion cream cheese, onions, and lox as all good things are. They headed back up to Boston and Selemon and I had a cozy evening making a Sunday night dinner of wine simmered chicken.

Selemon flew out very early on Monday morning and has been traveling, so I’m holding down the fort and ushering in the new season alone. Thankfully the parks are full and the air is more energized than ever, so I’m actually surrounded by the best company in the world.

Oh, and my legs are done running, for a month at least. I’m fairly certain the acute pain in my leg is a stress fracture. I have shin splints pretty frequently, but the pain I’m experiencing now is different, and I feel it even at rest. Or simply walking. I could go to the Dr for thousands of dollars of tests that would tell me to rest them, or I can make that call on my own. So no half marathon, which is a bummer, especially because the $50 race fee is nonrefundable. I’ll try again later, with a more gradual increase in miles and a stronger base.

I hope you all have a lovely, crisp fall day wherever you are as well!

And before I go…do you recognize the quote from above? I just may rewatch it today….

Because I can

I’m typing this up in Bryant Park, my second favorite park after Washington Square. It is so full of people, yet shockingly green. And the library lives there, which is why I’m here often. **hold up, I need to stop and tell you that a man just interrupted my typing by walking over to my cute little table and asking “what matters to you in a day spa?”. He does not look like any sort of man that frequents a day spa with his neck tattoos and a Sons of Anarchy jacket. I told him I don’t go to day spas. Ever. Which is the truth. He walked away. That was weird.** As I was saying, I’ll walk over to the library in a bit to look for more jobs. Preeeeettty exciting. But first I’m treating myself to Bryant Park and some time to write. And so we can all feel like we’re hanging out together, this is my view as I type-

This morning I went on a run. It was not fun. I had to do 5 miles, which used to seem like a lot but is one of my shorter runs now. I’ve been gaining mileage well and really enjoying it. I had an awesome 9 mile run in Chicago (Selemon attributed it the cleaner air, which I reluctantly have to agree with) and I’ve been excited to hit 10 this weekend. Like really looking forward to it. There’s just one problem. My legs aren’t really on-board with the plan.

Right now it hurts to touch my shins. When I do touch them, I immediately get a visual of raw, inflamed steak being pulverized by a meat grinder. My poor, hurting legs. They have been so trusty and getting so strong and I know they deserve better than this. I bought a special shin massager and compression socks. My shoes were professionally fitted to offer the stability they need. I don’t know how to support them further without just giving them a break.

Today I started running and it hurt. That’s not unusual and there are two types of hurt when running; the kind that makes you stronger and the kind that causes damage. I was able to push through 1.8 miles running and then I stopped to walk a moment and I thought I would fall over. I was dizzy with pain shooting up both legs. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Fire was in my nerves and absolutely overwhelmed my entire body with pain. I really thought I’d fall over. I was dizzy. It didn’t hurt that badly while I ran, but as soon as I stopped. Oh lord. So it became pretty clear this was beyond “good” pain and I needed to stop. My legs deserve better than that.

This is something I don’t believe I’ve ever shared, but I will now, because it applies. I made the decision to start running after my Aunt Vicki became paralyzed. It made me want to be strong. To never take these legs for granted. To run, run, run because I could. And that’s reason enough.

Because my running was born out of appreciation for my legs, I will have to respect them and take a few days (or weeks) off. Make sure I’m not damaging them, because I will never, ever take them for granted. My half marathon is in two and a half weeks and I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I really hope I can run it, but maybe I won’t be able to. But at the end of the day, I’m listening to my body and the ability to do that shows strength too.

On a lighter note, my detour of a walk home had me hobbling through Chinatown, which is always a treat. All of the stores are in Chinese (I’m assuming that’s what language it is…) which isn’t surprising but I did love seeing that even Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken was in both languages. I was super amused by how easily you can turn down a block in New York and feel like you’re in a completely different place. I took a few photos to share with you all.

And because you weren’t able to come on the run with me, I took a selfie of what I look like when my legs want to kill me.(you’re welcome). As I walked past the bazillion people along Broadway I kept thinking of resting bitch face. Which I was definitely displaying.

Oh, and to motivate myself for more desperate job flailing (it feels more like flailing than “applying” these days) I thought I deserved a sugar rush, and stopped by a Scandinavian candy shop on my way up to the library. According to this shop, Scandinavians are the #1 candy consumer in the world which means my sugar tooth is a genetic predisposition and entirely outside of my control. Thank you, candy shop fun facts. There are two of these shops near my house and both sell their candy in bulk by weight which means I get to fill my bag up with tons of varieties. Including salty black licorice, which is actually super tasty but better in small quantities. Here is today’s loot.

Don’t they just look bright and cheerful? The candy equivalent of a friendly, warm hug. Alrighty,off to the library! In the trusty words of my bag of candy, have a sweet day and if you have any tips for leg care let me know!

Sunset Run

This morning it was raining so my run was postponed to evening.

It turned out to be a very lucky turn of events.

Because the West Side running path delivered the best sunset views. I paused about 10 times on my run to take photos.

Many, many years ago my mom brought my siblings and I to Duluth. There was a gorgeous sunset over Lake Superior and I wanted to take a photo. Instead my mom explained how to take a photo with our minds. To take in the “picture” but also how it feels. To mindfully capture that moment for everything it has to offer.

And the views were offering a lot to remember tonight. And while I can’t transport the feeling, I’ll do my best with some photos.

It was mind-blowing-ly beautiful

Labor Day 10K

I’m very tired and soon I will be in bed reading or snuggling on the couch watching American Ninja Warrior while my wonderful husband tickles my back (my ideal evening, of course)

But I ran a 10K today and I need to tell you about it!

The last 10K I ran was a bazillion years ago. It was a Turkey Trot around Lake Harriet (Minnesota! excitement!!!) and I got to run it with my brother who was still in the United States. It was a pretty good race but again, it was forever ago.

Races are a bit different in NY simply because it follows the cardinal rule of everything in New York: If you want to do something so do a billion other people. There will be lines or chaos and it won’t be easy.

A 10K race was part of my half marathon training and I wanted to try out a NY race before the big one, so I signed up.

The race ran around Roosevelt Island which is a little, narrow island wedged between Queens and Manhattan. You can take the subway or an air tram to the island. This picture shows the little red air tram. Before this race I didn’t know the island even existed and its such a cool little place!

Pretty cool, right? The air tram is the same price as taking the subway, but it required a transfer so I skipped it this time. I’ll do it when I can bring my camera along.

It was a hot, humid day. In fact it felt like the hottest, humid-est day ever. Not going to lie, the race was brutal. Today was very sunny and we ran the perimeter of the entire island where there are no buildings or big trees providing shade. Pure sun blasting down on you. I had a goal pace in mind and after one mile pushing myself my entire head was pulsing with that awful heat-induced headache so I slowed my roll.

Here I am before the race when I was still happy and not drenched in sweat like a giant salt monsterAnd here’s one last picture of the view

The awesome views didn’t make the race much easier, but I’m still glad I did it. It’s a good reminder how mentally exhausting pushing yourself past comfort can be. I had been focusing much more on the physical side of training, which is only part of the game. I’m ready for the last 5 weeks of training before the half. (and a bit terrified…but trying)

Run this city

Central Park from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir (from my instagram)

I’ve alluded to the fact that Boston and I had an interesting relationship. I didn’t really start liking the city until I began running through it. I was able to see the neighborhoods from a new perspective, as well as how closely they all link together.

I’ve decided to skip the awkward phase with New York and just start running so we can start off being friends right away.

Oh, and I signed up to run 13 miles in a row while someone times me. My goal is not speed (at all), but I would love to finish. So, practice runs it is!

Here are a few shots I’ve taken with my iphone while running (maybe I enjoyed a little break to breath). Some are from Central Park which is stunning and huge, and the others are from this morning’s run along the Brooklyn Bridge.