ED's Visit

As you know my sister came to visit and run with me.

We walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and about half way across it started raining. It never really let up so we decided to stay somewhat dry in Chelsea Market. Our shoes were already wet at that point and the rain had no thoughts of letting up. It was a damp day with an early bed time.

And on Saturday night we went to the Yankees game with The Doctor and Wendall. It was great to sit the whole night after that long run in the morning, but I did stiffen up a bit. The beer I had at the game was really good too; even if it did cost me $6!

Sunday was another pretty low key day. ED, Ando, Coriander, Mateo and I went to brunch at Paulie Gee's. They just started serving brunch and the word must not be out yet; it wasn't crowded. (that was a bonus for us, quick seating!) The breakfast pizzas were all delicious and the mimosa's weren't bad either. Paulie Gee's never disappoints!

In the afternoon we just went shopping in SoHo and then met Dupree for dinner.

I hope my sis had a good time even with the crappy weather; I know I did. Thanks for the visit ED!

Half Marathon

My sister came to NYC to visit and run a half marathon with me. And while she was in town she asked why I hadn't updated my blog lately; so here it is a new blog update. I always say I am going to get better about blogging, but it never really happens. I am not going to make that promise this time around; you will get updates when I am motivated enough to post one.

So without further ado.....the Brooklyn Half Marathon.

The Half started at 7:00am from Prospect Park which me

ant ED and I needed to wake up around 5:00am. Both the G and F subway lines were messed up so we didn't even bother with that; we would have had to leave my apartment at 4:00am just to get there in time. Instead we took a car to Prospect Park.

Everything started out without a hitch. We ran our first mile at about a 9:40 pace, which I was happy with. I thought I could do 13 miles at this pace and be very happy with my time. I wanted to do 9:45 to 10:00 minute miles. But then........the pace picked up. ED and I started running 9:00 minute miles all of a sudden. 9:00 minute miles lasted all the way to about mile 10 when I just couldn't keep it up anymore. My legs were starting to burn, especially my butt/hip region, and still having a 5k left felt demoralizing.

Leaving the park at mile 7 felt great, as the race was over half over and we were on our way to Coney Island, but 2 miles onto Ocean Parkway I wanted to be back in that park more than anything. 6 miles of straight, as far as the eye can see, with no spectators is tough on the mental psyche. I never realized, until now, how much fans cheering you on really does help; even if you don't know who is cheering for you.

The last three miles of the race was tough for me; I kept having to pump myself up in my head, but somehow I managed to run the whole thing. Grant it those last 3 miles were not 9:00 minute miles anymore, but it didn't matter at that point. I just wanted to finish the race running and with a somewhat decent time.

ED and I ending up running 13.1 miles in 2 hours 2 minutes and 16 seconds; 9:20 minute per mile pace! I am super happy with my time and glad that I had my sister by my side running with me. I don't think I could have gone that fast without her.

As for my thoughts on the Brooklyn Half course......I'll never do it again. I wish this wasn't my first half marathon as it kind of put a bad taste in my mouth. The course itself didn't have enough change of scenery or turns to hold my interest. And having 6 miles on Ocean Parkway, with maybe 50 people out cheering on that stretch, is super depressing. I didn't get a participation medal, there were only bagels, which were gross, and apples at the end of the race; not even a banana, come on people!

We'll see if another half marathon is in my future, but as of right now, I would have to say no. And as for a full marathon, that isn't even near the front of my mind. I don't have enough time to train for 26 miles and I'm not sure my body is built for such a long distance.

Top of the Rock

Well, not really.

It was my cousin's last night in NYC before heading back to Ohio so Ando and I went to dinner and then Times Square and Rockefeller Center with Dupree.
It was a bit cold outside, but that just added to the Christmasy spirit. (ED should appreciate me adding a "y" to the end of Christmas to make a new word)

Dupree and Ando were both asked by two separate groups of people if they would take their picture in front of the Rockefeller tree, but I didn't get asked at all; what's up with that? Maybe everyone thought I looked shady and would run away with their cameras.
As touristy as it sounds I do enjoy seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center every year, it puts me in the Christmas spirit a little more. I was going to end up doing it eventually and this was a good excuse to go, thanks cuz. Sometimes being a tourist in your own city isn't so bad.

Bowling

This weekend I took advantage of the groupon I bought a couple of months ago for bowling at The Gutter in Brooklyn. I bought the groupon in the summer thinking I would eventually go bowling, but time just kept slipping by without bowling coming to fruition and my groupon was getting close to expiring. We finally went and it turned out the groupon deal was stellar; 6 of us bowled one game with shoe rentals and two pitchers of Guinness for $55; less than $10 a person for bowling, with shoes and beer, score?

Everyone came, well Ando, CB Radio, Goose, Ice and Joel, to channel our inner competitive spirit. It's fun to hit up the bowling ally every once in awhile and see how your game diminishes the more beer you drink. I scored a 124, which I was very happy with, but that was only good enough for third. Ando won, and was followed closely by Goose; 130 and 128 respectively.

Good times bowling and hanging with friends this weekend!

(BTW there will no longer be a tag line; get over it Teed)

Is Anyone Still Out There?

Ando is away, working, time to update my blog.

If anyone is still reading this blog I will be amazed. Maybe I will make it my new year's resolution to do more blogging. It should be easier now that I have an iphone and can take pictures more easily. You know what, it will be my new year's resolution to do more blogging!!
Ando and I put up all the Christmas decorations we brought to New York with us yesterday. It isn't many since we don't have tons of storage space, but it is still a little something and gets us in the holiday spirit. We listened to A Charlie Brown Christmas on the record player and I drank some spiked egg nog.

It may seem like I am decorating for Christmas because I am with child, but I did have spiked egg nog; no pregnancy for me.

Blizzard 2010

We had a huge snow storm in NY, about 14 inches or so. It was perfect packing snow so CB Radio, Goose, Ando and myself built a snowman. And later that night Ando and I took a walk around the neighborhood.

There was a huge snow storm; that didn't mean Ando and I stayed in and there will be a baby in 9 months.

Random

I was not very good about taking my camera places so here are some random photos of the goings on for January and February. These include CB Radio's Birthday, Sharidan's birthday and the Super Bowl (no pictures).

I went dancing twice in one month; this isn't due to crazy pregnancy hormones.