Consistency...do I know the definition?

Consistency….a character I must needs develop in areas outside running and healthy eating. I did so intend to keep this online Journal of my life, but, somehow I can not seem to get into the habit of writing the updates. But, its never to late to try again, so here we go and my goal will be at least one update a week.

My brothers (John 16, David 13) were in town last weekend, and we had a rioustous good time exploring the city and seeing the sights, they are both now taller than me, which is a strange feeling when I remember that I used to shave my legs sitting on the edge of the tub while they had their nightly bath….It seems like so many years ago…Anyhoo…I showed them “my city” and on Monday when they were on there own, they managed fine, traversing from the Upper West Side, down to SOHO, and then to Gremaldi’s for some famous Brooklyn pizza. They amaze me for sure. We went to picnic in Bryant Park and watch a movie, which was fun until the movie started….every heard of Bullet? Well…there is a reason for that…its AWEFUL!

Now, I am eating a salad at my desk, and feeling sore from the hill workout my running group did yesterday. OUCH, 6.3 miles all together, it kicked my behind for sure. I’m training for the New York City ½ marathon at the end of Aug, and although I cried my eyes out for 3 days when I didn’t make the *real* marathon, I am pumped for this ½. Running with 10,000 others through Times Square should be a great experience.

So I thought I should write a normal update, when I’m not oozing over some happening and ga-ga in love with New York. I’ve tried to prepare myself for the inevitable: when I leave. And I think I’ll have the feeling that I’m breaking up with a guy. And I will be sad for a while, and miss *him*, and then time will east the pain and I will move on-just as you do at the end of a relationship.

For now though, I’m going down to 36th to see a sample sale (who can resist designer flip flops at 85% off?). And I will continue my love affair with NY.

1 Year Anniversary X 2

Today was the 1 year anniversary of my very first 10 K, and my first run in Central Park- The New York Health Kidney Race. It was a great day for running, and fun to remember that day a year past… when I was trying to decide if I was ready to make the big move to the city. Funny to remember what the park looked like, when I didn’t know, every turn, hill, lamppost, and mile marker. This time, I knew exactly where I was and how far I needed to go. Funny to think that the park looked so different to me, not because it had changed…but because I had changed.

I didn’t give myself enough time to get to central park west, and I had to race the mile down to the start line. I chucked my hoodie under a table yelling at the disturbed women, “I don’t care if it gets stolen, I’m Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaate.!” I had to crawl over the fence in with the 6 min milers (men mostly) and my first mile I ran totally on adrenalin When I saw that my pace was 7.30 I was worried, “you are going to pay for that later Lisa” The rest of the race I was hurting, but I ran hard, almost puking twice but feeling good b/c I knew I was pushing myself and ended up with a 9.10 pace, which is close enough to the 8’s for me to be happy. I ‘m addicted! The rush you feel when you cross that finish line….legs wobbling, feeling ready to pass out, it’s amazing. The camaraderie with the 7,000 others who woke up early on a Saturday to push their bodies hard on the difficult Central Park loop. New York is the most competitive running city in the world-and I’m so proud to be living and running as a part of that group.

I went with my running group to Fred’s for brunch on the Upper West Side after the race, and no omelet and raisin toast has ever tasted so good. It’s these moments, that make the trials of living here, the cost, the people, the rudeness, all fade away.

This is my dream, I’m living it. An apartment near Central Park, and running a race on Saturday as a New Yorker, not just a visiting guest. IF you have a dream-GO FOR IT! There will be trials, it will be hard at times, but you will sore to heights, experience moments that will make all the tears worth it.

42 miles, 30,000 Bikers, 5 Boros. 1 Great Day!

Sunday I woke up early to ride the famous 5 Boro Bike Ride, developing a sore butt and camaraderie with the 30,000 other riders who participated. It was a brilliant day, bright, sunny, and refreshingly chilly. We started in Central Park, headed up to the Bronx, then down to Queens, continuing on to Brooklyn, where by that decent hour on a Sunday morning, people were gathered to watch, cheer, and kids were set up selling waters and lemonade. It was fabulous.
Different from my usually Sunday races in central park, I was not concerned with my split time, gaining points for my team, or attaining a PR (personal record.) We were just out to have a good time, stopping at every rest station, and stocking up. (I now have 26 cereal bars, some healthy fruit roll up things, and 10 bananas, which I’m ripening until they are black and in eatable to turn into banana bread.)
It was an amazing experience, and one that I hope to repeat. The last 3 miles were ridding over the Verezzano Bridge, (the 2nd longest bridge in the US) to get over to Staten Island, it was beautiful, and such a unique experience-I loved it.
5 Boros…..5 Bridges….5 rest stations, and a million wonderful memories.

And what would any run or ride be without a stop for a few beers….we rode the ferry back into Manhattan, and then went to an old worn out bar Patriot in the downtown area to celebrate out accomplishment before continuing up the Hudson River and over to the UES. Yes another experience to add to my collection of living in this amazing city.

Tribeca Film Festival

Last night went to see Akeelah and the Bee for the Tribeca Film Festival. IT WAS BRILLIANT! I strongly encourage everyone to go, the sold out crowd was laughing hysterically together and fighting tears all throughout the movie.

It is pretty cool, we got to meet the director and Akeelah’s teacher, a supporting actress in the film. They came down and said a few things about the movie and gave us some insider gossip which is always fun.

I have a feeling this blog is going to turn into some kind of “New York City Praise Forum”. As I’m sure I will continue to reiterate my feelings of love for this great city, and all the wonderful things it has to offer. Perhaps if I had started “blogging” in the winter months or during the times I was moving and furniture hunting I would be singing a different ditty, but I have this euphoric ability to remember the bright moments in my past, while substantially fading the ugly ones over time. Moral of the story, write when I’m exasperated about the city, and then all will come out balanced.

Ok Kel, how is that? I’m going to start writing more often, I guess I was thinking I had to have some HUGE inspiration and write something fabulous, but this entry is rather just an update.

AMY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m sooooooooooo excited! For those who don’t know, I’m going to make the 4 hour $ 40.00 ROUND TRIP bus ride to WASHINTON D.C. to help her fight for the rights of doctors at DO DAY ON THE HILL….(OK OK OK AND do a little catching up and dancing…) Nothing like seeing your best friend…..the Lincoln Monument, and cutting a rug to the smooth beats of new salsa music.

Good Friday

WOW, if only every day was Good Friday, my 20 min commute to work was BRILLANT, the absence of people was amazing, no pushing, no touching, no one breathing on me with nasty, coffee, morning breath….just a calm, comfortable ride. I liked it. Especially considering I was hauling bags and my face was still red from my 4 mile run this morning.

I’m heading to HOUSTON for the weekend to hang out with Myles and his family, should be a lot of fun, and I’m SOOOOOOOOOO LUCKY b/c I get to see LAUREN, the sweet wonder girl who is synonymous in my mind with laughing hysterically and freshman year, and my life-long friend Bekah Sneed…(We go way back to taking baths together, campfire girls, and getting spanked by my parents for staying up too late building fabulous doll houses! I CAN’T WAIT!)

Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Easter, and lets not forget what the Lord did for us.

Spring, Yellow Flowers and Appreciating the Small Things…

Walked home tonight and the full moon seemed to be smiling down on my path as the balmy air brushed my face in gentle whirls. I find myself again falling in love with this magnificent city. After the long, cold, and dreary winter-life is everywhere. The yellow daffodils are dotting every corner and sidewalk tree- laughing as if to say: “here we are its spring time its spring time, winters gone its spring time its spring time.” Formerly barren trees have turned white and frothy- elegantly ornamenting the park and city streets. Central park is such a curious mix of the gray of winter and the bright brilliance of spring. I’ve never appreciated a sunny day more, or the gloriousness of yellow flowers peaking up out of the drab ground-blessing my eyes with their gracefulness as I run by. I am ever moved by beauty and grace, and the way Spring has come into New York makes my heart ache with the splendor of it.

Living in the city teaches me everyday to appreciate every small gift that life brings, a friendly smile on the subway, a night so fresh, yet warm enough to keep the windows open, an elderly man with sparkling eyes and a cane walking through the park, smoking a pipe deep in thought with the wisdom and dignity of age eluding from the top of his smart hat to the bottom of his warn yet polished shoes…..the sun, and running outside in a tee shirt and shorts.

I didn’t like New York much this winter, but now I see why people stay…its like an addiction that gets into your blood, you hate the city and the cold and the long dark nights-the freazing wind slapping you in the face every time you step outside….and then…you wake up one morning, and your favorite restaurant has pulled its outside tables out of storage, Sunday brunchers are enjoying banana-split french toast and feta cheese omelets, people walk around with a lighter step, they smile more, walk to work gazing up at the world blossoming around them, laugh a little harder. So my window is open, my scarves and heavy sweaters are on my bed, ready to be packed away and with them every last drab thought and uninspiring day.

I’ve made it through my first northern winter. I’ve arrived in Spring and my romantic heart could not be more thrilled walking down Park Avenue, to my tiny studio on the Upper East Side, than if I was a model with a pent house in midtown. It’s on these days that I remember how truly blessed I am to be living my dream.....and it’s more amazing than even I could have imaged it to be. My sister has a quote on the wall in her bedroom: "This day, this moment- this is your life."

Last night I went out with some friends from work and we had the most amazing tai food. I was literally in heaven. It could have been that I was just starving (huge shocker) and a Junior Bacon Cheese Burger could have satisfied me as well, but, holly Moses, it was a fun time and great food.

The restaurant was in Hells Kitchen, just off Times Square-known for the aspiring actors who live there-the insanely rich who want to live within walking distance of their high-dollar jobs, and then those who stay on what I call the “shady” streets that haven’t been revamped and inflated until you have to live paycheck to paycheck just to pay to settle in a closet where you won’t be accosted by homeless people and you won’t have to cross over a bridge of tunnel to get to The City.

Anyway, I digress…..so I opted out of going to see the off-Broadway play, I’ve been out and about every night this week, and I just needed to chill. But I did want to head to Macy’s in Harold’s Square on 34th St to look at some picture frames and lust over Coach purses.
Macy’s in New York is my favorite department store-far surpassing the more glamorous and sleek Bloomingdales, and the overt ostentatiosness of Sakes 5th Ave. Macy’s has this unique historical quality. And every time I ride down those original wooden escalators I am filled with a sense of history and can imagine that I am Doris Day or Katherine Hepburn, wearing 3 inch pumps and dark red lipstick-bantering with Cary Grant looking and sounding like a sophisticated high-class siren. I’m a romantic and those wooden steps represent something that hasn’t been usurped by the fast pace and changefulness of the most amazing city on the earth. They may be slower and more clamors than their new metal counterparts, but they are warm and cheery and for a few moments riding down to house wares or up to women’s dresses…my life can sit back and just breath, and in my own personal time machine I can reflect on a time past and a type of class that modern day movie starts and fashionable people have never quite been able to recapture.

I can't believe I'm doing this.

I distinctly remember the first time someone told me to "go to there blog and check out their life". I was at a wedding, (ah the joy of seeing old friends, and the annoyance of running into people you usually try to avoid.) Go to your what? You want me to go on the internet and read about your LIFE? The idea was insulting and I instantly vow, with a fake southern smile plastered on my face: “I will never have a blog.” Conceit defined. So why, I’m asking myself even as I write….am I doing this….?