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.