Thou Shalt Not Covet thy Neighbor’s Long Run

Yesterday, I enjoyed a wonderful 12 mile run with Bo and some terrific running friends.

After enjoying our normal pre-run fuel, we were out the door heading towards the Hudson by 7:05.

Our plan was to run 12 miles along the Hudson River, hopefully running into Ellen and Dori along the way.

Unlike most of my runs lately, the Hudson River breeze and lower temperatures made the run far more enjoyable. Having Bo by my side was a welcome treat that I’ll miss once his pace is back to where it was pre-injury. One of our favorite things to do while running is people watch. We immediately hit each other when we want the other to see an adorable dog, an awkward person, or some other interesting diversion.

Around mile 6 we saw three friendly faces running towards us: Jes, Dori, and Ellen! It was wonderful to catch up with them and watch the miles clock by as we heard about Dori’s new job, Ellen’s world as a teacher who works with 100% Spanish students, and life in general. It never ceases to amaze me how much easier running is with a group. Jes had wonderful pace goals in mind and therefore sped off after a mile with Bo, during which they kept close to an 8:30 pace! It was amazing to watch their speed and form as they sprinted ahead of us.

As we came upon the 10 mile mark, we parted ways as they were heading back towards Columbus Circle.

Bo and I continued up the Hudson River path for the next 2 miles, doing our best to maintain our pace. The views reminded me why I love doing training runs on the West Side. It’s easy to just zone out and run along the flat path which includes views of Lady Liberty, Freedom Center, New Jersey, USS Intrepid, and George Washington Bridge as you continue north.  
We hit the 12 mile mark around 92nd Street and were proud of keep an average pace 10:10 pace during the run even though we both spent at least half the time talking with either each other or Dori and Ellen. This is something that’s always been tough for me but the longer I run the easier it gets.

We now have successfully followed month one of our Marathon Training Plan!

Unfortunately, my long run euphoria only lasted a few hours at which point I saw the following tweets:

 

I have a workout confession.

By the time I woke up this morning, I was on the verge of depression when I thought about yesterday’s run. There are a number of us training for the New York City Marathon and every weekend it’s great to talk about long runs, normally motivating each other to get out there early and enjoy the road.

However, this morning all I could do was focus on the fact that most people had done 14 or 15 miles this weekend versus the 12 on my plan.

Why didn’t I push myself harder? I should have done 14 when I heard Dori was doing that distance. Why isn’t my pace as fast as their pace. What if no one is there to run with me during the Healthy Living Summit long run? Why did I organize it when I’m the slowest runner?

I started talking about these thoughts and emotions with Bo this morning. Luckily, he helped me gain some clarity. While these emotions are normal, they can negatively affect my training more than any injury ever could. Five years ago, I couldn’t imagine running a mile. I wasn’t born a runner nor was I an athlete growing up. I’ve already accomplished so much more than I ever thought possible.

In addition, he reminded me of where I was a year ago.

  • My Staten Island Half Marathon recap was titled “Someone Else’s Legs” because I felt so fast- keeping a 10:26 pace in the half marathon.
  • My horrible Marathon Tune Up run was finished at a 12:21 pace.
  • Many of my training runs last year were closer to an 11 minute pace.
  • I ran the my first marathon  at 11:42 split.

This is my second time training for a marathon so I won’t have the same PDR feelings that I had last year. Instead, I need to remember how far I’ve come and how much I benefitted from a few months of speed training this winter.

There will always be people out there who are faster and can run farther. But, this fact shouldn’t take anything away from the great run I had yesterday.  After all, it was exactly the distance and time that my coach had prescribed. I can’t change the past and the choices I made; I can only change the future. In order to enjoy runs, something that is supposed to be stress relieving, cathartic, and enjoyable, I need to remember to run my own run each day, make reasonable goals and compete only against myself. After all, health and wellness go much further than just the physical. To truly live a balanced life, one must be fit and content both physically and mentally.

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Cockles and Lamb

Happy Friday! Even though today is a vacation day from work, it’s been quite productive so far. Bo and I knocked out 12 miles this morning with some great company, I finally ran some much needed errands, and I enjoyed an hour of ART training with Katherine!

Bo is enjoying every moment during his time between jobs, my work life balance has been helped lately by Summer Fridays, and I’ve enjoyed some wonderful long runs over the past few weeks with great friends.

In addition,I’ve been spoiled lately by Bo’s dinners!

Wednesday night Bo and Meg, his younger sister, cooked dinner together since it was her last night visiting.

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Every birthday, Bo receives a huge package from Allen Brothers, compliments of his grandmother. We are able to reap the benefits of this gift for months since we don’t cook meat at home very often. This week, we enjoyed the lamp chops along with homemade squash casserole, roasted baby potatoes, and mixed salad. Everything was delicious, especially the tiny pickled squash Meg and Bo added to the salad!

Last night, Bo offered to cook diner for Theodora and I since she was coming over to work on our HLS presentation we’re doing with Cynthia! Trust me, Theodora nor I ever refuse delicious food. We were in for a special treat last night though, as Bo made a delicious pasta dish with fresh cockles.

Get your head out of the gutter kids! Cockle is the common name for edible, saltwater clams. Not, something you’d find at an XXX store. IMG_3640 (640x478) The linguine and clams weren’t the only stars of the meal. Bo had a heavy hand with both the red pepper flakes and parsley but instead of ruining the meal it really took the flavor to the next level. If you’ve never enjoyed clams and linguine with fresh clams, I highly suggest it! Bo insists that they’re pretty easy to cook with and they are $8 a pound, in NEW YORK CITY!

It was a delightful little dinner, complete with Entwine chardonnay!

IMG_3635 (640x478)IMG_3638 (640x478) IMG_3637 (640x478)While my evening meals have been a change, my breakfast and lunches were my normal favorites.

Wednesday was a bit of déjà vu for me as I literally had the exact same lunch as Tuesday. When a co-worker offers to pick up lunch for you being quick on the description is always preferred. I know this salad by heart since I order it almost daily so within a minute I was able to write it down, along with my favorite Soy Crisps and new to me tea, Lipton Naturals Diet Green Tea.

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Thursday’s lunch was my first Pax salad in ages. I prefer Toasties due to their fresh produce, wide array of toppings, and friendly demeanor but I didn’t have time for their 1pm crowd yesterday.

IMG_3631 (640x478) IMG_3632 (640x478) IMG_3633 (640x478) Around 4 I thought I’d try my hand at eating my weight in grapes. I had two bowls of grapes and by the end feared that I may become a grape, like that poor child on Willy Wonka. Or was she a blueberry?

Last but not least, the winner of the Go Sport ID giveaway is Samantha!  Congratulations!

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Entwine: Food Network’s New Wine

 

Last night was my first blog event that didn’t revolve around a workout, healthy living product, or cooking. Instead, I was able to toast the evening away with Theodora and a hilarious Food Network personality, Anne Burrell.

IMG_3556 (640x478) This Fall, Food Network’s new wine, Entwine, will be hitting your local grocery store and wine store shelves! These four lovely bottles will each find their place amongst the other wines, perched above the Yellowtails of the aisle and below the Cake Bread. Priced between $8-$12, this is a wine from a quality vineyard for the everyday American who can’t understand the average sommelier’s description and is easily intimidated at the wine store.

IMG_3557 (640x478) Theodora and I were greeted at Kitchen NYC by a number of friendly wine and social bloggers along with some amazing press.

IMG_3564 (640x478) Our wine glasses were each labeled with our name and blog or magazine name so there was no confusion. How stinking cute is this? I can’t wait to use the wax crayon method at our next party!

IMG_3565 (640x478) There are four varieties of Entwine, each of which were quite nice.

Everyone started with the Pinot Grigio since it greeted us at the entrance.

IMG_3559 (640x478) The 2009 Pinot Grigio is 13.0% alcohol and comes from California grapes. It is described as crisp, refreshing, and citrusy; perfectly paired with salty cheeses, guacamole, or Asian takeout!

This wine was paired with scallops. The scallop was sautéed and then dressed with a citrus and pomegranate vinaigrette. I love scallops!

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My favorite wine of the night was next, the Chardonnay. This 2009 Chardonnay was aged 15 months in oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Many people were chatting about how easy it went down and they weren’t wrong. This easy drinking wine pairs perfectly with potato chips, grilled cheese, cream sauces, or even roast chicken. This is the perfect wine for a weekday girls night! IMG_3569 (640x478)

It was paired with a delicious chicken and chutney dish.

IMG_3571 (640x478) Next, we ventured into the kitchen area for a taste of red.

IMG_3575 (640x478)Neither the Merlot or Cabernet were memorable but both were more than palatable and could easily be enjoyed curled up on the couch with a good book on a cold winter evening.

IMG_3584 (640x478)The Merlot, was aged for 12 months and is described as being juicy and mouth watering. The suggested pairings are pizza, meatloaf, pasta, and weeknight dinners. IMG_3589 (640x478)The Cabernet Sauvignon, our last wine of the evening, was aged for 12 months and is rich, fruity, and herbaceous. It pairs perfectly with steak and potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, or the delicious lamb in the picture below. The lamb dish is one of Anne’s recipes and was my favorite dish of the night.

IMG_3591 (640x478) During our tasting, the men and women behind Entwine were around for meet and greet sessions, including Anne Burrell and the very attractive Karl D. Wente, the fifth generation winemaker behind the wine.

IMG_3581 (640x478)386 (640x446) Anne was by far my favorite person! She was just as hilarious in person as on Food Network.

DSC_0772 (1) (640x428)Unbeknownst to me, she used to teach at the Institute of Culinary Education. During her time there she instilled upon her students her love of wine in simple terms. You should drink what you like, versus trying find the “light forest floor or leather notes” in wine. Wine shouldn’t be scary or intimidating. This is one of the reasons why she’s so passionate about Entwine. Entwine is all about loving your wine in the same way you love your food. The descriptions sound more like menus than wine labels.

It was an amazing evening with some wonderful new friends. I look forward to following some of the New York City wine blogs and Entwine. Hopefully it will hit NYC shelves quickly as it is definitely a perfect weeknight wine choice. If you’re a friend of mine, you’ll more than likely be offered a glass of the chardonnay this Fall!

Thank you Food Network and Wente Wines for a wonderful evening!

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