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There has always been a lot of discussion about being safe while running.

“Look both ways before crossing the street.”

“Run in well-lit, populated areas.”

“Wear or bring identification whenever you run, just in case.”

“Don’t wear headphones so that you are more aware of your surroundings.”

Etc. Etc.

So clearly there is so much you CAN do to remain safe while running.

But there is no way to control the tragic and unexpected.

Enter the Boston Marathon bombing today.

I can imagine that a lot of runners, bloggers, media outlets, family, and friends (basically everyone) will have strong feelings about what happened in Boston today.  But I doubt that we will be as divided as when discussing the cancellation of the NYC Marathon.  (It is clearly in no way the same, just the most recent blogger controversial discussion).

I think we will be a united front.

I have so many thoughts that I can barely get them down on paper.  (Yes, I originally wrote this on an actual legal pad as soon as I heard about the bombing.  I was so overwhelmed that I needed to get it all out.)

What could be the motive?  Why didn’t someone notice?  What went on in the minds of those who were involved, injured or witnessed the bombing?  How could this have been prevented?

It makes me physically ill to think that this affected people who have worked so hard and were so excited to be a part of one of the most prestigious and well known marathons in the world.  That their friends and family who were rooting them on had to worry about them or worse, had to find out they were injured.

I know that after I began running, Boston was always the ultimate goal and I know that is the case for many runners.  Running has always been my stress relief, the time that I could get away from every thing & just RUN…that peaceful mindset that most runners aim for has undoubtedly been affected.

But, as has been said before and will no doubt be said again:

Runners are strong. 
Runners are dedicated.
Runners are resilent.

I know that this tragedy will be on my mind and the victims will be in my heart during all of my runs in the foreseeable future.

I hope they are in yours, too.

Thoughts & prayers in Boston.

So I won’t be posting some elaborate lie for April Fool’s Day because:

1.  I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of them today;

2.  I’m pretty used to getting jokes played on me every year and I’m over it; and

3.  IT’S MY BIRTHDAY.  Yep.  I was born on April Fool’s Day.  So if you have started thinking I was a joke, you were right.  Since birth.

I am 28 years young today but BLC planned an entire weekend dedicated to my birthday.  He’s pretty awesome.

FRIDAY:

On Friday, I had a half day at work and my dad came up to pick me and the dog up to take us down to Philly.  The drive home was pretty quick and I got to chat with my dad for a couple hours.  Win-win.

When I got to my parent’s house, I got to see my favorite person in the world.

Kir-bear!  Love that little face.

We watched some Spice Girls…

We grabbed at Freckles tail…

And then we played with Uncle BLC!

After we had some pizza for dinner, BLC and I headed out with my brother and his girlfriend for quiz-o at a local bar.  It was a great low-key night.

SATURDAY:

My mom bought a special breakfast for me

White fish and lox – my favorite!

After breakfast, my brother and his girlfriend surprised BLC and I with Flyers tickets!

My first ever hockey game!  We even got to sit in the Club Box seats – so fancy!

& even better – the Flyers won!  I guess I’m good luck.

We came back to my parent’s house where my mom had made my requested birthday dinner of minestrone soup, salad, macaroni and cheese and ribs (which I did not partake in).

I opened presents from the family and BLC surprised me with something I have wanted FOREVER…

My parents and BLC got me a new camera!  BLC did a lot of research and made sure to get me the best point and shoot possible and gave me the option to return it and get a SLR.  I’ve decided that I am going to stick with the point and shoot – & I am pretty stoked about my new toy

After presents, me, BLC and my brothers/girlfriends headed out to the bar for a couple of birthday drinks – & a bunch of my girlfriends showed up!  BLC had invited them to surprise me!  It was a great night and it was so nice to spend my birthday weekend with some of my best friends and family.

Now, BLC is taking me out for sushi!  Pretty great 28th birthday for me

About a week and a half ago, I ran the NYC Half Marathon for the second year in a row.  Check out my recap from last year’s NYC Half Marathon.

I decided to wait to do the recap since I figured all of you would be bombarded by races recaps the week following the race (just kidding…I’m just a procrastinator).  Either way, my race recap is here!

Let’s start from the day before, shall we?

Saturday, March 17, 2013 – The Day Before the Race (AKA St. Patty’s Day)

11AM – BLC and I made our way into the city from Brooklyn to pick up my bib at the Expo.  It was in a different place than last year which, to be honest, wasn’t a great choice IMHO.

This year, it was across the street from Penn Station.  On St. Patty’s Day.  So BLC and I basically weaved in and out of drunk people dressed in green before we could even get into the building.  It also got me hyped for an Irish Car Bomb…but I digress.

I should also mention that I work in NYC.  I could have easily picked my bib up on Thursday or Friday after work.  But I didn’t.  Because I am a procrastinator (see above).  So I really shouldn’t complain

The expo was nothing to write home about but I did pick up a green Sparkly Soul band to get into the St. Patty’s Day spirit.

The swag bag included hair conditioner (?) and some iced tea mix.  I’m pretty sure the only addition last year were a few PowerBar Gels which I would have appreciated but at the end of the race they gave everyone NYC Half drawstring bags.  So if they replaced the gels with the bag – I approve!

BLC and I left the expo, headed home, changed into green clothes and went out to celebrate the wonderful holiday that makes people think it is okay to get wasted during the day.

Yes.  I did go out the day before my half marathon.  The half marathon that I did not really train for very well.  & yes, I did drink quite a bit too much.  But it may be my new strategy.  Intrigued?  Let’s continue.

We got to our friend, Michelle’s apartment around 2PM, and had a beer and a shot while waiting for another friend.  After everyone had arrived, we went across the street to get pizza (to soak up all the booze, clearly).  I got a plain slice, ate half of BLC’s second slice and washed it down with a Guiness.  Because it was St. Patty’s Day.

After that we went to an Irish pub called Molly’s.  Word to the wise, don’t go to an Irish pub on St.Patty’s Day unless you don’t want to move and you want to pay $10 for a draught of Guiness.  We got a drink there because we were waiting for another friend but we immediately left after our first drink.  For those of you keeping tabs, I had an Irish Car Bomb.  Because it was St. Patty’s Day.

We literally walked to the bar next door and continued our celebration.  Shots were bought, beers were drank, conversation (albeit over very loud Irish music) was had and overall I had a pretty excellent time.  I cut myself off around 8:45PM (self-control, duh) and took a cab home.  Now that is where my night gets a little hazy.  What I can tell you for sure is:

1.  I woke up around 3AM, chugged a giant glass of water, checked my alarm and went back to bed.

2.  My alarm went off at 5:45AM, I got up, made coffee, changed into the clothes I laid threw out in the living room the night before, drank some water with Nuun, and double checked I wasn’t missing anything.

3.  I made it out the door around 6:30AM only to watch the train I was supposed to take leave the station a mere 1 minute before I got there (of note:  It was scheduled for 6:33AM and decided to come early for the first time in the history of the subway)

So at this point I basically think I am not going to make it and I am not going to be able to run the race that I love and paid a ton of money for.  I am not a happy camper.

Long story short, I get to the 72^nd Street Central Park stop at 7:45AM.  I was not aware of the closed corral rule at 7:00AM. So when I saw the line of runners slowly moving toward the start line, I ran over to the VERY END of the line (but not until after I used the line free porta-potty) and started walking with the rest of the group toward the start.

My being late may have been a blessing in disguise considering it was very cold out so I didn’t have to stand in the cold at all.  I heard that it took people a few miles to warm their bodies back up.  While I was definitely cold, I was warmed up after a half mile or so.  I am just glad the NYRR police allowed me to run.  Because it was probably my favorite race out of all the races that I have run EVER.

& now that this post is getting to be a little ridiculous, I will have to continue the rest tomorrow.  Sorry, buddies.

P.S. How do you like the race recap with literally zero running talk?  Perhaps I am making history?

Talk soon!

I have been super unmotivated this winter.  Now that spring is coming (or is it?  This weather is just silly.), I need to get back on the ball.  The NYC Half Marathon definitely sparked my motivation and now I just need to roll with it!

So now – the Weekly Chase!

My Weekly Chase – March 25

1.  Keep working on drinking water consistently throughout the day.

2.  Get in at least 3 runs this week.

3.  Arm exercises 3X.  (we just bought weights!)

4.  Bikram Yoga once this week.

5.  Work on ironing out some tweaks on the blog and start an editorial calendar.

6.  Eat breakfast every day.  (much easier with my Sunday Food Prep!)

What are your goals for the week?!

For the past few weeks I have been prepping food for the week on Sunday.  While I have always wanted to do this, I just never got around to it (Procrastination Queen right here).

But recently I’ve definitely been inspired by Lindsay’s Sunday Food Prep posts – and I love having food ready for the week!  I would much rather get it all done on Sunday and have more time to relax after getting out of work Mon-Fri.  Prepping food on Sunday has also helped me eat breakfast in the morning.  I used to be a religious oatmeal breakfast eater but since starting my full-time job, I have been slacking.  I feel like I am always rushing to get out the door that I either forget to eat breakfast or just don’t have the time.  Since I have started making either breakfast bars, hardboiled eggs and quinoa bakes on Sundays – all I need to do is pull it out of the fridge and I am good to go!

Here are some of the things I prepped for this week:

(clockwise from top left:  Spinach burger mix, spinach burgers on the grill, baked sweet potatoes, hardboiled eggs, list of recipes, sweet and spicy cucumbers, Thai Curry soup, grocery list – not all ingredients for every recipe are included in grocery list)  Not pictured:  Healthy Quinoa Egg Bake, Quinoa Energy bars, cut up celery and made large batch of quinoa.

We had the Thai Curry soup tonight for dinner.  It is one of my favorite recipes.  So easy and super flavorful.  I actually substituted hashbrowns for the potatoes this time around and I found it really bulked up the soup.  Try it out if you have a Trader Joe’s in your area and you like curry!

Quick Weekend Update:

This weekend went way too fast…but don’t they all.

Friday I went to happy hour with a few girl friends after work.  Wonderful conversation as always.  Brittany is engaged (I am a bridesmaid!) so we chatted wedding stuff which is always fun!

I met up with BLC and Brittany’s fiance at a bar down the street when every one dispersed.  Overall, a very nice night.

On Saturday BLC and I laid around for a while.  We watched about 40 episodes of Dexter and took a nap.  & it was glorious.

When we finally got up and started moving, we decided to go into the city for dinner and dessert.  We got pizza in SoHo which was good, but nothing to write home about.  The dessert was definitely the highlight.

Chobani Soho!  I have been wanting to try this place out for-ev-er!  & it did not disappoint!  BLC got the Peanut Butter and Jelly which was sweet and salty – plus I am a sucker for Chobani and PB.  I got the Fig and Walnut which was delicious.  I love figs!!  I definitely want to go back and try some of the savory flavors.  & the best part?  We got to take home the adorable little glass bowls.  Love them!

After our great experience at Chobani SoHo – we headed up to Trader Joe’s Wine Shop for a few bottles of wine and the Trader Joe’s next door for dog food and a few other items.  Even though the line was long (as usual) it went pretty fast and we were headed home in about 45 minutes.

We got home around 8PM, drank some wine, watched some more Dexter (addicted – we are almost done the 7th season and I am soooo sad) and passed out.  Nice little relaxing Saturday.

So that’s my weekend!  Hope you all had great weekends…too bad it is Monday tomorrow.  Wah.

Hellooooo!  Happy Friday!  I can’t explain how happy I am that it is Friday.  Definitely my favorite day of the week…at 5:30PM.

Anyway, it seems likes the perfect day to let you know 5 of my favorite things of the week!

1.  Pretty Pastel nail polish!  This is Mint Sorbet by Sally Hansen.  Very Easter-chic.

2.  Chobani Flip.  The idea behind these is so smart!  Everything all in one place.  & the flavor for this one is spot on.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to find them since – so if anyone in NYC knows where I can pick a couple of these bad boys up – let me know!

3.  My new Ninja Blender!  So excited to play with this!  I actually just made a dessert for BLC the other day that he has been dying for since last summer.  So easy to use and so easy to clean.  Perfection.

4.  If you have ever been to NYC, you know that it can be a little pricey.  BLC and I are okay with the occasional $15 cocktail but it just isn’t sustainable.  So we were super stoked when we found a bar around the corner from us that offers an $8 Jamison/beer combo all day, every day.  Amazing.  Jamison is my jam.

5.  If you know me at all (or just ask BLC about it), you know that I love Nuun.  I drink it at work, at home, during the day, at night, during runs, after runs…you get the idea.  I like a subtle taste to my water and it encourages me to drink more of it.  & this is my new favorite flavor.  It is clean and refreshing and overall amazing.  Try it.

& there you have it folks.  My favorites of the week.  Hope you enjoyed.  Happy Friday!!

What do you think of the new site?  There are definitely some tweaks that I still need to work out – but I plan on trying to do a lot of cleaning up this weekend.  Work has been busy so I have not had any time to do anything during the week.  Dang you full-time job.

But on that note – pleeeeeaaassseee look through the site for a minute and let me know if you see anything that is glaringly messed up!  I will not be insulted, I swear.  I just want to make the little baby blog perfect.

Also, for those of you who have self-hosted WordPress sites – any widget suggestions?  It is crazy how much I want to do now that I have the ability to – and I have no idea where to start!

I’m a nervous baby.

In other news, I ran the NYC Half Marathon last Sunday.  I have a lot to tell you about it – recap this weekend, you lucky ducks!  What I can say is the NYC Half Marathon is my favorite race by far.  It is truly magical.  And – spoiler alert – because if you are anything like me this is all you really want to know

2:16:42

Not my best, not my worst.  But you will find out why I am proud of this time anyway!  Hope you will still come read my recap even though I already gave away the good part.

But as much as I would like to sit at home and write my recap right now – work is calling.  More like yelling.  Talk soon!

2.  I have been in the process of moving to self-hosted (obviously with some help!) for a little while and tonight is the night!  On that note, please be aware that there may be an outage on HLHW over the next 12-24 hours so don’t worry – I’ll be back!

3.  Also, I am not sure how this move will affect my followers so keep in mind if you still want to follow my posts (& I hope you do!) to re-follow once the new site goes live!  Thanks in advance

4.  I ran the NYC Half Marathon yesterday and it was awesome!  I am working on the recap right now and it will be posted as soon as the move is complete!

Hope everyone is having a great Monday – but if not, it’s almost over

Today will be our 5th Valentine’s Day together!

For our first Valentine’s, I cooked BLC dinner in my tiny San Diego studio apartment (minestrone soup & cheesecake) and then we went to see Jumper in IMAX.

In honor of our first Valentine’s Day together, we are going to get Dip Soba soup at this ahhhhhmazing place in the Lower East Side (full review to come!) & then we are going to see Side Effects in Union Square.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

& a Happy Valentine’s Day from Freck!

Goodness gracious – I have been MIA.  I do have a fun surprise coming up – which can account for a portion of my absence!

But for now – the Weekly Chase!

So.  First things first.  Last week’s recap:

1.  Drink more water – at least 80 ounces per day.  Still having some difficulty with this at work.  Didn’t really meet this goal this week.

2.  Plank a day.  4/7 days.  Need to work on this one, too.

3.  Get in at least two AM runs this week – not including my LR on Saturday.  Got one AM run in…and didn’t even run this Saturday – with 2 feet of snow, it would have been pretty impossible.  I need a treadmill (but first I would need somewhere to put it in our little Brooklyn apartment).

4.  Finish the Empire State Building Run-up strong.  BAM! Recap coming!  (Spoiler Alert – I made it to the top!)

Not the most productive week ever.  On to the next…

My Weekly Chase – February 11

1.  Keep working on drinking water consistently throughout the day.

What are your goals for the week?!