NYC

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Thinking Out Loud Thursday: So much to do & so little time

thinking out loud

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

I am going to NYC early tomorrow and coming home late Saturday.

The purpose of this trip to NYC is to run the NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K on Saturday morning.

8:30 am Oct 31, 2015

Originally, I thought that I had so much time….

I was wondering what I was going to do all day Friday and then all day Saturday… by myself.

Now I have so many things planned that there isn’t enough time…

FRIDAY:

  • Check my bag in Macy’s. (~9:30 am)

If you ever go to NYC, there is a free bag check in the basement at 34th & Broadway. Of course, I’ll want to leave Macy’s right away and not be tempted to shop.

  • Italian Food Tour of NYC (12- 2 pm)

I found a great Groupon for this…

Immerse yourself in the food and culture of one of New York’s most colorful neighborhoods, Little Italy, and sample some of the best Italian food in NYC. Hear the stories behind the historic Italian landmarks that defined the immigrant experience at the turn of the 20th Century. Every delicatessen, bakery and pizza shop on The Italian Food Tour Of New York is over 100 years old! (All food is included, 4 course lunch on the go.)

ITINERARY:

Parisi Bakery  Frank Sinatra considered himself addicted to their prosciutto infused bread, as have many others over the past 103 years since this bakery opened!

Alleva Dairy The oldest cheese shop in America, this still family-owned and operated shop whips up 4,000 pounds a week of the freshest mozzarella and ricotta you’ll ever taste!

Lombardi’s Pizza America’s oldest pizzeria! Their 106 year old coal oven still impresses locals, tourists, and international foodies alike

Ferrara Bakery Lucky for you, your tour guide has line jumping privileges. The line to this bakery has been one of the longest in New York since 1892!

Movie Locations Being Little Italy you’ll recognize locations from films like The Godfather, Donnie Brasco, Mean Streets, Serpico, and even Sex and the City!

Curb Exchange The bootlegging depot of New York during the Prohibition era. See where all the deals went down, and find out what happened when they fell through…

Petrosino Square The public space named after New York’s first Italian detective, who took on the five points gangs in a fight to the death!

Old St. Patrick’s Cathedra The first Catholic Church in New York, this 200 year-old has hosted many high profile film productions, weddings, and memorial services. Take a look inside, you’ll be wowed!

  • Get to the NYC Marathon pavilion (at some point, maybe??)

The brand-new TCS New York City Marathon Pavilion will be open to runners, race supporters, and the public. It’ll serve as an entertainment hub and welcome center for this incredible race. The state-of-the-art space, located at Tavern on the Green, features a beautiful glass structure with a bar and café catered by the wonderful chefs of the Tavern on the Green. It also includes official TCS New York City Marathon merchandise and lots of running-related programming.

9:00–11:00 a.m. Kathrine Switzer Book Signing Meet the author and purchase Marathon Woman in the book signing area.

2:00 p.m. Movie Trailer Screening: Tracktown Including a special appearance by filmmaker and famed runner Alexi Pappas.

  • Go to the EXPO to get my race packet.

It’s at the Javits Center and it’s for the NYC Marathon, as well.  I need to hold back on the buying but we’ll see what I find that I want and don’t need.

  • Pick up my bag at Macy’s
  • Check into my room. (6 pm)

It’s on 38th & 9th.  I reserved it through AirBnB.  Since it went so well when I ran the RNR Brooklyn Half, I am not nervous about this one.

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room

  • Pre-race Dinner nearby

SATURDAY:

  • Get to the race start. (7:30 am)

It starts at the UN and there will be probably around 15,000 runners.  Unfortunately, bag check is at the end (Central Park) so I guess I will not be checking anything.

  • The RACE (8:30 am)

I am very excited about it.  Hopefully it will not be raining or cold.  I am asking for sunshine.

  • Brunch at Tavern on the Green (10:15 am)

I’ve eaten here years ago but then the restaurant closed.  Now it’s open and I made reservations. So I will be eating in a fancy restaurant in my sweaty running clothes… How cool is that?

  • Run in Central Park

I plan to do at least 5 miles (along side all the marathoners doing their last pre-race run.) It will be a slow run since I will have just had a big meal but I looking forward to seeing the fall foliage in the park.

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a photo that I took 2 years ago when I was there on this day

  • Hit the Pavilion?
  • Check out of my room (3 pm)
  • Have lunch/dinner
  • Walk the High Line or visit the Expo again 
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picture from October when I was on the High lIne

  • Catch my bus (6:15 pm)

The bus leaves from the beginning of the High Line and across the street from the Expo.  Very convenient for last minute strolling or shopping.

Wow…I am going to be busy.  Remember this is NYC…things are not close by.  I’ll be a pro at riding the subway in Manhattan by the end of my visit.

Of course, I would make room for any blogger meetups so you are in NYC tomorrow or Saturday, please let me know!

Now it’s just thinking about what to wear.…

Weather Forecast:

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I will probably wear this shirt (since it is Halloween)

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and these capris

I can wear throw away stuff before the race but the problem will be afterwards if I am cold and have nothing to wear…

Race Goals:

Nada. Nothing. Just have fun!!

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today?

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Monday Running Update

spring 2015 monday
Last Week: 

  • Monday– I squeezed in a walk at work and then after work, went to my 5th Troy Turkey Trot training group run. The hills killed me, as usual. We did intervals this week – 3 minute sprints 2 minute recovery (well, I didn’t actually sprint.) Afterwards, I met my BFF at the mall to walk and chat.

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3.5 – intervals

  • Tuesday – Just a normal work day, but my lunchtime walk was postponed by rain until after work when the sun came out. Then I rushed to play 1 1/2 hours of tennis followed by dinner out.

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  • Wednesday – I squeezed in a walk at work and my run with the STEM program (a Couch to 5k program for survivors of domestic violence.) was cancelled so I met Judy at the Crossings to run with her. It’s always fun to have company and to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

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  • Thursday – Had a busy work day but still got in a late walk to the park at lunch and then after work, it was raining and I was REALLY tired so I bagged my run. (I hate when I do that!)

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  • Friday – Today was supposed to be a rest but I decided to run at lunch.  It was chilly and windy but was happy to get it done.

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  • Saturday – Met one of my college friends in Poughkeepsie to walk over the Walkway Bridge and stroll on the scenic bike path.

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  • Sunday – Didn’t have to get up early to squeeze in a 7 mile run. My mentee had to work so I took one of her sons to Ellms Family Farms in the afternoon – went on rides, mazes, picked pumpkins, ate cider donuts, had a great day!
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rained before & after my run

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colder and windier in the afternoon

17.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:   (5 weeks until Half Marathon)

  • Monday-  3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group)
  • Tuesday – tennis
  • Wednesday – 2 mile run during work, 2 mile walk/run with STEM client, dinner with tennis ladies
  • Thursday –  3 mile run during work
  • Friday – DAY OFF, rest, bus to NYC, Italian Food Tour of NYC, expo to pick up race packet
  • Saturday – 5K race in NYC, run 5 more miles in Central Park, hang out in Manhattan, bus home
  • Sunday – rest day
I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.   See rules here.
http://hohoruns.blogspot.com

Happy Running! How is your running going?  Any races ?

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Monday Running Update

spring 2015 monday
Last Week: 

  • Monday– I squeezed in a walk at work and then after work, went to my 3rd Troy Turkey Trot training group run. The hills killed me, as usual. But we varied the route this week to do 1 minute sprints so we only had to run the big hill twice. Afterwards, I met my BFF to walk around the mall and to catch up on our busy lives.

found ONE tree with color

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  • Tuesday – Just a normal work day, but my lunchtime walk to the park was nice. Then 1 1/2 hours of tennis after work followed by dinner out.
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waiting for some fall colors in the park

  • Wednesday – I squeezed in a walk at work.  I was planning to run with the STEM program (a Couch to 5k program for survivors of domestic violence.) after work but the client cancelled again 😦 .   Instead, I ran on my own (my last one before the race.
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no more flowers in the park 😦

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  • Thursday – A busy work day but managed a walk around campus at lunch and then rushed home to pack. (The iffy weather is making me crazy.)

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  • Friday – I took the day off from work and headed by bus to NYC. I took the subway to Brooklyn Bridge and walked over it to Brooklyn, took bus & dropped off my bag at the apartment where I was staying and then took another subway to the expo. After the expo, I took a subway to Prospect Park before I called it a day.
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lots of walking (carrying my bag) but it was worth it

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at the expo (which was one of the worst I’ve attended)

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nice day for a run in the park

  • Saturday – Half Marathon #15 is in the books! Unfortunately an inaugural race has lots of snafus and so did this one. My race didn’t go as planned since around mile 9, my lower back started to hurt so much that I thought of quitting at mile 12 (but I didn’t.)  After the race, I spent a relaxing afternoon at Coney Island before heading home.
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2:25:47 – not expecting a PR but was on track to finish under 2:15 until mile 10.

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just beautiful

  • Sunday – Recovery day spent on Lake George, where else?
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our last day until next summer 😦

21 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days.

This Week:  

  • Monday-  3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group)
  • Tuesday – tennis
  • Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, volunteer walk/run with STEM group
  • Thursday –  4 mile run after work
  • Friday – rest, mah jongg
  • Saturday – 10K race
  • Sunday – rest
I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.   See rules here.
http://hohoruns.blogspot.com

Happy Running! How is your running going?  Any races ?

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Friday Five: What I Did This Summer

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup.  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is What I Did This Summer

Here are my 5 favorites things:

1. Boating on the lake 

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2. Running in scenic places

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3. Weekend on the Schroon River

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4. Trip to NYC

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5. 5K Races

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Happy Running? What did you do this summer?

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Perfect Day in the Big Apple

I love New York City so much that I decided to take the day off from work and I talked some friends into taking the Megabus down with me.

The day was perfect because it combined most of my favorites things (besides running): boating, eating, walking, nature.

After a quick snack, we took a long leisurely walk to Pier 81 to take a boat ride on the North River Lobster Company.

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It was a 45 minute ride on the Hudson River while you drink or dine.

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It was a very very warm, humid day but while the boat was moving, there was a nice breeze. It was very relaxing.

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The food was great.  I had lobster tacos & chocolate mousse cake. Both were delish.

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But if you wanted, you could just take the ride and then stay on the boat as long as you wanted. Maybe because it was so hot or a weekday, but we had practically the whole boat to ourselves.

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yes, they are sisters (Eileen, Susie & MaryPat). I taught with Eileen for 20 years and Mary Pat has been my tennis, running, travel buddy for the last 12 years.

After the boat ride, we decided to walk on the High Line (My friends had never been). We entered at the uptown end and walked, rested in the shade,then  walked until the other end.

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you can see the original rail tracks

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This is my 3rd time but first time in the summer – the flowers were beautiful

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lots of place to sit down

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an interactive display of white legos

We ended out walk at Chelsea Market where we strolled and had a cold drink.

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There are a lot of interesting sights and plenty of cool places to eat inside.

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Since it was so hot and Susie’s feet were blistered from wearing new shoes, we hopped on a subway to Macy’s.

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My friends bought shoes and believe it or not, I did not.

Then we ate dinner at a nearby diner and ended our day with a train ride home.

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weird to be leaving to go home in the day light.

Can’t wait to go back.  And although there was no running, according to Mary Pat’s FitBit, we walked almost 8 miles!!

Now I have to figure a way to go back and run!!

Happy Running!  Have you been to NYC?  What is your favorite thing to do there?

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The Big Apple for a Rest

Last Saturday was my rest day.

So I rested.

NOT.

I traipsed around New York City.

I loved this movie:

So I wanted to see the real painting and its exhibit.

It was at the Neue Galerie on 86th & 5th.

Gustav Klimt and Adele Bloch-Bauer: The Woman in Gold” is an intimate exhibition devoted to the close relationship that existed between the artist and one of his key subjects and patrons. Included in the exhibition is a display of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, paintings, related drawings, vintage photographs, decorative arts, and archival material.

I did get to see the painting but you couldn’t take photos.

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here I am with the fake painting

I also a big fan of Van Gogh and Impressionist art.  My friends wanted to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the new Costume Institute.  But I wanted to see Van Gogh’s Irises and Roses.

Irises

Irises
Roses
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Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) brought his work in Provence to a close with exuberant bouquets of spring flowers—two of irises and two of roses, in contrasting formats and color schemes—in which he sought to impart a “calm, unremitting ardor” to his “last touch of the brush.” Painted on the eve of his departure from the asylum at Saint-Rémy and conceived as a series or ensemble on a par with the Sunflower decoration painted earlier in Arles, the group includes the Metropolitan Museum’s Irises andRoses and their counterparts: the upright Irises from the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, and the horizontal Roses from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

This exhibition will reunite the four paintings for the first time since the artist’s death and is timed to coincide with the blooming of the flowers that captured his attention. It will open 125 years to the week that Van Gogh announced to his brother Theo, on May 11 and 13, 1890, that he was working on these “large bouquets,” and will provide a singular opportunity to reconsider Van Gogh’s artistic aims and the impact of dispersal and color fading on his intended results.

Irises are also one of my favorite flowers.  I try to walk or run in a local park to see them in bloom.

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Of course, I like roses too.

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So we went to the Metropolitan.  My friends are members so the tickets were free.

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I got to the VanGogh’s 4 paintings and after we had lunch with a view of Central Park.

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All I could see while we were eating were runners going by.  I so wanted to be one of them.

Then we checked out the Costume Institute’s new exhibit on China.

This exhibition explores the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. In this collaboration between The Costume Institute and the Department of Asian Art, high fashion is juxtaposed with Chinese costumes, paintings, porcelains, and other art, including films, to reveal enchanting reflections of Chinese imagery.

From the earliest period of European contact with China in the sixteenth century, the West has been enchanted with enigmatic objects and imagery from the East, providing inspiration for fashion designers from Paul Poiret to Yves Saint Laurent, whose fashions are infused at every turn with romance, nostalgia, and make-believe. Through the looking glass of fashion, designers conjoin disparate stylistic references into a pastiche of Chinese aesthetic and cultural traditions.

The exhibition features more than 140 examples of haute couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear alongside Chinese art. Filmic representations of China are incorporated throughout to reveal how our visions of China are framed by narratives that draw upon popular culture, and also to recognize the importance of cinema as a medium through which to understand the richness of Chinese history.

It was amazing.

We actually went to the Neue Galerie second and had dessert.

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Afterwards, we walked back to the Metropolitan and went up to the Roof top.

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I love New York City. I am already planning a return trip.

I had fun at the museums but I so wanted to be running!!!

Happy Running! How do you feel on your rest days?

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Monday Running Update

IMG_4595 Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #12 – RACE WEEK)

  • Monday – 4 3.5 mile group run with FRW training group + a few more miles
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finally warm weather but still windy – can’t win

  • Tuesday – rest, tennis, dinner out
  • Wednesday – 4 3 mile run, movie
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last run

ok and it was a free preview

  • Thursday -rest
  • Friday- rest, drive to NJ
  • Saturday –  13.1 miles!!
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painfully slow but #12 is done.

  • Sunday –  rest, Broadway show in NYC

It’s Only a Play – loved it…so funny!

This Week:  

  • Monday – rainy drive home from NJ, 4 mile group run with FRW training group, GOTR 5K planning meeting
  • Tuesday – rest, tennis
  • Wednesday – 4 mile run at lunch, dinner with the tennis ladies
  • Thursday -rest, hair appt.
  • Friday- 3 mile run, mah jongg chez moi
  • Saturday –  rest, pick up race packet, errands
  • Sunday –  5K race + plus miles
I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! How is your running going?  Any races ?

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Friday Five – Things I like about my favorite city

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup.  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is 5 things I like about my favorite city.

Yes, NYC is my favorite city and I am lucky to live a train or bus ride away.

Here are 5 things I love about NYC:

1.  Restaurants 

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in Chelsea

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French Restaurant in the Village

I love to eat out. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal in NYC.

on Park Ave

in the theatre district

in Central Park

brunch at Gordon Ransey's The Maze restaurant

at Gordon Ransey’s The Maze restaurant

2. Theater

There’s nothing like Broadway.  I usually go once a year. I have seen some great shows. Among my favorites are Les Miz, Kinky Boots, Jersey Boys, Wicked, Once, Billy Elliot, Lion King…

going to NYC to see "Once" on Broadway

3. Museums

I love French art especially the Impressionists. Outside of Paris, there’s no better place to see these paintings than the Metropolitan Museum (above) or the Modern Art Museum (below).

4. Parks and Gardens

Bryant Park

I love hanging out in Bryant Park especially at lunch time. I could spend the whole day in Central (and have.)

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Central Park

Snug Harbor Botanical Gardens in Staten Island

NY Botanical Gardens in the Bronx

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Washington Square in the Village

5. the Lights

Paris may be the “City of Lights,” but the lights of NYC are breath-taking especially around the holidays.

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Happy Running! What is your favorite city and why?

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Monday Running Update

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Last Week: (Week 10 of HM training) – OFF FROM WORK

  • Monday – rest, DAY IN NYC (and many miles walked)

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  • Tuesday – 4 mile run, lunch out, tennis

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  • Wednesday – rest, car appt, gym, dinner out  & movie to celebrate New Year’s Eve

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pumpkin bisque, gnocchi, apple cake with cinnamon ice cream – delish

very good

  • Thursday – Hangover Half Marathon
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even got a PR

  • Friday- rest, gym, errands,mah jongg
  • Saturday –  3 4.5 mile run

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  • Sunday – rest, mall walk with bff

This Week: (Week 11 of HM training – The Taper!) 

  • Monday – walk at work, 5 mile run
  • Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
  • Wednesday – 3 mile run, walk at work, rest, STEM dinner
  • Thursday – walk at work, hair appt
  • Friday- walk at work, 3 mile run, mah jongg
  • Saturday –  rest
  • Sunday – 6.2 Mile race
I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! How is your running going?  Any races ?

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Back to the Big Apple

A friend went to the Matisse exhibit at MoMa during Thanksgiving break.

“It is the most extensive exhibition of this period of Matisse’s work ever mounted,” … The exhibition follows Matisse as he begins with small works of dancers twirling and leaping and figures in bright colors, using paper which was more expedient and less labor intensive than paint. It follows with Jazz, a series of works for a project for publisher Teriade, and continues with larger works such as “The Thousand and One Nights,” which depicts the story of fictional Queen Scheherazade from the Arabian Nights, and his four “Blue Nude” studies of the female form….The MOMA show … also includes “The Swimming Pool,” which fills a room in the exhibit with cut-outs of ultramarine blue swimmers, divers and sea urchins. Inspired by a visit to a favorite pool in Cannes, Matisse made the expansive work pinned on white paper on walls lined with tan canvas in his dining room in Nice. Other highlights include “The Parakeet and the Mermaid,” a massive cut-out work covering an entire wall with bright blues, greens, reds and blues; and “Ivy in Flower,” a large maquette for a stained glass window.

When I heard about it, I knew I had to go. I love French art.  I spent my junior year of college in Nice, France where there is a large Matisse museum.

So I called my friend, Eileen, and we planned to a trip to NYC for during my holiday break from work.

As usual, we took to Megabus down.

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It was chilly but the sun was out (though the tall buildings blocked the sun but at least shielded us from the wind.) It was nice walking in a part of the city that I don’t often see. I love all the different kinds of buildings you get to see.

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From 7th & 28th, we walked to have lunch in a restaurant on 39th & Park Avenue

It was a change from the theater district where we normally have lunch.

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The food was wonderful.

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mac n cheese, pumpkin croquettes, butternut squash risotto, beef, stew – we shared them

After lunch, we walked to the Museum of Modern Art with a brief stop in Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center.

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We had Matisse tickets for 2:00 pm. The line was a mile long but luckily we didn’t have to wait since we had bought tickets ahead of time.

The Matisse exhibit was amazing. (Unfortunately you couldn’t take pictures.) It was unbelievably crowded. I was surprised at how any people were at this exhibit.

After the Matisse exhibit, I wanted to also see Monet’s waterlilies as well as Van Gogh’s Starry Starry Night.

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I forgot how much I liked this museum. There was a whole floor of post-impressionists such as Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh and modern painters such as Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, etc.

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I accidentally stumbled upon a whole floor on Toulouse-Lautrec’s posters of Paris.

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We could have stayed for hours but we wanted to get back outdoors and go to Rockefeller Center & Saks to catch the holiday lights that we missed on our last visit.

Before we left, we did visit the sculpture garden.

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wishing that I could go back to Paris

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Of course, it was crowded everywhere in the city especially at Saks. The windows were very creative and worth a view and it was getting dark so Rockefeller Center was lit up.

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Then we headed to another bucket list item for me…a rooftop bar in NYC.

We fought the crowds on the sidewalks and walked to the Refinery Rooftop on 38th & 6th. We had an awesome view of the Empire State Building while having a drink and some appetizers.

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view from the inside

The best part was that I got to visit with a former student, fellow runner & blogger and NYC resident. She brought her friend and the four of us had a great time chatting. (I can’t believe that she graduated HS over 15 years ago.)

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From there, we walked to Penn Station to catch our train home…a long day…lots of walking…but

Happy Running! Anyone else share my love for NYC? And I still plan someday to race there!!

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