Brooks Silver Bullet

I received a Brooks Silver Bullet running jacket for Christmas. It comes in five colors and costs $150. I had asked my mother to surprise me with either the black or the teal one, and I was really pleased to find the teal jacket under the tree because teal is my favorite color.

Last night I finally got to take the jacket for a test drive.

I saw on Twitter that runners were taking advantage of the mild weather and foregoing layers. I went with a pair of matty m leggings and a short-sleeved tech top under my jacket. When I got to the park, I realized runners were really foregoing layers. People were in shorts.

Just as a warning - these pictures are even more out of focus than usual. I was in a hurry to get out and run.

base layer

blurry photo of me in my jacket

cuff with thumbholes and flip-mitt

As I've mentioned, my Garmin is broken and I am working with Garmin Support to get it fixed or replaced. I purchased an iPhone app called GarminFit to get me through this trying time. I somehow turned it off after 2 miles. Fail.

This photo may be the culprit as it seems to be taken in the correct place on the map when the run stopped tracking.

When I run in New York City at night, I can really see how small I am compared to the grand scheme of things. Look at how many people can fit into just those buildings. I find comfort in this.

I ran the full loop clockwise, so my run should have been about 7 miles including the run from my apartment. I entered and exited by 84th Street. On my way home I stopped by Fairway for some eggs and also picked up some fresh cooked shrimp.

I saw this display at Fairway. God is mocking me.

I miss you rice!

After my shower, I ate some shrimp with leftover spinach, onions, and mushrooms. Then I decided I was still hungry and cooked up a sausage I had in my fridge. Less than half an hour later, I hurled up my entire dinner. I don't know if the sausage was bad, the shrimp didn't settle with me, or if I managed to bonk from a 7 mile run, but I felt like shit until 2 AM. And all I could think about was settling my stomach with rice. Eff.

Take the Long Way Home

The Professor and I reunited for a weekday evening long run. Not since August have we enjoyed a nice run along the Westside Highway together. We met up at 34th Street and headed uptown. We started off at a reasonable pace (except my Garmin didn't catch its satellites until later in the run so it made it seem like I ran a bajillion minute mile) and I was feeling pretty good. I realized that I had tied my shoes really loosely within the first mile, but I refused to let myself retie them. There's something to the looser shoes. I also forgot my hair clips and drove myself crazy until the snow shellacked my wispy pieces to the sides of my head.

New Jersey!

We didn't really talk much. I think I've been inside my own head a lot, and I've spoken to a few people I trust about what's been bothering me. I questioned if I should try to tell the Professor about it, but it seemed kind of forced. This is weird for me because I usually go to him first when I'm trying to figure something out.

My photography skills are amazing.

The Professor really likes the park by the Westside Highway and I must admit that it is pretty neat. It is so empty now (28 degrees, February, snow) compared to in the summer. I think I enjoy it more now than then too. I told the Professor I was only going to stay up to post about this run tonight if I could take awkward pictures while we were running. I asked that he just keep going and that I would catch up.

One of the creepier statues in New York, especially at night in a deserted park.

I really wish that I had gotten a photo of the rapist tunnel at about 97th Street that takes you through Riverside Park. It really is creepy because it's well lit but shoots you out into this dark path lined with trees. We didn't see anyone sketchy (surprisingly), but it's probably because it's so cold out. We did see another runner, however.

In my defense, I was wearing glove mittens and
I couldn't really handle the buttons.

We left Riverside Park and cut east towards Central Park. We entered at 110th and headed up into the Harlem Hills. I run those all of the time in the morning with T and in the evenings by myself or with the neighbor. I didn't realize that the Professor doesn't get to enjoy those bad boys on a regular basis, and he;s never run the loop backwards. Clearly we have a new item for our to-do list.

I have wanted to go on a date at the West 79th Street Boat Basin Café for a while.
Hint hint once it's warm. I'm talking to you Backgammon Partner.
(I don't know if he reads this. I don't know if he'll be around once it's warm.)

By this point it was snowing and not just kind of freezing raining. I felt awesome. It kept me cool but not cold. The Professor had 2 miles on me because he ran from his office and met me near mine. I don't think he felt as awesome as I did, but he was definitely holding his own. I broke out a 90-calorie reduced-fat chocolate chip Quaker Oats granola bar I jacked from work. The Professor and I split it and shared some water at my mile 6.

Around mile 7, I decided I was going to keep running after the Professor left. I hit 8.25 at 72nd and made the Professor take some photos with me. Remember my requirements on writing this post this evening. I gave my Backgammon Partner a call because I was very close to his apartment and I would choose a workout with him over a workout in the park, but alas he is preparing for a very important interview. Keep your fingers crossed for him.

I put my earphones in and turned on Lana Del Rey's Born to Die (Deluxe Version) and headed up Cat Hill. I ran the full six-mile loop. It was cold. My fingers started to burn. I wasn't tired though and I felt like I could just keep running and running. It went by pretty quickly.

Somewhere in the west 90s, I was listening to "National Anthem" with the snowy sleet hitting me in the face and it occurred to me that when they make the film of my life, they should have a scene of me (hopefully played by a former Disney star very close to a nervous breakdown) where I am running to this song in the snow and this signals the beginning of my downward spiral, before sort of hitting rockbottom, and then rising like a phoenix to return and sieze the day. Unfortunately this song is all about partying in the Hamptons, which doesn't really mesh well with the snow. And let's be honest - my parents thought I would hit rockbottom years ago and instead I routinely rise like a phoenix and can be found running a race the next freaking day. Nonetheless, I expect a movie of my life and I don't intend it to be on Lifetime, unless its going to be one of those awesomely advertised specials that college girls insist upon DVRing.

I digress.

Map of my run.

I found myself back at 72nd Street and stopped my Garmin at 14.61 miles. I texted the Backgammon Partner back because he had sent me some messages while I was running. I wanted to shake my legs out a bit so I walked over to Park and then started the Garmin and began running again. Obviously I forgot my Metro card at work (I remembered everything else!) so I needed to go over to 86th Street and buy another one. Don't get me started on those fucking ghetto machines. Thank God I had 5 bucks in my running pouch. I also dropped my super sweet Brooks running glove but this very attractive Asian man returned it to me.

I like capers with my salmon.

My favorite.

I went by the Fairway to pick up dinner and dessert (I ran 15.54 miles - I get to eat gelato.) The poached salmon with caper dill sauce may be the most delicious thing I have ever eaten and it was
under $9.

So much easier than typing out the splits.

I actually completed my run only 16 minutes later than my Caumsett 25K time. Things are looking up for the Caumsett 50K.

I got some weird looks at Fairway. I guess I did resemble a wet rat by the end.

 I just realized my favorite padded bra is in my desk drawer at work. Eff.

Sunday Spin

Based on some confusion, my dad appeared at my apartment door last night ready to take me home to Long Island for dinner. Awesome, except for the fact that I already had plans... All it took were the words "chicken artichoke pasta" and I had my baby blankets and spin shoes thrown in an overnight bag faster than you can say, "Fat kid."

We stopped at the new Fairway Market in Douglaston and then enjoyed a tasty homemade dinner. I have goals to fit into my skinny jeans again so I made use of my spin shoes at Michelle Corso's studio cycling class at the Roslyn Equinox this morning. Roslyn was my original Equinox location back when I was a college student home for summer vacation. Many of the same staff are there and I get excited to see them when I return.

I like Michelle's classes but they aren't my favorite. This is the first spin class I have taken with her and I have to admit it was pretty good. The music was upbeat and the intervals were fast and dirty. I like painful bursts of speed opposed to an endurance ride. If I wanted to spend a prolonged amount of time doing something that only sort of hurts, I would run sixteen miles..

Michelle has a tendency to make these sounds that I imagine are supposed to be encouraging/motivating. They resemble the sounds I make once I'm really drunk and getting frisky. It was difficult for me to keep a straight face.

My mother took me to Target to get new jeans and bras because she felt sorry for me and was sick of seeing me wear exceptionally torn jeans. In my defense, those were the only pair I could fit in. While trying on my new Tar-jay jeans, I made my fellow shoppers crack up by loudly announcing that these jeans sure were skinny. It's true. What the hell is up with pants that discriminate against the muscular-legged? 

In case anyone was wondering, my bra size was downgraded. As my mother said, "How are you the only person who gains weight but gets smaller boobs?" Um yeah. I was thinking the same thing.

My parents and I went out to dinner at Molly's Shebeen on 3rd between 22nd and 23rd. The burgers are apparently AMAZING, but I went with the house shrimp with vegetables and rice. We started with calamari and a Caesar salad, which were both delicious. My mother loved the Christmas lights, but was disappointed by how the picture below came out. Screw the lights. I look awesome.

3 Mile Puppy Power Walk

I don't normally consider walking exercise but since Cookie has entered my life, I haven't had much time to do much else. On Monday night the 34 year-old and I walked from Madison Square Park to the east 80s. Tonight I did the walk with her by myself. I had to bring my computer home from the office and let me tell you, that was not fun. Cookie was like, "Really? Stop dragging that bag around and walk me properly!" We ran into BrissK and she pointed out that I make my dog exercise as much as I do. Yup. We're an athletic bunch.

How can you say no to that face?

I took Cookie for a short run last night in the rain after obedience training, but we're still working on running with the leash.

Cookie is super tired after our 3 mile walk.

On an unrelated note, this is the salad I picked up from Fairway Market today. Look at that price! It was delicious.

Do you have experience running with a dog? Please share tips below!

My Take on Biggles' Breakfast

T and I met at the park at 6 AM for another run. We did the 5 mile loop. We had barely gotten started when we realized we had meant to bring up the same point: we only run the park counterclockwise. Running a route in only one direction can develop imbalanced muscles. The counterclockwise loop explains the awkward feeling I get that my right leg is becoming shorter than my left. Once you start thinking about uneven running surfaces, it's all you can think about. I could feel my right leg muscles shortening with every stride. No more. From now on we're alternating directions.

The run was pleasant if uneventful. I realized I had absolutely nothing to eat for breakfast, and to avoid another Fat Kid Friday situation, I needed to go grocery shopping before work. Luckily the Fairway on 86th Street opens at 7 AM. I exited the park at 6:57 AM, bid T farewell, and ran uptown.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art at 7 AM

I picked up raisins, Fage yogurt, and this Paul Newman cereal I found. I decided to take Biggles' advice on yesterday's post and eat cereal flakes and raisins with my yogurt.

No fructose corn syrup.

I used my food scale to measure out one serving of cereal, a little less than one serving of raisins (about 2/3 of a serving actually), and 8 grams of pecans. Food scales make eating a healthy portion of higher calorie foods easy. I bet you have no idea what a serving size of cereal, raisins, or pecans looks like and I challenge you to find out. This article from the New York Times explains the merits of using a food scale for cooking and baking. I don't do either, but I can pour dry ingredients into a to-go container and I love my scale. I use one made by Taylor.

I ate breakfast at my desk while managing struggling to tame my Outlook Inbox. It was absolutely delicious. I recommend sprinkling the cereal mix on top of the yogurt and eating it off. Continue sprinkling and eating. I don't like when crunchy things get soggy and I have found this to be a practical solution.

Tasty treats. Nasty Inbox.