When life hands you lemons, go to New York. A weekend with amazing people in a crazy fun city can really make you feel alive.
I spent the weekend with some of my closest friends doing some of my favorite things – running, eating, and carrying on in my usual {ontherun} fashion.
Way back in March, a group of us ran the National Marathon/Half Marathon together. We had so much fun that we knew another group race needed to happen. Enter the Mini 10K – a women’s only 10K in Central Park. It wasn’t long before we cranked out tweets and emails to make another fun weekend happen.
The friends.
Lizzy was my travel buddy for the weekend. Together, we made the trip from Boston to NYC.
I joined Ashley, Theodora, Ali, Emily, and Lizzy for a pre-race dinner.
I met more fun friends for the race on Saturday morning.
And we refueled together at a blog brunch arranged by Christy.
These ladies know how to have a good time.
The race.
We ate our weight in pasta before turning in early on Friday night to give our legs the proper rest. The alarm went off at 6 AM Saturday. Run time!
Lizzy, Theodora, and I took a cab to Columbus Circle where we met the rest of our running ladies.
The street was packed with women ready to run their best race. The conditions weren’t fabulous and my performance wasn’t remarkable, but there was plenty of excitement in the heavy, humid air.
Hi Ali!
This was my first 10K and my first run in Central Park. I got to cross two things off the ol’ bucket list. I ran the race in 57:16 – 9:14/mi – and it was my first 10K, so I PR’d that thing!
I hoped to run a faster pace because I really think I have it in me, but I just haven’t found my racing legs this season. I had to push it to get through 6.2 miles in 96% humidity and I earned that medal.
And more carbs.
The food.
You know how I roll. Carbs are king. The weekend started with carbs and ended with carbs. I was in food heaven.
On Friday night, Theodora made reservations for a low key dinner at Serafina. Nothing says pre-race like whole wheat penne in bolognese sauce eaten the {ontherun} way.
I may not be much of a food photographer, but I can do some damage in an Italian restaurant. A table full of runners, pasta, and parmesan cheese is something to behold.
And after the race? More carbs!
Christy was so sweet to plan a fabulous post-race brunch at Whym. We were all spent and sweaty after the race and this was the perfect spot to gather for food and running banter. Mimosas have a funny way of helping me forget the pain of a tough race.
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The rest of my time in New York was spent exploring. I met up with my best childhood friend, made some new friends, and got a lesson in NYC geography.
I always feel like a country bumpkin when I go visit New York, but I’m loving it more and more every time I go. As I boarded the Bolt Bus back to Rhode Island, I left a trail of Crumbs behind me.
No, I cannot resist a pun. Yes, I will return to NYC soon. Fun times.
What’s your favorite thing to do in NYC? In eleven days, school’s out! I am making plans for summer fun in the city.
