FROM THE OTHER SIDE
-
A weekend in the life of a soon to be ironman (at least half a one and a woman). Late last week I agreed to run in the Brooklyn Half Marathon as a friend of a friend had to pull out. Yes at this point it seems I can make 13 mile run decisions like that! I ran to train, for fun, with a friend - it was no race pace. I found out on the morning that we were to finish at Coney Island. I had planned to get there at some point but never thought I would arrive on foot!
It was great to explore a new part of town, I especially enjoyed Prospect Park and the final stretch along the Coney Island boardwalk. Shame it was cloudy but must say it was a good temp for running. On Sunday I was all set to head to Connecticut for bike training, alas I woke up to miserable rain (and sore legs) and opted out. Instead my trainer made its NY debut….I quite enjoyed my 2 hour ride - and movie! Not sure it was quality but hey I gave it a go. 5 more weeks till the big day! -
On the bike!
My training for the half ironman has been really intense over the past few weeks. In particular, I have ridden the past 3 Saturdays consecutively over increasing distances, first 50 miles, then 60 and last Sat 70 miles. That’s 110km, I can hardly believe it myself. We always follow our long rides up with a run (20 min, 30 min, 45 min) and then the next day, Sunday, is our loooong run. Last week it was 1 hour 45 minutes for me.
I must say I have never ever, ever, felt so physically wiped out from training before. So it was a great relief (sort of) to get an email informing us that this week is a light training one. I do appreciate my body needs some time out. I am definitely relishing the extra sleep.
Anyway, the photos above were taken on the weekend, mostly on the bike ride but also running through the blossoms in the park. I might complain about the hard work, but I absolutely appreciate the side of New York my training brings me. Yes I was grimacing as I ran on Sunday, but I still managed to stop and take photos because I was blown away by the prettiness. And after it was all done, I was really able to look back and smile at both what I’d accomplished AND all that I’d gotten out and seen. Seems I have become a triathlete after all.
-
The great moving challenge - from Columbus Circle, to Columbus Circle!
I totally love moving - said nobody EVER! Moving to NY was kind of exciting but it was still totally stressful. It was just easier to deal with it knowing it meant so much to me.
One year later (yes peeps it’s been a whole year now!), I had to move again. This time the move was not brought on by a desire for change, but because my very dear friend and house-mate Nicole decided to move home. Actually decided feels like too strong a word, but nevertheless, she is gone.
Nicole leaving has evoked all kinds of thoughts and feelings for me. The biggest one being how much she has come to mean to me in the past 12 months. It hasn’t always been easy spending so much time together, but with our cohabitation coming to an end, it rather suddenly became clear just how strong our bond had become. More than a friend, Nicole became my family. I have a wonderful family and sister, who don’t need replacing BUT, I’ve come to think of her as my New York sister just the same.
It’s been rather like having a bandaid ripped off with her going. I mean I knew it was coming down the track. But in the end her departure happened far more quickly than expected. So I now find myself in unfamiliar territory, much more alone (not lonely) and navigating a new phase of life in NYC. I’ll be honest and admit there have been random ‘what am I doing here’ thoughts. It will certainly take some adjusting to.
So, with my family leaving and so much change in my world on the home front I decided there was only one thing to do. That was to stay in the same building we’d come to love living in together so much. Which meant the great moving challenge was confined to a lift shaft and 12 floors. I can’t say that made the move a great deal easier in the long run though. I was so busy at work it was largely left to a paid moving company who spent 7 hours on the job. One bedroom, 12 floors, 7 hours, many $!
I moved last week and five days later had managed to get my new digs into respectable order. I now have a one bedroom apartment with Hudson River views which I am rather enjoying, particularly at sunset. I am paying more, but I know I made the right decision in staying put as post move the settling in is feeling far better than it could have with new everything going on around me. Besides, I’ve become fond of my doormen, and I’m loyal, I don’t want new ones!
Chilli Sparkles is taking her sweet time to settle in. She is still turning right when she gets out of the elevator. Sometimes she hesitates, but overall she is heading in the wrong direction at this stage. Of course she also misses the love and attention that is back in Australia in the form of her Auntie Micole!
In more change, the weather is really warming up and Spring is here in earnest. I am loving this time of year, it is so pretty and energy lifting. So I am practicing channeling that love into enjoying living in the moment.
Here are some pics of the new abode:
-
Confessions of an NYC bargainista: The Chanel $1,000 challenge
If you had $1,000 to spend at Chanel what would you buy? I’m not talking beauty or skincare here, but accessories or clothing. I know this $ figure would limit you to only certain parts of their collections - such as sunglasses, wallets, shoes, belts and scarves. I have actually never spent…
-
Hawaiian stop over on route to home sweet home. So worth it, definitely the best way to fly from NY to Sydney. So very glad to be doing the same on the return leg!
-
Hot cross buns, hot cross buns, one a penny, two a penny hote cross buns.
Yesterday was Easter Sunday, my first since moving to NYC. I have to say Easter is altogether a much bigger event in Australia as evidenced following:
- We have Good Friday and Easter Monday as National Public holidays
- There are more easter eggs on the shelves - far more
- We take our hot cross buns seriously, they are a national delicacy even
Last week as the weekend loomed and my appetite for easter buns accelerated I made the mistake of ordering one at my local (and very posh) bakery - Bouchon Bakery. I was sorely disappointed, the dough was white and there was frosting on the top. Feeling dejected I realized they do them differently around here.
Alas, my house mate caught wind of the fact that the Australian owned and operated cafe - Toby’s Estate - in Brooklyn was going to offer up the real deal. At least the real deal as we know it.
So my Easter day started out (well after my 15km run anyway) with a train trip to Brooklyn. I have to say it was well worth it. Not even the $3.50 price tag could deter me, I snapped up 8 of the little beauties. The coffee at Toby’s was icing on the cake, all up I experienced a little slice of Easter heaven Aussie style, care of Brooklyn NYC.
But that’s not the biggest news of the day, the biggest news of the day is that I am a mere two sleeps from a 10 day trip home. Sydney here I come!
Pages
Likes
-
Day 140 - Floristry for fun. Today I started a five week floristry class with a view to doing a...
-
“Alexa Chung leaving the performance of ‘These Girls’ in New York City, New York...
-
-
No one would blame Kim Kardashian for staying home, putting her feet up, and wearing leggings as...
-
Day 124 - lunch with Jane at Bathers Pavilion. Like dinner with Sarah, lunch with Jane reminds me...
