Whirlwind Washington DC Weekend

Man what a whirlwind weekend it was.. About a month ago my sister convinced me to come down to Washington DC for the weekend to be part tourist and part cheerleader for when she ran the Nike Women's Half Marathon with some of her fellow sorority sisters. Friday after work I headed down to DC via Bolt Bus with a stop along the way in Delaware, a new state for me. After a 4.5 hour drive, I made it to the hotel not even 10 minutes before my sister and Heather showed up from the airport. Exhausted but hungry we went to eat at Crystal City Sports Pub, a local pub near the hotel recommended by Trista, another sorority sister who was already in town and checked in.

Saturday morning bright and early, well earlier than I hoped, the four of us headed out to the NWHM "expo" so they all could get their information, gear, check out the vendors and take tons of pictures of course. After all, what was I there for? Lol. Once all the NWHM shenanigans happened we stopped at DC Cupcakes. Luckily we got there only about half an hour after it opened even with the line. I ended up getting a vegan apple cupcake and a coconut cupcake. Despite not having much of a sweet tooth, they were delicious. Post DC Cupcakes, we went back to the hotel for a bit then headed out again but to Nationals Baseball Park to see the Nationals play the Cincinnati Reds. The stadium was awesome and the goregous sunny day made it a perfect first time at the stadium. After moving into the shade, I was more comfortable and glad to see the Nationals take home a win.

After the game we headed back towards the National Mall to a bit of sight seeing/tourist action. Never having been to Washington DC before, I was excited to see all the national monuments. First stop along the way was the Washington Monument even though it is covered in scaffolding to do repairs after the earthquake in DC. Organizing dinner plans resulted in seeing the World War II Memorial next, of course photo ops with both my home state of California and my new home New York. We headed to the Lincoln Memorial after with a stop along the way for some good luck wishes for the runners. After another mini photo shoot courtesy of my sister and Trista, we headed back towards the White House before dinner. Suprisingly the White House is not along a main street that I imagined it would be from looking at pictures. It was nice not being overly crowded either. The day ended with a pizza filled dinner and last minute stop for race day necessities for my sister and fellow runners.

Sunday morning bright and early, well not bright as it was still dark out when we left, we headed over to the race area/start. There was a lot of photo taking and race prepping before they started at 7am. Myself and Russel, a boyfriend of one of the sorority sister's, mapped our game plan to be able to see our designated people run at certain mile markers. I was able to see my sister and capture a photo of her somewhere between miles 5 & 6 thanks to the handy werundclive.com app that was offered for spectators. I made it to mile 10 with Russel but we both managed to miss seeing my sister as the app had lagged in updating. After that bummer, I hauled my way towards the finish line to see my sister cross. Knowing her goal was sub-2 I eagerly anticpated her arrival. Not knowing she had stopped at a medical tent along the way I saw her cross at 2:01:33. I was so proud she finished, even a new PR although not the sub-2 she wanted. Once I met up with her at the medical tent we managed to make our way (with a bit of a detour) to see Heather, Trista and Brandi come by us to the finish line. Congrats to everyone!

After a long morning, I was ready to head to Union Station for my bus ride home. Had I known that you can possibly catch an earlier bus if there is extra seats, I would have not stopped to charge my phone. Even though I missed that chance, I was the first person on the bus and had my pick of seats. Let me tell you, I don't like long bus rides to begin with but the bus on the way home was by far one of the worst rides I have taken. 6.5 hours later after no stops and horrible traffic, I bailed at the first stop downtown by Canal Street in the city because I couldn't take it anymore. I was so lucky that I made to the N/Q/R Canal stop right as a train was pulling in and made it back home in 25 minutes on a Sunday night.

Overall it was such an exhaustingly long weekend but well worth the trip to see my sister and her fellow sorority sisters I had previsouly met and just met as well as checking out our Nation's capital. What a great way to end April and roll into May. I can't wait for my trip to San Francisco and Folsom/Sacramento this weekend to see friends I haven't seen in almost 3 years (or more for some). Stayed tunned for that post!

Purple Stride and Bronx Zoo Weekend :)

What a weekend this was, I feel like it went by so fast with all the different things going on. After a half day Friday due to our internal system being down, I managed to squeeze in errands (including picking up my race information/packet for Saturday's run) and a nap before heading to Long Island City to watch my roommate perform for the first time. The performance was at The Secret Theater, a cute little theater that made the performance feel intimate and close with the performers. My roommate was part of musical that was being performed by the first time with music by one of her close friends. Watching her made me realize that I'm not so artsy but love watching others enjoy their passion and talent.

Purple Stride 2013

Saturday morning was race time! Although it didn't start until 10am (late I would say), I was awake and ready to roll by 8am so I decided to head out early knowing that I had to take the crosstown bus over the triborough bridge. Once I got off the bus and walked downstairs into Riverside Park I had about half an hour until it was run time. Since this was the Purple Stride event (the Pancreatic Cancer run/walk held every year) I knew there would be plenty to check out pre and post race. There was a DJ with seating area, games, awareness booths, tables for highest fundraisers to decorate and sit at, merchandise table, photo area with backdrop and plenty other things to check out. After checking out the tables and dropping my bag off at the gear check I headed out the start line. After a moment of silence for those in Boston, I was off. Despite never running in this area before, my colleague Gregg, who lives near the area, gave me a brief "what to expect" list on Friday. Boy did his list help as I knew to expect a mix of hills, dirt trails and concrete paths. Overall the race was not as bad as I expected and the weather was perfect. Overall I felt great post race minus a bit of wheezing from my asthma/allergies kicking in. While walking towards the exit after getting my bag I stopped to take a quick photo in front of the Purple Stride backdrop and was kindly offered purple garb to dress in for fun. Thanks fellow runners!

Pretty entrance to the zoo

After errands and a hair consult, which I am getting my hair cut today(!!), I relaxed the rest of the night at home gearing up for Sunday which was spent going to the Bronx Zoo with Brett. I was thrilled to be going as I love the zoo and it's been on my NY bucket list since moving here almost 2 years ago.

The zoo is way up in the Bronx in Bronx Park that also houses botanical gardens. After an hour trip via subway/bus we made it! It's a short walk to one of the entrances to the zoo from the subway; not realizing that there are about 4 entrances total which makes things easier I'd say. It was a gorgeous zoo with old concrete style buildings as their administration offices and a few animal houses. The weather turned out perfectly to enjoy all that the zoo has to offer. Brett and I even indulged in some kiddie things like the petting zoo and taking goofy pictures. Overall it was an amazing day that I am glad I got to do.

Here's to the rest of April, spending this week seeing sorority sisters in town, playing kickball and seeing my sister run the Nike Women's Half Marathon in Washington DC this weekend; I'm excited to go to DC this weekend as I have never been. Check back for more next week!

Dear Monday

Dear weekend, you flew by in the blink of an eye but definitely a welcomed weekend.

Dear Janssen, congratulations on becoming a Spartan. You did awesome at the run.

Dear Ashlyn, it was good to see you for brunch, can't believe the last time I saw you was when I had just moved to New York. I'll see you again in San Francisco!

Dear Shrek movies, didn't know there were four of you and managed to see them all this weekend.

Dear Purple Stride NYC, I'm excited for this run as it starts later in the day and is in a different party of Manhattan that I haven't run. Let's do this!

Dear spring, glad you are here with the 70 degree temps last week but this back to colder temps aren't doing it for me this week.

Dear Washington DC and San Francisco, I can't wait to visit both of you between seeing my sister, visiting friends, attending a baseball game and enjoying the gorgeous weather, I am so ready for two mini vacations away from the city.

Dear roommate, I can't wait to see you perform this week as I now finally have a day off to see you.

Dear Bronx Zoo, you are on my New York to do list and I plan to cross that off my list in the next two weeks.

Awesome April

Can't believe it's already April but loving the gorgeous weather that comes with Spring. March ended on a high note with running my 3rd 5K of the year on Roosevelt Island. The Spring Fling 5K was a gorgeous day in the low 50's. Running this 5K alone for the first time was definitely a mental challenge as I had no one to be a running buddy with. Despite that fact, I did a 36.17 5K which is about average for me so far. Also in between the craziness there was a kickball pick-up game that was a blast as a sneek preview of the season to come which starts April 18th. Easter Sunday I went to brunch with Tiffany and Checkey at a delicious restaurant in midtown east. After I spent the rest of the day lounging around and helping Ann Marie out post surgery. Definitely was a great way to end March catching up with friends.

April has been a whirlwind so far between work training, three Mets games during opening week (yes three, but two of them were free) and the kickball kickoff party. I am so ready for kickball to begin again next week as it's been a long 6 months off but makes it for an awesome start to spring. I get to play on my team from last summer who were the most fun and yet competitive group of people I have met; this is also the first time I have played on the same team more than once after starting 6 seasons ago.

I can't wait for the rest of April; wings nights, kickball games, my April Pancreatic 5K with Michelle, Phi Sigs in town who I haven't seen in ages, going to DC to cheer my sister and her friends on at the Nike Women's Half Marathon and so much more. Keep you update on my adventures as much as a I can!

Dear Monday

Dear March, can't believe you're almost over. Where as the time gone?

Dear 5K on Saturday, this is my 3rd 5K this year and 5th total but my first race that I am running alone. Let's hope this is a good one since it's on a flat course.

Dear March Madness, I don't have a team to root for but it's always fun watching the games.

Dear Irish Exit, typically my kind of bar but it was definitely an interesting time on Saturday.

Dear kickball, I can't wait for the season to start, yesterday's Sunday Funday pickup game reminded me what muscles are used heavily.

Dear friends I have met through NYCSSC, you guys are awesome and know how to make a fun time regardless who is around.

Dear triborough bridge, I love walking over you everyday to get to the subway. There are the most beautiful sights to be seen.

Dear San Francisco/Sacramento, I am anxiously waiting for the day I get to go back and visit. I'm so excited to see friends I haven't seen in months and then some.

Dear Monday

Dear Monday, can't believe it's already half way through March!

Dear kickball friends, I am so glad to have met so many of you and the adventures we have together.

Dear Jack Russel's, such a fun bar and things that occur there. Who knew?

Dear Ann Marie, I hope all goes well with your health these next few weeks. I'm here if you need anything.

Dear St. Patrick's Day, although unplanned and list minute you turned out to be a blast celebrating Saturday night.

Dear San Francisco/Sacramento, I can not wait to go and visit everyone.

Dear trivia, I can't believe you are already over tomorrow.

Dear kickball, on that trivia note, I can't believe you start in like three weeks. I'm so excited to be back playing with Doesn't Play Well With Others.

Questions for You

So my sister was nominated for a Leibster Award. This is basically a pass-along award for bloggers – kind of like the new version of those meme quizzes that were all the rage (do you prefer hugging or kissing?). So the rules are that I answer her fabulous 11 questions, post 11 random facts about me, and ask 11 more questions to the bloggers I tag. So here's her 11 questions:

11 Questions for My Favorites (that's you!)

1. What's your biggest food weakness? That one thing that you'd never be able to stop eating, despite what a diet might tell you? Biggest food weakness is french fries, preferably well done. I can always eat them.
2. Favorite beverage of all time? Hmmm that's a tough one, I really don't have a favorite but I do enjoy ice tea.
3. Backstreet Boys, N Sync, or 98 Degrees? (I love me some 90's boy bands) I'd say N Sync although my sister did get me into her love of Backstreet Boys (even a 3rd row upfront concert with them).
4. When did you start running? Running races, August 2012. Running just to run and feel fit whether on a treadmill, elliptical or outside was back in college. Freshman year I was determined to not gain the so called "freshman 15"; which I successfully did not gain.
5. What is your favorite race distance? Well I've only ran a 5k and a 4 miler but I'd say that a 5k is my favorite because it's just enough to make me feel accomplished without feeling incredibly exhausted.
6. Would you consider yourself a Phoebe, Monica, or Rachel? Monica, I am a bit of a clean freak and organized OCD but also bit girl next door Rachel.
7. Are there any textures (food or otherwise) that weird you out? Hmm.. well if you know me you know I'm really not picky with foods but I will say that I don't like pickles in any form and I'm oddly picky when it comes to eating cheese. I'll eat in mixed in with something, on nachos, etc but not on a burger.
8. What was your first pet? My sister mentioned our pet rabbit Snowy and around the same time I also had pet fish that my grandfather bought me one Christmas.
9. Your number one desired travel spot? British Isles, Denmark or Bali.
10. If you could go back to school and get your degree in anything, what would you do? Funny she asked this as I have recently applied to go back to school to get a degree in Environmental Science. My job has made me really interested in learning more in depth about environmental sciences.
11. What accomplishment are you most proud of? Moving out to New York on my own without knowing anyone or anything about this city. Almost 2 years later and I'm so proud of what I have accomplished here in my career, financially and personal relationships.

I would tag readers to answer my questions but I only have one follwer as I haven't really gotten into following other bloggers. I like to use this as my own personal diary of sorts.