Thank You, New York City

I have a huge sense of wanderlust, to explore, to find new places, meet new people. Even in the areas I live in I am constantly exploring and trying to uncover new places and find little gems. A few weeks ago, I was toying with what to do with a few days off I had, and after a glass of wine I purchased a ticket to New York City.

New York City has always represented creativity and boldness to me ever since my first visit when I was 19 years old, when I announced to my family that one day I would be a resident of the city. Obviously, that has not happened, but visiting will have to do for now.

I flew in very early on Saturday morning to be greeted by the brisk chill of the air tickling my face as soon as I stepped out of the airport. Cold air makes my soul dance for joy, in a past life I must have resided in a cold climate. I began my adventures with a filling breakfast at Brickyard Gastropub NYC in the Hell's Kitchen area, overflowing with eatery's, bars, and bakery's. I selected a veggie burger with sauteed mushrooms, a side salad, and a mimosa (go big or go home NYC.) One of the best and most distinctly different veggie patties I have ever had, 10/10.

After another mimosa or two, we frolicked (literally) to Central Park to meet a couple of my college sorority sisters to join them for ice skating. The rink is located on the south side of the park, and boasts beautiful views of the trees in the park, the skyline, and the stunning Plaza Hotel. This was truly a dream come true for an ex-figure skater; I have had skating outside on my bucket list for years. Having not skated in over 2.5 years and wearing rental skates, I picked up where I left off and joyously glided around the rink with a giddy grin on my face.

Sunday morning began as all good mornings do, with incredible vegan breakfasts. We made our way to a vegetarian restaurant I had read about online, The Butchers Daughter (what a pun.) I opted for Tempeh Lettuce Tacos topped with avocado, and a Cacao smoothie. I really loved the communal seating and getting to talk to other tourists and locals about their plans and experiences for the day. 

Afterwards, we walked across the stunning Brooklyn Bridge, another dream of mine. The sights from the bridge were breathtaking and one of those moments that truly make you realize how massive the city is. We spent sometime at the Brooklyn Bridge Park and strolling the streets of the Dumbo area of Brooklyn.

After exploring the Chelsea Market and a few drinks in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, we stopped by Too Boots Pizza and split a vegan pizza. You can't go to NYC without pizza, even as a vegan, and this pizza was pretty incredible. 

Even more incredible, was seeing my favorite musical and probably favorite story of all time, Les Miserables on Broadway. Tears were flowing the entire time as well as holding myself back from bursting in song along with the actors. This was a definite highlight of all my trips to the city and another check off my bucket list.

Central Park has always been a defining symbol of the city to me as well and how easily you can walk in and get lost in the many different areas of the park, and really forget you are in one of the biggest cities in the world. Another bucket list item in my running life was to run in the park, and that I did. Breathing in and out the energy of the other runners, the greenery, and the tops of the skyscrapers you can barely make out from inside the park fueled my run twisting and turning across the bridges and fields of the park. It is quite a wonderful place to run, with pedestrian lanes for safety as well as hills to get in a solid workout. Truly one of the most joyous runs in my book.

Visiting New York during Christmas is in my opinion, the best time to visit. From the glistening ice of the many open air ice rinks, the intricate window displays of stores like Lord & Taylor, resident's fire escape lights, and of course the Rockefeller Center Tree, there is no more beautiful a place in my mind. Living in Central Florida and without family, this year has been hard to get into the spirit of Christmas. The crisp air, the sounds of laughing, blades scraping ice, twinkling lights, and the smell of fresh Christmas trees finally got me into the excitement of the holidays. New York captured my happiness and the non-stop way of my spirit. Thank you New York, for an incredible visit. I will be back, and soon.

I Admit, I Have Fallen in Love...

With trail running. There, I said it, everyone knows. Trail running is like running roads on steroids.

The soft, luscious Earth squishing beneath your feet and making way for many types of landscapes; sand, grass, leaves, ponds. Deer bounding across your path and tortoises smiling beneath their shells. Chirps of birds and crickets ringing like music to your ears along with the swoosh of the trees giving way to a gentle breeze. Time does not happen here. Earth rotates a little more slowly.

Thanks to a friends suggestion, I recently took my day off to explore Lake Louisa State Park towards Clermont in Central Florida. It costs $4 to enter, and boasts 7 miles of paved roads, 20+ miles of trails, primitive and tent/camper camping, lakes to swim in, wildlife, it's fantastic. Coming 2 days post half marathon I set out for a quick easy run but by the time I was done I was shocked that I had run 8 miles. I have never gotten lost in the absolute joy of running. Road running is hard to "get lost" in. You have mile markers in your mind of where you are, traffic to watch out for, other pedestrians and pollution. Yet on a trail all that encompasses your mind is the sounds of nature, sights, and your own thoughts. It is much more primal running on a trail like our ancestors did, whom did not stop to cross streets or run according to per mile pacing. They ran out of need, and out of desire.

To me, trail running is like a slice of birthday cake at a party. The feelings of the change of ground from grass to sand, the soft roll of the Earth, the trees whispering sweet nothings, deer perking up to say hello, and a game of hop scotch hopping over tree roots is nothing short of fantastic.

Since that first date with the forest here, I have returned twice for a 12 & 15 mile run I did mostly on the paved trails to more closely mimic the roads for my marathon. But I did sneak off into the trails for a few glorious miles.

Trails however require a different shoe for your best run. I ordered a pair of Brooks Cascadias which are more minimal that my overly cushioned Saucony Triumphs to allow my feet to better grip the trails, and I can't wait to strap those babies on for a test run!

A part of me I never before knew with running is out and so happy. Trails please my soul; being alone, in nature, doing my primal thing just soothes me to an extent I cannot describe. I know my soul is happy in a cooler more wilderness climate and I hope my future soon takes me to that happy little place.

Keep running friends, hit the trails!