Magic Marathon Numbers and Cool NYC Events

Hi guys! Hope you had a fantastic weekend!

I was staffed to a deal on Tuesday that picked up over the week (like, really picked up -- I billed 14 hours on Thursday!), so I spent most of the weekend working. But I still had time for a fun dinner at Madison Square Eats with Sourabh on Friday night, brunch and a New York Junior League scavenger hunt on Saturday, and a yoga class Sunday night.

Madison Square Eats is a cool outdoor market where restaurants and food trucks have carts serving their specialties. Sourabh and I shared dishes from several carts while sitting in Madison Square Park, and it was one of the most fun "date night dinners" we've had in a while! Hit it up before it gets too cold.

No weekly recap of workouts today because my workouts consisted of 20 minutes of upper body weights Saturday night and a yoga class Sunday night. I wasn't able to get as much sleep as I would have liked last week because of work, so I wanted to take it very easy on my body post-marathon.

I'm not sure when I'll get back to running since my hamstring ached a bit when I jogged to yoga last night. I'm hoping that a few more days without running should get things close to 100%, but I'm here to run for the long haul, so if healing my hamstring means another week without running, that's what I'll do!


More Marathon Details

Clearly I'm having a hard time letting go of the Chicago Marathon. Or I'm just incapable of remembering everything I want to talk about at one time! (If you missed my recap and my thoughts on the mental aspects of racing, I posted them Monday and Wednesday).

Here are some photos from over marathon weekend that I forgot to share:

The marathon route at the expo! As you can see, it involves what are essentially five half loops. I should have memorized the course but I definitely didn't, and so that second time you head on a loop east from the center of Chicago I was thinking, "wait, what?" But I was having such a good time that it didn't get to me, thankfully. However, if I hadn't been having a good race day, not knowing what was coming definitely would have affected me mentally.

13 is my lucky number (along with 4 and 36). Good luck sign that the marathon was on the 13th in 2013? OH I just realized, 10 + 13 + 13 = 36! Two favorite numbers! Clearly the numbers foretold a great marathon for me. Or it was just a coincidence, but let's say it was the numbers.

I'm not sure why I was doing a finish line pose at the start line photo center, but just go with it.

How cute are my mom and my uncle and family? These were the signs they made me to cheer (minus the green one -- Katie made that to be as noticeable as possible, and she succeeded!). My favorite was a tie: HYFR Jen (look it up) and "Run like zombies are chasing you!" My favorite book I've read in 2013 has been World War Z so I appreciated that one.

(Not to nerd rant, but the movie is nothing like the book, and while I've heard the movie is quite mindlessly entertaining, the book is brilliant and should be on everyone's must-read list).


NYC Events

For those living in NYC, here are some great events in the next few weeks!

JackRabbit Sports is hosting a number of great looking free seminars leading up to the New York City Marathon:

• Injury Prevention with Gretchen Stover - Gretchen Stover, DPT will talk about injuries, injury prevention, and overall body maintenance as we approach marathon time. There will also be a question and answer period, so bring your questions! Thursday, October 24, 7pm - Park Slope
• Foam rolling clinic with Finish Line PT - It's almost here - marathon day! You've survived training, and now you're in the final stages of the taper. Even if you feel ready for race day, chances are good that you have those last-minute questions about how best to prepare in this final week. Michael Conlon, owner of Finish Line Physical Therapy and a marathon coach for Team in Training, will be on-hand to offer tips and answer questions on how to stay loose and treat your body right leading up to the marathon. He'll also demonstrate a few effective foam rolling techniques to incorporate into your pre-race routine. Monday, October 28, 7pm - Union Square
• Stretching and Strength Workshop - Are you looking to get stronger and faster but are not sure how to use strength training to get there? Join us as Robert Troch from Fusion Fitness TV talks about the importance of strength training and how to do it effectively to improve your running. Be sure to wear your running gear and come prepared to try out some of the exercises! Monday, October 28, 7pm - Park Slope

Then, over at the wonderful Uplift Studios, there will be an awesome sounding, recess-inspired bootcamp class, with exercises like hop scotch and jump rope, to support She’s the First.

She's the First scholars

100% of proceeds will go to the organization, which sponsors girls’ education in developing nations, giving them the chance to become the first in their families to graduate from secondary school.

Instructor Emily Cook Harris making working out look fun

Who: New Yorkers looking to work hard, but play harder

What: RECESS Bootcamp class

Where: Uplift Studios, 24 W 23rd St (between 5th and 6th Ave)

When: October 30, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.

Why: 100% of proceeds benefit non-profit She’s the First to sponsor girls’ education


If you've run a marathon before, how long did it take you to recover? Do you like market-style eating? What's your favorite book of 2013?