To be honest, all of last week felt like a blur and a bust. I’m not sure if I gave my legs the rest they needed following an 18-miler but every time that I ran, it felt like I was dragging through cement. Every workout was a struggle and even my swim on Friday was lackluster. Then I went home with either a 12-hour stomach bug or food poisoning. Either way, it wasn’t how I had planned to spend the week/weekend. But, we can’t always control what happens and this was an excellent example of going with the flow.
After 9+ hours of sleep on Friday, I woke up with the hopes of running 12-14 miles. Just a mile in I realized this was not going to happen. I dragged myself to mile 4 and met up with some girlfriends who quickly told me I shouldn’t be running. But I was so determined to finish a run, scared that if I didn’t run I would be a failure, and grasping to hold onto any potential social time. Well, after total of 7.5 miles, I decided to call it quits and walked myself to breakfast. Don’t be fooled by my smile below – I loved running with these gals but felt awful.
Accepting defeat of a run is tough and so is taking a rest day. But I know that having these days will only help me down the road. Not to mention it was SO DARN COLD (maybe exacerbated by my body chills or potential fever…I don’t know since I kept forgetting to take my temperature…#adulting) and running with any type of flue is just stupid. Lesson learned.
Obviously when running doesn’t work out, washing away your feelings in brunch is the next logical step. I had been craving avocado toast and Bluestone Lane just happened to be where I stopped by run. In retrospect I certainly could have found a cheaper place to dine but was in such a foul mood, I let the $25 bill (+ tip) slide. I mean I never truly know what to do about tip – how much does one tip? If you don’t tip the 20% are you rude? What if they are practically watching as you select the buttons on the touchscreen iPad right in front of you? Oh the moral questions, right?
Once brunch was finished and my expensive solo-bill was paid, I made my way downtown and made myself stop in Trader Joe’s to pick up this week’s groceries. One of my goals is to be better about meal prep and that includes making recipes other than grilled vegetables and fried eggs. I’ve been feeling a little “blah” about life and can’t quite put my finger on it. I know that winter is one element but maybe a change in routine – including eating routing – can help. Plus one of my roommates is gone for the next week, so we have a 1/3 of the fridge to takeover. (<< shelf and fridge space are also the things you think about when living in a tiny apartment in Manhattan)
These enchiladas (slightly modified recipe by Ambitious Kitchen) were delicious and almost better after being in the fridge overnight. It must be the way that the ingredients settle that makes it so delectable. Anyways, add a little avocado and Greek yogurt and viola!
While Sunday was the day where we turned our clocks forward, I decided to let myself sleep in. That usually means 6:30 or 7 since my body naturally likes to wake up early. Nope. Yesterday I slept until 9am, which with the time change meant I had slept for a full 10 hours!!! Obviously my body was trying to tell me to slow down between the terrible workouts, body aches and two nights of epic sleep.
After lounging in bed watching the Today Show, I cleaned up the apartment and walked out into the bitter cold (real feel of 11 thank you very much) to meet a couple of friends for brunch. My goal is to be better about making meals during the week and then keep exploring food spots on the weekend. This way I don’t feel nearly as bad when we go ham ordering a few extra items.
^^ Ruby’s Cafe is 1) a place where of course it’s mega-popular 2) is run by a crew of Aussies (they seriously know what’s up for brunch) and 3) can be excellent for brunch OR lunch/dinner. The Murray Hill location had actually been recommended to me by a few of my friends but when their Instagram “liked” my Saturday brunch photo, it was almost serendipitous – we had to go there.
After hemming and hawing over the menu (like I said, they have it all) we agreed to order brunch items and promise to come back for the classic burger and sandwich options. It was only right and after polishing off our orders of BLTA+egg, Breakfast Bowl, and Green Breakfast Bowl (+ a treat of coffee granola w/ poached pears and greek yogurt), we knew that we had ordered right.
After brunch I decided to check another item off of my bucket list, which was the New York Transit Museum. I don’t entirely know why I was so driven to see it over the last couple of years but the MTA does an excellent job of advertising for it within the current subways and so, over the Brooklyn Bridge I went to check it out. The museum itself is housed in an old subway station so for starters, that’s pretty awesome. Then, for general admission of $10, you get access to the story boards and gidgets and gadgets that helped our public transportation evolve over the last 100+ years. They even housed every version of subway car on the old tracks so that you could actually see and touch the trains of the past. I only spent about 45 minutes in there but it was like taking a step back in time.
Then it was back into the cold to walk/ride into Manhattan, where I got distracted by a craft store going out of business, and then took a vinyasa flow class (aka glorified stretching by I love it). It may not have been the weekend I imagined but I have to constantly remind myself that I’m on my own journey – whether it’s for running or work or just life itself and that’s okay.
Now it’s time to conquer the work week, continue to make plans for the rest of the year including a few trips around the country and of course my Paris trip, which is right around the corner. Until then, enjoy this extra sunlight in the evening and if you are in these neck of the woods, good lucky and stay safe with this crazy nor’easter!
“Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
California Endless Summer 