Today has all the makings of a great day. Want to know why?
Well first of all, it’s Friday. Isn’t that reason enough to be happy? Fine. I’ll give you more reasons…
I woke up this morning with a nasty cough. Yes, it’s sexy. But the upside to having this cough is that every time I cough, I feel better, at least for a few minutes. Also, I don’t have a stuffy nose or any other symptoms. So there’s the upside to being “sick” — you could always be sicker!
I woke up this morning ready to run, despite said cough. Since I’m running the Scotland 10K on Sunday, I’m thinking of taking tomorrow as a running rest day. That meant I could run today! I hit up Central Park for 5.5 miles.
Now I’m pretty much over the word epic because I think it’s overused lately and I’m tired of reading it everywhere. But I can think of no better way to describe this morning’s sunrise over the park. It was stunning and spectacular and yes, epic.
I didn’t run around the Reservoir today — I stuck to the park’s main road — but I did jet up there to take a quick photo because I couldn’t resist.
People ask me all the time if I think I’ll live in New York City forever, and on morning’s like this one I can’t think of a single reason to leave. Sorry, Mom.
I didn’t feel great as I ran. The hills kicked my butt and my hacking didn’t help. But the downhills were fantastic and I was happy to be in the park surrounded by runners and bikers.
I also got to spend some time with my new neighbor as I waited for the stop light to change…
Isn’t he handsome? His name is Solomon Guggenheim and I plan on spending lots of time walking by him and taking photos of him.
He was so nice this morning, he even posed for a quick photo with me.
When I arrived back home, I was excited for a hot shower.
Unfortunately, this little apartment of mine had other plans in mind.
The water wouldn’t get hot. Not the shower water. Not the sink water. No hot water.
Faaaantastic.
I managed to dunk my head under the bathtub faucet long enough to get it wet and washed my face, but other than that I’m roaming the office like a dirty girl today. A throaty cough and no shower? I think it’s impossible to feel any more attractive today.
I still haven’t unpacked all my clothes (I swear, I’m getting that done this weekend), so this is what I sift through to get dressed in the morning:
I was so distraught over my lack of shower that I grabbed the first things I found that I knew were clean…
And then, the best part of my day so far: I got an amazing package — my first one at the new apartment! — from my friend Sarah, who lives in Boston (well, Somerville, whatever).
She is so thoughtful and sent me great things I can use in the new place, including the softest towels I have ever felt, a batter dispenser, a spatula and spoon and, because she knows the real key to my heart, chocolate in the forms of Cadbury Mini Eggs and Nestle Flipz.
Sarah is the mastermind behind my beautiful hula hoop. Shameless plug for a fabulous friend: Go to her site and order a hoop. She makes beautiful custom ones and they are super fun to play with.
The last thing I want to share today:
I’ve written about James De La Vega — the awesome artist whose chalk inspirations are all over Central Park and NYC — a few times. Usually I see his “Become Your Dream” scrawlings, but today I saw this one: “You are your best investment.” I loved it.
Keep that in mind, people.
And now, off to find more ways to make this a good day…dirty hair and all.
SO I WANT TO KNOW: What’s your motivational mantra? Not just fitness related, but in life — what phrase keeps you motivated and inspired?
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Wow- that sunrise is absolutely fantastic (I didn’t use the word epic- I hope fantastic is ok with you!). I’d have a really hard time leaving that too. Sorry that you’re sick again- hopefully it clears up quickly and the run on Sunday goes well!
I saw the same beautiful sunrise this morning from CP – breathtaking!! There’s no way I’d rather start a morning 🙂 Good luck on Sunday!
I just saw a billboard that said: “don’t postpone joy”. I like that 🙂
I am so sad that I missed the sunrise BUT I did see that chalking!
And, I have a friend in DC who makes hoops and gives lessons. Maybe we should connect them?
You look gorgeous, especially for not having taken a real shower 🙂 I hate it when there’s no hot water – I’m such a baby! Maybe that’s why I don’t do the whole ice bath thing. Watching the sun rise during a run is the best way to start your day! Beautiful. Hope you have a great Friday!!
What a wonderful way to start the morning every day! I’ve been running outside in the mornings too now that’s it’s warmed up a bit and it’s so nice to get fresh air in the lungs!
One of my favorite quotes, which you can apply to exercise or life:
” You can throw in the towel or use it to wipe off your sweat”
The point being, never stop just because things get hard 🙂
What a great run!!! You are so blessed to be able to run in Central Park… I like “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” and “Pain is only temporary. The finish is forever” 🙂
My favorite motivation is simple – today is a new day, make the most of it.
So whenever the day prior was particularly bad, I know that tomorrow will come with a fresh slate ready for me to make it what I want.
I love your morning pictures! So pretty, I wouldn’t want to leave either!
And that picture of your clothes made me laugh. Thats basically what I pick out of every morning…. and I moved three years ago 🙂
That sounds like an awesome run. I love running around Central Park and yes, the Guggenheim is one of my favorites.
My mantra is, “You can eat when you’re done”. This works for running and life in general.
Your hair loosk so pretty dirty haha.. Mine looks like a big greasy mess! I am going to pick up my shirt on lunch today (or at least I hope i get a break) and I love walking back from NYRR and going past all the museams 🙂
First – I love that you have your hair down today AND that it looks good! You rock. I have no patience and would have had my hair up in a bun before you could even say “I have no hot water”.
Second – I got a fortune a while ago that said “enjoy your good health every day”. I have it on my fridge so I see it every morning. I try to remind myself of that little tidbit when I’m in the middle of a hard run or when I’m debating running/working out. It is a gift to be healthy enough to run (or spin!) my buns off every week! 🙂
I love motivational quotes! But the one quote that I always keep close at hand and heart is “Everything is okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” I’ve had that one for 10 years and I call on it all the time! Good luck with the 10k this weekend!
Beautiful sunrise! What all do you carry with you when you run?
I run with my apartment keys in my jacket pocket and with my iPhone in my right hand. I use it as an iPod and as a camera. It’s bulky, but I’m used to it by now.
I think you should come to boston tonight!! Emily is here and you have friends here…get on the bus and come up!! Ps my sick ness started with a sore throat and now it’s all over ..hopefully you don’t get it!
Haha I wish! Soon though, promise!
Ali,
(I’ve posted a few comments recently for the first time, and I’ve never linked my blog til now. It’s an embarrassing half-assed blog that never got updated, save a few weeks when I was tracking my food intake due to the mass amounts of money I spent on it and my utter lack of control in eating.)
This isn’t your question for the day, but I have a GREAT recipe for you! It’s my go-to recipe for making a quick lunch or dinner, and it’s very packable for work. Trust me, if it weren’t fairly healthy, cheap, and fast, my roommate and I would never put the effort in.
I now present … holiday chicken salad!
Ingredients
o 1 cup cubed, cooked chicken breast
o 1/4 cup light mayo
o 1/4 teaspoon paprika
o 1/2 cup dried cranberries
o 1/3 cup chopped celery
o 1 or 2 green onions, chopped
o 4 tablespoons minced green bell pepper
o 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
o ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Mix together mayonnaise with paprika and seasoned salt. Blend in dried cranberries, celery, bell pepper, and onion. Add chopped chicken. Season with black pepper to taste. Chill 1 hour.
So easy! And I promise you it’s delicious. Sometimes I cheat and buy cooked chicken, which makes it even easier, if possible, since I just pile everything into the bowl after chopping and mix well. I usually put it on a bed of romaine lettuce and sprouts, and I typically load up on the greens more than is prescribed in the recipe and subtract a little mayo.
Area NYC bloggers should meet up and have a little “easy recipe” potluck! 🙂
And THANK YOU for the inspirational photo. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve gone and saved it to my computer. 🙂
Love your morning sunrise pics!
mantra of sorts: “You may be disappointed if you fail, but you’re doomed if you don’t try”
Your hair looks better than ever today! Maybe not showering is key.
That reservoir photo is amazingly gorgeous!!!! It seemed so cloudy to me this morning so I am surprised by it.
You make me miss running so much.