I could attribute my successful running career [I use this word loosely; Nike isn’t sponsoring these 8-minute miles or anything] to lots of things — a rigid sleep schedule, a largely whole-food diet, an innate fear of finishing last. But I believe my achievements in fitness these past few years were mostly guided by theContinue reading “Goodbye, Upper East Side”
Tag Archives: Central Park
Mama Mia
What did you inherit from your mother? Your affinity for peanut butter? Your sun-kissed complexion? Your entrepreneurial spirit? In my case, all of the above, plus something practically guaranteed to extend the length and quality of my adult life: my dedication to health. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t think I’dContinue reading “Mama Mia”
Took All the Trees, Put ‘Em in a Tree Museum
As the Counting Crows once crooned to many a nostalgic listener: “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” For some people, it’s love. For others, it’s health. For all of us, it’s classic Joni Mitchell songs not actually in need of a 2003 facelift feat. VanessaContinue reading “Took All the Trees, Put ‘Em in a Tree Museum”
Fifty Minutes
Despite cautionary tales of shin splints, achy backs and a lifetime of knee pain, most runners irrefutably know that our sport generally changes us for the better. Run for two weeks and feel your legs strengthen and posture improve. Run for six months and marvel at your increased lung capacity, endurance and speed. Run forContinue reading “Fifty Minutes”
Goaling, Goaling, Gone
They tell you to shoot for the moon because if you miss, you’ll still be among the stars. I’ve seen Gravity, though, and I know overshooting the moon didn’t work out so well for Mr. Clooney. Likewise, overshooting when it comes to fitness goals is a dangerous endeavor. At best, setting a lofty goal andContinue reading “Goaling, Goaling, Gone”
Slow Down, You Move Too Fast
I don’t know much about orbits – unless you’re talking about the 1990s fad soda that I so desperately wanted to drink/chew – but my limited planetary background tells me the world has started spinning faster. From take-out dinners edging out home-cooked meals to online holiday shopping replacing an entire day at the mall toContinue reading “Slow Down, You Move Too Fast”
It’s Gonna Take Time/A Whole Lot of Precious Time
Any journalist worth her weight in ink knows clichés have no place in quality prose, but there’s a reason these overused phrases have such staying power: they oftentimes ring true. Ever come on too strong and scared a would-be suitor away? Remember that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Felt let down after your plansContinue reading “It’s Gonna Take Time/A Whole Lot of Precious Time”
City Love
Yesterday I ran a little local New York City road race and came within 50 seconds of a new PR. You came within 50 seconds of your 3:51:51 Marine Corps Marathon PR despite New York City’s infamously challenging hills and last week’s illness? That’s wonderful! You may be thinking. Even Meb had to walk! Oh,Continue reading “City Love”
Ill-Timing
I woke up this morning prepared to tell you how – despite all my training hiccups and anxieties and fears – I was finally excited for the marathon. I was going to tell you how I ran eight well-rested miles Monday and felt like I was flying. I was going to tell you how IContinue reading “Ill-Timing”
A Time to Every Purpose Under Heaven
I imagine autumn used to be considered a season of hard work and preparation, but with the onset of the industrial revolution and the invention of pumpkin-spiced coffee, it seems all that has changed. Once a time for reaping the harvest, canning vegetables and chopping firewood in anticipation of the impending snowfall, fall has evolvedContinue reading “A Time to Every Purpose Under Heaven”
Riled Up Runner 