Sunshine in Manhattan

What a difference the sun makes! The beach, the walking trail, CALIFORNIA- everything looks better when the sun's out :) 

I logged 17.3 miles today. 

I left the house at 10:30 AM, walked to Natalie's work 5.5 miles away, then we ran to the beach and back which was another 5 miles. When I looked at my watch it was at 10.5, but then I stopped it to eat some of the snacks I packed and tour Natalie's work. 

When I started again, it lost my previous 10.5 and I had to start again, but when I got home my watch read 6.8. I got home around 5:30 so the entire day was 7 hours of exploring, walking, shopping and enjoying Manhattan beach. 

The morning started with a small mango smoothie from Jamba Juice. I got a extra shot of immunity and energy (I needed it!) 

I stopped for a cupcake at Cupcakes Couture in Manhattan Beach. It was really random because I have actually been following them on facebook for a few months! A friend of mine on facebook is friend with the owner and was promoting it on the page and I "liked" it to see the cute cupcakes and cakes they were creating. Since then I have seen it on one of my favorite blogs green wedding shoes! I just happened to spot it yesterday when Natalie and I were out to dinner and knew I wanted to make it back today.

I went for the gluten free red velvet cupcake. The frosting was good, the cake not so much. I wanted a healthier version. I should have stuck with a "mini" real one.

I walked the strand back home. I am pretty sleepy right now. I'm waiting for Natalie to get home from work. Tonight we are going out in Manhattan so I'm excited to experience this area. I really like the vibe in California. It was great to see so many active people walking, running, biking and playing volleyball. I wasn't sure if I could see myself living in California, but I'm starting to think I can...

It's crazy to think I've traveled 37.5 miles in two days... on foot.

20 miles :)

I ran 20 miles in 3:54:21. 

Wow. What a great, great afternoon. I did 21 miles last week in Florida in 5:04:39 and 20 today is 3:54:21. I wore my yellow Brooks running shirt, a hot pink lululemon sports bra top, lululemon shorts (which was bad because my legs chafed, really would have preferred to wear my pants but there's a big hole in the back), lululemon socks, lululemon headband and the KT tape knee wrap. I ran the majority of it today and only stopped to take breaks to eat shot Cliff bloks and have water. I brought 2 waters, one pack of Tropical Punch Cliff bloks,  and pretzels with peanut butter for a snack. I had the bloks and water about every 4-5 miles and drank my water around then too. Around mile 18 I stopped in a deli to pick up a gatorade and a Muscle Milk protein shake. (I also bought a "Oh Yeah" protein shake, but I didn't drink it... It's for tomorrow)

I ran the entire "strand" back and forth twice, up and down two piers and then had to circle around my friends apartment at the end to reach 20. I ran the majority of it and stopped to refuel, but other than that my body felt pretty good. I had texts from Hannah throughout which helped, and the first half flew by. Actually up until about 15 went pretty fast, with the view of the houses and ocean but the last 5 miles dragged. I am currently icing my feet which feel really swollen and my knee which hurt a little throughout. I am THRILLED I bought new tennis shoes today, I can't wait to get them. I need them. Tonight my friend Natalie and I are going to sushi for dinner. I have a feeling I am going to be hungry...

This was in someone's window! Hello! 

The weather was perfect. It was mid 60s with sun here and there. I was able to keep my long sleeve on the entire time without getting too hot or too cold. It was fun to people watch. It was inspiring to look at the amazing houses. I spent the day at the beach, doing something I love, running. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Disney, New Shoes and upcoming 20 miles!

It's 11:46 AM here in California. I thought I'd be on my run by now, but I had a slow start this morning. I haven't been on my computer to "catch up" since I've been away, and this morning seemed like a good time to do so. The weather isn't amazing outside right now, so I don't feel guilty for sitting around and doing so. The best news of the morning? My brother got a job in NYC! He is very excited. I knew he could do it! Now we are both moving in the span of about a week. It's going to be a crazy adjustment for my parents, but now they will have a lot of places to come visit.

So back to Disneyland yesterday. I had a awesome time. Highlights were Nemo Submarine ride at Disneyland and a cute ride that was mini figurines of different storybooks. I loved when the cast member said "...and if you were wondering all of the plants and trees are real and mini by a process only known by Tinkerbell." Highlights at California Adventure were Soarin', Toy Story Mania and Tower of Terror. Thankfully all of those rides are in Orlando! I really liked the pier though with California Screaming and the cute Mickey Ferris wheel. The only thing I didn't love about California Adventure was the construction. There was a lot. It's amazing to see all of the new things they are developing, but if it was my very first time at any Disney park, the magical illusion would have been a little disrupted by the construction everywhere. Luckily, since it wasn't my first time and more like my 500th time I will let it slide. Now I've conquered every Disney in the world except Paris. Next trip? Paris! I went with my cousin Jonathan who lives in San Diego and we had a great time. He is a really nice guy, and although we are cousins yesterday was the longest we've ever spent hanging out and it was nice to connect. I had a cobb salad at the parks for lunch which was great, I got the dressing on the side and with all of the flavors from the salad I only used 1/4 of the dressing! We dined at Cheesecake Factory for dinner and shared my favorite appetizers, Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Avacado Eggrolls. I also had a slider, but we had plenty of food and I actually am eating the leftovers right now.

Here are a few pictures I uploaded from my phone from last weekend in San Diego with Kirk. We took his scooter from his place to where my friends were. I loved seeing San Diego on the back of that thing! I felt like I was in Bangkok, only safer because I knew my driver wasn't drunk, high and I wasn't inhaling pollution and weaving through traffic in one of the most dangerous driving conditions in the world. 

 

One more thing for today. I ordered new shoes. I went on a wet ride at Disney yesterday and my shoes got SOAKED. They don't smell very nice this morning, but it forced me to take a good look at them and realize after the half marathon and four months of training, it's time to get a new pair. I didn't want to change styles right before my marathon, so I ordered the exact same pair and size in a different color on Nike.com. I was able to get free shipping, but it was still painful to pay the $106 being so tight on a budget right now. I knew I needed them because I started to get shin splints on my last run, and these shoes have definitely seen better days. 

OFF TO MY 20! Wish me luck!  Here are my new shoes/ style/ size/ etc.

Disneyland and California Adventure!

Today I went to Disneyland and California Adventure. I had a really good time, but I will write a full review tomorrow! It was a long day and I'm exhausted. Goodnight! 

Hermosa!

Today my friend Kendall and I walked on the "strand" in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan/ South Bay. It was great! It was fun to see active runners, bikers, rollerbladers and bikers walk along the trail. I avoided all dogs :)

We walked 5 miles in 1:24:16. 

I ended up going to the clinic for my dog bite. I got a prescription and tetanus shot. My leg looked better today, but my family was still pretty upset about it and urged me to go. We had pinkberry after and it was delicious! I got a mini original flavor with brownie bites, yogurt bites, and organic gummy bears. We went to In N Out burger for dinner because it was right next to the airport and we had to drop off my friend Kendall to go back to Boston. I am sad she had to leave! Speaking of Boston, the man who won the marathon today did so in 2:03. That is CRAZY!

I am going to Disneyland tomorrow, so I need to go to sleep and prepare for that! But the following day is my 20 mile run. I'm looking forward to a nice long RUN on the beach!

Dog bite :(

Today I got bit by a dog on a run. I was really excited to explore San Diego on foot, and had a great time doing so for a while. I ran through Little Italy and Balboa Park where my friend Kirk was promoting Hale. and at the end of my run a block away from where I was staying I got nipped. It all happened really fast, I was really unprepared and didn't realize what had happened. I ran past a girl and her dog and suddenly felt a sharp pain on my right side. When I turned around and realized a dog bit me, the owner (a young girl around 15 years old I would guess) said sorry and didn't really know what to do. I also didn't know what to do, but I asked for her phone number and quickly realized she was giving me fake numbers when I would ask her to repeat it and it would be different each time. 

I was on the verge of tears and told her I was going to call the police if she didn't tell me the right number. She kept saying "it's not my dog" and even told me a fake name, so the whole thing was extremely shady. Finally she realized there were numbers on the dog tags so I copied those into my phone and after a few minutes going back and forth she went off. I wish I would have had more time to get more information from the girl, so I could properly check up on the dog and it's medical records. Now I am going back and forth if I should go to the dr. or not. The dog bit through my favorite lululemon running pants and I was bleeding as well. I was pretty shocked after it happened and couldn't help but cry when I got back to the apartment. It was a really long day of my family back home trying to convince me to go get it checked immediately, and not wanting to make a huge deal of it in California. I am  still debating if I am going to get it checked out here in California tomorrow or not. 

With the exception of my dog bite, I had a great time in San Diego. I have been looking forward to this weekend for so long, and was sad to see it come and go so quickly. I loved seeing my San Diego friends (such as Hannah ;) ) I'm back in Hermosa now. If today taught me anything I guess it's to be extremely aware of my surroundings on a run. I am trying to think of a reason this happened, and I am wondering if it is to teach me to be more aware and less fearless- Sometimes I will run across a street just assuming the driver sees me- or assume the dog walker is responsible for their dog. Clearly this is not always the case, and especially in a new surrounding such as Orlando I will need to learn my routes and be comfortable where I am running. Today I didn't know where I was and was a little off guard because of it- while I like running in new territory I will have to be more cautious while doing so. Now I have to decide if I should go to the Dr. or not. I wish I didn't have to deal with this on my "stress free" vacation.  

Inspired...

I arrived in LAX last night around 7:30 PM. We drove to San Diego and went to bed almost immediately, I was exhausted from the travel and time change. Today was a great day in San Diego! I love it here. What a great city. Hannah and I decided not to do the run in the morning because we already had to get up early for the wine tasting and knew it was going to be a long day. We started the day taking a limo bus to three different wineries about a hour form San Diego. It was a perfect beautiful day.

We got back to San Diego around 3: 00 PM and I met up with my friend Kirk to see his new yoga studio, Hale Holistic.  It was amazing! A few months ago Kirk told me his vision, sent me his business plan, and now to see it all come together was awesome. He is truly living his dream, and the studio is exactly what I envisioned it would be and more. I am so excited for him. We walked into lululemon after lunch and they seemed really excited to feature him as the studio of the month, possibly in June. It was really inspiring to see Kirk living his dreams... I am so proud of him. I took a few pictures of the studio I will post when I get home and can load them! 

I haven't worked out in about 3 days. I am starting to feel antsy, and am looking forward to getting some mileage in Hermosa this week. My friend who I am staying with, Natalie told me about a few running tails close to her apartment so I'm excited to explore...