NYC Gourmet Food Trip

Happy Friday, everyone!  I feel like this post is long overdue, especially since we went on this trip over a week and a half ago.  Last Sunday, Fred and I boarded a city-bound bus {cooler on hand} with friends for a fun-filled day of shopping in NYC.  On the agenda were three stops purposefully planned for us to explore and shop various food markets in New York.  Included for the day was Zabars Gourmet Food Market, Little Italy, the Meatpacking District and Chelsea Market. 

First stop:  Zabar's Market which was located on the Upper West Side.  This two-floor emporium had so much to choose from including cheeses, fresh breads and pastries, coffee, meats and other items you would find in a typical market.  The second floor was full of cooking items and kitchen gadgets.  

Second stop:  Little Italy!  By 11:00am, we were famished so our first mission was to find a place for lunch.  We chose a place on Hester Street called Caffe Napoli.  We started with some fresh focaccia bread and the best parmesan/garlic/olive oil dipping sauce I ever had plus an antipasto salad.  For my meal, I ordered the special...chicken with mozzarella and spinach topped with a marsala sauce.  Double yum!

After walking around a bit, we hit Ferrara...the famous Italian bakery in Little Italy, for dessert.  Fred and I bought a few cannoli and biscotti to take home, plus a cup of decaf for the rest of our walk.     

Third stop:  Meatpacking District/Chelsea Market.  While in this area, we toured the High Line section, a newly renovated railroad bed/walking path/park.  If you are ever in the city, this district is worth checking out!  

From the park, the Freedom Tower was visible amongst the buildings... 

Some sites and sounds around the neighborhood: People from a mission playing the drums garbage cans for funds; a pretty entrance to a local boutique; the Diane von Furstenberg building complete with painted lips, and an ultra-modern hotel on a side street.

Because we had a few hours to spare, we stopped at this local pub to relax.  A good hour was spent there conversing with a nice couple who lived in the neighborhood.  

By 4:00, we made our way to the Chelsea Market for the last hour we had in the city, only to find out that it was closed due to a private party.  Apparently someone rented out the WHOLE building for an event later that evening.  We were trying to figure out who could possibly do that...Trump, maybe?  On the flip side, Fred promised me a return trip ASAP because we missed out on the market...the one part I was most looking forward to!  

Have you ever been to NYC on a food shopping excursion?  If so, where would you recommend?    

Running:  Lauretta and I met {bright and early} on Wednesday for a "before-school" run of 7.08 miles.  We ended up running at a nice pace and finished in ~52 minutes.  It felt great!  

Have a good Friday! 

Progressing through Six

Happy Valentine's Day!  My day was filled with a party with my students in the morning and a party in my daughter's classroom this afternoon.  Once all the partying was through, I ducked out for a little run.  

It was gorgeous weather...all 45 degrees of it and I fully took advantage by doing a six mile progression run. 

Here's the lowdown...

First three miles - 23:56 {~8:00 pace}
Second three miles - 20:10 - {6:59, 6:44, 6:27} 

Total time: 44:06 / six miles
  

   
My Garmin has been acting up lately.  Sometimes the GPS doesn't start right away, sometimes the final mile will register and be way off what I actually ran, or sometimes {like today} the final mile time doesn't even show up at all!   Does anyone else have that problem?  It's very frustrating, especially after a long run or hard workout when it's important to have my times accurate.

I'm now off to cook my family a special Valentine's dinner - Penne Vodka with chicken and a tossed salad {their request}....

Have a great night!     

Last Night's 6 Mile Progression Run

Last night I did a more structured progression run than my normal {run out at a decent pace, and run back faster}.  Jesse wanted this particular six miler to be out in 7:30 pace for the first three miles and back in approximately 6:50 pace for miles four and five.  The last mile was supposed to be run as fast as possible, preferably between 6:20 - 6:25.  

We met at the tow path because that is the perfect place for out and back runs...nice and flat with a soft surface.  

Here's how it went:

First three miles: 21:41 {approximately 7:14 per mile, or 22:32 5k pace}
Last three miles: 20:52 {6:45, 6:54, 6:22ish, or 20:52 5k pace} 

Total time: 41:47

I ran a little faster than planned for the first three miles, but I felt comfortable and was able to keep up a conversation.  For the last mile, I still felt pretty good and kept the pace to end in 6:22 {on the Garmin} and 6:24 on the Ironman. 

I thought this was a neat view under the bridge, overlooking the river.  

Post-run obligatory photo...

After the workout I picked up a pizza.  Willsey and I hung out until Fred got home from his football game.  This new place in town makes a really good pizza which is topped with American cheese.  It's different and delicious, but the cheese gets stuck to my teeth.

Willsey's usual post, waiting to get some lovin'!

It was a nice, quiet evening that I enjoyed with a glass of wine, a movie and some dark chocolate, of course.

This morning, I am about the head out on a 10 mile run.  For my last two long runs I was spoiled by having company {Lauretta and Jesse} so this one I will have to endure all by myself.  Then, my husband will be around all weekend with no work or sporting events and I am really looking forward to enjoying a date night with him tonight! 

Have a great Saturday! 

First Day of School and a Good 6 Miler

Good Morning!

If you read yesterday's post...it was the first day of school for me and my family.  As a tradition, we always go out for ice cream the night before the first day.  Death by Chocolate for me, please!   

In addition to the ice cream outing, we always take pictures before everyone leaves for the day.  Unfortunately this year, the weather was very uncooperative and it started to POUR when it was time for the photo shoot, and it continued to pour until I was well into my morning at work.  The rain didn't make it a great way to start, but in the end, everyone enjoyed their days.  

Even Willsey gets in on the action... 

My team always knows that they need to cooperate for the obligatory group photo on special days...

It was a good start to a {hopefully} great year! 
 
Last night I did a nice six mile run on my usual out and back course.  It was quite steamy, and after about a mile or so, my Achilles warmed up and I was good to go.  I ran the first three in 22:52, and came back in 20:16 -- for a total time of 43:16. 

Again, my darn watch didn't register the final mile time when I pressed stop.  I know my 5th mile was 6:58 and I'm pretty sure I was running around 6:30 for the last one. 

After my run, I jumped in the pool to cool off.  Willsey watched me diligently, as well as his floating yellow duck.  He gets ticked off when his toys fall into the pool.     

Crazy dog!  

After school, I plan to run an easy five, and then I want to hit Carrie's level two yoga class.  I haven't been to yoga in about two weeks, so my body is craving a little downward facing dog.  Enjoy your day!