Celebrations

First things first – Rabbit Rabbit. Okay.

So although yesterday was Monday, and that’s when everyone recaps their weekend festivities, I’m deciding to go against the grain and wait until Tuesday to do that. I know… who do I think I am…

Backing back up to Friday I made a major change to my routine which I’m pretty happy about. I decided to get my long run in Friday morning before work. Planning for 16-ish miles before work meant an early wake up, but to be quite honest, it was the best thing I’ve done in a while. I made the executive decision to start eliminating things from my day that stress me out. One of which is fitting in my long run on the weekend. Which is totally counterintuitive. Why not run on the weekend when you have endless time you may ask… well I don’t. I have 48 hour to unwind and relax and I don’t want to have to spend three of them one day running. Well 2:40 to be exact but whatever. Even though I will still run on the weekends, heading out for 60 minutes is a lot easier and more flexible than 160.

I sweat a lot. So let me share that with the world.

So Friday mornings run went well (finally) and felt easy and relaxed. I will most likely now be doing my long runs on Fridays – weather and body permitting. And plus it allows me to take a rest/cross-training day on Thursday which is a nice break mid-week.

Friday night I went into the city with my boyfriend and his family to celebrate his sisters birthday. We went to an AH-MAZE-ING restaurant in the West Village called L’Artusi. I stuck with veggie sides for my meal, but I cannot even begin to describe to you how amazing they were. Best meal in a long time.

Saturday was a day of exactly what I needed. It was super relaxed and I just kind of went with the flow. Which is totally not me. It was nice spending a weekend at home after the last three weekends traveling. I still got up to get a run in, but had about two hours of extra sleep, and was delighted that only one hour of my weekend was devoted to exercise. After an easy morning, some grocery shopping, and a few errands here and there, it was mid-afternoon.

When I go out, I like to go out to parties with pets. Specifically dogs. We are now best friends.

Celebrations continued this weekend. Next Sunday, my boyfriend and I will have been officially dating for two years (wait what?). He unfortunately has to get some shoulder surgery this week, so we decided to celebrate early. Gift exchange occurred, and in true fashion he knocked it out of the ballpark with an amazing, beautiful, and special gift. My gift on the other hand was equally awesome, but in true “my life is so awkward” fashion… the camera I had bought him… was not in the box. So I was sold a very expensive, very empty, cardboard box. In which he opened and goes “but where’s the camera”?

Needless to say, we were able to get him his actual gift that day, but nothing says I Love You like an empty box, am I right?

JK it was empty on purpose.

Sunday we went back into the city to be cool and walk the High Line. Neither BF or I have done it before, and I figured it would be a super fun way for him to try out his new prezzy. Which he did, and he even got some pretty awesome photos. Especially one of me staring out into space with my mouth wide open like a grouper fish. If you’re lucky maybe I’ll share it with you guys.

I don’t know if you guys know, but no one has ever taken a photo of this mural and posted it on the internet before. It’s 100% original.

I think we walked a little over 10 miles – who are we – from the West Village / Chelsea up through Central Park to dinner at Candle 79 in the Upper East Side. If you’re ever in NYC and want to have the best meal of your life, please go here. Any time there is a special occasion, I immediately default to this restaurant. It is totally organic and completely vegan (woot) and the food is beyond incredible. My boyfriend and I were absolutely famished by the time we got there (needless to say sitting never felt so good) and we chowed down. Since my dietary restrictions are somewhat troublesome when I go out to eat, it is like a dream for me to eat here. SO. MANY. OPTIONS. I love it.

Hello old friend.

I want it. And I want it all.

We split the Angel’s Nachos with grilled Seitan and Cornmeal Poppers to start, I had the Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Cake (every. time.) and BF tried the Tempeh Vegetable Tamale. And obviously we split the chocolate peanut butter bliss for dessert. Because, it’s vegan, therefore calorie free yeah? No? I’m going to go with yes.

Needless to say when we got home last night we crashed and crashed hard. It was so much fun, and a really great way to spend time together. Again, the weekend was a total go-with-the-flow feel, which is something I’m not so good at doing. But I’m really happy I did. It was a great way to spend time together. I am so so lucky to have this guy in my life. And I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.

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Do you have a favorite restaurant to go to for special occasions?

What’s the furthest you’ve ever walked? Honestly, my legs are more tired from walking yesterday than running a marathon. I know I will totally regret this in my post-marathon blog post, but seriously. Holy shit 10 miles is far!