I have never been so grateful for clean drinking water that is so readily available to me.
The weather here in New York has been tropical this summer! Hot (well, duh), raining in random patches, and always pretty humid. Needless to say, it has been a sweat fest here and I’ve been guzzling water all the livelong day.
Walking, running, standing, sitting — always sweating. Especially this weekend! Here’s what went down.
(Oh, and thank you all for your sweet words on the blog anniversary post! ♥︎)
Friday
I had never been so exhausted from work. Friday was only a little bit more physically demanding than any other work day, but MAN. I was honestly a tiny bit afraid of falling asleep on my drive back home (I knew I could make it though, don’t worry Mom and Dad). I think I ate enough. Maybe it was lack of sleep (thanks, Olympics).
I planned on working out after work, but nay to that. I sat on the couch and quasi-napped for three hours when I got home. Then I got a second wind at 10 pm thanks to a snack, watching track and field at the Olympics, and a spontaneous FaceTime with Rachel. Then I went to bed at almost midnight..yet again.
Someone needs to send me to my room to just read and go to sleep. I need disciplining like an 8-year-old, help.
this almond and peanut butter with dried fruits and seeds (“Mad River Mojo”) from Stowe, VT is magical
Saturday
I did a quick 12 minute workout (12 Minute Athlete style) in the morning before showering and eating breakfast. I had a NYC date with two college friends that day!
3 rounds (30 seconds work, 10 seconds rest):
banana bread baked oatmeal with peanut butter and Greek yogurt
I got to Grand Central and walked to Penn Station to meet my friend, Dana. It was a brisk 22 minute walk in the city heat, so going from that to standing in the oven subway station, I was soaked.
So happy to see Dana! Not happy that our subway was delayed for almost half an hour though.
We finally made it to the Governors Island ferry station, where our friend Cassandra was patiently waiting for an hour. So sorry, girlfran. It was also down-pouring when we got there, which shocked Dana and me as we emerged from underground (that makes us sound like Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog).
[source]
But one quick ferry ride over to Governors Island…
…and we met clear-ish skies once again!
As soon as we stepped foot onto the island, Dana asked, “Can we get lunch?” Praaaaise.
We walked around to explore our options, and we found a fun food truck hub.
I chose Yaki Taco for three tacos: curry beef, chicken, and panko fried fish, which were all messy and delicious.
“Don’t bother me. I’m eating.” ← name that old commercial slogan!
they all look identical, but the meats are hidden under the slaw and “yum yum sauce”
Cassandra shared some of her cheese fries with us too. Ooooo, baby.
you know it’s America when the cheese is more yellow than the Asian-Americans eating them the water bottle in the background
I knew I had to get some of this overpriced, organic ice cream from the Blue Marble stand.
I got “The Governor” flavor, which the lady told me was a vanilla base with Grape Nuts oat clusters, caramel, and “white velvet” cake pieces. White velvet? You mean…vanilla cake?
#marketing
it was still tasty, so I won’t hold it over her
With happy bellies, it was time to explore the island!
peep Lady Liberty in the background
After a few hours, we took the ferry back to Manhattan, where we parted ways. I walked back to Penn station while they went off to Brooklyn Bridge, since I wanted to make it back home in time for Mass with the fam, even though I probably reeked of sweat and city grime.
I loved hanging out with Cassandra and Dana! Thanks, ladies, for a great time catching up and exploring the city (and for loving food as much as I do).
If you’re ever looking for a cheap but lovely and family-friendly NYC pit stop, check out Governors Island! I loved it.
After Mass, the family wanted to go to our favorite local Mexican restaurant. More tacos? Why not?
maragarrrrrrita for the big man
I actually passed on more tacos and got the restaurant’s special salad and shared a good portion of mom’s rice (I ♥︎ Mexican rice).
Also, can we look at the whole farm that was smashed between Ben’s cemita (sandwich on sesame seed bun)?
in the words of Pop: “there’s like a whole flank steak on that”
Later at home, I ate half a giant peach (where’s James at??) + two warmed up oatmeal dried fruit cookies (from Christmas still!).
And since I am so bad at going to sleep at a reasonable time, I also snacked on Wheat Thins, the world’s most underrated cracker.
I went to sleep past 2 am.
Sunday
I “slept in” until 9:30, which isn’t sleeping in that much given the time I went to bed.
At least I did something productive the night before— prepping this overnight oatmeal smoothie inspired by Kath’s peach dough boy smoothie. I added a spoonful of peanut butter + half a large frozen banana and spinach in the morning.
the fluffiest I’ve had in a long time!!
After doing some computer work and cleaning, I geared up for outdoor moves and grooves.
I’ve been wanting to do hill sprints for a while now, so I finally had the time and energy to do them yesterday. BUT HOLY FREAKING COW FLYING OVER THE MOON.
My lungs were not ready for the annihilation. It was also hot out!
After one sprint, I was literally saying to myself repeatedly, “I’m dying.” But I also kept telling myself, “I can do this. I know I can.”
I thought about Allyson Felix, Usain Bolt, my track star friends from high school, and Jesus Christ for inspiration.
The workout:
5-4-3-2-1 hill sprints (approx. 125 m) with the following circuit between each set:
- 10 curb burpees
- 20 Russian twists each side
- 30 mountain climbers each leg
- 20 air squats
- 10 pushups
It took me almost an hour to finish, because I needed to take a break and double over to breathe many times.
It sucked but it was…fun? Is that what athletes feel?
immediate post workout snack
late lunch sandwich: greens, Madre’s homemade pickled carrots and radishes, turkey, swiss, mustard, and sriracha + unpictured carrots and artichoke hummus
The rest of the evening involved showering, typing this blog post, and talking on the phone with Apple Support for my temperamental keyboard. The problem seems to be fixed for now though!
I’m also listening to old Hannah Montana music for kicks. I used to be obsessed.
I better go pack for Ireland and do important things before the Rio closing ceremonies comes on. Lord knows I will want to stay up for those.
banana bread mug cake with Greek yogurt for a late night snack after dinner
Hope you guys have a sweet week! This one’s my last week of work at the rehab hospital already!
So tell me:
Are you good about getting to bed at a regular time?
Have you ever done hill sprints? Did you die?
What is your guilty pleasure music from the past?
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