Greece Travel Vlog Part 1: New York City to Athens

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I knew since my bday trip in summer 2018 that I wanted to do Greece in 2019. I had been stalking air prices forever and it was always $1500+ for August, and there was no way I was paying that each for 2 people. Fast forward to July 9th, I received an alert that prices dropped drastically, and I scored 2 tickets for $ 1,400 on Iberia. I was elated! We only had 8 days, so I had to make the most of this itinerary, so here it goes.

I booked all hotels on http://cheapTickets.com. I had never used them before, and usually like to book my hotels direct, but they were running a 16% off coupon code, and an additional sale, which gave me the best prices of any site, so I booked all of our hotels the week of July 24th through them. We traveled Aug 2-10 so yes all of the booking was done very last minute.

We flew JFK-Madrid, Madrid to Athens.

Day 1-2 we stayed at Polis Grand Hotel, total price for the stay $167. This hotel was in the heart of downtown Athens. Graffiti everywhere, prostitutes 3 blocks over, but it was completely safe. The room was nice with a balcony, small (it’s Europe) but well appointed. They had an amazing rooftop with Acropolis views, and their breakfast spread was amazing AND included. I definitely recommend staying here. It’s a quick half mile walk to Monastiraki Square which is the place to be at night, and then a hop away from the Acropolis.

I am apart of Adidas Runners which is a global community. Apparently a lot of the European cities go on holiday for the entire summer, so there were no group runs scheduled. I asked the Athens faction on facebook if anyone was available for a run and received a bite from one of the members. It was 3 members in total, myself and my husband. They took us on a great tour of the city. We got to see so many things that we never would have had we been on our own, and I was eternally grateful. We visited the Acropolis, €20 per person. You get up there, walk around, take some pics, and your out of there. All done in 1hr or less.

Stay tuned for part to of my Greece Vlogs where we go from Athens to Crete.

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Race Recap: NYRR Mini 10k & Run for the Oceans 5k June 8, 2019

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Isn’t the medal so cute!

Saturday was a jam packed day!  I pulled double duty with a 10k in the morning, and 5k in the evening. The day started with the NYRR Mini 10k in Central Park.  This is one of my favorite races of the year because it is all women.  They also use to have the best race shirt when Oakley was the sponsor, but now it is a regular cheapy NB shirt that I’ll probably end up donating to charity.

My Adidas Runners NYC Crew

 

This race starts out right on Columbus Circle, and treks up 5th Avenue for a mile and a half.  This portion of the race is relatively flat, and pretty shaded so its nice.  Then we cut into Central Park, and the hill work begins.  I ran the first couple of hills, but there is a monster hill that goes on forever that I couldn’t be bothered with, so I gingerly walked up that one.  All in all this race still remains one of my favs, especially with the red bagels, and flowers at the finish.  I’ll definitely be back for another round next year.

My Long Island crew

Next up was Adidas Run for the Oceans, at Domino Park in Brooklyn.  I’ve been running with Adidas for about 8 months now, and they always put on awesome events, and this one was no different.  This race was to bring awareness to the plastic polluting our oceans.  Adidas is donating $1 per 1km ran to Parley Ocean School for runs logged through the app runtastic through June 16th.  CLICK HERE to sign up.

 

He’s 13 and taller than me!

With @piscesprincess76

With @thedrepabon & @adrian2point0

With @jenn.runs.nyc @adrian2point0 and @libra_tia

With Eva & Amanda

Crew Love

This one was special because I got to run it with my son, and this was his very first 5k.  He had a ball!

 

 

I am raising funds for Team Sense to run the London Marathon in 2020!
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Happy Global Running Day!

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My shins have been aching lately so I’ve been trying to take it easy on the running, but if you are a runner today is our day to log some miles. So get out there and let’s get it!

NYRR is having a free virtual for the day powered by Strava. You can sign up HERE.

You can also pledge to run miles with my team Run the Sol by clicking HERE.

Happy Running!

I am raising funds for Team Sense to run the London Marathon in 2020!
JustGiving - Sponsor me now!

Race Recap: Brooklyn Half Marathon May 18, 2019

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img_9230So this past Saturday I tackled my 5th Brooklyn Half Marathon, and it surely was a doozy!  My day started super early.  When the alarm went off at 3 am I really wanted to say screw it and go back to sleep.  It was just to dang early!  My friends Janis and Allison were volunteering at the finish-line, so I bummed a ride with them down to Coney Island to cut down on my commute time for the day…thx a bunch Janis!

When I hoped out of the car I had to use the bathroom, so  I truck it over to Dunkin Donuts, and of course they didn’t have a public bathroom.  Luckily McDonald’s was right across the street, and they had a big, nice, clean bathroom, and their coffee is waaaay better anyway, so forget you Dunkin!  I used the bathroom, grabbed some coffee, and I was on my way.

I walked over to the train where there were lots of runners getting on.  They more than likely parked in Coney Island, and were taking the train to the start like is was.

 

Views on the train

 

 

Once I reached the Prospect Park area, I ran into a few of my running folks.

JP Mission-James

My homies from Atlanta! Donyetta, Odel, & Angie

My Adidas Runners NYC Crew

More of the AR Crew

#3StripeLife

I was running ok coming into the race.  Nothing to write home about but, I had not done any long runs, so I knew I’d be in trouble after mile 6.  Well that trouble came earlier than 6.  By mile 4 my shins were achy, and I knew I’d be commencing my walk/run intervals.

My splits for the race

This pace chart shows when I walked and ran.  All of the severe dips that you see are when I was walking.  I try to keep a steady pace of Run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute.  Sometimes I stick to it, sometimes I don’t.  Most of this race I stuck to it, until I got to the end when I was just really over it all.

Pace Chart

As I was coming up on the boardwalk and nearing the finish-line, I was just so happy that it would all be over soon.  I  hadn’t run more than 7 miles in so long, so I was really feeling it.  As you can see I was not smiling at all!  This was my only pro-race pic taken by the photographers, when I know I smiled at that camera plenty of times. (insert mad face)race_4144_photo_65950021 (1)

Once I crossed I ran into my boos who were giving out medals.  Hey girls!

Janis & Allison

I had a change of clothes with me that I left in Janis car, so I booked it over to her car to change.  Yes I changed in the car!  On my way back I bumped into James (Nighhawk)

Me and James

Then I booked it over to the Adidas Runners NYC after party at Margarita Island, and it was awesome!  Here are some pics:

Hi K-Rod!

All in all I had a good time at the race.  I said afterwards that I wouldn’t do it again, but hey, ya never know!  I really wish they would change the course though.  The logistics of this race is almost as annoying as the NYC Marathon!  Until next time!

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My 5 Brooklyn Half Medals…aren’t they purdy!

Long time no see!

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I’ve had it in my mind for a while to start updating my blog again, so here’s the first one. A nice run in gorgeous NYC weather. Lots of stop starting at traffic lights, and a little bugaloo by the water. See ya soon!