Getting ready

Since I PR’d in a 10K last month and I hope to do so next month, I might as well have some coffee this morning. I’ve had coffee before running but never before racing. Now’s a good a time as any to see how this goes.

Time to film my first webcam video for work, the “Before” of a “Before & After” for our new BB Cream. Have to do this well, I only have time to do it once. Hm, this pink running shirt won’t look good on camera, I’ll change to a blue one.

Damn. I forgot to point out my dark circles and dry skin. Oh well, I think the video came out pretty good.

I wish I didn’t put my watch on until after this video.

Oh! How do I get my iPod Nano off shuffle? Quick Google Bing (hi Matt).

Commute

Other 10K runners at the PATH station! It makes sense, since Jersey City is full of runners but for some reason I didn’t expect to see others here.

Playlist! I never made a playlist. How does this on-the-go playlist functionality work? Oh, this is easy. A little short, but good playlist.

Oh look, another runner sitting across from me on the second train. I like that.

Central Park before race

No lines on the Porta Potties!

It’s actually warm for 7:15 am. I can stand in this sunny patch of grass until the race starts.

Wow, this porta potty hasn’t been used yet today! The toilet paper is still wrapped in paper. This is SO COOL. Who else can say they were the first in a porta potty?

I can’t get this brand new toilet paper started! Why do I just keep ripping off small pieces. Where is the end??

I love when porta potties have anti-bacterial.

This corner behind the fence is a perfect place to store my fleece during the race. Maybe it will still be there after. Otherwise, I won’t miss it.

“Hello? Melissa, hi, I’m in the bathroom, I’ll be right out.”

Corral

I’m just going to run how I feel comfortable. I’ll decide then if I think I can PR.

I’m in a slightly slower corral than my own but I’m at the front of it, so once they collapse it will all be the same.

This weather is perfect! Sunny, beautiful, warm but not hot.

Mile 1

Time to see how my new Nike+ SportWatch GPS does during this race!

This is crowded.

I can’t move. I can barely walk, let alone run.

WHY are there walkers ahead of me? Were they checking bibs at the corrals?

Argh! If you’re going to just stop, MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE. I’ve had to stop during a race before. I went to the side. If you stop in the middle, I MIGHT RUN OVER YOU.

Omg. Too crowded. This is frustrating. NYRR really needs to cap these races lower. I thought this at the Scotland Run but this is much worse.

Melissa Z is running fast! I wonder if she will PR if we stay together the whole time.

I better follow Z along the outside of the pack, this is just way too crowded and I want to RUN.

Ah, break free. Floor it.

I’m right ahead of Z and oh look! A race photog! ARMS UP HELLOOOOOOOOO!!!

Where’s Z? Oops. Lost her.

Hmm 9:30 pace? OK, I am definitely not PRing today. That’s OK.

Where is Z? I can’t stop looking around for her.

Mile 1 over already! That was quick.

Mile 2

I can’t believe the crowds aren’t getting any better.

WALKER IN FRONT OF ME. Must get out of way now. Where is an opening between all these runners? Why is everyone running so slowly? I AM GOING TO SLAM INTO THIS PERSON I CANNOT SLOW DOWN IN TIME HELP.

Phew. Dodged that person. Why is no one moving over to the side? Why weren’t the corrals checked? The corrals are there for safety!

Running on the outskirts is good, at least I can move over here.

DAMN IT. There’s the water station all the way on the right and I missed it! When I PR’d at the Scotland Run, I stopped at every single water station and now I believe that is the key to race success and I MISSED THIS ONE. GRRRRR.

I forgot to discuss the water stops at the Scotland Run in my recap. I’ll have to mention it when I write this one.

I feel like I am pushing so hard but my pace seems slow for my effort. I guess today is just not my day. That’s OK.

Wow, this uphill is tough. Much tougher than when I ran the Scotland Run. Why does this feel so hard? Slooooow down.

Harlem Hills DOWNHILL time! THIS is where I love to run fast.

Wait, why aren’t the people around me speeding up? Are they . . . slowing DOWN? Why? This is a down hill!

Too much weaving for a down hill. Ugh. What is wrong with EVERYONE today?

Ah, there’s some relief. Yay for fast downhill running!

Mile 2 is over. Maybe the road will clear up now.

Mile 3

OK this is hard.

Keeping a 9:30 pace feels impossible. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone to Refine last night. But I went the day before the Scotland Run and that went well. Next time I rest the day before a race.

A water station! Yes!

Ah, much better. But I still can’t seem to maintain an OK pace. Too difficult.

Maybe I’ll still run into Z, she started off so fast. Where is she?

What will I eat for breakfast? Andy brought home a pretzel croissant, we can split that. But that won’t be enough.

Oh! I can put eggs on my half! I never thought to do that before. How will it taste? Will it be good? Or will eggs ruin the amazingness that is the pretzel croissant?

Why am I pushing so hard? I know I’m not PRing today. Maybe I should just slow down now and enjoy the rest of the run.

No. When I run on my own, I can’t tolerate any discomfort so I never push hard. Whenever I have a really fast run with splits in the 8s, it’s because it feels natural. I never push myself to run fast.

The only time I can tolerate any discomfort while running is during a race. This is why I love racing! I’d never know what I am capable of otherwise.

I need to sign up for more races. I need to show up for more races that I’ve signed up for. Races ARE my speed training.

I could slow down now since I’m not going to PR, but then I’ll waste my opportunity to push myself. I commuted all the way here at 6:30 am, I might as well do my best.

Mile 4

OH! My GPS isn’t on!

And this mileage is way behind where I am in the race. So . . . is my pace not what the watch says? This foot pod is not accurate. Why didn’t my GPS kick in? It always kicks in in Jersey City. With all the problems I had with my Garmin, the one place is always got GPS was Central Park. What the hell?

I can’t believe I can run so much faster than I used to without any knee pain. I remember when every single run, even 3 mile runs, caused terrible pain in my knee.

At my first 10K ever, my knee started hurting around this time. It killed me for the rest of the race! What a difference now.

When did my knee get better? Let’s see . . . my last run with pain in my knee was the Divas Half Marathon. That was October, 2010. I started taking Refine in December 2010 and haven’t had knee pain during a run since — not even my marathon or fastest half marathon.

I think Refine is the reason my knees got better. And the reason I got faster.

Brynn always corrects me by pushing my body slightly more forward than I naturally stand. When I remember to make that correction while I’m running, I definitely can speed up because my body weight isn’t holding me back as much.

What would I do without Refine? Thank G-d they opened a downtown location because I don’t know what I would have done otherwise now that I moved.

This is a nice breeze.

This race is too hard. At least the miles are flying by. I remember how it seemed to take forever at the Women’s Mini 10K because I was pushing so hard. I’m glad it doesn’t feel like it’s taking forever today. I’ll be done soon.

I HATE this little uphill that comes before we get to go down Cat Hill. Push through. Why am I slowing down so much on every up hill? I’m usually OK during hills.

I have no idea what my pace is. How fast am I going? I’ll check how much time has elapsed. I love how easy it is to switch through the stats with the Nike watch.

Water station. Yum.

Hey race photographer! Look at me! Why are you fiddling with your camera? HERE I AM!

OW. Sudden stomach spasm. Ugh.

I want to hear Press It Up. Oh wait. That’s the song that just ended. Oops.

Mile 5

One mile left. I can do this!

My body automatically pushes harder and runs faster towards the end of a race. This is not even a conscious decision.

WHOA nausea. Omg. I am going to vomit.

I suspect the coffee + a faster speed than I should be running. I am not having coffee before a race anymore. I think that contributed to this entire race being so hard. Glad I tried but never again.

The choice is between running fast and possibly throwing up, or slowing down and finishing feeling good. I already know I’m not PRing so I might as well slow down.

Ahhh. That’s better. I still feel sick but I don’t think I will vomit before the finish line.

I do like this down hill.

I wish I knew my real pace.

This last mile always takes forever.

Uphill, grr. Push through.

The course narrowed. Why is everyone going so slow? I’m sick of weaving but I need to finish this so I can be done.

Hey! My fleece isn’t in the spot where I left it. I wonder if NYRR volunteers threw it away. If you see something, say something.

800 meters to go. OK.

Mile 6 – 6.2

Why does the last .2 always feel so long?

400 meters to go. The finish line is so far away. And up a hill.

I don’t have enough in me for a final push. Just keep moving.

I can’t even smile for this race photog. I have nothing left.

200 meters to go.

Ooh La La is playing. I normally love running to this. I wish I could appreciate it. I just can’t.

Look at watch. The mileage is all wrong, but the time says 55:00 and something. What?

The finish line is close. Still too far. Still up hill.

Half-assed attempt at a smile for this finish line photog.

DONE

Look at watch. I didn’t PR but what does this my time mean? I will deal with this when I get home and see my official time.

Cover hand with mouth to try and hold back vomit.

Make my way to the water.

Take a cinnamon raisin bagel.

Need to get out of park. Sneak out of the race under a barrier. Get yelled at by NYRR volunteer.

Nibble small piece of bagel. Feel much better.

I am so glad that is over. That was so hard.

Commute

Alone in the subway car.

Guy second train who also ran race chats with me about my watch.

Crazy guy on second train calls out from across the train to ask if I ran a marathon.

Crazy guy does not stop talking. Smile politely and keep reading.

I’m a little cold with the AC on but I’m fine without my fleece.

Back home

First thing’s first – record “After” of my “Before & After” video for work. Took three takes but I’m happy with the end result. Still forgot to mention my dry skin and dark circles. At least I mentioned my age this time.

Make scrambled eggs on pretzel croissant. Yes, delicious.

Check NYRR website for official time.

Official NYRR time: 55:41
Average pace: 8:58/mi 

WHAT! Wow. Not a PR, but faster than my previous PR before last month’s. My second fastest 10K race ever!

The first time I ran the Healthy Kidney 10K in 2010, I PRd with 1:00:37, although that PR only lasted a month.

I wish my GPS worked so I had accurate splits. I want to analyze the hell out of this! At least I can see which miles were quicker relatively. Although they all seemed to be around the same pace.

Let me check my watch. OH! The GPS was switched to “Off.” How did that happen? I didn’t touch the settings.

F*cking lemons.

I wonder if I’ll have any race pictures. I wonder if I’ll look like I’m dying.

When can I run a 10K race at an average pace of 8:58 and call it a bad run, that is a very good sign.

It is a running joke in my family that everything I buy is a lemon. That is because everything I buy is a lemon. And this Garmin was no exception. I can’t even begin to describe all the trouble I had with this thing. I am grateful I had it and was able to use it some of the time (including during my marathon), but overall it caused me way too much unnecessary stress.

I reached my last straw when I took it off the charger to go for a run a couple weeks ago. It was at 100%, and when I got outside and turned it on I got a “low battery” warning. Fifteen minutes later, it was dead. And I was done.

I researched some other options and decided to buy the Nike+ SportWatch GPS. I was aware of its strengths as well as its one main drawback — its inability to record any data for incomplete miles — and decided this was not enough of a deterrent to prevent me from buying the most affordable GPS watch I found at $169.

I loved the watch as soon as I opened the box. The design is sleek and looked much less bulky on my wrist than my Garmin. And when I plugged it into my computer (the USB is IN the watch, which I found convenient and cool) a screen popped up where I could set all my watch preferences. The entire process was extremely simple and user friendly.

In addition to GPS, this watch comes with a Nike+ Sensor foot pod. This is important because it means you can use the watch on the treadmill, and even better, you can start your run while the watch finds its satellites. I spent so many cold mornings hopping around waiting up to 30 minutes for my Garmin to find satellites. With this, you can start running right away and as soon as the watch finds satellites, the GPS will take over.

The next morning, I went out for my run. I didn’t set up my foot pod yet because I had a little foot pod holder (the Sensor itself fits inside Nike shoes, but if you don’t wear Nikes you can buy a little shoelace attachment case for it) but hadn’t unpacked it yet from my move.

I get asked a lot if the Nike finds GPS signal faster than the Garmin. The answer is no. It was exactly the same, but again, once you have the foot pod it doesn’t really matter. I got a signal and started my run.

The greatest thing about using the Nike+ watch after the Garmin is how easy it is to view your various stats during the run. With one simple button, I can easily switch from pace, to total time running, to speed, to the current time (this is HUGE, I never knew what time it was with my Garmin) – and easily get back to wherever I started. Speaking of that, using the Nike+ software on your computer, you can set your preferences for the two stats that default on the home screen. I keep the large stat my mileage and the smaller one on top (this is the one that changes as you press the button) my pace.

I never did any type of tempo or speed work with my Garmin because I found using it extremely complicated. My screen would always switch around to different views and I wasn’t always able to get it back where I wanted it. The touch bezel was temperamental and didn’t always respond, and the controls were not at all intuitive. But with this Nike+, if and when I decide to do some tempo runs or laps, I already know how easy it is. And I’m really excited about that!

But, me being me, of course I got a lemon. During my very first run, my mileage froze at 1.71 and the watch would not update after that. It was immensely frustrating, especially since I was so excited about this watch after my terrible Garmin experience. I got in touch with Nike+ over Twitter and they recommended a factory reset.

Considering I JUST GOT IT from the factory, I was annoyed, but I did what they said and I didn’t have that problem anymore.

The other lemon issue came when I tried using the foot pod sensor. My watch would not recognize that there was a foot pod. I tried everything I could in terms of syncing, and it just didn’t work. I found an old Nike+ sensor from a few years ago, though, and the watch recognized it right away. It turns out I received a dead sensor. A lemon. If you were taking bets (I’m looking at you Matt and Mal) you are probably a very rich person right now. And unfortunately, unless I return the entire watch (which I am not willing to do because I don’t want to be without it), Nike won’t send me a new one. Luckily I have that old one and hopefully it keeps working.

The sensor is really what catapults the Nike+ far ahead of the Garmin for me. I know some Garmins have a sensor, but it costs extra and doesn’t include all models. I know I mentioned this before, but being able to start my run out the door saves me so much time and being cold, and I feel so much happier to be running.

As far as accuracy goes, I know the sensor is generally not as accurate as a GPS, but my GPS kicks in so quickly that I don’t care. I can start my run and that’s all that matters.

After my run, I plug my watch right into the computer. I actually JUST bought another Garmin ANT stick because I couldn’t find mine, and then I found it so now I have two that I don’t need. I like that this watch itself plugs right in so I don’t have to worry about small pieces. After it syncs, I can view my route, splits, elevation, pace – everything I looked at with my Garmin software. I especially love how when I look at my route, I watch my run as it happens. A thick orange line traces my exact route as a counter on the side updates the elevation and pace at every single point of my run. It’s very cool!

[That orange line will move along the length of the gray line that shows my route, and on the right as the orange line moves along the route, that stat counter will update to show my run in real time]

As for battery life, WOW. With my Garmin, I had to keep it plugged in at all times or the battery would die within the day. If I forgot to plug it in, I couldn’t use it for my next run. And it went from 100% to dead while running a few times. The Nike+ battery is amazing. I keep my watch in my drawer and even after days, it doesn’t die. I can take it out of my drawer and run with it at any time. It also charges very quickly after a run.

The only true drawback of this watch that I’ve found is the one everyone complains about – it only records data for full miles. That means that if you run 3.5 miles, you only get data for 3. If you run 5.99 miles, you only get data for 5. I don’t understand how they could release a watch like this and I’m not sure of the reasoning, but I hope that in a future software update Nike decides to fix this. But like I said, that issue wasn’t enough to stop me from buying the watch and I generally don’t mind since I tend to run full miles anyway.

Of course, when I run a 10K on Saturday, I’ll probably be annoyed by this. But in general, it’s not that big a deal.

If you’re in the market for a new GPS watch, I highly recommend the Nike+ SportWatch GPS – even with the issues I had. No one else seems to get lemons the way I do, and the benefits of this watch — the ease of use, the battery, the look, the website data — are such a delight after my Garmin, and I am extremely happy with my purchase.

Also, Get Tressed has a big launch giveaway going on right now. I actually have that pink hair iron.

Anyway, read my piece on getting my hair styled for free . . . by a student.

I tried it: Student hair styling

Visit bbumodelproject.com for more information on how to join the Bb.U Model Project and get your hair cut, colored and/or styled for free!

When all the life changes happen in between the race and the day of the recap, the race becomes a lot less exciting.

When you remember your PR, the excitement returns.

I signed up for the Scotland Run 10K on a bit of a whim. I just started running again March after taking a break. I only ran one time after the Richmond Marathon, a difficult 8-miler a couple of weeks later, and then it got cold and as Andy told you all, I don’t do cold well.

The weather got warmer in March, so back to the running grind I went. Only this time, something was different.

I was much faster.

Like, MUCH faster. I was always a 10 minute mile runner on average. I’d be happy with a run if I finished in anything under 10 minute miles. A few times, I was able to push myself faster – like the Women’s Mini 10K in June 2010 and the 4 Mile Race to Deliver that November. Both those runs were extreme situations. During the first, I was pissed off and during the second, I was gunning for a PR. During both, I felt like death.

But now, I can run sub-9 minute miles and feel great the entire time.

I’m not entirely sure why this is.

My guess is that my newfound speed (relative, of course – I’m still not an actually FAST runner) comes from a combination of factors – the countless sprints and heart rate bursts at Refine Method, all the miles I logged during marathon training and the nice long rest I gave myself.

I signed up for a few 10ks – one in April, one in May, one in June and I plan to sign up for one in July when registration opens.  My goal was to work up to a PR in the June 10K – the Women’s Mini 10k, exactly two years after my last PR in that race.

Once I realized I was naturally faster, I thought maybe I should try to PR in the Scotland Run. The thing is, I didn’t run very often and I didn’t do any type of training or speedwork. But I also knew, based on my recent runs, that I had it in me.

The night before the race, I was debating if I’d even go or not. I realized it started at 62nd street on the west side. I was at Andy’s old apartment on 95th and 3rd, the complete opposite corner of the park. The thought of spending money on a cab, dealing with coat check, getting back home after didn’t seem appealing. I went to bed not sure if I’d do the race. I made a playlist just in case though.

I woke up still not sure if I’d go, but once I got out of bed it was clear I was racing. I got ready, applied my company’s brand new BB Cream for the first time (I sound like an ad, but I really wanted to test this out at a time I needed SPF but wouldn’t wear real makeup) and headed out. A guy who was clearly also going to the race got on the elevator at a lower floor, and I asked him if he wanted to share a cab with me. Then I banged him.

Just kidding.

We did share the cab though, which made my stress about paying to go to the race disappear. I checked my coat and made it to the start with time to spare. It was a gorgeous, sunny, cool day and once I was around all the other excited runners, I was really happy I made the trek to this race. I felt really, really good.

And we were off.

I completed the first mile in exactly 9:00. That was my slowest mile of the race.

I’m sure you can see where this is going. Especially since I already gave it away in the title.

I seriously felt amazing the entire time. The first mile flew by which is always a good sign, and when I feel good I run faster. Central Park’s hills were rough as always but I pushed through. My iPod Nano got into Shuffle mode a few weeks ago and I forgot to try and fix this before the race. It took me a few songs to realize they were out of order, and once I did I was a little upset because Jesse from Flywheel introduced me to a really fun, fast song during his spin class that I wanted to hear – Press It Up by Sean Paul. I never did get to hear it during this race. But the music was still awesome.

It was around mile 5 that things got tough and I was ready for the race to end, which is funny because that was my fastest full mile of the race. As soon as the last mile started, I got nauseous. Very nauseous. I was pushing my body hard and it was time to be done. But I always finish a  race strong, and this one was no exception. As much as I wanted to really sprint at the end, I did what I could knowing I had my PR.

Official NYRR time: 53:55

Official average pace: 8:42

To put this in perspective, I finished my first 10K in December 2009 in 1:03:22. And my 10K PR before this was 56:05. And I had just taken months off from running and didn’t train. I was beyond elated to finish this race and get my PR! I even walked back home after just to extend my happiness outside.

I also snapped this photo when I got back home to see how my BB Cream held up and also because I was very happy. The cream held up well during the race! I have chronic acne on my chin and you’d never know.

Back on topic.

This race made me crave a half marathon. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find a convenient half anytime soon. They changed my beloved Queens Half Marathon (another surprise PR – I think I’m capable of more than I realize) to a 10K. I’m registered for the Newport Liberty Half Marathon in September (right by my new apartment and directly in front of my office) and the Richmond Half Marathon in November (I loved racing there so much last year, I can’t wait to get back) – and I WILL PR in one of those. If not both.

I just hope this newfound speediness doesn’t disappear as suddenly as it arrived.

I’m glad to be back in the racing game. I’ve said it before – I like racing more than I like running. Although now that I’m consistently getting splits in the 8s, I’m beginning to like running a whole lot more. Seeing improvement is the greatest form of motivation there is.

That said, I absolutely love my new apartment and will leave you with these photos until I can get my shit together to write a proper blog post.

The view from my living room during sunset:

The view from my couch (floor-to-ceiling windows FTW). Watching people play tennis (and basketball at the same time, apparently) along with cricket and other things is like having a second TV, conveniently located right next to the first TV. The second TV actually distracts from the first one, and it never has commercials:

Same view but instead of sitting on my couch, I stood up to take it. The section between the tennis court and playground is side of the pool area. I can see more of it from my bedroom window. Andy hopes to use my dad’s hardcore binoculars to check out girls in bikinis there this summer:

The view from my morning run. I also have a little view of the Hudson River and Manhattan from my apartment, but it didn’t come out great so I’ll have to take it again another time:

Chili’s Bar and Grill is conveniently located just a few blocks from our new home. This pleases Andy very much, as evidenced here on his birthday:

My blog in 3D. Not related to my move, but cool nonetheless:

I’ve been telling Dori that I’d like to write a guest post and seeing that we’re four days from moving in together, this seemed like the ideal time. Since everyone loves lists, I thought I’d give you 10 Random Things You Don’t Know About Dori. But first here’s a bunch of random things about me so you know who I am and all that.

I have known Dori for a year and 11 days, which is probably less time than most of you have been reading her blog. I am going to be 35 next Wednesday and Dori is taking me to my favorite restaurant – Chili’s! I am from Framingham, Mass. On a related note, I’m not one of those people from a suburb of Boston who just say they’re from Boston (instead of the specific town) nor do I know why everyone does that. [Ed. note: Yes, he is]

I sometimes slip into my sexy Dylan McKay whisper voice when I want to seduce Dori (Hey Bren, Hey Kel). I sometimes put on a fake British accent [Ed. note: Does not sound remotely British aside from the use of such words as crumpets] when I want to make Dori laugh. I don’t like chocolate or coffee. I like oatmeal cookies with no raisins and find myself addicted to Diet Snapple Peach Iced Tea. I think Saved by the Bell is overrated and Charles In Charge is underrated. I prefer pools to beaches and Chipotle to Qdoba. I could go on and on about myself … but this isn’t about me. So without further ado…

TEN RANDOM THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT DORI

1. She Watches/Tolerates Sports - I’ll just start with the most important thing since I work in sports and need to watch them for my job (or so I say). It started one innocent summer night when I said to her, “By the way, I spend every Sunday after Labor Day watching football from 1pm to 11pm. And it’ll probably go through the Super Bowl because I feel good about the Patriots this year.” Her response: “OK sounds fun.” Sure, this has something to do with her utter hatred of cold weather (spoiler alert) but it’s better than being cooped on the couch watching Lifetime movies all day. Who am I kidding? I love Lifetime movies. And since you asked, I’m still devastated by the Patriots losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. It sucked enough when it happened in 2007, especially living in NYC, but for it to happen again four years later is just not fair. At least it wasn’t the Jets.
2. She Reads Like A Mofo. But Not Magazines - This may have something to do with her being forced to watch football 10 hours every Sunday, but she buries herself in that Kindle for hours reading book after book. However, put a magazine in front of her and there’s no interest. Zero. And I am talking good girlie magazines I get for free from work like People, In Style, Entertainment Weekly. What girl doesn’t like reading People? Dori, that’s who.
3. Her Apartment Sucks - She’s referenced her 320 square foot paradise in numerous posts and it is quite the spectacle. You walk in, small bedroom with no closet to the left, small bathroom to the right, tiny kitchen in front of you, slightly less small closetless bedroom (technically a living room) off kitchen. That’s it. She’s lived there for six years. I’d say my apartment is roughly 65 percent of the reason she started dating me. Maybe 70. [Ed. note: 95]
4. She Puts Me In Prison - Ladies, I don’t know if you do this to your boyfriend but it is not fun. I’m lying on the couch. Dori is lying on the couch next to me. Dori then subtly positions her body so it’s at a 45-degree angle and her legs are crossing over mine. Then I try to get up to get water or go to the bathroom and I can’t move because Dori’s legs are preventing me from getting up. I call it putting me in prison. I don’t even think she knows she’s doing it. Then she laughs and apologizes so I can’t really get mad. But maybe if I put it in a post on her blog, she’ll stop doing it so much. [Ed. note: No]
5. She Won’t Sing Billy Joel - If I were on a desert island and could only have one CD, Billy Joel wouldn’t be my first choice (it’s probably be Pearl Jam or Neil Young). He wouldn’t be my second choice either (that’d be the underrated ‘Til the Medicine Takes by Widespread Panic). He’d probably be around my 25th choice. But that doesn’t stop me from singing Uptown Girl every time we go to one of our favorite UES hotspots, The Uptown Lounge. Of course, I alter the lyrics to reflect the moment. In other words, Dori will say something like, “We should get that pizza we like from Uptown Lounge.” And I’ll respond with, (in tune of Uptown Girl), “Uptown Lounge. We’re having dinner at the Uptown Lounge. Maybe we’ll have a burger and fries, or something else that rhymes with fries.” I’ve sung this song roughly 50 times in the past six months and she won’t bite. It’s addictive though – I bet you’re singing it to yourself right now. [Ed. note: She will sing Billy Joel, she will not sing Uptown Lounge]
6. She Loves Pajamas – I understand that everyone loves pajamas – they are a sign of being home and comfortable and all that. But nobody gets in their pajamas quicker than Dori. We’ll go out to dinner, return to my apartment and before I’ve even locked the door, she’s got her pajama pants on and regular clothes off. Like 3.6 seconds. It’s impressive. And she always has to make a comment like, “Ugh. I hate clothes.” Apparently, pajamas don’t count as clothes.
7. She Hates the Cold – Well, everyone hates the cold but Dori really hates the cold and uses the months between September and March to remind me of such every day. She also claims to “melt in the rain,” which is somewhat funny because if anything, you’d melt in the sun because it’s so hot. If anything, one would fall apart in the rain. I kind of like the rain, but only when I’m stuck at work because I don’t want anyone to enjoy the nice weather if I can’t.
8. She Loves Beverly Hills 90210 – I already mentioned my sultry Dylan McKay whisper/voice that makes her melt, but it’s more than just Luke Perry. She loves Steve’s blonde mullet and Donna’s bad boob job. She loves Brenda’s bitchiness and Brandon’s impenetrable hair. And frankly, I do too, which is why I current have 36 episodes backlogged on my DVR. But there’s more – since we started dating, we met Ian Ziering in person, talked to Tori Spelling on a Facebook chat and have befriended the great Lacey Chabert. Sure, she was on Party of Five but it’s still impressive.
9. She Loves Hoodies and Yoga Pants –This is her outfit of choice and frankly, I couldn’t be happier. I see way too many girls squeeze into some ridiculously uncomfortable pair of jeans to go out to brunch so the 20 people at the restaurant that she’ll never see again are impressed with how she looks. Not Dori. She could not care less – just throw on some yoga pants and a hoodie and she’s good to go. Though she does look good in yoga pants.
10. She Likes The Refine Method – As she’s written here a million times, she is a big fan of this workout. No matter how crappy she feels before, she always comes back with a big smile on her face. So a few months ago, I decided to give it a shot since it’s such a big part of her life. I’ll never make that mistake again. No offense to Brynn, who is the best fitness instructor in Manhattan but I couldn’t move my legs for three days after the workout and have no desire to do it again. But there’s Dori, going several times a week and kicking ass. Not that I’m completely lazy – Dori has now taken me to four spin classes which is much easier for me. I’ve also walked roughly 10,000 laps around the Reservoir since moving to NYC several years ago. [Ed. note:  Someone who does not run also signed up for a 3 mile race in May]

And there you have it – 10 Random Facts About Dori. And here’s one more – she’s a great girlfriend and an even better roommate (I hope). So if you happen to be in Jersey City and see an amazingly awesome couple walking around like they own the place, that’s probably not us. We’ll be home in pajamas watching a 90210 rerun.

Now that you all know I am neurotic, let’s move on.

I work in Jersey City and when I first learned about this opportunity I said, “Ew!” I actually knew nothing about Jersey City. I worked in the World Financial Center for three years and often looked across the river at JC and wondered what went on there. My former company, Merrill Lynch, even had two offices there which I communicated with but never thought to visit. I didn’t understand who worked there or why.

When my roommate got a job in Jersey City a few years ago I was really surprised. When she quit a few days later, I was not as surprised.

I considered not even coming to my job interview. Jersey City? Stigma.

I don’t know where this stigma came from or why, but when I stepped off the PATH train for my first interview last summer, I was shocked by how pretty, quiet and peaceful it is here. The view of Manhattan over the Hudson River, the prettiness of the neighborhood, the walking path along the water. It was a very short train ride from the city but I felt like I went under a river and into a whole other world.

So when we realized we can’t afford the city, we set out search on Jersey City. Just to look. We spent one weekend in February looking at apartments, thinking we were way too early to look for the May 1 move in we needed. It turns out we weren’t too early, and when we fell in love with an apartment and building right off the PATH stop, that was it.

The building comes with a free membership to Club H gym, which is a really nice gym with fancy treadmills that you plug your iPod into and can watch things on and do other cool things I don’t know about yet since I haven’t actually tried them. The gym has an abundant class schedule which includes spinning and yoga, as well as a steam room and sauna. All for free. I was hoping for a standard apartment building gym, and never could have imaged THIS would be my freebie. Obviously this was a big draw for me. Although I still plan to go into the city after work for Refine a couple times a week. I need my fix.

The other great things about the apartment and the building include a gorgeous outdoor pool and sundeck with grills, a tennis court, on-site dry cleaning, a washer dryer IN MY APARTMENT (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), a dishwasher, four closets – one which is a HUGE WALK-IN, floor to ceiling windows, stainless steel fridge (my current apartment came equipped with a dorm room fridge), a nice entry way into the apartment, a kinda-big bathroom with nice black tiled floors and a normal sized sink (my current sink is mini: lots of splashing occurs), a carpeted bedroom and an overall gorgeous space. The area is fantastic: right off the Grove Street PATH stop by tons of cute restaurants and a couple of blocks from the Hudson River Waterfront and running path, and very close to Liberty State Park where more running can happen.

An apartment like this would be insanely expensive in Manhattan. An apartment with half the amenities and space would still be insanely expensive. Our apartment is actually affordable. You get so much more for so much less money.

[My new running grounds]

And I get to live with my sweet Andy.

There is a lot we are really excited about but of course I have some concerns, and I will list below the things I will and will not miss about living in Manhattan.

Keep in mind that Manhattan is a 5-10 minute PATH train ride away depending on which train I take. Also keep in mind that the people on the PATH are overall less annoying, and I have only seen one beggar in my nine months of riding it. And lastly, keep in mind that I will be living so much closer to the West Side Hudson River running path that’s in Manhattan and by leaving the city, I will actually get to take advantage of this much more than when I lived there. If I want to.

I will also be closer to the far less crowded Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s in Manhattan and be able to do actual shopping at these stores. Right now, where I live, it’s impossible. I find it funny how certain things in Manhattan will be easier for me to get to after I move away than they are when I live there.

[The view of NYC from JC]

Things I will miss about Manhattan

• Taxis
• Late night taxis
• Ease of getting anywhere quickly (in part, thanks to taxis)
• The ability to walk to any store I could possibly need without even crossing a street
• The proximity to Queens, where my mommy lives
• Central Park
• Ease of getting to early morning NYRR races
• Refine Method being a 10-block walk away
• Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot and Bloomingdale’s all being in a three-block radius of my apartment
• Taxis

Things I will not miss about Manhattan

• City taxes (not to be confused with taxis)
  
• The subway
• MetroCards (they never work)
• People on the subways (I hate them all)
• Non-moving lines for stairs (WHY is this a thing?)
• Weekend schedules/construction
• People stepping on my foot (ow)
• Apartments with no space
• Laundromats
• Second Avenue subway construction
• Slow walkers
• The cost of orange juice
• Long waits for brunch
• The air
• The noise
• The price of everything
• Commuting

The stigma of JC is obviously gone, and time seems to be moving so slowly until moving day. My biggest concern (don’t laugh) was not being able to get to Refine as often or easily, but I know I can make it work. Plus I hope to run more often with the river so readily available, which goes well with my plans to PR in a few distances this year. And having an awesome gym right downstairs takes a lot of the edge off.

Time has felt very slow since the day we signed the lease, and these last two weeks are barely crawling. But the fact that I only have one more blog post to write before I move makes it better. Two blogs from now, I’ll be in my new place.

I’m really excited to live like a grownup for the first time. I plan to get matching nightstands that also match the dresser, just like real grownups have in their bedrooms. I also realize that real grownups don’t need to always say how grownup they are, because the whole point of being a grownup is just being one without talking about it. I guess I’m not quite there yet.