#24 Run a race

As you know from last year's challenge, I got injured in 2009 running a half marathon and have been very scared to run since.  Last year I ran a 5K with my brother-in-law, and felt like I could finally start running again.

So this year, my goal was to #24 Run another race of longer distance than a 5K... but then the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing happened, and I got invited to participate in the first annual 9/11 Memorial Run/Walk on behalf of my firm, and it just clicked.

This would be my race.

The Boston Marathon bombings were horrific for many... I couldn't imagine training for months and almost completely 26.2 miles to be cut short.  I couldn't imagine my friends and family coming to cheer me on only to have their lives cut short or lose a limb.

But the bombings didn't scare me, or many other runners out there, from ever running again.  In fact, I went running that night.  And then again later in the week.

And, on Sunday, April 21, I ran in solidarity for Boston, and in memorium of the 2800+ people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

My friend Elizabeth also ran with me!

Elizabeth runs on a frequent basis, but I kept cautioning here that I might need to stop.  I hadn't run 3.1 miles without stopping since 2009, and I didn't want to push my body/bones and end up injured, again.

But I was so inspired by the beautiful day, the NYPD, SWAT teams and bomb-sniffing dogs every 20 yards, as well as memories of Boston and 9/11, that I didn't want to stop.  I didn't want to let anyone down.  Those people could no longer do it, but I would do it for them.

At the finish line, which is a ladder from an FDNY fire truck!!!!

So we ran 3.1 miles without stopping, at a ~10 minute/mile pace, finishing in 31 minutes.  At Mile 1, mile 1.5, and mile 2, I kept thinking about stopping and walking for a minute, and how I didn't want to push my body that much, but I kept reminding myself that I felt fine.  I felt great, in fact.  The old endorphin feeling came back. And I just kept going, inspired by police officers applauding for me, when I should be applauding for them, as they were guarding us and keeping us safe.

Elizabeth and I at the finish, with the new Freedom Tower behind us (poor lighting!)

As I crossed the finish line, I raised my arms high above my head, feeling proud at completing my own personal challenge.

Afterwards, we visited the 9/11 Memorial.  And can I just say, SO WELL DONE.  This memorial and museum are still under construction, but the sense of sadness, awe, and remembrance are present.

In the footprint of each of the fallen towers is a fountain that makes you feel like it is bottomless:

Along the pool, every single person that perished on 9/11, as well as in the WTC bombings in 1993, are etched into steel.  I walked the perimeter, just reading the names of so many people, thinking about them and their lives - how many people must have loved them.  There were several instances of "... and her unborn child" attached to the name of a woman.  Powerful, and so incredibly sad.

Visiting the memorial after running in memorium of those that were needlessly killed was an incredible experience, one that reinforced all the reasons why I chose to ran. 

And so this challenge, one that started 9 months ago, before I even knew there would be a memorial race, or that the Boston bombings would happen, was perfectly fulfilled in a powerful and meaningful way.  Crazy how life works out sometimes...

Parsnip and kale hash with farro and red onion

I always enjoy cooking with new foods.  This recipe intrigued me because it called for farro and sunchokes, two ingredients I've never worked with before... so off to the store I went, and unfortunately I couldn't find sunchokes, but I did find farro, so I went ahead with making this recipe and guessed that I could substitute parsnips for sunchokes... which is why my recipe is titled Parsnip and kale hash with farro and red onion.

This is an excellent side dish - you have kale and red onion as the "fresh" ingredients to complement the starchiness of the farro and parsnip, with the meatiness of the oyster mushrooms to add the right touch!

Here's how I made it:


Start by cooking the farro according to the package directions (~20 minutes)...

...meanwhile, using a mandolin, slice the parsnips into equal thickness, add them to a separate pot of boiling water to cook...

...slice the red onions...

...sautee the red onions in the bottom of a big pot...

...add the kale to the big pot and steam it until darker green...

...slice the oyster mushrooms, remove the steamed kale/onions from heat.  Add the cooked parsnip (by now you should have removed it from heat and drained the excess!), and also add the oyster mushrooms and cooked farro, as well as seasoning. Stir to mix well...

...voila.  A fresh, hearty side dish!!!

Here's the full recipe!

Parsnip and kale hash with farro and red onion
Slightly adapted from Food & Wine magazine's recipe

Serves 10

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup farro
• 2 1/2 pounds large parsnips, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
• Salt
• 1 pound Tuscan kale, tough stems discarded
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil blended with 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 small red onion, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 pound oyster mushrooms, halved if large
• Freshly ground pepper

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, cover the farro with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, cover and cook over low heat until the farro is tender, about 25 minutes. Drain the farro.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cover the sunchokes with water and add a pinch of salt. Boil until the sunchokes are tender, 10 minutes; drain. Slice the sunchokes 1/4 inch thick.
3. Fill the large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the Tuscan kale and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain the kale and let cool slightly. Squeeze out any excess liquid from the kale leaves and then coarsely chop them.
4. In a small skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the blended oil. Add the red onion and a pinch of salt and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 12 minutes.
5. In a nonstick skillet, melt the butter in 2 tablespoons of the blended oil. Add the sunchokes in an even layer and cook over high heat until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Turn the sunchokes, reduce the heat to moderately high and continue cooking until starting to brown, about 2 minutes. Push the sunchokes to the side of the skillet.
6. Add 1 more tablespoon of the oil and the oyster mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until browned, 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil along with the farro, kale and onion and cook, stirring, until hot. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

  

A story: "Freaking out with joy"

You may have noticed a theme in some of my posts... a reference to the phrase "Freaking out with joy".  I think it may be helpful to explain where this came from so you understand why it's so meaningful to me.

About a year ago, I attended a phenomenal Women's leadership conference in New York City.  The organizers put together a phenomenal lineup of incredibly successful females, and each speaker was better than the last... I learned so much, felt so empowered, and was mentally and physically rejuvenated.

One of the most impactful things that I still remember to this day, almost a year later, is a story told by Betsy Myers. She was recounting how her daughter, Madison, who, at the age of four, was enrolled in soccer, ballet, piano and other after school activities.  At one point, Madison begged her mother "Mommy, please don't overschedule me!"

Mom (Betsy) said OK and backed off... Finally, at age six, Madison decided she wanted to be a dancer... while trying on leotards, Madison turned to her mother, hopping up and down from excitement, glowing and grinning from ear to ear, and exclaimed "Mommy, this is what I want to do.  I am freaking out with joy!"

....

I feel so strongly that we should all be "freaking out with joy" in our lives...  If we're not "freaking out with joy," we need to find something that makes us "freak out with joy." 

This story hit me to the core.  It took me several more months to truly realize why, but this one simple phrase from a six year old became my new personal mantra.

Those four words are so powerful and yet so simple.  Of COURSE I should be happy!  Of COURSE I should be excited to do what I want to do!  Of COURSE I should love my life!!! Naturally!

And yet... so many of us live our lives, day to day, ignoring the big picture, and brushing off maybe not unhappiness, but not quite happiness, either... 

As you know, I began to plan out what I needed to do to correct why I wasn't happy, and what I needed to do to be happy.  And I'm making my change.

So that's why I love the phrase, and why I, just like everyone else, deserve to be "freaking out with joy."  

#15 Ride on the back of a motorcycle

Last year I went skydiving for my birthday, and I didn't tell my parents about it until after I landed safely on the ground.  Well, #15 Ride on the back of a motorcycle is another thing I did that I didn't tell my parents about until I was safely home :)

And just like skydiving, it was awesome.  On a hot, sunny day, there is nothing better than riding around, enjoying a beautiful breeze... And, as you now know, I'm moving to Florida! One of the most anxiety-ridden events of moving is figuring out where to move to... so what better way to see the sights than on the back of a motorcycle???

Lucky for me, I have friends....

...Steeler Nation friends!!!  I met Dennis on Twitter... he was one of the first people who followed me and who I followed back... and his story is pretty cool.  He was living in Wisconsin, hating on the weather (sound familiar?!?) and then one day, he decided to move to Florida.  I've been jealous of him ever since.  We met up in 2011 when I was visiting friends in Fort Lauderdale, and luckily he was available to meet up again when I was in Fort Lauderdale a few weeks ago for work.  I asked him to do me a huge favor... drive me around on his motorcycle and show me the Florida coast!

Posing with Dennis's bike

Pretending I'm the one driving (Don't worry Dad! Just playing!)

Luckily Dennis was game.  He also has many many years of riding experience, so I was perfectly safe.  Despite the pics above which make it look like I was driving, below is proof that I actually was behind him... my reflection (as well as amazing palm trees) in the reflection of Dennis's helmet!!

Here are some images of what I saw during the ride...

 Love this too... beautiful trees providing much needed shade!!!

We spent pretty much all day, riding from Fort Lauderdale up to Palm Beach and back down to Fort Lauderdale Beach.  The first 30 minutes or so on the bike, I held on by bear hugging him.  Seriously.  And then I started to get more comfortable, and was able to sit upright and simply put my hands on his shoulders for balance.

It started to get cold... lucky Dennis had a leather jacket for me to borrow!

It was the perfect way to see the sights... we rode up and down the A1A, enjoying the beautiful weather, seeing the sights... and more importantly, it helped me decide exactly where I wanted to live.

I'm taking my talents to Palm Beach!

Which was further verified on my first day back in Hoboken when it started snowing... and this image was sent around...

True :)  I'm trying Florida!!!

Thanks Dennis!

3 months left!

Crazy to think that this time last year, I was announcing the first challenge - 30 things to do before I turn 30 in 3 months!  As you know, I loved it so much that I kept going... 

Nine months in to the second challenge, I've accomplished a lot... and yet still have so much more to do before July 7, 2013!  Also, I keep finding new things to add to the list... so of course, I'm keeping track of them for the next challenge (32 things to do before I turn 32??  LOL!)

With just three months to go (in the midst of relocating my life!!), here are the things on my list that I've completed, things that are a work in progress, and things where I need your help:

Completed: 13 items!!!

Work in progress: 11 items!!

I need your help:

• #2 Teach a spin class - I got certified last year but haven't taken a class in MONTHS... so this one is not looking realistic... can I change this to something else???  Take my poll by April 30, 2013 to tell me what you think I should change it to!!! 
• #6 Participate in a Flash Mob - I joined a Flash Mob meetup site, but I want someone to do this with me... any "dancers" out there interested? 
• #8 Become conversational in Spanish  - you would think this one would be easy given several family members are fluent... but geesh we're busy people... so I need y'all to help a sister out! (I tried a Pimsleur box set, but I don't need to start with the basics on what "Hola" means... I just need to PRACTICE!)
• #12 Do a Tough Mudder / Warrior dash type of race - I need a team to join!!  And a race... willing to travel... thoughts?!?
• #17 Eat at another 3 star Michelin restaurant - I want to go to Per Se.  Who's in for a crazy expensive meal?!?!  Shenana?? :) 
• #22 Hang out at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Rooftop Bar - opening in May, who wants to spend the afternoon at the museum and top it off with a celebratory cocktail? 
• #30 Learn how to change the tire on a car - good news is that I will be purchasing a car when I move to Palm Beach... but anyone know of any classes?  Or are we just thinking youtube is the way to go?

So if you're willing to help with any of the above... let me know!  As you now know, I'm moving to Palm Beach end of May, which means we only have six weeks to get together in NYC... and six weeks to finish the rest while I'm in FLORIDA!!!

#31 Do something crazy

I’ve been needing a drastic change in my life for a while now… I love living and working in the NYC area, but I’ve been here for almost nine years... that’s a long freaking time.   

I’ve wanted a change for several years, but have felt tied down, maybe even paralyzed, by my current situation… and let’s be honest, I’ve also been afraid of changing my situation because I’ve grown so comfortable with it… it’s very easy to keep living a life that you’re “just OK with” because there is really nothing wrong with it, but you’re also not at your happiest for whatever reason… maybe it’s the job, or the apartment you’re living in, or the people you’re around, or the location of the country you live in.


Companies always have mission statements, visions, and strategic plans for how to achieve their goals... why not apply that same concept to our personal lives?  So I sat down, browsed the internet for questionnaires and advice to help me figure out what would make me happy, and after a few hours of looking for someone to tell me what to do, I was just brutally honest with myself… what am I "just OK" about right now? What have I always dreamed of? What do I want to achieve? What’s my mission?


And during this process, I also wrote down all the reasons/excuses for why I felt I couldn't have what I wanted... and then I began working on breaking each reason down, one. by. one.  It took a lot of time, as well as some hard decisions, but once I started making the moves to propel my life in a different direction, I started to gain momentum and excitement, and well… 


#31 on my list: I'm doing something crazy:

• I'm selling my apartment (for a bit of a loss).
• I’m taking a job that is 2-3 steps backwards from a responsibility standpoint (and also a giant paycut).
• And I'm freaking moving to Florida.  

Three giant, crazy decisions, right? Yeah. Here's how I look at it though: Last year, I had the privilege of hearing Peyton Manning speak, and he talked about his decision to go to college at UTennessee instead of his dad's alma mater, UMississippi.  One of the things that Peyton said that resonated with me was that, whatever decision you make in life, you do whatever you can to make that decision the right one.  Any reporter (or friend, in my case) that says "I don't think you're making the right decision...", well, do whatever it takes to make whatever decision you make be the right one at the end of the day. Peyton worked hard, and made the decision to go to Tennessee the right one, and no one, at the end of the day, had the opportunity to say it wasn't the right decision. 

I'm not going to let anything stop me.  I'm going to make this work, come hell or high water.  This new job, even though a "downgrade" from my current career trajectory, is going to open me up to a new world of possibilities and a completely new career trajectory... and hopefully be a huge upgrade.  Sometimes you have to take a step back to go two steps forward.
 
So why move to Florida?  When I envision happiness, I envision warm weather and sun 365, easy access to the beach, the sound of the ocean, sundresses, flip flops, a Jacuzzi dip at night to gaze up at the stars, rollerblading on incredibly flat sidewalks, and eating fresh shrimp cocktail for happy hour. All that is found in Florida.  I'm meant to be there, and I've wanted to move there for YEARS.

Even though it might be crazy, now that I've made "THE DECISION" to take my talents to Palm Beach, I'm literally freaking out with joy.  

So... what do you think?!?!