So the past week, I’ve been eating and running my way through NYC…which is what I do all the time. However, this past week was one of the most exciting in a while, because I just found out that I am a REFUEL with Chocolate Milk-sponsored athlete!! I entered an online contest back in August where I submitted a video about refueling with chocolate milk as my “after” ritual, garnered support from friends, colleagues, and family, and campaigned for votes from 9/5-9/30! I just got the news last week that I was one of the top 5 vote-getters for September in this contest, and I won a sponsorship package!! I won a $500 check and $315 worth of running gear, plus a chance to compete in a phase 2 contest for a trip to run in Europe, OR appear in a chocolate milk ad! Here’s to hoping!! Thank you so much to all my friends and supporters for voting…I couldn’t have done it without you!
See how happy I am?
Me with the Nesquik bunny. Love chocolate milk!
That’s my new friend, the Nesquik Bunny, at the Rock ‘n’ Roll NY 10K on 10/13–my first race as a Team REFUEL-sponsored athlete. I only submitted my official paperwork mere days before, but I met up with the Team REFUEL people and even got interviewed by journalist Toni Senecal for Toni On! about why I like chocolate milk so much. I have no idea when it aired but if I find it online I’ll let you know! My friends Diane and Deb were in town for the weekend, so they came out to visit Brooklyn and we ran the race together. The weather was chilly but great for running. For the first time in over a year, I ran a personal best for a 10K– 50:32 or 8:08 min/mile pace! I shaved 1:30 off my 10K time! It must be the chocolate milk 🙂 I definitely had a bounce in my step when I found out the news that I was sponsored.
Here are my finishing stats (some of my best):
Overall: 549/4187
Div: 49/792
Gender: 167/2769
So after the race, Deb, Diane and I headed to DUB (Down Under Bakery) Pies to have some yummy Australian-style meat pies. I got the classic mince pie and it was flaky and delicious.
I’m going in reverse chronological order here…
Rewind to Sunday, 10/7/12–I ran the Staten Island Half Marathon, part of the NYRR Five-Borough series. I went into this race wanting to test my fitness for my upcoming Marine Corps Marathon. I knew I was capable of running a good time on this fast course, but I knew it would hurt. A lot. It’s really hard for me to run a PR (personal record) in a half-marathon because I have run so many of them, and sometimes I zone out instead of “attacking” the course. Does that ever happen to you, fellow runners? Regardless, I knew that my teammates from the Dashing Whippets Running Team would be bringing their A-game, so I had to represent!
Lisa running the Staten Island half (photo by Ben Ko)
The course was mostly flat, out-and-back, with just a few inclines. My legs were burning but I kept a pretty steady pace. I felt good and I was inspired by all my Whippet teammates giving me a thumbs-up. I was really happy when I saw Ben with his camera! With about 1 mile left I knew I had to push hard to PR–no faltering the final mile!
I was the proud owner of a new personal best–1:52:34 for a half-marathon! It was an average of 8:36 a mile, shaving off 1:00 off my previous best. Yay! I ran a 10K split of 53:02, and it hurt with still more than 10K left to go! It was great seeing Takashi, Anthony (also a Team Refuel athlete) and Warren at the finish line.
We got sweet medals and the satisfaction of having run a half marathon before some of our buddies woke up at 10:30am 🙂 It started to rain, and Takashi drove me and Warren to Brooklyn in search of the best brunch at Rose Water. I love this place–and even though there was a wait, it was worth it. Don’t you think?
I had the fried swordfish cake with salad and two poached eggs, plus a steaming mug of apple cider. It was all for $15! Shhh don’t tell too many people about this place–it’s popular enough!
So to reward myself the few days after the race, on Wednesday 10/10, I treated myself to a great lunch at the Cinnamon Snail Lunch Truck. It’s a vegan truck famous for its spicy Korean-style tofu burgers and vanilla bourbon donuts. The same day, Deb, Diane and I made a pilgrimage to Totto Ramen. Yes, this is the temple of ramen with an ever-present line of salivating foodies. We waited a little under an hour–and it was worth it! I got the medium spicy ramen with pork, and I liked it! I give it 4/5 stars. I still like Ippudo better, but that’s just me.
Totto ramen
On Thursday, 10/11, to cap off an exciting week, Teresa and I attended a benefit for the Audubon Society at the beautiful Bowery Hotel. There were passed hors d’ouvres from Sonnier & Castle, unlimited open bar, a silent auction, and some celeb guests. One of them was Carlos Falchi, the Brazilian handbag designer. We chatted a bit, and I took a photo with him–nice guy! His daughter Juliet is on the Audubon Young Members committee, and she was one of the co-organizers of the benefit.
Me and Carlos Falchi
I went to this event two years ago and had an amazing time. In 2010 it was at the Ace Hotel, and I walked away with an amazing gift bag (thanks Gilt City!) that included over $400 worth of product (including a Carlos Falchi faux-snakeskin handbag, Brooklyn Boulders climbing passes, Essie nail polish, a v.fraas woven scarf, and more). This time, the gift bag was less elaborate but the silent auction was even more amazing.
Mini owl at the Audubon Benefit!
Me and Teresa
Teresa won two silent auction items and I won my favorite lot–Ivanka Trump red heels and a gorgeous deep pink Carlos Falchi clutch (let’s just say I got a heckuva deal, and all the money went towards charity!). That alone–and the chicken curry tacos and tomato basil mini-tarts–was a great highlight of the night.
We ended the night going to Teresa’s friend’s birthday event at Pegu Club (happy birthday Chris!), where we tried Earl Grey MarTEAnis and scallop burgers. I think I ran enough to indulge this week!
Lisa Runs on Ramen 