Its Up to You New York... New York

New York... it is where i grew up and of course lately, where I find myself heading every three weeks for work. I am not complaining, after all I love it! But with traveling, the training proves to be a little difficult.

But that being said, where there is a will there is a way, right?

Soooo.. i was in NYC for CE Week launching our new CHATSTERS line. She is a pretty cool toy that is super techie and highly interactive, so she is tons of fun to play with. Since she is so techie we thought CE Week with the Tech Gurus was the place to launch and we were right. She was a hit with everyone!

I also found out during this trip that I won the Nike SF Hall Marathon Lottery to participate!! YAY! This will be my FIRST Half Marathon (not including the one part of the half Ironman.) :-) Lets hope my knees are ready for the challenge!

Kotomi (Brand Manager on Chatsters)

Me & Steph

Amazing View of NYC

Me and Brazie

Since I was working all week and flew in straight from training weekend, I forgot to pack a bunch of training gear - bathing suite, extra socks, clothes, etc... but i did bring one biking kit and thankfully, my new sister-in-law is close to my size so i had a bike, shoes and wet-suit to use and i have my brother Marc -- the greatest guy in the world.

On Friday, after a 3 days of missed practices, late night dinners and only a Starbuck's Chai Tea and a mini muffin that morning, Marc and I set out on our 60+mi bike ride from the Upper East Side to Long Island. It was awesome and Marc was awesome for many reasons. 1.) He took of work to bike with me. 2.) He had only biked about 20mi this season and was committing to 60. and 3) He put up with me stopping for photos and video and FOOD! :-)

Marc & I. - The Start

We started at 75th & 1st... this was taken at 68th & York

Now..I have grown up on Long Island and have spent many many days and nights in the city, but I can honestly tell you, biking through it gives it a waaay better perspective.

First of all, it is crazy dangerous. We were biking the wrong way on one way streets, rolling through stop lights and stop signs all with the blessing of the police!! One cop actually said, "Why are you Stopping?? i said because it is a light.-- he said do you see any cars... Just GO"... i was shocked and the entire time, all i heard was Coach Riz in my head about safety and thought she would die if she was on this route! :-)

I don't know what is up with the sound... but this is us just before we got on the FDR.

Before the FDR

This is us on the Bike path next to the FDR

View from the Bike path next to the FDR of the 59th Street & Brooklyn Bridges

Law & Order BABY!!

The Court House

Now the craziest part of this whole bike ride is I am a 36 year old native New Yorker and I have NEVER been on the Brooklyn Bridge. Isn't that crazy!?!?! I think so. and PS.. this is where Marc proposed to Christy. :-)

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge Marc

View from Booklyn Bridge

Cruising along the Hudson River

Verrazano Bridge Ahead - Hudson River on the Right and Marc

So.. as we embarked on our journey Friday afternoon, I was starving. My nutrition plan for this ride went ride out the window. I only had an iced chai tea and a mini muffin before the ride, so needless to say, i was hungry! :-) So after about 20 miles when we made it to Coney Island, I inhaled a Nathan's Hot dog and a Coke and it was amazing! To be honest, I probably could have had 5 Hot Dogs, but I knew that wouldn't be the best. ... but I have to tell you .. it was GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!! YUM! Marc of course was laughing at me... it was quite funny.

Collage of photos of the Brooklyn Bridge and Coney Island

Nathan's... Obvi ... at Coney Island

Heaven on a Bun

Coney Island

After Coney Island, we made our way through the Rockaways and onto Long Island. It was seriously gorgeous and fun.

Marine Pkwy

Marine Pkwy - Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge

Marine Pkwy - Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge -- Overlooking Breezy Point where my mom went as a kid.

Rockaways.

I don't know how Marc was able to lead the charge but he did and for that i am thankful. We were slow moving for most of the ride, only going about 10mi per hour.. so our overall journey was 6hrs... not ideal. But we did it and the memories will last a lifetime.

The END... Lindenhurst, Long Island.

THANKS MARC!!

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to convince a few friends to hit the beach near my hometown. It was beautiful. The water was so warm that after swimming .5 miles.. i had to take my wetsuit off and to swim the remaining .5mi.. i could not believe how hot it was.

Marc & I... we are soooo tough!

After the swim.. we headed over to Ocean Beach, Fire Island. It was so nice and amazing and sooo nostalgic. i was able to see all my buddies, soak up the amazing sunset and have a blast. it was awesome! Thanks to my Bay Shore crew for letting me twist their arm into hanging that night. :-)