Race Report: South Nyack 10 Miler

Posted on September 21, 2013 by chezsylvia

South Nyack 10 miler

South Nyack 10 Miler, September 8, 2013

This is actually my second year running this race, which means I like it enough to make room for it in my calendar on the second Sunday in September.

It’s a nice distance.  Long enough to not be very comfortable, but short enough to race it if you feel up to pushing that pace.  Just be aware that it’s a couple of good up hill climbs in those last couple of miles.

The route is an out an back route, with just a couple of minor changes between how you start and where you finish (the hills!).  The field size is pretty good.  I would call it a small/medium size race.

The elevation is mostly flat and the water stops are plenty.  You do get some pretty good views of the Hudson and of the very nice houses that occupy that prime real estate.

Parking is street parking, and there was a street fair going on in town…again!  Every time I’m in Nyack, there is a street fair!  It’s actually a pretty decent street fair with a good variety of vendors to browse.  But it does limit the amount of parking available.  So get there early!  Also, have cash on hand if you plan on re-fueling with one of the crazy pancake combinations at Strawberry Place (WBC reviewed!).  It’s just a short walk from the finish, but it is a cash only establishment, and we couldn’t find a Chase, Citibank or HSBC anywhere in the area.  I ended up at Lulu’s Cafe since an errand needed to be run at the Palisades Mall.

Lulu's Cafe

Last year when I did this race, I had to make it in an hour and a half due to the fact I had to be showered, changed and standing outside Momofuku Noodle Bar at exactly 12pm for my fried chicken reservation (epic and totally worth it).  I was on the tail end of training for an upcoming marathon, so a 10 mile sprint was tough, but I was trained up for it.

This year was a bit different.  After a humid summer, cutting back on the running, and just one terrible race after another, I wasn’t so sure I would be able to repeat.  I was looking at maybe finishing in 1h45min.  So, imagine my surprise when I saw the clock reading 1:31 as I was crossing.  One year later and I was only 1 minute slower.

Not too shabby!  I’m making my comeback!

 

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Bourbon Chocolate Chip Cookies Version 2.0

Posted on September 17, 2013 by chezsylvia

Chocolate Chip Bourbon Cookies

Another example why it really is a miracle I am still running around in one piece:

This morning as I crossed a busy street which had a curbed median, fully loaded with a gym bag and my Crossfit bag.  As I hopped off the curb, my shoe came loose and I ended up semi tripping over myself while my catching leg totally gave out on me.  In an attempt to not fall completely down (while the stopped morning rush traffic all watched intently), I somehow managed to divert all muscle strength to the leg that gave out and right myself as awkwardly as possible.

It was a beautifully spastic landing.  And now my knee is bothering me.

I need a cookie.

Bourbon Chocolate Chip Cookie Version 2.0
(adapted from America’s Test Kitchen Family Baking Book)

To make this, I just took my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and added bourbon and cinnamon to the mix, while making some usual ChezSylvia adjustments.

Ingredients:

10 2/3 oz (2 cups + 2 tablespoons) all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (browned is even better) and cooled
1/2 cup-ish light brown sugar
1/4 cup-ish white sugar
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
5 tablespoons bourbon
about 6 oz mini semi sweet chocolate chips
a good handful of chopped walnuts (amazing if they were toasted)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325 degF.

Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon

In the mixer bowl, beat together the butter and sugars till smooth.

Beat in egg and egg yolk and bourbon.  Do this on the slowest speed.  It sloshes a bit.

Stop the mixer, and pour in the flour mixer.  Again on the slowest speed, mix until it all just comes together.

Take it out of the mixer and add chocolate chips and walnuts and fold in by hand till combined.

I like my cookies bite size, so scoop out desired sized dough balls and roll and drop onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Pop into the oven for 12 minutes.  Start checking at this point.  Once the bottoms are just starting to brown, take them out and let them sit on the hot sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool the rest of the way.

Devour.  Bourbon + ginger ale on ice optional, but recommended.

Chocolate Chip Bourbon Cookies

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What I Did This Summer. A Wrap Up of Sorts.

Posted on September 11, 2013 by chezsylvia

Piano in the Park

It seemed like yesterday I made my Ode to Summer.

Just as summer unofficially came to a close, we seem to be in the midst of a reminder that it is not officially over.  Technicalities really, but close enough.

Fireworks 7/3/2013

How did I spent those fleeting hot and mostly humid months of summer’s past?  By taking full advantage.

Coconut Cheesecake Bar

There was not much fun in the kitchen, as illustrated by the horrid lack of cooking related posts these past few months.  This summer has been humid.  Humid makes warm days feel hot and breathing feel like a chore as opposed to a task.  The oven stayed off and cooking was lazy and minimal. Although I was able to summon up the strength to make some coconut cheesecake bars, coconut ice cream, and bourbon chocolate chip cookies (Version 2.0 is in the works!).

WM Burger Beer Bash 2013

Even though I didn’t create, I did enjoy creations by others.  I tested out my iron stomach and attended the Westchester Magazine Burger and Beer Bash.  Turns out there was a food borne illness passed around along with the burgers and a special treat.  Thankfully my iron stomach saved me from the worst of it.

Trophy

I fine tuned my cat herding skills and captained a kickball team made up of co-workers and friends.  I put that MBA to work and practiced the many management theories I paid so much to learn but never really had the opportunity to apply.  As reluctant as I was to take on this role, I’m glad I did.  I had fun and I’m sure many have now seen a side of me that doesn’t normally show itself around people I work with.  Good thing or bad thing?  Who knows?

The best part about it?  Even under new management we were able to win the summer season!!  That competitive part of me is pretty thrilled about that.

Beach Boxes

I didn’t get to travel much over the summer. However, I did manage to squeeze in a long weekend trip out to Rhode Island with a friend.  A very much needed break that came at the perfect time.

Riverside Park 5K

This summer will go down in my short term memory as one of the most humid summers ever.  Or maybe it felt that way because every single time I went out for a run, it was unbearable.  I continued racing though.  I have logged in one of my worst performances (Putnam 8 Miler) and a couple of surprisingly good ones (Riverside Park 5K series).  As the fall racing season picks up, it’ll be interesting to see how I fare as I continue to try to solve the paradox that is balancing Crossfit with longer distance running.  Can it be done?  Or is it all a farce?  I haven’t decided.

On the front porch

Even though summer was sometimes lazy and hazy, my camera stayed busy.  It traveled to Brooklyn for some night photography, Rhode Island to gaze upon the sailboats, Governors Island for some fun with vintage french carnival rides, Syracuse for some modern day fair action, and many other random adventures.

Manhattan at night

All in all, I say this summer was productive, which is probably why it just flew by so quickly!  But no time to be wistful about those warm summer nights watching the last of the daylight slowly fade away as I abided my early bed times or relaxing in a metal patio chair enjoying the cool night breeze while dining al fresco without a care in the world.

Dinner at The Bridge restaurant

Fall is upon us, filled with its own unique adventures just waiting to happen!

Morning Fog

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Race Report: Stratton Faxon New Haven 20K

Posted on September 2, 2013 by chezsylvia

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$1.50 tacos from one of the taco trucks on Long Wharf Drive (right off exit 46 of I-95), devoured using the trunk of my car as a table while looking out onto the water made this race worth the 1 hour 15 minute drive to and later, from, New Haven, Connecticut.  What can I say?  I’m food driven.

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I heard about this race from a fellow runner at work.

I somehow signed up for this race while feeling guilty for chowing down on some honey peanut butter chocolate chip cookies that did not come out as planned (yup, I like to eat my mistakes before anyone finds out).

I neglected to realize that a 20K is just less than a mile short of a full half marathon.  My training has fallen by the wayside.  Summer, it seems, got away from me, and my running has followed.  I was not as ready as I should have been.

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But there I was, at the start line with a really cool race number (2222!) hoping my legs were up for this.  They had to be.  There really wasn’t a choice about finishing, although how I finished was up to them.

The weather was overcast, warm (upper 70’s to almost 80), and 1000% humidity.  I know, there isn’t such thing, but let’s just say it was so humid, there was a constant mist/drizzle that made it feel like I was running through a swamp.  So, not the best racing conditions.

The whole event itself was very well organized.  Parking was available in one of two lots very close to the start/finish. The lot I chose (Crown Street lots) costed me $5.

There were enough porta-potties, the start was easy to find and everyone for the most part lined up pretty well according to planned pace.  There are a lot of people, but not so much that you are constantly shoulder to shoulder.  After the first couple of miles, it starts to spread out a bit, so you have some room, but you are never alone.

The course was pretty flat, with a couple of hills, although nothing too challenging.  The water stops were plenty, fully stocked with gatorade, water, and very enthusiastic volunteers handing them out.

Judging by how many people I saw drop like flies from horribly painful cramps in their legs towards the end of the race, water stops were a must.  Even I started having some issues in the last couple of miles, and I was taking more water than I thought I needed.  Endurolytes are my best friends.

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The post race food was pretty amazing.  There was beer, a whole loaf of bread, apples, bananas, yogurt and frozen yogurt bars.  I had a little picnic at my car as I tended to some cramping issues (next time, I’m taking the elevator…the stairs only bring on additional pain)  and de-grossified enough to look like somewhat like a lady before I drove off to find the taco trucks.

My performance wasn’t that great.  I took more walking breaks than I would have liked, and generally just felt terrible throughout the whole race.  Was it the humidity?  Maybe.  Was it the poor training?  Mostly.  Was it that I was no longer as young as I used to be, and shouldn’t be pushing myself like this anymore?  I think so.

But alas…Nyack 10 miler is in less than a week.  I somehow never learn 🙂

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Weekend Adventures: New York State Fair

Posted on August 31, 2013 by chezsylvia

Chicken Nuggets

Maybe it is because Syracuse is in the same state, but it never occurred to me that the drive to Syracuse was longer than a drive to Cape Cod, and yet, I would never go to the Cape, on a whim, for a day.  But I would, and did for Syracuse.  Kids, New York State is huge.

I went to Syracuse to visit the New York State Fair.  I’ve been a resident of New York State my whole life, and yet, I don’t think I’ve ever been to the fair.  That needed to be remedied.  Plus I heard rumors of deep fried gummy bears.  I had to see this for myself.

Lost Kid Tag

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Weekend Adventures: Fete Paradiso on Governors Island

Posted on August 25, 2013 by chezsylvia

Governor's Island

One of these days I will travel afar solo.  People who have done it swear it’s the best thing ever.  I believe them, but I am also not a brave soul and fear the unknown, especially when alone.  Something to work.

This weekend, I took took a solo trip of sorts.  I figured I start small and explore something new but familiar, alone.  I decided to be one with the tourists and go wander around Governors Island on an absolutely gorgeous Saturday afternoon.

Me and everyone else in New York apparently.

The main reason why I chose Governors Island for this weekend’s adventure was the Fete Paradiso exhibit happening until the end of September.  It was a collection of vintage French carnival rides.  Some were operational that you can ride for $3.  A few were for display only, and there was also food, drink and live entertainment.  All French of course.  I figured it would all make for some fun photographs.

French Pendants

For all the photos I took…check them out here!

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Race Report: Riverside Park Summer Series 5K

Posted on August 23, 2013 by chezsylvia

Riverside Park 5K

You know you love an activity/hobby/sport/what not, when you start trying to get other people to come do it with you. I love running, and for a couple of years have been trying to get people at work to run with me.

I had no takers. No one wanted to run at 6am in the morning and no one wanted to run with me at all.  Apparently I am intimidating.  Although I don’t really see why…

This year our company was unable to secure a spot into the annual corporate challenge. It’s New York City, spots go super fast.

To make up for the lack of the corporate challenge, someone approached me about starting an unofficial running club to race together and was wondering if I knew of any post work races that took place in Manhattan.

I did. I had seen in one of the few email blasts I actually read something about a Riverside Park 5K Summer Series run by NYCruns.com.  They hold very well organized races.  Always curious, I figured this fit the bill.

Using all the shameless marketing skills I have acquired through my marketing of the Westchester Breakfast Club, I was able to get the word out.

The first race we participated in was on July 24.  Registration starts at 6, race starts at 7PM.

There were three people from work signed up (including myself). It was fun.  I beat the other two boys and ran my second fastest 5K ever.  I’m a morning runner, so afternoon races are a bit rough for me.  I was still surprised with how I did.  It had been about 3 years since I ever raced just a straight up 5K, and to come in 3 seconds faster than last time just proves that getting older is just a state of mind.

The course is very nice. It’s an out and back course that takes place on the path of the park.  It’s hilly, but not Westchester hilly. It’s a narrow path, but there aren’t a lot of racers, so you spread out quickly, and there aren’t a lot of pedestrians on the paths, so it’s not like you have to keep dodging people the whole time.

The race takes place around the 108th street entrance to the park.  Parking is very easy to find at 6PM (we always arrived around 6, so I can’t speak for the parking situation after).

The race is super low key with just a single water table at the start/finish.  They pour out a bunch of cups of water before the start so you have something to sip on while you wait.  They also put out a really nice spread of random fruits during the finish. Grapes post run are the best.

There are bathrooms under the Hudson Beach Cafe which are pretty clean for NYC park standards.  I was even able to change in it once with no big issues.

A low key race that just costs just $10 (online and race day…no service fee!) means you get no t-shirt.  But you do get a bib with a chip for electronic timing. Fancy.

The second time we ran it, one person in our trio changed.  This time I lost, but clocked in about 20 seconds faster than the last time.

The third time, it was me and another co-worker who hadn’t done it before.  Actually it was more of a family affair as his brother joined in on the fun, while some members of the family came out to cheer us on!  The course, being an out and back within the park makes it very spectator friendly too!

All in all, I would call it a success. I ran with 4 different co-workers, and we all had a blast.  Maybe next summer we’ll get more people to join us!  Maybe we’ll get some t-shirts made!

But for sure, we will be back!

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Something Quick for Summer: Figs and Peaches and Tomatoes, Oh My!

Posted on August 19, 2013 by chezsylvia

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It’s now the tail end of summer.

It’s dark now at 5:30am.  Pretty soon I’ll have to wear my reflective running belt again.  I’m not ready for that yet!

With the summer quickly wrapping up, I’ve been out and about enjoying the ability to leave the house sans jacket/coat/scarf/gloves/hat and frolic about in the sun without a care in the world.

So, a couple of quick thoughts from my adventures and food ideas that give you ample time to not be indoors.

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Figs and Goat Cheese snacks:  Take some fresh figs and cut them in half, lengthwise.  Stuff the centers with some goat cheese and drizzle a little honey if you wish.  Pack them up and enjoy them at work.  It’s so fancy, but so easy to prep.  Best 3 o’clock snack ever.

Did you know I can do 4 sets of 500M run and 30 Thrusters unbroken with a 35# bar?  I totally didn’t, but someone did, and I listened to them.  It was tough, but I did made it.  In crossfit, they tell you to check your ego at the door.  Mostly so you don’t push it too much and get hurt.  But it works the other way too.  Sometimes self doubt is just as bad since you’ll always play it safe.  Too safe…

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Tomato Peach Basil Salad:  Cut up an heirloom tomato into wedges, cut up a couple of peaches into wedges (after de-pitting them, of course).  Throw them in a bowl along with a good handful of fresh basil leaves and maybe a few strips of red onion.  Drizzle some olive oil, top with some fresh ground black pepper and sea salt.  Total deliciousness.  There’s something about peaches and basil that is just amazing.  Who knew?

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Speed dating is overwhelming and exhausting.  I gave it a go recently, and for whatever reason, the organizers thought a small confined space with terrible acoustics would be a great place to host an event where there would be 40 people talking at once.  I like my personal space, and generally don’t like it when people toe that line.  Well, in order to just hear, I was literally cheek to cheek with guys I just met, screaming into their ear while trying to be polite and somewhat cute.  So much for personal space…and so much for being cute.  Nevertheless it was a fun experience…would I do it again?  Probably not….although it was fun seeing how differently 20 guys reacted when I told them I was a Mechanical Engineer.  A few were impressed and a few were a bit surprised and kept telling me that there are no girl Mechanical Engineers.  Well thanks man…because I had no idea.

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Bourbon Spiked Whipped Cream:  Take heavy whipping cream and into the cold bowl of a mixer it goes.  Whip until soft peaks form.  Add a little sugar for sweetness, then add some bourbon.  You can add as much as you would like for taste (between a teaspoon and table spoon).  Or you can do like I did and go to add a teaspoon, but then lose control of the bottle and spill a bunch more into the bowl.  Whip until medium peaks form.  Use on top of dessert or in a sponge cake roll!

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Pork Chops and Peaches for dinner

Posted on August 11, 2013 by chezsylvia

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The one thing I love about summer is how many fruits and veggies are now in season.  Peaches, berries of all kinds, squash, kale and corn.

While I was on my Sunday Run-day this morning, I realized that it is August, and I still have yet to buy a single ear of sweet sweet summer corn.  How is that possible?

As I was wondering when I was going to get my hands on some corn, something else also in season interrupted my thoughts.  A bee, or at least I think it was.

I have no idea what it was, but it hurt.  A lot.

I’ve never been stung by bees or wasps or any kind of mean bug like that before, so I started getting worried.  Was I allergic? I going to go into shock or break out into hives?  Thank goodness I was out of the woods, then someone can find me.  Why does it hurt so fraking much?

I managed to walk back to the car and got myself home to shower and get an ice pack on it.  Then after breakfast, I popped a Benadryl as per a friend’s orders.

When it kicked in, I took a nap.  When I awoke from my nap, I went to make dinner.  As I was opening up peaches with a chefs knife (probably not the smartest thing to do to begin with), the peach split prematurely and knife came to a stop on my hand. Luckily it was just a little nick, but it further proves how much I need one of those Life alert things.

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Dinner came together anyway.  I made some Roasted Pork with Peaches per this recipe I found.  As per the magazine it came from, it was in fact real simple.

I used my dutch oven since it was the only thing I had that was stovetop and oven proof.  I browned four bone in pork chops, seasoned with salt and pepper (2 at a time to not crowd the pan), then threw in a thinly sliced onion and two wedged peaches and tossed that around for a bit.  Then to deglaze the pan, I added three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.  Once deglazed,  back in went the pork chops and into the 400 degF oven (uncovered) it went until my pork reached an internal temp of 150 degF (about 20 minutes for me).

Let it sit for five minutes, make the cous cous then serve!  Voila!  Easy peasy dinner!  To enjoy on the couch, away from all things hazardous!

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Travel Adventures: Rhode Island Mini Holiday

Posted on August 6, 2013 by chezsylvia

Docked

My friend Alli was kind enough to invite me up to her parent’s summer house in Rhode Island for a mini holiday.  Five and a half days of something other than regular life.  It was just what I needed.

Surveying the Water

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