Here's what I've been doing for the past month:
1) Running. A lot, and yet not a lot. As of today I'm in the taper portion of my training, which means since my last post I've done two very long runs of twenty and twenty-two miles, respectively. I've also done a number of short runs. And I've spent a lot of time resting, because it turns out a twenty-mile run takes quite a lot out of me; I definitely haven't been adhering to my schedule of speedwork and mid-distance runs. They say it's better to be undertrained than overtrained; let's hope that's true. Also, I've acquired some running accessories, including compression socks (very sexy) and an object called "The Stick" which is basically a skinny plastic version of the famed foam roller. Both are helpful in recovery, although I'm not sure they actually improve my performance during runs. My thoughts about running are split three ways right now: (a) "why didn't I train better / harder / more diligently? I could have done so much better"; (b) planning for the marathon itself; (c) post-marathon plans, which are to focus on the half-marathon for the foreseeable future. I like having a goal, and being in training is so much more fun than aimlessly going to the gym a few times a week, but the marathon is just. so. huge., particularly for someone of my limited running abilities. I think I'll enjoy myself more, see more improvement, and have less negative impact on the rest of my life if I focus on a distance that isn't quite so ginormous.
2) Eating. A lot. Obviously, because of the running. But also I have eaten in some interesting places, including:
a) Tartinery, in Nolita. This place is fairly awesome, from the atmosphere to the menu. I ate a Cobb Salad (I'm not a big tartine person, for some reason) and it was one of the better ones I've had, ever; of course not much cheffery is involved, but the ingredients were all high-quality and fresh.
b) Jones Wood Foundry, on the Upper East Side. I've had two meals here; the food is very high-quality and well-prepared, but you have to actually like British food, which most people don't. The dining room is attractive and quiet, and you can eat a full meal at the very pleasant bar - the bartender this afternoon was a dead ringer for Seth Rogen.
c) Fatty Crab. This place is supposed to be great, and maybe the one in Soho *is* great, but I went to the one on the Upper West Side, and I was not impressed. The atmosphere is midway between pub and beach shack - my dining companion called it "one step up from Chili's". The food is good (again, if you like that sort of food - it's Malaysian, which to my palate hits midway between Indian and Korean, neither of which I much like) but the portions are tiny and the prices are a bit steep. It was an interesting meal, but I left the restaurant ready to hit 16 Handles (*never* a disappointment) for dessert.
d) Shake Shack, the original (Madison Square Park). I think I had something at the UWS location once, but never a full meal. This was a surprisingly pleasant experience - there are picnic tables in the park, and although the line to order is long, the food is ready pretty quickly and there are plenty of seats. Very much a fan of the "concrete", and also any restaurant that has a dessert in its title.
3) Apple-picking! I went to an orchard upstate and picked a bunch of apples of several varieties, most of which I hadn't ever heard of. Then I came home and mostly didn't eat the apples, because they have much nicer apples at my office. But I also got to go for a nice hike. And, on a separate-but-still-out-of-the-city occasion, I went to Orchard Beach, which is in Pelham Bay Park, which is in the Bronx but certainly feels like it could be on a different planet than Manhattan.
4) Shows - I think I must have been to a couple, but the only one I can remember just now is Sons of the Prophet, which I saw during its preview week and which was very, very good - definitely one of the best shows of the season. It's at Roundabout, home of a wide variety of consistently excellent shows and specializing in this sort of black humor.
5) Going to bed early, when I can manage it, for the sake of my running. Which is what I am going to do right now.
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