Do the Rockaway

I’m more than okay with blogging through the rough times, but yesterday was just one of those days I had absolutely nothing to say and was just in a crap mood. Any words I would have put out here would have been incredibly whiny.

I even scrapped a workout. I was supposed to run 6 miles, and I. just. couldn’t. Sometimes I wish I could be like Ali or Emily and just be totally and completely addicted to working out, but I’m not. I’m a former overweight girl who loves to run and loves how exercise makes me feel, but who still needs to drag myself to the gym kicking and screaming sometimes. I started out for the 6-miler, got a half-mile in and said “Nope. Screw this. Not happening.” I had a headache, I was still really sore from my tri, and I was just in a crappy mood. Yeah, I might have felt better by the end, but sometimes ditching a workout feels good, too.

I’m really excited for the NYC Marathon but already feeling a little burnt out by the training…

Luckily, I woke up this morning ready to run. After running in Central Park last week, I realized it’s really not that far from me–no more than 1.2 miles, depending on my Garmin’s mood.

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So I ran up to Columbus Circle and around the loop for a bit before crossing on the 72nd Transverse and heading back west.  

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Not before finding this pretty covered bridge as I exited! The haze does it no justice.

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As I came back to Columbus Circle, I noticed this display that was apparently a part of Bounty’s Teacher Wish List campaign. According to research, teachers spend an average of $462 out of their own pocket on classroom supplies and learning tools, so Bounty’s connecting parents with teachers by allowing teachers to create wishlists for their classrooms and parents to help fulfill them.

I came back from my run, walked Bailey, took the quickest shower ever and ran back out to the subway to meet Emily and Jenny for a beach day! We took the subway to Rockaway Beach on Queens. It was recently written about in the Times, and apparently has become a bit of a hipster haven.

Whatever. It’s a subway-accessible beach.

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With good food. There were tacos, Thai food (sorry, wayyy too heavy for the beach), and some typical greasy beach fare.

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The tacos seemed like they might be a bit much for my stomach, so I went with the chicken fingers, or chicken boat, as it was called. I don’t know if I was dehydrated, or if they were really just that salty.

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Gratuitous beach shots.

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While playing in the water, a beach a mere subway ride away and a fun day with friends were all awesome…

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…it was drinking coconut water out of a “fresh” coconut that took the cake. (I don’t doubt they were fresh, I just wonder they came from.)

17 comments on “Do the Rockaway

  1. ellen

    looks awesome! i haven’t been out to rockaway yet, but am going there for surf camp next week. (yes, adult surf camp. and i can’t wait, haha)

    seems like this was just what you needed after yesterday’s funk.

    Reply
  2. Shannon

    I definitely need to hit up Rockaway. I’ve never been, and I desperately need a beach day.

    PS I totally feel you on ditching a workout. Sometimes all my body wants to do is walk the mile to and from work each day and that’s it.

    Reply
  3. Brittany

    The beach is always good for cheering me up and it looks like you had a blast!!

    PS- I thought about you at Starbucks today. I went in to order an egg white feta wrap. Sadly, this particular location didn’t sell hot sandwiches. I punched the lady and ran. Okay, not really. I just got oatmeal instead. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Theodora Post author

      You would have been well within your grounds. Also, Starbucks has an option on their store locator to find locations with “oven-warmed foods.” This includes the wraps and this has changed my life.

      Reply
  4. A. Friend

    Have you ever thought about ‘interviewing’ well known individuals who have lost weight and posting said interview(s) on your blog? Not only could this be quite interesting for your blog readers, it could be the start of something brand new for you.

    Reply
    1. Theodora Post author

      @Dori: As tacky as this is, I actually sort of preferred coconut water from the bottle to from the coconut–but it’s probably an acquired taste.

      The bridge was around the W. 70th Street exit in the park.

      Reply
  5. Corrie Anne

    Haha. When I lived in the DR, the neighbors loved giving me coconutes from trees with a straw. Gross. I hated it. Totally an acquired taste. Hey, I hope you have a GREAT day today. And that Bounty thing is great. It’s totally true. Teachers end up spending TONS of money out of their own pockets. My laptop even was a classroom computer for a while because I needed more technology. That’s the way it goooes. 🙂

    Reply
  6. sj

    hey! i’m a newish runner who’s training for my first half in october. i’ve been reading your blog for a little while now and i really appreciate the fact that you don’t sugar coat everything. i love running, but it’s not always rainbows and sunshine. some days, it really is a struggle and it’s great to have someone who’s actually relatable! so thanks and looking forward to reading more! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Caitlin

    Love that bridge in the park! One of my favorite spots.
    Would you recommend the beach? I’ve thought about going but never actually gone.
    Totally feel you on the workout. Last night I was supposed to run just three miles, but felt crappy and forced myself to do just over two. That last mile wasn’t happening.

    Reply

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