Next Chapter

Today was my last day of working for Pfizer in New York City. I will be taking the next 3 days to pack up my apartment and wrap up life in NYC before my one-way flight from JFK-PHX on Saturday. On Monday, March 5th, I start my new job at...

I am looking forward to starting this next chapter of my career and getting back into life in Arizona again.

Training Schedule for the Chang's Half

Because I want to document this...here is what I did to get ready for the Chang's Half:

• November 7 - 3 miles - 28:26
• November 10 - 3 miles - 28:18 and weights class
• November 11 - 3 miles - 28:14
• November 12 - 4 miles - 38:13 (Central Park Inner Loop)
• November 14 - 3 miles - 28:07
• November 15 - Weights class
• November 16 - 4 miles - 37:57
• November 18 - 3 miles - 28:14
• November 19 - 6 miles - 56:10 (Central Park Loop - charity:water run)
• November 20 - Hike Squaw Peak
• November 21 - 3 miles - around canal bank of old neighborhood with Kyle
• November 23 - 4 miles - 38:06
• November 25 - 3 miles - 28:10
• November 26 - 6 miles - 56:59 (Central Park Loop)
• November 28 - 3 miles - 28:12
• November 30 - 5 miles - 47:33
• December 1 - 3 miles - 28:14
• December 3 - Weights (legs)
• December 4 - 8 miles - 1:17:58
• December 5 - 3 miles - 28:32
• December 7 - 5 miles - 47:42
• December 8 - 3 miles - 28:10 and weights class
• December 10 - 10 miles - no time - ran into someone while running which stopped my watch
• December 13 - 4 miles - 40:43 (sore throat)
• December 14 - Weights (arms) with Jessica Joy
• December 15 - 5 miles - 47:38
• December 16 - 4 miles - 38:00 and Camelback
• December 17 - 11 miles (10.69) - 1:47:39 (56th Street to Hayden round trip)
• December 19 - 4 miles - 37:41 and Camelback with Tim
• December 20 - Spin with Jenn
• December 21 - 6 miles - 57:07
• December 22 - 4 miles - 37:31
• December 23 - Squaw Peak with Mike and Joanna
• December 24 - 4 miles - 37:20
• December 25 - Camelback with Kyle
• December 27 - 12 miles (11.86) - 1:58:21 (44th to McDonald round trip)
• December 28 - Squaw Peak with Kellyn
• December 30 - 5 miles - 47:04
• December 31 - 4 miles - 41:35 (Emerald Nuts Midnight Run)
• January 3 - Weights class
• January 4 - 3 miles - 28:11
• January 5 - 3 miles - 27:59 and weights class
• January 7 - 10 miles - 1:36:12 (2 laps Central Park Lower Loop)
• January 8 - 4 miles - 37:20 and weights (legs)
• January 10 - 3 miles - 27:52
• January 12 - 3 miles - 27:56
• January 15 - Half - 1:55:34

I think it worked better this time that I incorporated weights into the schedule. I did not get injured and felt great during the half.

P.F. Chang's Half Marathon

On January 13, 2012 I ran the P.F. Chang's Half Marathon in Phoenix. I had been thinking of doing this run before I moved to NYC, but never got around to it. I like to have something that I am training for because it gets me to the gym better when I am on a training schedule. After doing the half in NYC last spring, I knew I wanted to do another half.

I was in corral 10 to start. Nice shot of KPMG in the background.

Kathryn, Lauren, Lindsay and Me...it made it more fun knowing that others that I know were running as well.

Almost to the finish!

There goes Kathryn - she didn't even notice us standing there.

Finished! My official time was 1:55:34 which is an 8:49/min pace. I was happy to break 2 hours, but I didn't think I would break it by almost 5 minutes. At the 8-mile marker I thought that I might be at a 2-hour pace, but decided that was a little early to really start pushing it. So, I waited until I got to the 10-mile marker and then tried to pick up the pace a bit.

I love the feeling of finishing these half marathons, but they are hard on my legs/knees so I don't know how many more I want to do. I definitely want to do the Disney half!

Harry Connick Jr. On Broadway

Today I saw On A Clear Day You Can See Forever on Broadway. Harry Connick, Jr. was in the lead role, and today was his last day of performing. It was a good show - I am happy that I decided to go see it.

Mom's New Year's Trip to NYC

After being home for Christmas for two weeks, Mom and I (and Otis and Sam) flew back to NYC on December 29th. The cats were PERFECT on the trip back - our plane was delayed about an hour due to mechanical difficulties, and then we flew into Newark and it took us an hour and a half to get from the airport to my apartment (traffic). Otis and Sam were quiet the entire time - they have gotten to be good travelers.

On Friday night we saw the Radio City Rockettes. The show had a lot of new scenes added this year, as well as some of the same.

We stopped by the Rockefeller Center tree. It is not as exciting as it was my first time seeing it.

On Saturday we went to Gaga's Workshop at Barney's...Mom's idea of course.

Everything in there was so strange.

We also went to the 9/11 Memorial.

For New Year's Eve, I was so happy to NOT be in Times Square this year. We did the New York Roadrunners Emerald Nuts Midnight Run.

It was a 4-mile run around the inner loop of Central Park. The fireworks in the park were awesome. Champagne (sparkling cider, actually) was served at mile 2.

I ran it, and then walked back to find Mom and walked with her to the finish.

On Sunday we went to church and then to see Follies on Broadway. Not one of my favorite Broadway shows.

On Monday we took Amtrack to Philadelphia for the day. Mom had never been before and she has been wanting to go for a while.

This is Congress Hall, The House of Representatives Chamber

Congress Hall - John Adams took the Oath of Office here.

Congress Hall - George Washington took the Oath of Office for his second term here. He took the oath for his first term in NYC (Wall Street).

A red, white and blue Christmas tree

The Betsy Ross House

Ben Franklin's grave

Historic Philadelphia

Signer's Hall - all the Signer's of the Declaration

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

We were on a 6pm train and back at my apartment by about 8pm.