Concrete Jungle

Sup Party People!

So, New York was awesome!!  Most of you follow me on Twitter and Instagram, so you've seen those pics. 

I arrived Wednesday.  After getting settled in, Katy and I took off on foot to conquer the city!  Katy lives in Manhattan, which is an island.  Boom.  She lives in "Hell's Kitchen"... obvi, I didn't complain.  We walked through Times Square, and Bryant Park.  In the winter, Bryant Park is surrounded by little shops, that surround an ice rink... while we were there, many were working to put up their shop, and the rink was being assembled.  We walked by the library, very pretty!  And popped into (and... sadly... out of) Zara.  We walked all around Grand Central Station and grabbed a bite to eat there.  It was fab! That evening, we took a cab to Chelsea Piers and caught a boat for our City Lights Cruise.  That was fun!  It was definitely half couples, half girls.  Chelsea Piers is? are? pretty neat.  There is a BIG gym... I want to say it's called CITY SPORTS, but I might be confused with something someone's t shirt said... regardless, it's an all indoor facility, with courts and fields and different floors for your preferred sport.  This is also where Suri Cruise takes gymnastics class.  Our boat left the dock at 8:30, and we returned 10:30 ish.  We sailed out into the Hudson, down the coast of Manhattan (Jersey on the other side) towards the East River and Governor's Island.  We circled the Statue of Liberty (total girl crush, I love her!), and made our way back to the dock.  This skyline is the one you usually see when seeing the New York Skyline... complete with Freedom Tower (there are 2, does that other one have a name?).  It was a little chilly, and windy!  But the boat was totally prepared with lots of blankets and booze.

Thursday, we got up and headed back to Times Square.  We walked through on our way to Central Park, and then walked through Central Park!  We walked down 5th ave to Rockefeller Plaza, that ice rink was already up and buzzing with ice dancers!! We walked by the NBC studios and was halted at 50th and 6th for the President!!  How cool is that?!  He (and his entourage) was leaving Hofstra (and the debates).  He was just sitting in the back seat, eyes forward.  Very cool!  Thursday night we hit the town.  We began at 675 in the Meat Packing District, then jumped to Gray Lady in another district (?), we tried to continue the party at a couple of other bars but it appeared most of New York City had turned in for the night.

Friday, we were up and ready to shop! We went to Tribeca to eat at Sarabeth's, then hit the streets of Soho for an afternoon of shopping!  We saved enough money for a trip on the Subway to the Brooklyn Bridge (on the Manhattan side).  We made the walk across the bridge into Brooklyn (duh, right?), it felt like a right of passage! Then, we had pizza at Grimaldi's, it was the best pizza I've ever had!  I think Brooklyn Bridge and Grimaldi's were my favorite part of the trip :)

Saturday, we were up early for The Far Hills Races in New Jersey.  This race, more commonly referred to as The Hunt, is considered a kick off to the Breeders Cup.  It's a steeplechase, which I had never seen before!  The day would better be described as a tailgate... our group had a plot with about 300 others, and at 3:30 we were instructed to be back at the bus.  It was a long day for sure! But the weather was perfect!

Sunday, we got up and headed to Times Square for some Broadway tickets.  We chose Bring It On as our poison and am so glad we saw it, it was FABULOUS!  I recommend it!  I know it's been at the Fox, so hopefully the show is traveling to a town near you, or just head to NY! Der.  We grabbed brunch at Justin Timberlake's restaurant, Southern Hospitality and had ANOTHER celeb siting!  James Marsden came in after us and sat at the bar.  He's as cute in person! I recognize him the most from 27 Dresses, but I think he's in Cheaper By The Dozen, and a bunch of TV shows (30 Rock, right now?).  Sunday night we had dinner at Katz's Deli in the lower east side.  This place was so cool! THE scene in "When Harry Met Sally" was filmed there (I'll have what she's having).

The trip was accompanied my multiple taxi rides (I'm a pro!) and two very easy flights!  I'd like to thank my hostess with the mostess and the great state of NY for having me!

Pics to come, or see them again on Twitter and Instagram.

TGIF! Have a great weekend.

HB

Apparently it's Pedro's 7th birthday!  We don't really know his exact birthdate, but he was a kitten at Halloween time in 05, and he was somewhere around six weeks around Thanksgiving...

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

New York on Wednesday!

HERO RUN RE-CAP

Workouts this week: NOTHING! WOO!

Well, it's been 6 days since the 1st Annual Hero Run!  Did you think I died?  Well, I almost did.  Not literally, just being dramatic.  My splits are on my Garmin, so I will add those later... I had 1 negative split, I think miles 7 and 8.  Listen to me and all my technical running stuff.  It was a very successful race for a 1st Annual.  And I'm not just saying that because Mary Lou Retton Rybicki was a contributor.  All monies raised went to the Wounded Warrior Project, and I raised $700 for the 1LT Robert Wilson Collins Patriot Spirit Scholarship.  My Run For Rob teammates will be hitting the Soldier Marathon in a month.. Such a GREAT cause, and again, I'm honored to a part of this group. Anywho, back to my very credible race re-cap/review I was mildly annoyed that there were no chips, but I had my time on my watch.  It's just that sometimes often times the chip time is faster.  And that's always a great thing!  Purely selfish.  And, my watch said the path was 13.5 miles, so I was always ahead of the mile markers.  Not a huge problem, only mental. I also heard the same from a few other runners.  So, I guess my PR isn't quite official.  But it is.  So there.

My time at 13.1 was 2:13:07.  Good for an almost 2 min PR.  I was itching to beat 2:10, but could easily blame the above chip and path issues... However, I'm aware I died around mile 11, therefore missed my goal.  But that's O-freaking-K... life goes on, like in Feb. in AZ... I'm coming for you sub 2:10.  I will have some help from my Chicago-Marathon-Killing-Boston-Marathon-Qualifying friend.  If I'm REALLY nice, he'll design my training program.. I'm not even scared, he only runs 3x a week.  So, obvi, he knows what he's doing!! Anyway, on to pics!  YAY pics!

Pit stop.

Trying to stay warm!

 

Waiting at the start...

The top pic of this collage was my favorite part.
Nice touch Hero Run race committee!

I did a little bit of running, too.
See that pretty lady in the pink?  That's my mom.
She ran the last 5K with me and provided mental CPR.
Thanks Mom!

The hardware.
 

I'd like to thank my Mom (my race crew).  And others that were there cheering me on... All of the Rybickis, Amanda and Joe.  You guys rock.  I'd also like to thank those who donated and/or considered donating.  I appreciate your time and your consideration, and you!

TGIF! GO CARDS!

HERO RUN

Hero Run Half Marathon. Tomorrow. Go.

(I'm a woman of few words... I'll see you Monday.)

Iowa

All I'm saying is... You would be so lucky to have THIS family in THIS state.

Picture 1:  Iowa's finest!  Seriously, these are the best tacos you'll ever have.
Picture 2:  G MAN!  My love!
Picture 3/4:  Tab and me.  How HILARIOUS is picture number 3?  She'll kill me if she knows that pic is on the Internet, but that would mean she's reading my blog!  Hi-five blog.
Picture 5:  One reason my uncle may be better than yours.
Picture 6:  Cockscomb at Des Moines farmers market.
Picture 7:  (Little) girls at Blue Moon
Picture 8:  Baby Henry
Picture 9:  We made it personal! (See picture 7, guess which one is "Dago baby")
Picture 10:  Girls and Baby Henry!
Picture 11:  WAKE UP HENRY!
Picture 12:  Tasty Tacos (See how I destroy them in Picture 1)
Picture 13:  Welcome fire.

Happy Tuesday!  New Girl is BACK tonight!



Headed North

Hey Dudes.
Monday: 5 mi
Tuesday: HUGE W for Abusement Park, 1 goal and 9,000 Defensive stops for this girl.
Weds: 3 mi
Thursday: 11 mi (WHAT?? I KNOW! ON THE F ING TREADMILL! 1:49)
Friday: Drive to Iowa (... Zack 10 bucks), consume crown in the honor of THIS GUY (below).

Papa, he would be 87 today.

Sat: Farmers Market and family time and piano bar
Sun: Drive home
I guess I'll run again on purpose on Monday.

What's in Iowa you ask?
These people.

Have a great weekend!
15 days till half marathon.
26 days till NEW YORK.

OMGW

OMGW! Remember my very fabulous trip to DC??? When Katie and I visited our 3rd roommate and her husband for obviously not enough time!

88 Welch: Katie, me, Allie

Well... said 3rd roommate, Allie (and hubby, Matt), welcomed baby girl Ezri Mae Williams on Sept. 18 at 3:51pm.

Look at this perfect child!

So happy for the Williams' and our newest addition to the 88 Welch family!!

Happy Wednesday

USA! USA! USA!

Workout:
Monday 5 mi, under 49
Tuesday, soccer.
Today, 3 mi.

9/11.. Patriot Day (belated). The older I get the more I love America.  I mean, the more sentimental I get during the national anthem, the more appreciation I feel for a soldier... I just want to wear red, white and blue every day.  I want to hi-five everyone I see, and wear an American flag fanny pack... I just love being patriotic, or witnessing patriotism.  Last year, on the 10 year anniversary, this happened. And this year, Bussie flew her flag proudly!  And it looked fantastic!

I found this quote by Hamilton Fish: "If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace."  I hope that any and all directly affected by the attacks on 9/11 can and will find peace knowing that everyone surviving and otherwise became heroes that day.  And heroes are born, not found.

God Bless the USA!

BMWCM

Workouts I keep forgetting to write...
Ummmmm, last Sat. Sept 1: I didn't run, OOPS, BIG OOPS.
Sunday: Rest
Monday: 4.5 on the schedule, I went for 5... 2 mi, then potty break, then 3 mi
Tuesday: Indoor soccer double header... win, win.
Weds: 3 mi
Thurs: Rest
Fri: 5 mi, PR 46:23
Sat: 10 mi, I walked some.. Finished around 1 hr 40 mins
Sun: TIGER WOODS
Today: 5 mi

BMWCM = BMW Championship Monday (duh)

Over the weekend, I didn't see Kenny Loggins.  His gig was Friday night, NOT Saturday night.  And I wasn't really prepared.  Plus, there was a Cards game that appraently I HAD to watch till 2:25am, blah.

However, OSTW (Operation See Tiger Woods) was a success!!  I love him, a lot.  Phones are allowed at golf tournaments these days, but pics are prohibited.  NBC owns the rights, and if you take a pic with your phone, you can bet they will take your phone. Good thing I'm very sneaky and good looking.  I'll save you the question, "Why didn't you take any pictures of Tiger if you love him so much?"  Well, smartass, Tiger's security is ridic.  Seriously, nobody else on that golf course had as many secret service guys inside the ropes with them.  Not even the two groups behind Tiger.  There were at least 4 under cover brothers, dressed in civilian clothes... and when Tiger would hit, his men would watch the spectators.  If you even had your phone in your hands, they would say, "MA'AM, PLEASE PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY."  Plus, there is nothing like Tiger in real life.


Entrance



#18... Ernie Els on left.

Phil (Blah) and Vijay in 8 fairway.

The hardware!

Roar!

I think you can tell which cheek is ailing...

My ears were a HUGE hit! I even got a head nod from Stevie Williams (Tiger's estranged caddy), I bonded with a lady when she asked if I was a Tiger fan... I said no, and we giggled!  One guy gave me the ol, "Good for you!" and another guy thought they were so great, he borrowed them for a pic to send to his son.  But the best... One of Tiger's security peeps.  We chatted on 8 and again on 18.  He was supposed to give Tiger my number.  Still waiting for that phone call... Mom and I even scored free BMW Champ golf balls.  It was a perfect Sunday for championship golf, the weather was gorgeous!

Happy Monday!




















TGIFCSS

Thank God it's Friday, Canker sores suck.

Remember this post?

It's happening again. Someone get me an IV with liquid vitamin B, stat.

And I found this pic...

It's a mix between The Lion King and Tiger Woods. Obvi, a winner.

Have a faboo weekend! I'll be seeing Kenny Loggins, and Tiger Woods.. in that order.  This would be a really good weekend to start following me on Twitter (@Jwil18).

OH BOY!

Literally!

This is a VERY special day!

Today is Cap'n Konze's birthday!!

Loves!

And the birth day of Henry Steven Wilson.

Little brother of this sweet face.

Oh Happy day!

Paul's Farm

Oh heyyyy everyone!!  I forgot this existed for a week, or I was probably just talking to people that talk back and had no time to talk to people that I can't even hold accountable for listening reading.  But it's cool, I ain't mad.

Here's what's been going on...

10 K (6.2 mi) in 60 mins
4.5 mi in 43:49
3 mi in 27:54
3.83 (was headed to 4 mi, but detoured to the potty) 36 mins??

And this weekend I'm heading to Louisville, KY with Granger.

On Sunday, though, I went to Paul's farm. You know that movie "We Bought A Zoo"? Well, I haven't seen it, and I don't think it's totally relatable to Paul's farm, but I bet it's pretty close.

Goats!

Donkeys: Stormy and Ike, I'm pretty sure.

Maggie, a Great Dane.

Jelly Bean, an Appaloosa

Momma mini horse in foreground, baby mini horse outside

What?

Another mini horse getting d-runk.

Love this!

Llama

Mini horse

"Triple baggers"... if you know what I mean ;)

Seriously, the perfect Sunday Funday!

Happy Friday!  Have a great weekend!

COLOR RUN

Workouts:
Thursday: rest
Friday: 3 mi, slow, like 35 mins
Saturday: Color Run (5K) and 5 extra grueling miles, I walked mostly.
Sunday: Stretch/strength rest
Monday: 4 mi, 39:49
Today: 10:25 soccer game, might get in an extra 40 min tempo run, maybe.

Hey gang.

Over the weekend was The Color Run! It was super fun, and people were obsessed with us after. Like on Sunday, we got, "OMG! You did The Color Run! Was it awesome?!" Um, hi, who are you? I finally got the pink off my chest, and I wonder if Mom's seat belt is clean yet?? Sorry, mom.

The run was fun, there is no timer, so no need to break any world records.  For the most part nothing stained, except that pink on my skin, but that was a pretty direct shot, so I'm letting it slide.  See that green on my left shoulder?  That got all over the seat belt, and came off on mom's shirt the next day. This raised money for Autism, not near and dear to me, but totally legit.  Mom brought wipes and towels and trash bags. The race is pretty expensive, but you get some sweet stuff... sweatbands, tshirt, bandanna.  And they have lots of stuff to buy, sunglasses for $5. I heard 15,000 participants, but I didn't hear the final numbers on money raised, obvi it was a successful event.

I don't really have much else, I guess.

Anybody watch Stars Earn Stripes?  At first I was kind of turned off by the idea of the show, sort of thought it was mocking our troops.  But I watched it, and kind of loved it!  I love Mr. Palin, I said it.  And the whole show every celebrity is very vocal about their appreciation for the troops.  It's cool.  I dig it. Let's see how Capt. Konze feels.

Jdub: Do you watch Stars Earn Stripes?
Cap'n: Hahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahaha
Cap'n: F$&# no.

Obviously, someone has been out in the woods crushing souls for too long.

Happy Tuesday!  Any Beef?