Tour de Harriman

The obsession started around the time of my race. Pete brought his bike out that day so that he could find a good spectator spot along the course. The next week he decided to repair the bent rim on his sister's bike in an effort to recruit a riding partner (me). He jokes that the new love o’ bike riding is because he’s "going green." I think it has more to do with the thrill of dodging strollers and cutting off city buses. It may also be his determination to beat me in a sprint up the 14th St parking garage. I was unsteady at first, but have since mastered the art of riding-and-not-spilling-my-frozen-yogurt, riding-and-dodging-dog-leashes, and even riding-and-drooling-over-unbelievable-apartments.

On Sunday, we decided to take the bikes out to Harriman State Park -- an enormous park near the NY-NJ border. The plan was to explore a few trails, then go swimming in Island Pond. The lake turned out to be a little murkier than expected so we decided to skip that part. The day was overcast and cool and the rain held out until that evening. Here are a few pictures from the trip:

Lucky #13.1

13 -- The number of tourists in Times Square that thought they were watching the New York City Marathon.

12 -- The number of times I wondered why I paid $75 to torture myself.

11 -- The number of Tylenol taken on Monday.

10(167) -- The number of race finishers.

9 -- The number of times I held up my “horns” for the camera. I’m not certain that all nine of these were hired photographers. It got a bit blurry after Mile 10.

8(00) -- The number of meters left when I spotted Pete in the crowd. It was exactly what I need to snap out of my I’ve-been-running-for-over-2-hours delirium and make it to the finish line!

7(th Ave) -- There’s no feeling like running through Time Square.

6 -- The number of times I woke up Saturday night before the race.

5 -- The number of times I considered sliding down the subway banister in order to avoid the pain of walking down stairs.

4(:56) -- The winner’s average mile time. Coincidentally, it’s also my average water station break. :)

3 –- The number of hours I spent working on my perfect race playlist.

2(:21) -- My official time. I shaved nearly 10 minutes off my time from last summer!

(72)1(4) –- My official place. OK, so I’m no Prefontaine. But, I did beat out 2,953 people!

.1 –- The amount of seconds needed to forget the pain and want to do it all over again!

My 5-Borough Summer Tour

Brooklyn -- Coney Island
I’ve already told you all about this one. Recently, I got word that my brother is challenging Joey Chestnut to a kolache eating contest. Greg “always-the-last-to-finish-eating-because-he-chews-more-than-the-average-adult” Norris, you ask? Yep. I think if he can make it through the event without a public display of partly digested food then we’ll file it in the win category. If you’re in Houston, check him out at Minute Maid Park on September 4th!!

The Bronx -- The Bronx Zoo
You’ve already read about this trip too. The Bronx Zoo has always been on my list and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I just wish I could have taken Maddie with me!

Staten Island –- er Governor's
I decided to cheat a little and skip the crowded biker bar and Buy-1-Get-1-Free tanning salon. Instead, Stephanie and I chose to play hookie from work for Lady Date #2 on a different island. Governor’s Island. So, it’s not Staten Island, but the ferries are next to each other. It is an old military base that was converted to a national park six or seven years ago. The only businesses are a bike rental stand and a hot dog cart. There are no cars or taxis either. We rode bikes all afternoon then met a friend at Stone Street in the Financial District. I’m in charge of planning Lady Date #3. This one may be tough to beat.

Queens –- PS1
This year’s trip was a little less eventful than last’s. We met at a pub in Lower Manhattan for a pre-event drink. We chatted with the Texan bartender for a bit and then caught the train to Long Island City. A little art, a German beer, some incredible people watching, and a touch of techno rounded out the day. Queens? Check.





Manhattan –- High Line Park
Team Big G escaped the office on Friday afternoon for some quality bonding time. We had a picnic on one of the West Side Hwy piers and afterward walked to High Line park. The park is an old industrial elevated railroad that’s been transformed into some under-challenged urban planner’s lifelong dream. It’s engulfed in controversy and taxes and angry letters to the Post. It’s a park where jogging and pets are banned. That sort of nonsense would never fly in Texas. Afterward, we went to Park -- a very appropriately named establishment for the day -- for a cocktail. The weather was unbelievable; there were no cereal emergencies back at the office; there was minimal Blackberry usage by all; and lots of office gossip. I think we made Michael Scott proud.