Today was my final big workout before my next big race (St. Anthony's Triathlon). I spent three and a half hours riding my bike and running up and down the hills of Palisades Park in New Jersey and New York State. This is the site of the NYC/NJ Ironman which I will be competting in this summer. The hills are steep and seem to never stop. Just like anything in NY, a win here will not come easy. I kind of love that.
I also loved what felt like our first summer day - riding and running in shorts! This is a total luxury in these parts. My training partner Allie, showed up in long pants and a warm jacket. I was wondering what was up with the outfit, when up our first climb she told me her coach said to dress as if it were 35 degrees. Why? She's doing St. Croix in two weeks! She did the whole workout like that and never complained. She also didn't complain when I shot out of the gates up the hills and then wouldn't let us stop to get muffins! We went right into our run and then stuck with me like glue. I could not drop her - great practice for next week. Thanks Allie!
As a "reward" for crushing the workout (and skipping the muffin stop) we decided we needed a proper lunch of food and not gels not peanut butter based! We discussed our options as we sat in GW Bridge traffic and came up with either Bare Burger (which Megan and I also discussed crossing the GW last weekend!) or Murray's Bagels.
Allie almost had me convinced to go for a burger, but I really wanted something cold and could not quell the urge for a big fluffy yet crusty Murray's Bagel turkey sandwich. Crunchy lettuce, enough turkey for 4 people, tomato and a half sour pickle on the side. We walked down 8th ave eating our sangs like a slice of hot pizza. (btw - Isn't it funny how a simple sandwich that you could make at home just never tastes as good as when some guy at a deli does it for you??) But that's NY - you can get exactly what you want, whenever you want it. You just have to work for it.
--Laurel