Hello from St. Pete!
After my dad’s surprise retirement party last night, my mom and I spent the night at my dad’s interim apartment. (Just in case you’re confused, my parents’ house in St. Pete sold faster than expected, so my dad has an apartment in the area through the end of the year before he officially retires and lives with my mom in their new condo in Jacksonville. You can read more about the backstory here if you’d like.)
I am staying in St. Pete through tomorrow since I already had plans to fly out of the Tampa airport tomorrow morning. I figured it made more sense for me to stay here rather than drive two hours back to Ocala only to return to the Tampa Bay area a day later.
So where am I going?
New York!!!
My friend Leah and I are flying out of Tampa tomorrow and meeting up with our friend Ashley who flew to NYC from Chicago today. We’re all staying with my friend Merri, the bride-to-be!
Merri and her fiancé Pete got engaged back in August and Leah, Ashley and I planned a trip to the city to visit her and help her go shopping for the perfect wedding dress. To say that I am excited would be a huge understatement. I cannot wait to see three of my favorite girls!
I’ve heard such wonderful things about New York City during the holidays and hope to soak up all the festive fun I can in three days. Woo!
Someone was less than excited when I brought my suitcase out of the closet to pack yesterday.
I felt bad saying goodbye to her and even worse leaving her looking like a vizsla martini in her little cone.
At least she doesn’t seem to mind it too much!
Speaking of Cone Dog, we heard back from the vet about her biopsies and everything looks a-okay! Hooray! He said the lumps were papillomas, which he explained are nothing to worry about, calling them “benign wart-like growths.” Phew.
Today
After a quick breakfast at my dad’s apartment, I headed out for a run around the water in downtown St. Pete.
I enjoyed checking out the festive decorations in the city as I set out to complete seven miles.
Even though my half marathon training plan had five miles on the agenda for today, I have a feeling a long run won’t be happening in New York this weekend and wanted to make sure to accomplish my long run for the week beforehand.
I felt pretty overheated on today’s run and rather sluggish, but when I was done I felt fantastic. Seven miles!? Yes!
Lunch
After my run, I made myself a small peanut butter smoothie and worked for a few hours before taking a break for lunch.
I ate an apple while assembling my main meal.
Today’s lunch included a bowl of leftover chopped salad (half eaten before I snapped a pic – oops!) that included bacon, lettuce, peas, shredded cheese, hardboiled eggs, onion and Italian dressing, paired with Terra Mediterranean chips and a cup of peach Greek yogurt.
And two Godiva chocolates for dessert!
Yum!
Now I have a few work-related loose ends to tie up before dinner and then it’s off to NYC in the morning.
Enjoy your night!
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Have a great trip! I love NYC around the holidays, it’s so romantic! 🙂
Have fun in NYC! I was there last weekend and the crowds surrounding the tree / tourist spots are insane! Be careful and hang on to you wallet / iPhone!!
Your run looks far more scenic and enjoyable than the desolate winter of the Midwest. Agh. I do like to get in long runs before a trip, if possible, just to make whatever run I do more carefree and fun.
have a safe flight and a great trip! wedding dress shopping is so fun!!
Three of my friends are going to NYC this weekend, and I’m so jealous! I have only been once (9 years ago) and absolutely loved it. It’s so pretty this time of year.
Love those pics of pitiful cone Sadie. My boyfriend has a Rhodesian Ridgeback and she and Sadie are SO alike. Ridgebacks are basically giant Vizsla’s with a mohawk. They look pretty similar and have identical personalities. So needy. I love it.
the city at Christmas time is amazing! I just posted today about this place in the City called City Bakery and you must go to get their famous hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows! You can see my review here http://forloveofcarrots.com/?p=3650.
LOVE that place! I wrote a piece on the bakery when I was in grad school in NYC for journalism. The owner is a cool dude.
Vizsla martini… Ha! Two of my favorite things 🙂
So fun now that I know we have this mutual friend! I feel like the running world is soooo small with me loving your blog from way before and then finding out you are besties with one of my running buddies. Loves it.
Have such a fun weekend in NYC!
i know! so crazy! i cannot wait to see her! 🙂
Check out Bryant Park and the shops (not to mention their tree and ice rink). Way cooler than Rockefeller, in my opinion.
Hit up the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park for a nice cup of spiked cider.
Enjoy and safe travels!
spiked cider!! yesssss. thanks for the recommendation!
I was just in NYC and its amazing! Rockefeller is gorgeously decorated! Also some great restaurants are ABC Kitchen, Rosemary’s, Babbo, The Spotted Pig, and Aquagrill. Just to name a few 🙂
How fun!! Your going to have a blast in NYC! I highly recommend a girls trip at least once a year! Poor little martini! 😉
LOVE LOVE LOVE Coffee Pot Bayou!! I used to run it all the time when I lived in ST PETE.
NYC is awesome during the holidays! We had a blast ice skating around the Christmas tree 🙂
I miss your dinner posts! I’d love to see some dinner ideas soon..you always have simple, delicious ideas! 😉
Ooh have fun! Sounds like a great girlie trip!!!
What a great time to visit New York! I went in January when I visited my junior year of high school, right after New Years, and they still had all the holiday decorations up, it was beautiful!
My friend lives in NYC & some of our pics are just gorgeous from the holiday time! ENJOY!
Sounds like a great weekend! I’ve always wanted to see NYC during the holidays as well. Have fun!
So glad to hear that Sadie’s biopsies were benign ~ YAY!!! She is rockin that cone, btw 🙂
NYC is absolutely beautiful this time of year with so many decorations and sites to see. You will LOVE it!! ENJOY!!
So jealous of your NYC trip. I haven’t been since I was really young but I remember loving it. Have a blast!
Fingers crossed for some snow this weekend. Now that would make a Christmas NYC adventure even more magical! For some reason the thought of the holidays and the BIG Apple conjure up memories of Home Alone 2. Am I the only one?!
Have so much fun and safe travels!
That view from your run looks amazing! However, definitely brace yourself for the super cold weather we’ve been having here in NYC this week! It was in the 30’s today and I was freezing my butt off so definitely pack some heavy layers. Have a safe flight and an amazing trip – the city really is beautiful this time of year!
Have a blast! I especially love NYC over the holidays.. I went to grad school there, and it’s just got such a happy energy this time of year. You must take a carriage ride around the Park!
Have a great trip! So glad Sadie is healing well–I know about the dog cone-head drama–Cooper wasn’t having it!
I LOVE running near water–don’t even need music for it! Great job on getting in 7!
I live in NYC and work on Fifth Ave, it’s like a Christmas wonderland, I walk to the tree at Rockefeller Center over my lunch breaks and at night it’s amazing! Check out the Fendi store front and basically all the others when it’s dark!! Have fun!!
I’m training for my first half marathon in Feb 2013.. I just printed out your schedule and put it on my board. I would love to win Bethany Frankel’s DVD… I need to always force myself to remember to stretch!
I am a nanny and love at home workout ideas for when the kids are napping. This video would add one more option for me!
I had been looking at Bethenny’s workout video several weeks ago, but based on the reviews – couldn’t figure out if it only included a minor yoga segement along with a full workout (I’m only interested in the yoga). Would love to add this routine into my day – After a long day at work, coming home to make dinner – dishes, laundry, etc., 15 or 20 minutes is short enough to commit to!
Enjoy NYC during the happiest time of the year! Hopefully the weather will be mild enough that you won’t have to be completely bundled in a winter coat and snow boots!
Have fun in NYC! I love that city so much and wish I could go back soon!
Oh I’m so jealous! It’s on my bucket list to go to New York during the holidays. I want to see Rockafeller center and all the decorations. Have a fantastic time Julie!
Have fun in NY! That’s such a cool city… I never get to spend enough time there but I’d really like to at some point. There’s so many great restaurants and great places to run. I’m sure you’ll have a blast and look forward to reading about it 🙂
I’m so jealous you are going to New York. My sister lives there. The last time I went to visit her my now husband surprised me by showing up there and proposing. I will always love NYC for that reason.
Do you like your forerunner watch? I’m in the market for a new one and wanted your feedback! Thanks.
I would love to try this DVD! I am always looking for new at home workouts to get hooked on!
Yay!! NYC!! I just planned a surprise trip there for fiance for his birthday weekend in January! I am so stoked and I know he will be too once I tell him…its killing me holding it in. I just wish the rockefeller tree would still be up but I am pretty sure they take it down a week after New Years. Have so much fun and be safe!!
ps: I hope to look at wedding dresses at Kleinfield just for fun when we go…hope you all can make it there!!
I am finishing up the semester of classes in NYC! I love the city during the holidays, but be warned, it has gotten very cold the past few days!
If you get a chance, go to Sugar Sweet Sunshine bakery. They have the BEST cupcakes as well as awesome flavors of pudding. I wish I could have some right now 🙂
Agreed!! I live in the city and had Sugar Sweet Sunshine’s pumpkin eggnog pudding a few weeks ago- one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten 🙂
I want to go to NYC so bad! I love greek yogurt, I prob eat them almost once a day!
What a great reason and occassion to visit your friend! I’m jealous… I love New York!
I’ve noticed you don’t eat a whole lot of grains…when I am running regularly I feel like it’s so hard for me to stay full without the carbs from grains! Do you do this purposefully, or just go through phases with things you’re into? I love your blog and realize I probably don’t know everything you eat haha but I am just curious!
Have a great time in NYC – if you get a chance, go to Serendipity and get a frozen hot chocolate (even though it’s cold outside!)
Your blog has been so inspiring! Today I ran 6 miles for the first time ever – and did it in a little over an hour (which is pretty good for me). So excited to be turning myself into a runner as I, too, have hated running in the past.
Sweet! Have a great time in NYC, I have always wanted to see it at Christmas!
Have fun in NYC!!
That’s my favourite city ever! I’m going on Sunday for a few days with a friend of mine..absolutely cannot wait!
GREAT run! 🙂
The city is so great this time of year – – enjoy!! So happy to hear that Sadie is doing well!
Wedding dress shopping with friends in NYC during the holidays… dream come true!
Running by the water makes any run better! Godiva chocolate is to die for…
Wedding dress shopping in NYC sounds awesome, have fun! St. Pete is a cool place, my uncles lives there and I always enjoy it! Have you ever watched the fireworks on July 4th there? The view of bay lights up in all directions!
Have so much fun in NYC. I’m going there in a few weeks and I can’t wait!
Have fun in NYC! I’ve never been, but I’ve always wanted to go at Christmas time!
So jealous youre in NY, especially during the holidays! Sounds much better than studying for finals, your blog is a little sunshine in my day 🙂