Race Report: Gran Fondo Italia Coral Gables

fi'zi:k booth at the expo with Team Velocita

I did something different this past Sunday, and took part in the Gran Fondo Italia Coral Gables.  It was a blast.  If you have not done one of these events, I highly recommend it.  You can read more about the events on the Gran Fondo Italia website.  I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in this event through the amazing sponsorship of fi'zi:k, being part of their Team Velocita.

Aside from the event, which was so much fun and very well run, they have an amazing expo the day before with great vendors.  The swag they give out to participants is also great - and includes wine, which is always fun.

There are three distances to chose from - 25 miles, 63 miles or 108 miles.  Since I did the NYC marathon the weeken before, and the Ironman Miami 70.3 the weekend before that, I opted to go with the 63 mile route.  This ended up being a good choice, as I was still tired from the past two weekends of racing.

Locked and loaded at the start line

Obviously being that we are in South Florida, the course is flat.  You can view the 63 mile course map here.  Starting off was pretty tight, but did open up a bit as we progressed through Coral Gables.

It took me about three hours to wrap up, and best of all the finish food at the expo was great.  It rained, which made it a little messy, but overall a great day and a lot of fun.  

Major thank you to fi'zi:k and Gran Fondo Italia!!! It was an amazing event and it is truly an honor to be a part of Team Velocita.  

Race Report: New York City Marathon

I go to Paris, I go to London, I go to Rome, and always I say, "There's no place like New York.  It's the most exciting city in the world now.  That's the way it is.  That's it." 

- Robert DeNiro

This was a special trip for me, having moved from New York City to Miami a little over a year ago, it is always special to visit home.  And, there is nothing quite like running through the five boroughs of the world's greatest city.  This trip was also going to be extra special since my mom was going to meet me in the city and stay with me for the weekend.  This would also be a time for me to connect with my NBCUniversal colleagues in New York, and I had a quick, but fun trip to 30 Rock.

30 Rock...boy do I miss working in this building

My old digs

At the expo

Of course food is always a priority for me, and there are certain places in particular that I miss the most since moving from NYC.  The first is Rubirosa, so i planned my pre-race carb loading there.  I have eaten a lot of pizza in my life, but this is one of my favorites.  It did not disappoint.

Rubirosa

I think with all the running around and reuniting with friends, my body wasn't quite ready to settle down and sleep.  If I slept an hour the night before the race, it was a lot.  Alas, the alarm clock went off and it was time to shuffle off to the race start.  I said goodbye to my mom, and headed to the Staten Island Ferry. I had planned to meet up with a friend I had not seen in 15+years at the race start.  We finally found each other on Staten Island in a sea of people at the ferry terminal - it is really funny how with certain people you can pick up right where you left off!  It was such a great treat!






To recap the race and the trip through the five boroughs:

• Staten Island:  race start is at Staten Island.  I opted to take the ferry over, so I can get a glipse of Lady Liberty.  Although I have seen her hundreds of times, there is nothing like the sight of her. There's nothing like hearing Frank Sinatra's New York New York at the start and it is so moving to see people from all over the world soaking up the New York energy.  
• Brooklyn:  once you cross the Verrazano Bridge, you are in Brooklyn.  Most definitely the best music of the five boroughs, and amazing crowds throughout the entire race course in this borough.  
• Queens:  after running through Brooklyn, you cross over into Queens.  I love Queens - it is so diverse and loaded with culture, but the Queensboro Bridge seemed to be never ending.  It was cold, windy, and seemed to be a never ending uphill climb!
• Manhattan:  it is a great feeling when you are finally over the Queensboro Bridge and back in Manhattan. The bridge dumps you on 1st and 59th, and this is one of the most spectator-heavy points along the route (and it is a great pick me up after that bridge)
• Bronx:  after that lively run up 1st Avenue, you enter into the Bronx.  You aren't really in the Bronx for long - just enough to say hello, before you are back into Manhattan and run down 5th avenue until you reach the Engineers Gate entrance to Central Park (90th Street - where I used to live)  This was extremely special for me, since while I lived in NYC all of my training was at the Engineers Gate entrance, two blocks from my apartment.

At this point, after entering Central Park, my calves started to tighten up pretty bad.  Somehow I got even more cold.  I was so ready to be done. I knew this was the last stretch, but it was a painful one for me.  I slowed down significantly the last few miles, but finally made it to the finish line. I would have liked to be a bit faster, but it was a 26 minute PR for me so I guess I should be happy.

       

I planned a post-race dinner with my mom at another one of my favorite restaurants that I missed deeply - Marc Forgione (You can read my Trip Advisor review, as well as others', here).  It is such a cozy ambiance,and their menu is unique.  It was just as amazing as I remember it. If you haven't been, it is a must-try.

The weekend flew by and before I knew it, it was time to get back to Miami.  I must say, of all the things I continue to miss about New York, the weather is definitely not one of them.  It was so great to land back in the Sunshine State!

One more weekend of racing before I officially enter the "off season."  Next up:  Gran Fondo Italia Coral Gables with fi'zi:k Team Velocita!  I am so excited and really looking forward to this event!