Last week marked my new running friend No. 3 since moving to the Big Apple, including one who I still run with on a weekly basis. Not too shabby.

These experiences have helped me think twice before rolling my eyes when a stranger tries to strike up a conversation when I’m sweaty, out of breath, and half-asleep. Because, after all, running with people is fun, and runners in New York can be friendly!

Maybe it’s the endorphins, or could it be those fabulous lululemon pants I own? Either way, I welcome the company when I’m trying to sustain sub-7:30 pace (which does not happen every day). Not to mention, I admire the forwardness of my fellow runners who approach me with “Nice pace” or “Mind if I join?” It’s what I now refer to as the “Pace Pick-up Line.” Trashy? Nah. Acceptable? Yes, but only while wearing sneakers and running on public paths.

And my No. 1 Running Date Rule? Don’t race on the first date.

What I’ve learned–scratch that–what I’ve come to admit is that if I put something off, it simply won’t get done. Not because I don’t care, but because it’s very easy to get overwhelmed between work, family, friends, and the city that never sleeps.  I think it was Randy Pausch who put it most eloquently in one of my favorite books, The Last Lecture: Do it now! Those three words could not be any truer. Think about it.

If I snooze my alarm and tell myself I’ll run later, I won’t.

If I find a race to sign up for and don’t, it will probably fill up.

And if I tell myself I’ll blog when I get home, I’ll never get around to it.

Don’t get me wrong, I consider myself to be productive, but sometimes procrastination can get the best of me. Crossing my fingers that my new mantra keeps me in line and on time!

I’ve finished a 15K in Florida with the fam, helped my sister train for a half marathon, and bought a pair of new kicks from a not-so-distant cousin who happens to be a rockin’ runner herself.

Now, for the official recap:

The 1st annual Kennedy family Gasparilla in Tampa, FL (after getting snowed in NY last year) was a success from start to finish (pun intended). From the on-time flights to the free schwag at the  expo (Pirate’s Booty, anyone?) to the PERFECT weather, it was a weekend to remember. Who knew running a race on “vacation” could be so fun? I PR-ed and made it into the paper for Top 50 women, Ian ran the farthest he has ever run, Liz and Jamie kicked butt as usual, and my dad finished faster than expected. Not to mention my mom was the best–and loudest–cheerleader on Bayshore Boulevard.

Beer never tasted so good. Carbs!

Lookin' pretty fine after a fiery 15K!

Cindy Lou-who? Cindy Lou the loudest cheerleader!

Cut to the next weekend when Liz and I traded the 80 degree weather and flat, waterfront course for the interminable hills of Central Park. We ran 11 long miles in preparation for Liz’s More Half Marathon in the park on April 3rd. Go, Liz!

It was some point during the 9.3 and 11 mile runs that I decided I needed a new pair of shoes. And I was going to get them the right way– at Jack Rabbit Sports. Not only did I pick the perfect pair of purple Asics 2160s after testing them out on the house treadmill, but I also met a distant family member of mine.

As it turns out, my dad’s cousin’s daughter (did you get that?) works at Jack Rabbit and is a seasoned runner and coach. She gave me tips on the best running groups in the city and invited me to join her on a run. If you’ve read my blog before, you know that I couldn’t ask for much more when it comes to running and camaderie. Well, maybe faster times, but who’s counting?

1. Running without a hat or gloves (or fear that I will slip on the ice)
2. The faint smell of spring outside this morning
3. Watching fellow runner stop at bodega on his way home from Central Park to pick up flowers for his sweetie
4. Chocolate caramel toffee truffles (yes, they do exist)
5. Celo and Gwyneth Paltrow’s Grammy performance last night
6. Quality family time and home-cooked meals
7. Kicking Liz’s butt in bootcamp (or at least pretending to)
8. Birthday celebrations with my favorite people
9. Wine bar dates with sister, friend and boyfriends

And of course, my valentine (you know who you are)! In the words of Bob Marley (and because a tropical vacation is on my mind), I’ll have to say: one love, one heart, let’s get together and feel all right.

Alas, today brought new hope. Perhaps it was a 24th birthday present (a day late), or maybe just a little tease from Mother Nature. Either way, the ice melted and the air was crisp, and once again we met at 6:20 am at the Boathouse for 9 miles at 7:30 pace.  Just what I needed to relieve me of my cabin fever and prepare me for the Gasparilla 15K in Tampa in t-minus 16 days. Every Kennedy for themselves!

Alas, the news never stops, and I picked the wrong industry to work in if I think there’s ever any hope of getting an adult snow day. Sigh…there are worse things in life.

In attempt to ward off the winter blues, I finally gave in and joined a gym. Fortunately, the snow banks aligned–the gym around the corner from my new digs offered a New Year’s membership deal and my parents decided to gift me a year of fitness for my birthday. Never one for the treadmill, I am still getting used to the idea of packing a bag with a padlock and headphones, rather than simply lacing up my Mizunos.

Surprisingly enough, it’s not so bad. I’ll run when I can, and when the weather gets in the way, I’ll take advantage of the spin classes, flatscreen TVs, and steam room my new gym has to offer. After all, I’ve got one more week until my 24th birthday, and I don’t plan on kicking off my 25th year of life with an extra hibernation layer.

We’ve all had enough of winter, and fortunately Mr. Groundhog did not see his shadow this morning, so with any luck, spring is right around the corner. Even more reason to get up and get moving! Those sundresses are waiting.

Thanks to fleece-lined leggings, smart wool socks, neck  and hand warmers–not to mention a rockstar pacer and fan club–I finished in 1 hour, 35 minutes and 1 second. A whopping 1 minute and 59 seconds faster than the qualifying time.

I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t easy. And I doubted myself. A lot. Maintaining a 7:15 pace in 10 degree weather is not something I’m used to. “There’s always the charity option,” I told myself (and was told by others). But once I got past those mental blocks–and listened to Veronica’s encouraging mantras–I was in to win it (per se).

It goes without saying that you need to get your head in the right place in order to get your legs moving. And it helps when you’ve got a running partner who knows your pace and knows how to push you. Too often I slow down and hold back because I’m getting tired, when in reality it’s that I’m afraid of what “tired” really feels like.

I’m so glad I had that extra boost from an experienced runner who knew that I had what it takes to run that time. (Even if it means running a 7:48 mile when a cramp nearly sidelined me at mile 9) Now all I need is a little more edge to be able to keep up with her on November 8th!

Last night, I had the privilege of sitting front and center at the New York Times’ Arts and Leisure Weekend, which featured an intimate interview between Times columnist Gail Collins and CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric. While discussing her big move from the Today show to her current post as the first ever solo woman anchor of an evening news broadcast, Couric emphasized the importance of taking risks, even if that means (gasp) moving out of your comfort zone. Couric recalled a valuable piece of advice from a producer, which helped push her career forward: “Boats are always safe in the harbor, but that’s not what they are built for.”

(Let’s be honest, I couldn’t imagine going on vacation to the St. Lawrence River in the summer and not taking out the boat!)

Not only did that resonate with me on a professional level (did I just refer to myself as a professional?), but also on an athletic level. I went to my friend Dave’s spin class this morning instead of running. About half way through the class, when I just wasn’t feeling the music, I got the push I needed to finish the workout: “Get out of your comfort zone. The song is only 190 seconds long.”

It’s true, people have a tendency to be afraid of pain–whether it’s due to a hard run or a job rejection–that they shy away from any potential causes. I am the perfect example. And I’m also working hard to get over that fear, and encourage you to, too. Try something new this weekend, workout a little harder than usual, and don’t ever back down on your dreams.

Now that I’m on the east side, I’ve got a whole new approach to running in Central Park. The best part is I’m significantly closer to the meeting spot for my Thursday early morning running group. (Ten minutes extra snooze time, yes please!) And it must have made a difference, because this morning we were dropping 7-minute miles!

This may seem like very trivial business, but for me, it’s just the running refresher I needed. As much as I love to run, I  get bored of the same old circle day after day and need a new direction. Although it’s a bit of a tease now that my former home stretch is now my two mile marker.

Now it’s your turn to change up your routine–walk a new route to the subway, take the stairs (sorry, I had to) and invite your friends to join in your daily challenges. That’s my cheesy “can-do” fitness advice for the day. Go get ‘em!

That being said, I plan (yes, plan, not promise) to be more consistent with blogging in the new year. It’s been over a month since I’ve last posted and I feel like I need to fill that void that my lack of online presence has undoubtedly left in your life.

Heck, I’ve run in the recent snowpocalypse that hit NY, met a “famous” New York City marathoner while running post-storm, taken a few kick-ass spin classes, worked overtime, and even  moved across town! Yes, I’ve been busy.

So here’s to keeping my thoughts fresh, not letting work get in the way, and running to keep myself healthy and sane!

P.S. To anyone running the Manhattan Half Marathon in Central Park on Saturday, January 22nd–see you there!