Orlando

Orlando without kids? 

In my mind, the home of Mickey Mouse is only meant to be enjoyed by people with families. Water parks exist in all corners of the city, hotels are all filled with kid-friendly activities, and restaurants always have crayons and coloring books readily available. 

Don't get me wrong - Orlando is a great place for adults, too. The weather is warmer than most other parts of the United States and almost everyone likes theme park rides.  Orlando may not top my list of vacation destinations, but I am happy to spend a week there on business. 

On our way to the resort, we saw some dark clouds up ahead and immediately got stuck in a 5-minute downpour. Fortunately, we were sitting dry in a chauffeured car instead of running to buy an emergency poncho like all the people at Disney World. Classic Florida. 

Check-in at the hotel included a glass of champagne and a nice suite upgrade.  With all this extra space, I felt like I should invite some friends and family down for the week. It didn't take long for this hotel to win me over!

Hotel Suite

I looked out the window and the only buildings to stand above the tree line were high-rise hotels and strip malls. From the atrium lobby, EPCOT created the familiar Disney skyline. The sprawling resort pool below also looked inviting. The greater Orlando area just screams "vacation" and it is such a welcome contrast from the chaotic city life I usually see from my hotel rooms. 

View of Lake Buena Vista "skyline" from my hotel room

View of the resort from the hotel lobby

The work week, as always, included some excellent meals. My favorite was Nine 18, the Forbes 4-star restaurant at Grand Cypress Golf Resort.  The carefully crafted dishes and mature atmosphere were almost "too nice" for a random Wednesday dinner.  The meal was a huge contrast to the night before, where our team had an unusual experience at a place called Miller's Ale House. On first glance, it seemed like just another casual bar with countless beers on tap. However, it was surprisingly filled with families and small children. In fact, the restaurant catered so much to small children that it even had a balloon artist circulating around the tables to make the animals of our choice. If this restaurant doesn't proliferate the bar culture at a young age, I don't know what else would.

Balloon Animals and beer (and a 4-year-old peeping Tom)

After the work week was over, I spent a little extra time in Florida before flying to my next destination. My morning started with a vibrant rainbow (one of the benefits of the Florida rain). 

Beautiful rainbow over the resort pool

I purposely avoided any of the theme parks in Orlando, opting instead to stay on property and enjoy the on-site recreation activities. Between the kayaking and the "water-ski" bike (something I have never seen before), these 'family-friendly' activities were starting to grow on me. 

View of the hotel from the adjacent lake.

I have never heard of a bike on water skis...but it was fun!

I may not have any kids of my own, but I was never very far removed from them throughout the past week. Orlando is clearly a city geared towards tourism and the younger generation seems to rule the world when it comes to local activities. 

Walking through the resort on the last day, I actually felt out of place as a single adult. Everyone else seemed to be surrounded by family and friends. I had a great time working in such a relaxed environment, but it's not a destination that I will rush back to without a family of my own or a big group of friends.

Minnesota Half Marathon

I spent this past weekend in Minneapolis for a quick escape from Chicago. The main reason I booked the trip was to run the Minnesota Half Marathon on Sunday morning, but an added bonus was being able to hang out with Craig the night before the race.  

View of downtown Minneapolis from my hotel room

My hotel was located on Nicollet Mall, which is the major downtown hub for shopping and restaurants. I had a couple hours to spare before meeting Craig, so I decided to do a little shopping. While it may look like there are a lot of stores, I was disappointed by a noticeable scarcity of physical items filling the racks. A former Saks 5^th Avenue (now a Saks outlet store) is a mere shell of its once high-end positioning. Signs for 70% off were filling the store and even those prices weren’t enough to entice me to buy any of the dated styles on the racks. Places like Macy's and The Gap were not much better, so I quickly abandoned my quest to purchase something.

I would imagine that the gigantic Mall of America is where most local residents go for their shopping needs. It’s amazing how much different some Midwest American cities are from their European counterparts. In Europe, all of the action happens downtown – from shopping to nightlife. This is simply not the case throughout the United States, where city centers become ghost towns after regular office hours. (Anyone who has ever been to the Chicago Loop at 5pm on week days will see people literally running to the train station so they can get back home to the suburbs). 

Despite my disappointment in the shopping options along Nicollet Mall, I was highly amused by the people along the street. There was a group of young kids wearing headphones and dancing enthusiastically to their music (which was silent to everyone else). They attracted a lot of attention – including mine – and I watched for a while, hoping for a flash mob. Unfortunately, the big finale never materialized, so I was just walked away with a combination of amusement and confusion.

My first real feeling of “Minnesota” happened in Target, when the clerk asked me if I wanted my Powerade in a bag.  It sounded more like he was saying “beg” or “egg”, but I luckily noticed him pointing at a plastic bag and understood based on context clues.

Shortly after my shopping adventure, I met Craig (who conveniently lives next door to my hotel) and we set off for dinner. Weather was absolutely perfect, so the restaurants were all pretty busy. We ended up getting burgers and beer (the perfect pre-race meal). After dinner, we stopped at his friend's place – which was absolutely beautiful – and had a couple more drinks. There, I was treated to more Minnesota accents. Our final stop for the night was at a trendy bar, which was cool enough to thrive in even the snobbiest of cities.

By the end of the night, I had concluded that my earlier impression from Nicollet Mall was slightly misguided. The city of Minneapolis actually does have a vibrant city center and offers a pretty impressive selection of bars and restaurants. If the only thing missing is good shopping, this city still makes the grade in my book.

One of many outdoor dining options in Minneapolis

The next morning, my alarm clock went off FAR too early and I still felt a little drunk when I peeled myself out of bed. What was I thinking to only allows three hours of sleep before a half marathon?  I quickly threw on my shorts and jogged to the light-rail since I'm too cheap to pay for the $60 cab ride between Minneapolis and Saint Paul.  I also just enjoy riding public transportation. (My overall assessment is that there were far too many stops, but the train was super clean and modern). 

By the time I arrived at Upper Landing Park for the race start, I was finally starting to wake up. I picked up my race number and was amazed by all the different options to participate, from in-line skating to a 5k or half-marathon relay. It truly was an event for people of all skill levels. 

View of Saint Paul from Upper Landing Park

The course, itself, was out-and-back along a 3-lane highway. The river ran along one side of the street and the city of Saint Paul was perched above on a cliff. I wouldn't characterize the views as "scenic" but it was certainly pleasant enough. 

The back half of the course felt monotonous to me because I was essentially running alone.  The runner in front of me maintained a consistent pace and I used him as an anchor for my own effort. Part of me enjoys being alone on the course, but maintaining an aggressive pace requires internal motivation - something that does not come easily when I am so tired. 

Closing in on the finish line, I was really proud to see a sub-1:25 time on the clock. I didn't clear it by a lot (8 seconds, to be exact), but that time always marks my mental distinction between a solid performance and a disappointing one. 

I was actually impressed by the pockets of people who came to cheer on the runners and skaters, even though I didn't personally know any of them. After the great support a few weeks ago in Maine, I was actually a little sad to know that I would finish the race without an entourage to cheer me on. Perhaps my internal drive to "just race" is starting to fade, as I seek out a more social experience.

Finish Line of the Minnesota Half Marathon

Race Medal

I still had a few hours before heading back to Chicago, so I walked through some cute urban neighborhoods near my hotel.  There was a craft fair in a nearby park, filled with a variety of art vendors and food trucks. I smiled as I watched people casually browsing through the items for sale and enjoying the relaxed afternoon. Summers in the upper Midwest are so short that it's great to see people really maximizing the warm weather. Although Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, I get a very "small-town" vibe there. A perfect example was a small box that was filled with books for people to borrow and return at their convenience. I doubt you would see a "little free library" in Manhattan!

Little Free Library in Minneapolis

My last stop before heading back to Chicago was to visit the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Other than the well-known "Spoonbridge and Cherry", I was a little underwhelmed by the sculptures. Lots of people were enjoying the park with their families, but I wouldn't recommend this as a "must-see" attraction in the Twin Cities. 

Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture

I am very happy as I reflect on my weekend in Minneapolis. For a long time, I have taken racing so seriously that these trips started feeling like business. This time, I decided to take a different approach and balance the social element with my racing goals. My race performance may have suffered a little, but it was totally worth the sacrifice for a fun night out. 

Chicago

One month in Chicago. 

After all the non-stop exotic travel this year, I was initially a little disappointed when I first heard that I would be spending so long in the windy city. Don’t get me wrong – Chicago is a fantastic place to visit. It just seemed less exciting to me than somewhere new would have been.

As I started making plans for the trip, I quickly realized how much fun it will be to spend the summer in a city I called home for two years.  I will be able to catch up with all my old friends, work in a relaxed office environment, and return to a typical American lifestyle. 

Well, almost typical.

I will still be living in a hotel and eating all my meals at restaurants. But, at least I will be walking to work, understanding the local language, and hanging out with people that I have known for more than 2 weeks.

I was upgraded on my flight to Chicago (a great way to start a trip). Approaching O’Hare airport always offers beautiful views of the city and I peered out of the window like an excited child. As my taxi reached downtown, it was nostalgic to see the buildings that I used to pass every day. There was comfort in knowing exactly where I was going.

Walking to the office on Monday morning reminded me just how busy the city can be during the morning commute. Sidewalks are filled with people – all walking with a clear destination in mind.  The signature Chicago commuter 'look' includes business casual office attire, a leather bag over one shoulder, ear buds playing music, a Starbucks cup in one hand, and a phone in the other. Everyone is connected, but not to each other. 

Although I am living in a hotel, it already feels like I am back at home. For me, the comforts of home are less about my accommodations and more about the overall lifestyle. Summer in Chicago is filled with street festivals, al fresco dining, volleyball games on the beach, and non-stop concerts at Pritzker Pavilion. These events aren’t the most exciting to recall in a blog post, but they are a reflection of the high quality of life that Chicagoans enjoy during the few months of nice weather each year.

One of the best outdoor music venues in the country

One of my favorite weekend activities in Chicago has always been to run along the lakefront path (surprising, I know). The path is always a great place to scope out fellow runners, bikers, and anyone enjoying the beach. Overall, the people seem to be in better shape than I remember.  Maybe I have just spent too much time out of the country, where TV and stereotypes perpetuate the idea that all Americans are overweight.

All Americans do not look like the family on Honey Boo Boo!

As the weeks progressed, I realized that I took Chicago for granted when I lived here before. It's such a vibrant city, but it is easy to ignore the outside world when life feels routine. I used to get on the bus and read my kindle without even noticing the people around me or the views from the window.  I would eat at the same restaurants, drink at the same bars, and complain when I had to travel more than 5 miles to see my friends. I think most people get stuck in the same routine when they're at home.

This time around, I have made a concerted effort to accept every social invitation, to visit places that are usually geared towards tourists, and to try new restaurants in different parts of the city.  I almost always take my camera with me so I can take pictures like as if it were the first time I had ever seen Chicago. Here are some of my favorite pictures of the city from the past month:  

Chicago sky-scrapers in River North area

Water Tower, with John Hancock Tower as a backdrop

Passing the familiar Civic Opera Building in the Chicago Loop

People cross one of many bridges over the Chicago river

Wrigley building at night

 

When I finally do settle down in one place, I need to remind myself to spend some time appreciating the beauty of my surroundings.  Chicago, like any other city, is filled with great architecture, wonderful people, and plenty of photo opportunities.  

I'm so glad I have gotten the opportunity to revisit Chicago this summer.  It has given me the chance to catch up with old friends, make new connections, and enjoy the city like a tourist. 

This will always be the Sears Tower to me...

Michigan Ave skyline

Cloud Gate at Millennium Park

Chicago River at sunset

Old Port Half Marathon (Portland, ME)

Portland Maine is a city that oozes New England charm. It started as a fishing village and the Old Port district still remains a hub of activity for both tourists and locals.  I was excited to see that a half marathon was happening during the last weekend of my vacation.  I was even more excited when I found out that Erin, one of my oldest friends, had also signed up for the race. 

I drove up with my mom on Saturday morning so we could spend the day on the beach with Erin and her family. It had been years since I spent time at their summer cottage, but the childhood memories flooded back as soon as I stepped through the door. It was as if the entire house had been frozen in time while all of us grew up.

We spent a few hours on the beach, soaking up the sun before Erin, Megan, and I went to the city for our race packets. 

I was happy to see that this was not a typical expo. Instead of winding through rows of event promotions, athletic gear, and health food samples, this felt more like an outdoor music festival. A stage was set up at the end of the pier with live bands playing throughout the afternoon. There was also a huge beer tent serving various flavors of Shipyard beer. The blueberry wheat was great.  Clearly, we understand that carb loading is essential before a race and beer can fall into that category, too. 

Stage at Old Port Half Marathon Expo

Erin and I enjoying the expo

On this perfect summer day, the race organizers succeeded in making us almost forget that we would have to run 13.1 miles the next morning. 

That evening, my mom and I stayed with one of her friends in Kennebunk, which is another charming Maine town.  Similar to Portland, the history of this town is closely connected to shipbuilding and fishing industries. Driving through downtown, we passed so many stately mansions that we were told belonged to ship captains.  The seafront was so picturesque and we arrived at the perfect time to watch the sun set. 

Casual beachfront living at its finest

Sun begins to set over Kennebunkport

 

Fantastic Maine evening

New England is filled with so many charming towns to visit throughout the year, but Kennebunkport is such an ideal summer tourist destination. For anyone who wants to soak up the true New England atmosphere, one evening is simply not enough. 

The next morning, we woke up at the crack of dawn (literally) and I'm glad we left extra time because the parking situation in Portland was a little chaotic. It's amazing how just a few thousand people can really clog up the city.  

The starting line could have used at least double the number of portable toilets. I knew I wouldn't have time to wait in line, so I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. The line-up process was also a bit unusual because everyone was corralled on a pier. I was late to get in line, so I just ducked under a fence to get a spot at the front of the pack. 

The course took us along Commercial Street, up through some pretty noticeable hills, then back along Commercial Street in the opposite direction.  Around the 5th mile, I knew I would find my mom and her friend cheering me on, so I pushed extra hard to impress them with a good placement. Not only that, I also needed to look good for the inevitable candid photos. The funny thing is that my mom would be proud of me even if I was in last place. I suppose all this effort is to impress myself more than anyone else. 

Running along Commercial Street

The next part of the course took us up another hill, along the parks of Eastern Promenade, and around a lake-type area called Back Cove.  There were some pretty aggressive hairpin turns and I could imagine had huge potential for bottlenecks (fortunately, I made it through before the bulk of the runners). Aside from some strange turns, it really was a beautiful course. 

One thing happened during this race that almost never happens in a half marathon: I was passed (multiple times). It actually rattled my confidence because I was wondering just how slowly I may be running. I realized that my problem was probably going out too fast in the first half. Typical amateur runner mistake. I should have known better. 

The final mile of the race took runners along the famous "graffiti wall", past the old rail tracks (complete with a historic rail car), and back along the water towards the finish line.  By this point, I was just tired of being passed so I pushed myself once again to at least finish with a respectable placement. 

Not realizing I was about to be passed (again)

By this point, I was ready to be finished!

The crowds along the last half-mile of the course were really uplifting.  As I approached the finish line, I was shocked to see the clock reading only 1 hour 22 minutes - a very good time for me. After feeling like I was struggling for much of the last five miles, this was a huge surprise. My mental struggle may have been a symptom of the heat, or maybe just the psychological effects of being passed by at least 4-5 people. 

I picked up my medal and searched for everyone I knew who was there to cheer me on.  There's no better feeling than to finish a race and actually have people around to celebrate the accomplishment.  Of course, it's also nice when they bring things like water, energy bars, and a cold towel to put around my neck!  Talk about celebrity treatment.

Finish line gifts

We all waited for Erin to finish and I had debated whether I should run the last half mile with her.  In the end, I decided to just remain a part of the cheering section. Oddly enough, we were talking afterwards and she also wondered whether I would run the final part of the course with her.  I guess I should have jumped in!

Erin and I after the race

Overall, it was a beautiful weekend in Maine. The race was a lot of fun, the weather was perfect, and I had the honor of a cheering section at the finish line. To be honest, the joy of racing has eluded me over the past year. My finish times (and placements) have suffered with my ankle trouble. But, more than that, running alone just makes everything feel like a business trip than a social event. I am so glad that the two races I decided to run on vacation were enjoyed with friends and family. This has given me renewed enthusiasm for the sport. 

My #1 fan!

As I prepare for my next work trip - this time in Chicago for an undefined amount of time - I am grateful for my time at home and for this short weekend trip to Maine. I loved being able to see good friends and family, while enjoying a sport that I am so passionate about.  Thanks to the Old Port Half Marathon team for a wonderful event!

Old Port Half Marathon - 2014 Medal

Summer Vacation

“Welcome back to America”, I thought to myself, as I reached the new automated kiosks at passport control. Along with our customs declarations, a receipt now prints out with the most unflattering photo I have ever seen of myself.  Whose idea was it to take pictures of passengers just as they are disembarking from long, international flights?

The agent didn’t even ask a question when he looked at my list of countries that I had visited since leaving the United States in January. Despite lengthy periods in India, I still managed to log seven countries on this trip (India, Nepal, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Philippines).

As I stepped into the back seat of my parents’ car, it finally hit me: My American summer vacation has arrived!

The first day at home was filled with my favorite of all the American summertime activities: drum corps! I picked up Kristen and we drove up to the Boston Crusaders rehearsal site to get a first-hand look at the 2014 show. I am constantly in awe at the musical and physical demands that are required of each member and this year’s show takes the athleticism to another level. Several times during rehearsal, we looked at each other and agreed that we could never survive a drum corps tour at our age (and this is coming from two marathoners in great physical shape).

2014 Boston Crusaders in warm-up

After rehearsal ended, we went back to my parents’ house for a BBQ by the pool. We then piled back into the car to watch the show. It was great to see so many people from my drum corps days and to enjoy what may be my only live show of the season. I couldn’t have asked for a better first day back.

2014 Boston Crusaders - In Performance

As the week proceeded, I was mostly just excited to be completely out of the work environment. I can wear anything I want while I eat breakfast. I don’t have to say good morning to ten people and remind them that I still don’t drink coffee. Whenever I sit by the pool, there are no hotel staff members approaching me to ask questions about work while they are in uniform and I am in a swimsuit. And, best of all, I am not forced to choose every meal from a menu and ending up with way more food than I need.

One night, my family got together for a belated birthday celebration and I actually chose to skip all the fancy restaurants in favor of grilling seafood at home. After eating every meal in a restaurant for the past six months, things that make me happiest are basics like fat free salad dressing, meats that are prepared with cooking spray instead of oil, and appetizers that are not all deep-fried.

The evening before 4^th of July, Kristen and I did a 10k race that finished on the center of the field at Patriot Stadium. I hardly ever run at night, so my legs felt heavy and tired before the race even started. I knew that this would not be a personal best for me. The entire race, I was stuck behind the female champion who all spectators all cheered on with great enthusiasm (meanwhile ignoring that I existed).  She was running alongside an older guy with the nastiest, hairiest back I have ever seen. I wanted so badly to pass them, but my legs just wouldn’t cooperate.

pre-race

Race medal

After the race, we stuck around the adjacent outdoor mall and enjoyed some sushi and hibachi in suburban paradise. On the way back home, we drove past the fireworks in Boston. I felt so patriotic.

Fourth of July is always a fun time at my parents’ annual BBQ. It was raining this year, but we still made the most of the day inside. My contribution to the meal was a Pinterest-inspired dessert that would get people talking. “Bears on the beach” was definitely a hit.

Pinterest dessert - bears on the beach

Spending some time with my cousin on 4th of July

The next day was my Dad’s birthday and we celebrated at my brother’s lake house in New Hampshire. We basically just parked his boat at the sand bar and spent the entire afternoon drinking while we were waist-deep in water. If you are ever without a beer can in your hand, someone will inevitably ask: “why aren’t you drinkin’?” The environment is fun, but one visit each summer is enough for me. 

Afternoon at the sand bar

Afternoon on the lake

My all-American summer vacation continued with a baseball game to cheer on the Boston Red Sox with a friend of mine who scored a pair of great tickets. I haven’t been to Fenway Park in well over a decade and I can probably count the number of baseball games I have seen since college on one hand. It was fun to be in such a historic stadium, but damn - those seats are the most uncomfortable things I have ever sat in. If my knee wasn’t banging into the row in front of me, my spine was drilling against the wooden slab of the seatback. Also, the width of each seat can barely accommodate an 8-year-old, let alone a normal-sized adult.

If you ask me, every Red Sox ticket should come with a free yoga session afterwards.

One of the best parts about being at home is seeing all my good friends from the past. I was lucky enough to be around to celebrate the birthday of one of my best friends from high school (a birthday I haven’t celebrated with much more than a Facebook message in the past eight years).  A bunch of us got together for trivia at a nearby seafood restaurant / bar.  We split into groups for the trivia part and, of course, my group won the entire event. (This was little to do with my knowledge and entirely to do with a classmate from college, who can recite facts like an encyclopedia).

Another night, I went out to dinner with an ex from college, who still looks great (and is very much in a committed relationship). I was slightly jealous that I am not the other half of this relationship, but it’s nice to know that my good taste stands the test of time.

Speaking of college (and good taste), I spent one afternoon visiting my alma mater with my mom. The plan was to update my collegiate wardrobe, but the gift shop was not open so we just walked around campus. I have such a deep sense of pride when I think about all of the amazing schools I attended. That said, there is something truly special about Boston College. The architecture is undeniably gorgeous, but beyond that, the overall atmosphere reflects a collaborative learning environment that is both competitive and fun. In my completely biased opinion, BC is the epitome of an all-around aspirational American university.

Boston College, "The Dustbowl"

Burns Library at Boston College

By the end of my second week in Boston, I felt like I had fully reintegrated myself back into American society. And, that’s a good thing because I have been told that my entire summer will be spent in North America this year. The next stop for work will be Chicago, but before that, I get to close my New England vacation with a weekend trip to Maine.