Rainbows, Running, and Refueling
Today I ran in the Brooklyn Pride 5k. Standing at the start line, I thought, ‘Pride week is to many of the people here, probably like what a Veg Fest is to me.’ And, for me, Veg Fests are an opportunity to feel less in the minority. The labels I carry with me (woman, vegan), I’m somewhere in the rainbow ribbon of my finisher’s medal; we all are.
One of the most adorable things I saw, aside from puppies and tutus, was a family in Joe hearts Jeff t-shirts. The couple was getting married right after the race! At the Brooklyn Half, I saw a newlywed running in a veil. It always impresses me when people go out of their way to hype up for a race. At the Brooklyn Pride, one guy even had wings on. So help me, if I ever run a Disney race, it’s on like Donkey Kong.
Can’t say I’m super excited about my time of 28:21. Wish I’d dug deeper to at least maintain under a 9 min mile. It’s not about not meeting or exceeding your expectations or dreams. It’s that feeling after when you think, I could have done better. I was off my target at the Brooklyn Half by 14:02–sub 2 hour you will not elude me–but I felt I’d given all I had. I felt accomplished. I’m signed up for a 10k in July; I want sub 1 hour…I’ll take no regrets.
Afterwards, after cheering on the remaining runners, I hopped the subway to Smorgasburg. After devouring a couple of Fatty Beet Sliders from Chickpea and Olive, I sucked back the most delicious mango lemonade from Bombay Sandwich Co. I almost got a second it was that good. I wasn’t the only one who thought Smorg was a good call and spotted a few rainbow ribbon racers sprawled out on the grasses.
Satisfied, and getting a little too sun-kissed, I headed back to the train. I nearly spent $4.90 on ice cream when I spotted the Van Leeuwen truck–they now have two vegan flavors–but common sense got hold of me through the delirium of the mid-Saturday sun. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when places have new vegan offerings…but I had to seriously talk myself into buying a pint last week for $5, so I’m not about to shell out so much for a little cup of it. With my sweet tooth peaked though, I headed to Peacefood Cafe.
Fellow bloggers Emily, of Jersey City Vegan, and Stacy, of Vegan Fatty Boombalatty, were exchanging about the vegan ‘cronut’ and I had to check it out. A cronut is a croissant married with a donut…and it makes one fuggly baby in my humble opinion. Apparently, it’s good, but my eyes locked onto the chocolate croissant and I knew it was love.
After I made it home, I nursed that baby and a good book. I’m pretty aware my measly 5k didn’t justify all the food I knocked back today, but there are some days when you have to just say, ‘I’m fortunate. This day may not happen again. Carpe fudgin’ diem!’
June 8, 2013
alifevegetarian
