Drawings

Haven't been drawing for a very long time, at least not just random/quick drawing but a little more detailed sketches and coloring.  With my daughter constantly asking me to draw her favorite Paw Patrol characters and other random objects on a notepad.  I decided to turn this activities into a more serious one and really pick up on doing some serious sketches again.  So here they are, still not as good as I wish, still quite a bit of flaws in the techniques.  Oh well I guess I'm glad that I did not try to turn this hobby into a career or I'd really be a struggling artist.

Everest: Ice or Snow I'm Ready to Go!

Rubble: Rubble on the Double!

Winter Run!

Chilly 7 miles!

Blind Date with a book

Book Culture @ Columbus AveUWS

What makes this bookstore a local favorite.  Too bad I am not a big fan of literature and fictions. Otherwise I would have tried my luck!

New Year's Day 10K

Happy New Year!! Wishing everyone a healthy and successful year!

Jingle Bell Jog

Happy Holidays!

Late Fall Weekend Long Run

Race to Deliver: 4M Race

I ran a 4M race today with colleagues to help raising funds and promote awareness for God's Love We Deliver (GLWD)! The orgniazation prepare and deliver nutritious meals to people who are sick and unable to prepare meals for themselves.  For more information about GLWD, please visit their website.

It was a cold morning with temperature below 40F (4.4C), wind was pretty gusty and it felt like 32F. I had two layers and long sleeves all the way, but the temp was cold enough that my joint felt too cold to move. I could hardly wiggle my fingers when we were waiting to start. 

I ran a decent first mile passing through the Cat Hill on the start. I was starting to feel a little warmer but my hands were still frozen cold. The second mile was pretty flat and steady.  At the end of the 2nd mile I came across someone who dressed the same as me - our jacket, pants, and even ear warmer were the same colors.  Usually it's quite easy to notice and remember the person who dresses like you, or running as the same pace as you.  Needless to say she took notice of me as well.  

Incidents like this in races usually leads to competition.  Somehow she decided that I am her competition and she started racing with me.  I knew this because I saw her passing me, falling back behind me, and passing me again repeatedly in the next 2 miles, literally from the initial encounter to the finish line. It was funny as the third mile was 3 rolling hills and we 'battled' through the hills one after another. We had different approach to ascends and descends so we exchanged lead a few times.  Every single time when I passed her at a steady pace, I could see her passing me again within 10 seconds. 

At 3.5 miles I was getting a little tired and her lead widened.  Towards the end everyone started to speed up so I did my best to follow the pace as well. She looked around and saw me coming and she pushed through as well.  My shoe laces were loose suddenly but I ignored it. (If it were earlier in the race I would have stopped).  We sprinted the last 200-300 meters at almost 2'00" quicker than our race pace!  She ended up beating me by about 2 seconds "at the finish line" (I have no idea what corral she was in and what time she crossed the starting line). I was "beat", but my results and pace were much better than I expected so I was happy.  

The advantage of joining a race instead of practicing by yourself is all about motivation, whether it's keeping up with the people running next to you, or even starting a little healthy competition, it only helps pushing your physical and mental limits and letting you realize how much more you're capable of. 

Finally I met up with colleagues and enjoyed a delicious brunch on the Upper East Side.