Joe to Joe 2013, Saturday January 26th at 9 a.m.

Last year we ran through almost all of the Joes to inaugurate the Upper East Side store. Since then Joe has added the Pro Shop as well, so this year's Joe to Joe Run will include all eight stores, and yet the route should be a little shorter, at 8.8 miles. Magic!

We'll meet at 9 a.m. at Waverly, run to 13th Street, then to the Pro Shop, then to 23rd Street, and from there head north and east to Grand Central, Lexington Avenue, through Central Park to Columbus Avenue, and end up at Columbia (because you still haven't been there, right? You should! It's beautiful!). The route should look something like this: http://goo.gl/maps/akMTH but feel free to make suggestions to make it more runner-friendly.

The object of the game is to check in at each store. The way the event was originally conceived, you were supposed to down a shot of espresso at each store, but with this many stops, that seems a little over the top, even if the espresso is the best in town. We'll all finish up at Columbia for coffee drinks and, perhaps, fabulous prizes (no promises on the fabulous prizes, but if anyone has something to offer as prizes, speak up!).

More details as they become clearer, but in the meantime. mark the date for a morning of running and coffee. Because that's what we do, right?

Alternative Marathons and Post-Sandy Support

Although I agreed with the decision not to hold the Marathon this year, I was momentarily sad that the streets of New York would be without the slap, slap, slap of thousands of running feet! Many of my friends had trained for the event and I was going to watch like every year!

However, many of the Team Joe runners found ways to run but also to help the victims of Sandy.

There was the Run Anyway in Central Park; about 2000 people came with stuff to donate for Sandy victims.  It was Caitlin's first marathon ever, and she did 4 laps of CP, which is actually harder than the Marathon trail. Below: Caitlin in green.

Betsy and Tom from Team Joe gathered goods for Staten Island, met at Joe Waverly at 9, and ran the goods TO SI, delivered it door to door, and then ran back. 18 miles in total.

Above, Betsy and friends.

They also took some photos of the astounding devastation.

Quick Update

Sorry I've been remiss in blogging about running...but I haven't been running in 3+ months. Yes, I was the fearless 39 weeks pregnant runner strangers gawped at on the Team Joe runs, but ironically it was only after the birth of Isadora that my body gave out. No worries, just a herniated disc from having a C-section. I don't want to go on and on, trying to move on.

The point to this is, I'm almost back, Baby! A few more weeks of PT and finding some ab muscles and you will see me running down the west side highway again!

Meanwhile, if you are interested in real Team Joe updates, find our facebook page. Team Joe Coffee. Lots going on there in terms of weekend runs, early morning runs, Marathon training groups, social hours, etc.

Cheers!

Gabby

New Art Show at "Upstate" Joe

Upstate is how we refer to our Upper West Side location among ourselves. New York photographer Sophie Harris has put together a wonderful, fresh, and energetic show in time for the Spring season!

Her photos are for sale through the artist at http://sophieaphotography.com/.

Fresh New Art At Joe "Upstate" (Upper West Side)

Come check out the new photography exhibit by Sophie Harris at Joe Upper West! The energy and color are remarkable. Sophie's art is for sale through her website. http://sophieaphotography.com/

Perfect Running Weather!

I'm inspired to run every day, though 3 times a week is all I've been able to manage in my current state. I know these last few months of blog entries have been boring, and I wish I had more interesting news to report, but I don't. I promise to beg my running associates to do some writing..

In the meantime, I'll tell you what it's like to be running at 37+ weeks..

Great!! The only issue I am having is my poor, tiny paws feel the immense weight gain after about 10 minutes and need a short break before I can resume.

I am desperate not to give birth early because of work stuff at Joe, so yesterday, I asked my Dr. if running would possible start labor, and he said no! Phew! My dream is to be running the day before I go into labor at 40 weeks. Except I hear that in these last couple of weeks the hips start to loosen. I felt that happen today, and almost went down just standing!

Anyway, I will be out there Saturday for what could be the last Team Joe run..come run with me one last time!

Untitled...

I thought after all those posts about running pregnant, it would be fun to see what that actually looks like. We actually had already finished the Team Joe run for the day, so these are a little staged..plus, my friend shown, Kristine, is actually an elite athlete. No way in hell I could actually keep up with her.