48 Hours in New York City

Last week, I was going about my day when Nike called and asked me if I wanted to take a trip with them to New York a few days later. As you can imagine, I didn't have to think twice about that ! "Um... Obviously"

Scenes from Tribeca.

I flew out along with 3 other runners, @MichaelPak, @chauntallewis, and @DianaKmir.

We arrived to NYC to cloudy, rainy skies. I couldn't have been more excited for this kind of weather. Living in LA is great because it's always sunny, but I definitely miss these chilly, gray days. They are so warming and comforting. 

Rain, I missed you!

The main reason Nike flew us out was to get a first look at the Nike+ Apple Watch. So, when we landed, we headed straight to the hotel to drop off our stuff, then right over to the Nike Clubhouse at 45 Grand to get our watches and meet with some EKINs (Nike spelt backwards). 

Chillin' like a villain at 45 Grand.

This thing is TIGHT.

We all received a Nike + Apple watch, and get a quick run through on how to use it. It's band is sweat resistant and the watch itself is watch resistant, making it perfect for those sweaty heart pounding workouts I love so much.

The entire campaign behind this watch is "Are We Running Today?" which is, and should always be, YES!

The design behind the watch is built upon fitness, which is great because that is mainly what I'll be using it for. I had a Fitbit Alta prior to this trip, but now that's in my dresser drawer and I don't miss it one bit. The Apple watch does what the Fitbit does but so much more. The Apple watch makes it super easy to easily track and access your workouts. You can even swim in this!

Right after we were gifted the watches, we began stretching and getting ready for an after-dark 5K around lower Manhattan.

We strapped on our (new) Nike gear and jogged up Hudson Street to the West Side Highway, then down and around Greenwich Village.

The crew outside the 45 Grand Nike Clubhouse

The next morning, we woke up at 7AM for another 5K. It was so cold that morning, and we ran fast! I met up with my friend Holly from Connecticut and we ran together. It was so fun. I miss running in NYC. There's something so energizing and magnetic about running around the city, and it's by far the best way to see the sights. 

Flipping perspective.

I always forget how much I love running when I do it in groups. Solo running is fun and all but I definitely prefer running with other people. It always pushes me to go faster, harder, and longer. Plus, you have someone to chat to and share the experience with! This trip reminded me to keep running and get a solid running crew. 

After our run, we carbed up at Sadelle's, this adorably charming bagel spot in SoHo. I could tell it was legit because I asked the waiter if he had dairy free cream cheese and he laughed at me.

"You can get fat free because all of our fat is free" He joked.

And with that, I got a gluten free everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, avocado, and Scottish cured salmon. It was sooo good. Just so simple and so tasty. I used to eat bagels all the time when I lived in NYC and CT. Until last week, I hadn't had a bagel in ages (can't remember the last time I had one) because LA's just don't compare to New York's. I can't tell you how great it felt to be reunited with my East coast classic breakfast. Sometimes, you just need a bagel. 

Good 'ol fashion bagel with the works. Plus avocado. 

After breakfast, I said bye to the Nike team, and headed back to The Gansevoort to pick up my bags and check out of my hotel- then headed to some meetings up in midtown. I got to see my sister and an old friend from college which was a huge plus. Then, I hopped on the L to Williamsburg to meet up with my good friend Annah. 

Of course, no trip to Brooklyn is complete without a stop at the Williamsburg Farmer's Market. Except, we didn't set out to go here. We were heading to a boxing class on the other side of McCarren Park when I spotted a slew of people and tents across the park. It's like I have this magical power that lets me sniff out farmer's markets from a mile away. This is the kind of stuff that only happens in NYC. You'll be walking around and boom, you walk right into a farmer's market. 

Williamsburg farmer's market (Saturday)

Walking through the farmer's market, I was overtaken with very nostalgic feelings for the East coast. I love LA so much but I definitely miss autumn right now. Walking through the farmer's market, oogling at all the fall produce, seeing people in their jackets with piping hot coffees, I felt so happy to be there.  But I feel like here in LA we are missing out on fall (and seasons in general) so I soaked up every minute. 

Beautiful foraged mushrooms from the farmer's market. 

View of the Meatpacking District from my hotel room. 

I got to see tons of friends, go to a Soul Cycle class, run around the city, eat at divine places like Sadelle's, Santina's, and Dirty Candy, (which I was not a fan of). It was such a nice trip, and I can't wait to go back to NYC again this December for the holidays!

Walking around midtown for meeting, I stopped at this cool milky (probably disgustingly dirty) puddle. 

This is not a sponsored post, just wanted to share some photos + insight on my trip from this week. Thanks so much for reading!