NYC #8 // First 4 Miles in the City

Thank you!!!

When I'm in cities such as Berlin or NY, I just love participating in fun events such as Food / Yoga festivals or smaller meet-ups for sports activities.. because hey! Often it's for free, there's good music, good action, good food and duh.. good people around! So, there was this Run x Dinner Event this past Tuesday Night and the deal was: Run 4 Miles with Undo Ordinary and have Dinner afterwards sponsored by Sweetgreen to check out their new Fall Menu. Awesome, right? We had to go! Or better.. I had to go.

So, I asked several friends to come with me and they all couldn't make it. I was by myself and didn't know whether I should go or not.. hmm.. my mind told me not to go because I am still sick and trying to recover from my cold.. should really take breaks! But my heart and my 'ants in the pants' I guess, so that's how Americans say: Hummeln im Hintern .. haha! (so lovely to discover new sayings in a different language!) told me to Go! Go! Go! This would have been my first run in a long time, too. So.. yep, you hear it. I did not want to go by myself.. until.. hach, I am such a bad decision-taker.. I asked another friend (who is not into running) for an objective opinion and she was totally like: Yes! You should definitely do it! It will be good for you! Just sweat it all out, it will be good for your cold. You'll make new friends! Just go! 
 
After such an enthusiastic response, I just had to go. I love how she said: Sweat it all out! Often, you have to do what's best for You. And you need that small kick in your butt! Don't depend on others, just do it! So, I was super excited to put on my brand new shoes and couldn't wait for my very first steps in it. Also, it was the perfect night for a run! There, I met some really nice pals and the founders of Undo Ordinary. We did not run to Williamsburg and back, which would have taken us 9 miles, but instead, along the water on the Westside Highway for 4 miles. 

My thoughts during the run were like this: 

1st mile.. this is not too bad, 

it's actually pretty warm with my jacket.

2nd mile.. Okay, this is a bit tough on me.. 

with my cold and stuff.. arghh

but 2 more and you're done! 

3rd mile.. okay, you made it 3/4 of the run

just keep running, no stops, no breaks

slow down if you need to.. 

my legs feel super heavy.. but I'll make it

 maybeee.. this wasn't the best idea..

to push my body to do this, 

hey you're still sick! (doubts, doubts, doubts) 

aah.. whatever I am here right now, enjoy the view!

You cannot change it.. you have to finish it. 

3.8miles.. 300m left, you can do it!!!

Just keep moving! 

Don't forget to breathe!

Aaaand.. I finished my first 4 miles in New York with an amazing view and amazing people who cheered me up the whole way!!! I still cannot believe that I did this, after 3 months of no running at all. Going for a long run, instead of adjusting myself with short runs first. Nope! Shoot for the stars, kids! After this, we had delicious salads as post-run dinner, I wasn't able to eat right away, so I took it home and was exhausted! As you can tell in the picture above in the left corner, I was the only one with a red face, BUT I was happy and now, two days and an intensive yoga class the morning after, my legs are still sore and I feel like an old lady trying to sit down.. soo funny! I think the only solution here is: Go Running! 

Cheers guys! 

I hope you enjoyed this little tale

 of my first 4 miles in the city.

And remember yourself,

kick your butt and just do it!

 Nike Air Zoom Structure 18,

this time no black, yes, it's bright and pink! :)

Mindful Monday: Dream. Believe. Achieve.

When I came to NY the very first days, I looked up some half marathons and saw that there is one coming up on my birthday! Nice, huh? :) I asked my dear friends if they would be up for that. No racing, only fun and friends motivating each other to accomplish something together instead of a big party. 

At that point, my ankle was still swollen and I am glad that by now, it turned to normal size again ;) It was rather a No from every party. So, I turned this chance down and didn't think about it anymore.. until last weekend! 

With my Girlcrush on Sophia Chang, I came across one of the Undo-Ordinary Co-Founders Robin Arzon. A former lawyer turned into a fitness journalist and an ultramarathoner, running for her mum and multiple sclerosis, read her full story on her blog. I read an interview with her and this is what made my eyes spark again: 

Endurance racing really parallels life in that there are so many moments when you’re like, I can’t do this, but then you look back with 20/20 vision and you’re like I am stronger than anyone could ever imagine.

Read the full interview here.

With these words I was like: This is so so true! After every long run I did in my life, I always felt like superwoman afterwards! In that year of 2012 when I started long runs I was like: I can't do this, I don't want to run anymore.. and then you push, push, push and you finish!!! Every single time, I felt more energetic, more alive, more focused! 

Long story short, I ended up getting the right gear to start running again and as soon as I feel better, I will hit the streets of NYC! :) Really cannot wait!!! Will I do the 10k on my birthday or the half marathon? I do not know yet, but I will run for sure! What is your hobby or passion that gives you power, more strength and endurance for life? 

Never stop dreaming, always believe in you!

Vancouver Island // Long Beach // Tofino

Finally! Again, I am super excited to share another little adventure with you! This trip was definitely on my to-do list when going to Canada and Vancouver, but since I only had three weeks here and already spent two of them in the Rockies, it was hard to find accomodation and then, I thought: Hm, maybe next time.

Strike a Pose, or two :)

We had a very nice little break!

Back on the road..

But wait, the weekend before, I stayed with two wonderful girls, which I got to know through a dear friend and they were like: You know what, let's do it! It will be short, but we'll have lots of fun and you have to see the beauty of Vancouver Island. Last minute, we packed up our stuff, booked the ferry, and there we went...  

 To the Surf Shop!!!

Sunset at Long Beach

It was already later in the afternoon when we arrived at Long Beach, but we were still super excited for our very first surf session! My dear friend Dasha (in the middle, picture underneath) learned surfing in New Zealand and gave us some tips and tricks. This was my first time surfing and although I ended up not taking any classes both days, it was tons of fun!

Rough water, salt, mother nature at its best!

Thank you for showing us, Dasha! ♥ 

Luckily, Dasha had some friends out in Ucluelet, south of Long Beach, so we had lovely dinner altogether, pitched our tents in their backyards and they went surfing with us!

Lunch after the Surf, right before going to Tofino :)

On our second day, we went surfing again! This was really the main point by going to Vancouver Island :) I was so happy that everything worked out, that I got to experience another part of Vancouver and its surf culture! After an hour of surfing and nice waves, we explored Tofino and Tonquin Beach, which was just amazingly beautiful!!!

A few thoughts I wrote down in my diary:

Everything was perfect, the whole road trip with the girls, my first surfing experience, the stay with the guys, the wonderful finish at Tonquin Beach. This moment right now, this is my life and I feel so at ease. Everything feels right and I am so grateful for this. Always stay curious, believe in life, do whatever you want and never stop dreaming.

I had to say Good Bye to the lovely Westcoast of Canada. Bye Bye Vancouver, I am definitely coming back because I just fell in love with you. Thank you Meghan and Dasha, I had a remarkable time, thanks for having me! ♥

Ride into Summer with Funky Summer // Loaded Boards

Did I tell you guys that I am right now doing somewhat of an internship at Fränky's Funky Summer Longboardshop in Berlin? Well, if not, this is actually my last week before I am fully diving into my travel plans :) This internship has been really good because it is totally different from everything I worked with before. But more to these pictures right here: 

Last Friday, July 11th, the Loaded Teamriders Adam Colton, Daniel Fissmer, Ethan Cochard and Lotfi Lamaali took a stop in Berlin during their Europe Tour to skate and hang out with. Although Fränky planned a Best Trick Contest, we played some funny games like 'Bite the Bag' instead. 

It was amazing to meet these guys and to get to know them a bit better. My friends and I had tons of fun and we played and laughed a lot, just like children. Thank you guys for being there and spreading the passion you have for this sport! And also thank you for anyone who stopped by, watched and played with us :)

A big thank you to Fränky who made this terrific get-together

 and event happening, hope you enjoyed it, too ;-)