Grits in the City - discounts and faves

Hope you enjoy all these as much as I do!

Spring reads roundup

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What can I say. The Boston Marathon has me behind on all things on here. Lots to catch up on and share, especially books! I admittedly just laughed reading this title quickly since it could easily be misread as “weeds” for “reads”. No weeds here though but definitely seasonally appropriate nod (achoo.)

While I might not have been posting about it as often on here, the reading has definitely continued — a lot of it continuing to happen from the road! Sharing a few of my latest reads below. What have you been reading that’s amazing that I’ve missed?

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Boston Marathon eve at Contessa

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I did not realize that the weekend before the Boston Marathon coincided with Easter this year. I did not love having to miss Easter for the first time with the kids. It was also very strange to be in a different city by myself for a family holiday. Once I realized all of this, I decided that I needed to book myself a dinner, stat. But where?

When I did some digging on places for great Italian food in Boston, everything said the North End. But I wanted a more specific recommendation than that. I called in one of my former managers who used to live in the area who prides himself a foodie and he came through as always. Contessa it was!

The décor

I was already a fan going in because they were willing to take a reservation for a party of one on Easter at all. Fun fact: I found a fair amount of places that were not so interested! Contessa was also able to accommodate my other must have — early dinnertime!

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Spokes and Strides for Tedy’s Team

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Wanting to get more active this spring? Join me for 7 days of movement as I round out my training cycle and elevate stroke awareness in our daughter’s honor at the same time! 🏃‍♂️🚴‍♀️ Registration for Spokes + Strides is NOW LIVE through a $25 donation to my Boston Marathon fundraising site or $35 if you want 5 extra raffle tickets. Register anytime between now and end of the day on Tuesday. The fun starts the morning of Wednesday, April 9th. I’m at 78% of my fundraising goal and aiming to get closer together with you all through this event!

✨ Special Offer

The first 50 registrations will receive a FREE Spokes + Strides beanie hat.

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Race Recap: 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon

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I entered the lottery for the United NYC Half kind of out of habit. I assumed it was just something to check off my to do list — and then was shocked to get the message that I was in. I figured it would be a good training push going into the Boston Marathon. But fast forward to getting sick with the flu in March. Could I swing it?

I went into the race very realistically. I had nothing to prove. I wasn’t trying to set a new PR. I definitely didn’t want to risk injury before Boston. I also didn’t want to miss out on the first race ever to run across the Brooklyn Bridge. That and getting to run through Times Square? Totally hooked me.

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Visiting Modern Bread

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When I came in to pick up my packet for the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, I knew exactly where I wanted to go for breakfast. Even though I am not strictly gluten free, I have been trying to take steps as of late to continue to minimize inflammation in my body, cutting back on all the empty carbs in favor of things that better fuel my body. Somewhere along that journey, I was introduced to Modern Bread.

Everything at Modern Bread is gluten and nut free. Items are created intentionally to provide an alternative to some of the most tasty and common baked goods. I periodically order from them, ordering their bread loves and always checking out their special bagel of the month while eyeing the other goods that are flagged as “in store only” items. Getting to go in person and order whatever I wanted? A true treat!

Right now there are two locations in California and several in NYC, with one coming (hopefully sooner rather than later!) in Penn Station. Though I’d already eaten overnight oats, I had to make some space to try more while I was there.

I got one of their strawberry donuts. I took home two chocolate chip bagels (one specifically to eat before my race) and 6 of their blueberry hamantaschen. If you haven’t had hamantaschen, it is a Jewish triangular filled-pocket pastry associated with the Jewish holiday of Purim and they are so good. They were definitely a hit with the family! And I had to try their chocolate babka latte because it sounded too amazing to miss out on.

So great to get to finally go in person and, of course, already planning my next order!

Modern Bread and Bagel – 139 West 14th Street – 646.437.7157

Training update: Longest run before Boston Marathon

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Yesterday was the longest run of the training cycle. I wish I could be in Boston to run the rest of the Tedy’s Team runners, but I put on my gear and gave it my all just the same from NJ. I could do 18, 20 or 22. I decided to set my goal at 20. Not too bad for your standard marathon training program but definitely ambitious for how behind I am versus where I thought I would be. I originally planned to do 22 but decided to not go quite so far with all things considered. I woke up at 4:30AM to get out there with plenty of time.

Or so I thought. I found out that the early wakeup still wasn’t early enough. I watched the time fly by and started to realize my deadline before I had to take L to dance was looming. Would 20 consecutive miles have been preferable? Sure, but the goal is mileage on your feet so a little break in the middle is better than not doing it at all. I ended up doing 14.5 miles early morning outdoors, taking a breakfast / ballet break midday and then tacking on another 5.5 miles on the treadmill in the afternoon. But I did it!

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Boston Marathon Giving Day: Win a Signed Football from Tedy Bruschi!

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Today is Boston Marathon Giving Day, a moment to allow all the runners for this year’s marathon to celebrate and share about the causes so meaningful and personal to them. I set the goal of trying to hit at least $1,000 in donations before the end of the day. Our kids are even rocking their own Tedy’s Team shirts to join the celebration! Overall, I have just under $4K left to hit my goal before my April 14th deadline. Let’s make it happen!

Donate through the link here and you’ll also get a chance to win a signed New England Patriots football by 3X Super Bowl champ and 2X stroke survivor Tedy Bruschi! Bonus, reshare my post on Instagram Stories for 2 extra entries! No donation is too small. Also please share this post with any Patriot super fans in your life who might love to get their hands on this football too!

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Stacks for Stroke Awareness

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Kick off your 2025 reading with a purpose! On International Book Giving Day I’m kicking off my raffle benefitting stroke awareness for Tedy’s Team. Enter for your chance at winning a signed copy of one of 9 books, or choose your own next several reads with a $100 gift card to Bookshop — the amazing online shop that both helps you find all the great books AND helps to give back to your local bookstore of choice.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or $12 for a pack of 3! Get em through a donation to the fundraiser on this post or through the link in bio if you prefer to checkout using Venmo instead. Raffle tickets open through March 2nd.

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My first marathon: NYC 2024

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This escalated quickly. I entered the lottery in February for the TCS NYC Marathon, knowing it could take years before I might be selected and if I wanted to do it sometime, it couldn’t hurt to start now. And then I donated to get some extra chances through the extra NYRR draw. Oh and now the NYRR members would be eligible for an extra “last chance” draw. Sure — let’s do that too. Somehow after all of the above, the idea of waiting to go through the same thing a second year felt too much. I was ready already!

Back in 2023, I ran the NYC Half Marathon with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. I started thinking — wonder if they have any bibs for the marathon? Before I really thought about it too long, I’d emailed to see about a spot and found myself on the team, trying to figure how on earth you train for a marathon! Shoutout to this amazing organization. So honored to run with you again and to help raise ~ $3.4K for the cause!

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