And Now, A Trifecta.

First and foremost, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish a very happy birthday to all my friends (including His Lordship) who’s special day falls in the month of February. Let’s be honest, there’s a shit ton of you. I feel like everyday I’m saying, “Happy Birthday” to at least one, if not two of my friends (or brother, or boss). And the month is only halfway over. Good grief, Charlie Brown.

Secondly, it’s time to wrap up a week/weekend of funtivities which included Valentine’s Day, birthdays, more birthdays, and an anniversary to boot—aka the Ultimate Trifecta. So let’s do that, shall we?

EVERYONE'S GOING LINSANE.

Restaurant recommendation of the week that will now be known as “Trifecta Week”: Dévi. Although it was covered in hearts (literally EVERYTHING hearts), Dévi delivered. To celebrate the joint birthday/Valentine’s Day (hence the hearts), Christopher treated himself with the lamb chops, to which he swiftly said, “These are the best lamb chops I’ve ever had.” Meaty, tender, and tasted as if they were marinating in spices for an eternity, the chops were some of the most delicious (and reasonably priced) I’ve tasted in ages. I opted for a vegetarian dish—the Laukee Ke Kofte—zucchini/squash dumplings in a tomato/onion sauce. Spicy, decadent, filling. That is all.  Go to there.

Fun fact of Trifecta Week: Due to Saturday’s intense hangover, I passed out at 9:00 and slept through the night for a solid nine 10 hours. Dreams that were had were intense indeed, including one where I gave a dance performance in a mansion. Also, Liza Minnelli was my instructor/choreographer. It was glorious. I woke up Sunday morning feeling well rested for my long run. However, a sad wave started to flow over me when I realized that I couldn’t remember the choreography from said dream.

Funtivity of Trifecta Week: This is a tough one. Long weekends are meant for funtivities and this was one hell of a weekend. Sunday’s long run was queued up with 15 miles in Central Park with Joe. And they were stellar—nay, BALLER—as we felt awesome and decided to run them faster than normal. My first mile was 7:14 and my second sub-7, how could this NOT turn out well? Overall, 14 miles were run (totally miscalculated my run home) with an average pace of 8:20. Sure, I went out fast, but I don’t care. Those miles put me in a state of glee (as well as soreness and pain) through the remainder of Sunday funday.

Bowling at Lucky Strike may have taken the cake as far as funtivities go. I realized when His Lordship took me on Monday afternoon that I have never been bowling as a Manhattan resident. Quite odd as I love bowling (though I’m not very good at it). No matter, we bowled whilst sipping classy beverages (classy only because they were on the pricier side as it is a tourist trap in Midtown), and enjoying each other’s company.

Right into the gutter.

Number of bars/restaurants attended: 9 including Craftbar, Tortilla Flats (where the remnants from Friday night almost made an appearance), and Cask (which we went to twice and almost a third time, until Amanda Walker-Texas Ranger saw my Foursquare check-in).

So, here’s to a short week. A week filled with rest, minimal amounts of alcohol, and a rest to my bank account.

Pasta with Mushrooms/Thyme/Pine Nuts

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that it is Thursday. And that normally you see pasta posts on Friday. For my Friday nights consist of carb loading for Saturday morning’s long run, DVR watching and the occasional beer/red wine imbibery.

Man, when it’s in writing, I sound pretty boring. I promise I’m not. This weekend is filled with glorious funtivities like a gigantor birthday bash because it seems like all of my friends were born in February. See? Not boring.

So that means I’m not running 15 miles on Saturday morning. Instead I plan on being slightly (only slightly) hungover and doing fun things like.. not running 15 miles.

That said, behold! A pasta recipe that would normally be made on Friday night. But that is not the case, for I will be out and most likely consuming wings and/or something covered in melty cheese.

Pasta with Mushrooms/Thyme/Pine Nuts
serves 4

Ingredients:
1 lb. short cut pasta (such as rotini or gemelli)
1 lb. assorted mushrooms, thinly sliced
cremini, shiitake, oyster will do
1 large shallot, finely diced
1 tbsp fresh thyme, stripped of stems, and diced
⅓ cup toasted pine nuts
1 cup Parmigianno-Reggiano, grated
Salt & Pepper

Cute little pine nuts.

Procedure:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat shallot over low heat and sweat for five minutes. Add mushrooms, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until golden in color, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Cook pasta according to directions. Drain, saving pasta water.
4. Add thyme and pine nuts to mushroom mixture, stirring to combine.
5. Add pasta, toss with grated Parmigiano. If sauce is too dry, add a ladle of pasta water.
6. Ta da! Eat it.

Recap: Hot Dog Challenge.

Yes, you read that right. The Great NY Hot Dog Challenge put on by the fabulous Rogue Runners was held on Saturday featuring 10 competitors with their eyes on the prize: over $200 in cash, and a sweet, SWEET medal.

The catch: Complete a 2.4 mile course throughout Manhattan, where 11 aid stations are in fact hot dog carts. Competitors must finish one hot dog (with whatever condiment of his/her choice) before proceeding to the next cart. No barfing allowed. Sounds simple enough, right?

Fun fact: Competitors reading this are most likely mentally slapping me in the face.

Competitors and refs gathered in Central Park where we went over the rules and regulations of the run. Initially, all runners were assigned a ref (I was paired with the elite Claire “Will Run for Beer OR Hot Dogs” Walsh), but we lost a few along the way, leaving refs to travel between competitors.

Bethaney is so excited.

Another fun factor of this race? The weather. We awoke to wet snow flurries on Saturday morning, which had the potential to pick up and keep some of the carts at bay. The snow stopped shortly before the high noon start, and it did keep two carts from setting up. Luckily, we moved the start to a cart near by, so the number of hot dogs eaten was to be 10.

Much shit talking and bet placing was had prior to the start, with eyes on Matt, Claire, Bojana, and Neal as forces to be reckoned with. After cart #3, Matt was holding the lead, giving me a huge thumbs up as he passed me on Park Avenue where Cart #4 was supposed to be. It was here that people started to divide. Apparently the buns were a problem for quite a few people. Gillian ran by me and said, “I’m out. I can’t do this anymore. I’m glad I gave it a shot.” Indeed, Gil. You ate more hot dogs than I.

At Cart #5 (in Baker’s Pass on 5th Ave.), Claire and Bethaney were shaken up.

“These taste awful. I might top out at six,” Claire said as she was slowly but surely taking in the water dog.

“This bread is gross. I wish I could just eat the dog,” Bethaney exclaimed while burping and chugging water.

It was here that TJ found he was lost. Using instincts instead of a map will not win you this race, Mr. Ryals. There are too many dog carts throughout Midtown Manhattan. I pointed TJ in the direction of the gauntlet, and Gillian and I decided to see where all the competitors were at. The Gauntlet—two carts on one block in the hub of 6th Ave—had a couple of competitors.

Jim (Dad Posse) said, “Abbe. This sucks. I’m going to kill your boyfriend.”

I wished him luck and bid him adieu to see who was ahead. And as I did that, TJ caught up with Jim. Neal was at the next cart, unwillingly forcing down his dog.

“They just keep tasting worse…” And as I left, TJ caught up with Neal.

Bojana was at the next cart looking strong.

“I’m the female lead!,” she exclaimed. Correct, B! Keep on truckin. You are a force to be reckoned with with your eating packs of dogs on your way home from work (true story).

Mmm...tasty.

The last four carts were on a stretch through Times Square. Let it be known that it was now approaching 1:00pm, meaning if any of our competitors had to puke it would most likely be on a tourist. I bet they didn’t expect that when visiting New York.

Gillian and I kept on to see who was in the lead. It seemed to be a close race with Matt Six and Dave Tao. I later found out that Six had a 2:00-3:00 lead over Dave until he hit a cart being inspected by a member of the NYPD. Whoops. I guess that’s a factor we didn’t consider. The finish was close indeed, but it was Dave Tao who took the esteemed title of Winner at this year’s Hot Dog Challenge.

Winner, winner. Please no hot dogs for dinner.

The finish (and after party) was held at Rudy’s, where patrons get free hot dogs for purchasing booze (hooray!).

Our map made the wall!

Congrats to all finishers, and to those who DNF’d for competing in this mayhem.  And special thanks to Miss Greenberg for being the official photographer of the race!

You are all heroes of America and challengers of encased meat.