Halfway Through

As of this weekend, my clinical is halfway through, and I'm sad and excited.  Excited because Laura is coming to visit this weekend and then only 2 more weeks till we are no longer separated long-term, and sad as my clinical will soon be over. So far, things continue to go very well.  I am training A LOT and am being pushed outside of my comfort zone daily, both in my clinical and knowledge skills related to physical therapy as well as in my physical fitness and skills as a runner and triathlete.  I can confidently say I am more in tune with my form, my movement and my intentions with training now more than ever...which is a good thing.

When not in the clinic I've been trying to stay ahead of the sleep game (increased training zaps my energy) and the reading game. Chris (my clinical instructor) has kept me very busy reading books, articles, publications, and the like, allowing me and helping me to build a robust library from which to draw on once I am in the clinic.  Ultimately though, "people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care," a lesson I am ahead of the game on coming from the Midwest. 

A little over a week ago I received a package with sour-patch kids (a favorite candy) and a few other items.  However, what particularly stood out was the envelope - see below. Did I mention that Laura is coming to NYC this weekend?  Yeah, I'm excited!  (For those who have lived in NYC or have visited, please feel free to let us know what we need to see and/or experience while she is here.  I have limited my exploring to my neighborhood or Brooklyn in order to experience the city together)

As another week starts I look forward to continued new experiences and challenges.  As well, no matter how long I am in the city I cannot seem to get used to the styles and varieties of people - to say New York/Manhattan/Brooklyn is a melting pot is an understatement.  And even though all the variety leaves me a little awestruck, I find I still prefer the smaller town environment found in the Midwest.  Until next time...

Week 12: Experiencing the "Nutty"

It is amazing how quickly you start to learn the streets and general layout of an area/city when you are daily running and biking through the streets, dodging taxis, switching subway trains, and walking most everywhere.  This is not to say that I have Manhattan or Brooklyn even close to figured out; however, I am having to rely on my GPS and iPhone far less.  As well, the city, though still incredibly overwhelming and daunting at times, is enjoyable when you can see past the fog of confusion which initially surrounded me.

Beyond merely getting from A to B there is a lot of other aspects to the city, mainly that you see/hear/experience every type of style, design, language, personality, opinion, etc.  Eclectic melting pot is putting it mildly.  As I stated before, coming from the midwest puts a totally different spin on this experience, and one that I can say I'm proud of...my nickname with some of the people I have met is simply "Nebraska" due to my red "N" hat.  I don't mind it... :)

The clinic continues to be a highlight of my time here.  Chris Johnson is my clinical instructor and challenges me daily with a barrage of questions and reading assignments, for which I am quite thankful.  Over the years he has trained with some of the leaders in orthopedic and sports medicine, and when I approached him over a year ago to see if he would work with me he graciously said yes, allowing me to experience and grow through a rigorous affiliation.  In addition, he is an amateur elite triathlete and coach, working with and training some of New York's top triathletes (and yes, I'm getting my butt kicked by him).

As mentioned above, besides learning in the clinic, I'm working out with Chris on a daily basis.  Highlights of the week include multiple two-a-day workouts of biking/running/swimming and an initiation ride across the GW (George Washington) bridge to NJ, through a part of Ironman New York's course and out to Nyack, NY (total mileage that day ~75 miles = 4+ hrs. in the saddle) before heading home. I am learning Chris walks, runs or rides as much as he can, allowing him to maintain a high level of fitness without having to devote extra time out of his day to training.  As well, aside from the clinic and training Chris has been showing me a few different views of New York and Brooklyn.  The pictures below are from the top of the Brooklyner, the tallest point in Brooklyn, looking northwest towards Manhattan.

Stay tuned for more updates, as well as for several posts I've been working on, both personally and with Chris, for his website.  As well, spring has arrived in NYC, with blossoms budding and allergies afflicting...wishing you a happy beginning to your spring adventures!