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I went to the Red Hook Crit last weekend with my team to run the 5k. We made a strong showing, and I’m so proud of everyone. Most importantly, we all had a good time. A huge thanks to all of my friends cheering throughout the course. It really does help :) Also, a big shout out to my pare Geb, who pulled me along when I was fading. I just tried to stay on his shoulder like we practice at the track. It worked.

I have an affinity for track bikes and for racing in general, so after our team ran, I was really excited for the crit. I’ve seen videos from last year and other crits, but nothing could have prepared me for how exciting it is in person. I originally planned to take still pictures, but as soon as I walked in and saw the action, I switched my camera to video mode. This video is a quick edit of the footage and photos from my camera, the team’s instagram, and some awesome photos from Ben Ko. Nothing fancy, just a rough edit. I’ve come to realize that if I don’t cut footage together, it just goes away to rot on my Drobo (redundantly).

Responsive Web Design

Earlier this week at work, I was tasked with translating a design to a website that would look good across devices, i.e. computers, tablets, and phones. I’ve seen sites like this a lot of times, but have never had to build one myself. I’ve been in the “Flash Web Game” bubble for the past few years, and haven’t had to do more than a landing page which we knew would be looked at from a computer. After some Googling and Quoraing, I came across the term which has been adopted to describe this: “Responsive Web Design”. One article in particular kept  getting mentioned in the articles and tutorials that I read: Responsive Web Design by Ethan Marcotte. I’m glad Ethan wrote that article and that it’s become standard practice to build sites this way.

I decided to move to NYC a year ago. And yes, I left a major life decision up to a computer simulation. A lot happened on Wednesday, 3/21/2012 that led me to ask the question the next day: I had lunch with Miguel who planted the seed, I saw “The Friend Game” for the first time (then called “Friendsy”), @Zynga announced the acquisition of OMGPop (which is the studio I work in now), and later that night I ran with @bridgerunners for the first time and met @r0ckdamike while there. It would take another three months to actually get to New York, but a year ago today, the decision was made. (at The Jane Hotel)

I decided to move to NYC a year ago. And yes, I left a major life decision up to a computer simulation. A lot happened on Wednesday, 3/21/2012 that led me to ask the question the next day: I had lunch with Miguel who planted the seed, I saw “The Friend Game” for the first time (then called “Friendsy”), @Zynga announced the acquisition of OMGPop (which is the studio I work in now), and later that night I ran with @bridgerunners for the first time and met @r0ckdamike while there. It would take another three months to actually get to New York, but a year ago today, the decision was made. (at The Jane Hotel)

Start with a fast mile.

   Just as I was starting to get consistent and comfortable running 400s in my target time, we’ve added a fast mile to the beginning of the workout. The idea is to tire out before the 400s so that we can get used to pushing through and improve our lactate threshold. Also, I started my last race fast, so it’s a good simulation of what will happen on race day.

   The fast mile up front has felt good the last two weeks that we’ve done them, however the 400s have been a real struggle physically and mentally. Physically, I feel like I’m pushing myself at a fast pace, but according to the stopwatch, I’m barely hitting my target times. I’ve even been trying to keep up with the fast kid, Brian, and I’m still barely able to finish in time. Mentally, the numbers wear me out: the stopwatch saying that I’m going slower than I think I am, the countdown until we’re finished: 7 more, 6 more, 5 more, etc.. Usually, thinking of the numbers is what I do to take my mind off of the running. When you’re struggling, the numbers make me focus on the pain of running.

   Along with my team, I’ve been able to push through and complete both of the “fast mile up front” workouts within the target times. Barely. I can’t wait for next week, and more importantly, I can’t wait for my next race!

Drink ‘n Code iOS Developer Meetup. Yuengling in my cup, Objective-C on my screen, cool devs all around. (at Animoto NYC)

Drink ‘n Code iOS Developer Meetup. Yuengling in my cup, Objective-C on my screen, cool devs all around. (at Animoto NYC)

Crew love at the finish line! World’s Best 10k done! #runnershigh #nevernotrunning @blackrosesnyc (at World Best 10k)

Crew love at the finish line! World’s Best 10k done! #runnershigh #nevernotrunning @blackrosesnyc (at World Best 10k)

In the corral excited and ready to race! @blackrosesnyc #nevernotrunning (at World Best 10k)

In the corral excited and ready to race! @blackrosesnyc #nevernotrunning (at World Best 10k)

Scenery stop during our run to Old San Juan. #nevernotrunning @blackrosesnyc

Scenery stop during our run to Old San Juan. #nevernotrunning @blackrosesnyc

Let’s talk about Running and Social Media! @robinnyc is moderating with @theluccarl @caro @meghanloftus and I on the panel. #smwruns

Let’s talk about Running and Social Media! @robinnyc is moderating with @theluccarl @caro @meghanloftus and I on the panel. #smwruns

Soccer Fridays with the @zynga NYC crew. #runnersnotrunning @ceejjoe (at Chelsea Piers Field House)

Soccer Fridays with the @zynga NYC crew. #runnersnotrunning @ceejjoe (at Chelsea Piers Field House)