sports

Each year I post some ideas about what is fun to do in NYC around the holidays. The usual cliche events are often included (tree lighting, ice skating, holiday windows, Rockettes, etc) and shouldn’t be missed, but if you’ve seen and done all of that (although seeing that tree never gets old) here are some holiday type things to do THIS year.

1. Go cheer up employees at Old Navy at 34th & Broadway because they are likely NOT in the holiday mood as that location is open 24/7 through the 24th. WTF? Those poor employees.

2. If religion is your thing, go see the Ten Commandments with your own eyes (not the movie—the actual document included as part of the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit). Running until Jan 2nd in Times Square.
Discovery at Times Square 226 W 44th between 7th & 8th Ave.

Charlton Heston as Moses (but looking a bit Planet of the Apes-like)…

3. Run (or Walk) in the 2nd Annual Christmas Day Marathon in Westchester County!

Designed to bring new people to the sport of running, there is no entry fee (donations are accepted) and you can sign up for 1/8 marathon, 1/4 marathon, half marathon, 3/4 marathon and full marathon and according to the organizers, all paths loop back, are paved and scenic. PLUS- Santa hats are available and all finishers get a candy cane!
Tibbetts Brook Park 120 Teresa Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704 11:00am on 12/25

4. For some adult only fun, go enjoy the annual reading of the Dickens’ classic: A Christmas Carol. Read by burlesque professionals with names such as Legs Malone and Franny Fluffer. Oh yeah, the girls are completely naked during the reading.
One showing (no pun intended) on the 21st at Under St. Marks at 94 St. Marks Place

photo from the Naked Girls website

5. See lights and over the top Christmas decorations in the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn. Very traditional. Very cool. Word has it, that he greatest concentration of decorated homes is around 12th Avenue and 84th Street. The Gothamist site has a good write up and includes pics like this:

6. You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy some of the fun had during Hanukkah! Check out the Beer + Latke Hanukkah Celebration on the 22nd in Tribeca. Brooklyn Brewery will be there to help you choose the best brew to compliment the variety of freshly made latkes on hand! And don’t miss the dreidel competition!
December 22, 7PM at 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson Street $22.

7. Go see Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway in ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ before his run is over on the 1st of January. This really isn’t “Christmasy”, but Harry Potter always feels a little festive to me so I thought I’d add it in here!

Going out in New York is not for the weak. For those just visiting (or in some cases, those of us over 30), a day of walking the city, dinner, a show and a stroll back to the hotel is enough to wipe ‘em out.

But for the die-hards who need to wind down with other night owls after the partying and before they go home; OR for the locals that work 13 hours a day to pay 4x the rent any other city would realistically charge for a similar apartment; OR the folks that work the off hours schedule to keep their family going down the Shore on weekends, the normal “day-time” activities or stores that are open in the still dark hours of the morning are a true blessing!

CHOW DOWN
Tried to eat light to impress that guy you just met at the Buddha Bar? Or did you dance off all the appetizers and need a refill to keep going? You may have the happy luck to come across a falafel food cart open all night, but save yourself (hopefully) from a future stomach ache and hit up one of these places when the hunger pains hit. These spots are all open 24hrs.

L’Express
Craving seared tuna or roasted rabbit? Have your most exotic food late at night and visit L’Express for fine dining any time of the night.
I249 Park Ave South at 20th
212-254-5858

Sarge’s Deli

This Jewish delicatessen is top notch. Nothing more needs to be said. 548 Third Ave (between 36th and 37th
212-679-0442

Yaffa Café
Up to no good in the East Village and need a quick hideout? This basement is a definite must visit when partying near St. Mark’s. The Middle Eastern food isn’t the best, but it is vegetarian friendly and your fellow dining patrons are anything but boring.
97 St. Marks Pl between First Ave and Ave A
212-674-9302

Han Bat

Craving Korean? Go here for your fix. Food is not bad.
53 W 35th St between Fifth Ave and Sixth Ave
212-629-5588

HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD
Have an urge to lay some tile? Want to finally change the lightbulb that your super keeps saying he will change? Nuthouse Hardware has three hardware filled floors that will keep you browsing into the wee hours–oh wait, it already is the wee hours.
202 E 29th St between Second and Third Aves
212-545-1447

GET PRETTY
Did you chip your pedicure dancing? Lose a hair extension running for that cab? Or are you just really busy and only have free time at 4 am to get that cut and color? Hop the #6 train to 28th Street and visit Hair Party 24 Hours
76 Madison Ave (at 28th St) Midtown East
212-213-0056

PUMP IT UP

We all know that 24 hr fitness is open all hours, but for something different — head to The Rock in Queens (believe me it is worth the trip) and shake up your workout with a rock wall climb (its 30′ tall)!
Mon–Fri open 24hrs; Sat ’til 11pm; Sun ’til 10pm

STEEEEEEEEEEEERIKE!

Want some late night fun that doesn’t require a lot of thinking? Go Bowling! But wait — if you are like many of us, we are tired of having to dress up to go bowling at all of these new chic “alleys” that try to make bowling a high society event. In Queens, Whitestone Lanes is possibly the last remaining REAL bowling alley in the city. Take the No. 7 train to the end of the line, walk through Flushing and end up in 48 lanes of bowling heaven.
Families, League bowlers, couples and the lone wolf with his own engraved ball (you know the type) frequent Whitestone and best of all–no one will look down on you for wearing that old shirt with the teeny-tiny mustard stain.

DRUGS

No — not THOSE drugs. Throughout the city 24hr Duane Reade’s are literally a sight for sore eyes. Visine, Listerine, Cold Meds, gummy bears and pajamas (don’t ask me how I know that) are all readily available. For a list of 24hr locations go here.

FIND OUT YOUR FUTURE PARTNER’S NAME

There is nothing like a psychic reading and although Zena closes at midnight — that may work out perfect if you’re making it an “early” night. A $20 reading gets you 10 minutes to find out whatever you need to know. She is in the Village and accepting of groups–as long as they wait their turn outside.
82 Seventh Ave South at Bleecker St
212-807-0498

Dear Maui,

Let me start by saying how sorry I am. For what you may ask? Well, I forgot how much I love you. I took you for granted while growing up on the West Coast. You were so close in proximity to me. I visited often and while I deeply enjoyed each visit, after moving to the East Coast I quickly threw you aside for new vacation spots such as the Caribbean and the Bahamas. They are similar to you–kind people, warm weather and lots of beach, but one thing they have going for them that you don’t is just a short flight–three to four hours.

How quickly I pushed you aside for convenient air travel.

After arriving in April for a mandatory trip that was related to my husband’s job (and even with the ridiculous layovers that were scheduled [not your fault]), all of my hesitations about the distance and the “comfortably restless” feeling I had for you that left me wanting to explore new places vanished as soon as I stepped into your open air airport and smelled the sweet air as it gently blew against my face. I remembered again how you were my first tropical love; my true tropical love.

This last visit may have been my best (well, tied maybe with the Spring Break trip my friend Jean and I took out there). The weather was perfect (you do have to admit that January/February are a bit iffy these days what with global warming or what not) and since my husband and I had both visited multiple times, we didn’t feel the need to rush and do tourist activities everyday leaving us so much time to just enjoy and unwind. At home (on the East Coast), people marvel at my visits to Hawaii. To them, Hawaii is some far off land, maybe as to how the Caymen Islands may seem to someone in Oregon. A far away, exotic paradise.
In the past I brushed off the “ooohs and ahhhhs” uttered at my Hawaii trips (again, I am sorry–I lost my head) and commented “Yes, it is nice.” Nice? Ugh, I am despicable.

While this apology letter need not go into any detail on the many attributes you offer your visitors–because I see them in my minds eye whenever I want–I want others to not make the same mistake I have made; I don’t want anyone to EVER forget how amazing you are.

So, with that said–I am listing some must-do and sees for anyone visiting.

See you soon,
Diana

ps: the other Hawaiian islands are amazing too. But Maui, you know I love you best.

WHAT ONE MUST DO & MUST SEE IN MAUI

1. Relax. You are here.

2. Lounge. I recommend staying in the Kaanapali area (although Kihei [pronounced 'kee-hay'] is another great area, so don’t count it out especially if you get a deal at the Grand Wailea, the fanciest hotel on the island). In Kaanapali the views of the famous Black Rock are best seen from the Sheraton. It is an older hotel, but kept up nicely and the views, pool area, bars and staff are exceptional. Snorkel right from the beach or do a resort dive and get a taste of the deep. Shopping is also just a short walk away on the beach path at Whalers Village. See # 5 on this list.

view of Black Rock and some of the Sheraton grounds

3. Go to a Luau. Lahaina, the original capital of Hawaii, is a small surf town with all of the tourist shops but with much more charm than most touristy towns. Many of the hotels on Maui offer a Luau but the most famous (and fun) is the Old Lahaina Luau but make reservations ahead of time!
And go early to town to shop around and have a pre-Luau drink at Lahaina Grill

Luau

4. Learn to Surf, or Stand Up Paddle
BECOME a true Hawaiian visitor and do like the locals do- Surf or do my new favorite sport: SUP (Stand Up Paddle).
Lessons are offered all over the island. Check with your hotel for recommendations or for a sure fire GOOD TIME try these guys out. Get on the water.

5. Shop. There is no shortage of retail shops and flea markets all over the island where you can find Hawaiian trinkets and high end stores within steps of each other. Whalers Village is a great combo of t-shirt shops, surf shops and jewelry stores–with the odd shaved ice place thrown in here and there. If the shops aren’t enough of a draw for you, go at least for the Hula Grill where you can dine with your feet in the sand overlooking the blue water and maybe a whale in the Pacific.

6. Take an epic drive. I recently did a post in my series titled See This, Not That where I spoke of a drive around the island (The Road to Kahakuloa) that rivals the famous Road to Hana drive. If this is your first trip to Maui please do both. I cannot choose one for you. Read my post and decide. But I will say, the Road to Hana is more famous. Full of the endless narrow, windy roads that end up at the gravesite of Charles Lindbergh (I know that sounds morbid, but it is an awesome drive.)
Three words: Black. Sand. Beach.
BUT–on the Road to Kahakuloa you see this:

And this:

7. See a Volcano. Drive to the top to watch the sunrise (bring a jacket–the temps may be in the 70′s at sea level but are freezing at the top) and hike around or later, get a tour that takes you to the top and then supplies all you need to mountain bike down. Either way, looking into the crater and knowing that this is an active (although quiet as of late) volcano is awesome. Another great thing— animals considered endangered that are found no where else on the planet are protected here.

the Crater

8. Repeat #1.

It has been said, “You learn something new everyday” and I think that is quite true especially when in a new place as I am right now in New Zealand.

A few days back while sitting in Auckland at a sports pub overlooking the Americas Cup yachts, my husband and I enjoyed a cold Macs Beer (brewed in NZ) and relaxed. In the background, one TV showed a Rugby match and the other a women’s basketball game. I was surprised to see that basketball was popular in NZ, especially women’s considering that even in the US, Women’s Basketball barely gets any TV time. But as I tried to determine the teams, I noticed a few things about this basketball game:

1) There was no backboard.
2) No one dribbled the ball–just passed it.
3) The player with the ball always kept one foot planted (see cartoon drawing below)
4) No one was really blocking the attempted shots

What is going on here?

I flagged a waitress down and she was nice enough to answer the initial 29 questions I had on the what and why of this sport called Netball.

I have been stumped by sports before (Curling and Cricket come to mind) but I have never even heard of Netball. I felt a bit lame when I looked into it and found out it is played in the UK, Australia and other places too.

Some of the rules are similar to Basketball, but the other rules appear a bit wonky to the new fan:

• Only one player/position on each team can score (the GA or GS in the below diagram)
• Each team tries to pass the ball to their goal circle–the only place where a shot can be made (the ball is a cross between a rugby ball and a basketball).
• A player who has caught the ball must play it or shoot for goal within three seconds
• The ball may be bounced once to gain control

• There must be room for a third player between the hands of thrower and catcher. Seems to be a bit unfair…

• Having caught the ball, a player may land or stand on:

o One foot – while the landing foot remains grounded, the second foot may pivot.
o Hopping or dragging the landing foot is not allowed. Or dribbling.

• The defender may be close to the shooter, but not touching, providing that no effort is made to intercept or defend the ball and there is no interference with the opponents throwing or shooting action. Arms must be in a natural position, not outstretched. This is the one that gets me. When watching this it appears to be such an easy game, but the women that play are totally in shape and out of breath.
• Intimidation: of any kind, is classed as obstruction. I guess no trash talking.

I’m not sure that I will ever play Netball but while in NZ I have become fascinated with this very popular sport. I think my favorite exposure to it was when I saw school kids playing a pick-up game.

I love football.
I am proud to say I can hold my own against pretty much anyone (except my brother) on football stats, teams, etc. I impress most of my male friends (including my husband) and confuse most of my female friends–and regardless of what my brother says, I do not rate the Quarterback’s on their cute-ness level (anymore).

My love of football has given me the chance to pen an article for www.seenyc.com on seeing the NFL in NYC. Of course live football in NYC is hard to pass up, but the cost of tickets, the nose freezing cold weather and the hard, frozen seats can turn away even a hearty fan like myself. So what is a fan to do? Well, you can start by checking out the article and then get on your replica jersey, choose your team (even if it is no where near NYC) and head to a comfy bar stool at one or more of THE best football bars in the city.

I try to live by the following motto: Break a sweat every day.
Lately that has been easy just by doing nothing in the high heat and humidity in the city, but I try to break a sweat each day via some sort of physical activity.

I am obsessed with tennis and play 4-5 times a week, and my favorite sweat breaking activity is kickboxing. Punching and kicking real 100lb heavy bags brings on the sweat fest more than anything else I do.

Aside from these sports, I’d always thought it’d be amazing to do a multi-sport event, like a triathlon.
The running I could maybe handle. I do run because I like the results I see and it justifies my addiction of athletic shoes. I have done 5K’s and I can get through trail runs (treadmills make me crazy–so boring) but I am far from a natural runner. Due to this fact and that swimming for me really just means me laying on a floatie–my dream of participating in a triathlon is not really plausible.

Knowing this about myself has only made me work harder to find a multi-sport activity I can proudly participate in.
I don’t want to walk or push a stroller (besides, I’d have to borrow a kid for that) and stair climbing for charity is a great idea, but I want to combine some sort of running/biking with it.

In the mid 90′s I was introduced to what in another life just might be what I’d dedicate my life to: Adventure Racing. The extreme athletic image, the physical shape of the participants, running and biking in nature, teamwork–getting sponsored and therefore obtaining lots of swag…I was instantly obsessed.

It is very simple in theory. Adventure Racing combines adventure sport disciplines, usually including navigation, trekking, mountain biking, white water paddling, climbing, sea kayaking and swimming in order to cover a variety of outdoor terrain. In nearly all organized Adventure Races, teams are made up of four people and must include both men and women.

Adventure Races typically take between five and eleven days with no designated rest periods so it is up to the participants to choose when, or if, they rest. Check points are set up along the route and when there is to be a change of events such as canoeing to climbing, teams will exchange their equipment at these points, taking what they need for the next leg.

The first Adventure Race that really sucked me into this multi-sport lifestyle was Eco-Challenge. A multi-day expedition race, this was a Mark Burnett (pre-Survivor) production and it aired on the USA channel for 9 seasons. It consisted of seasoned professional adventure racers as well as the average “joe” that raced non-stop, 24 hours a day, over a 300 mile course. The locations over the years varied, including Borneo, Utah, British Colombia, Australia and Fiji. As awesome as this race was, the last year it ran was 2002 and that is why I cannot participate in it… (um yeah, thats why…).

photo credit here

photo courtesy of adventure.mountainzone.com

Perhaps the most famous and challenging Adventure Race in the world is the Patagonian Expedition Race in Chile.
Like Eco-Challenge, teams of 4 compete in treacherous natural terrain that very few, if any, humans have ever witnessed in person. The route is kept secret to the participating teams until the night before the race is to start which is when all maps and route instructions are supplied to the teams.

taking a look at the map courtesy of sportrock.ning.com

As the website states, the Patagonia Expedition Race is a true expedition. Racers receive minimal assistance as they traverse through the pristine southern Patagonia by means of trekking, climbing and related rope work, kayaking, mountain biking, and backcountry navigation. They often cover hundreds of kilometers without seeing a soul.

trekking Patagonia photo courtesy of www.mountain.ru

paddling Patagonia
photo courtesy of funsporting.com

OK, so its doubtful that I will make it into this race. The cutoff for registration has just passed. … maybe next year.

Primal Quest is another adventure race that follows the same pattern as Eco and Patagonia. Their latest race, covering 600 miles, took place in the Badlands of South Dakota in 2009.

The cost of entry to most high profile adventure races such as these three can vary, but will at least run $10,000 USD a team. Prizes though, especially in the more major races such as Patagonian, can exceed $150,000 in cash.
While the races are unsupported (meaning no-one there to bring you water or help carry your gear), medical personnel and volunteers are present to assist in emergency cases.

Check out this link showing a preview of the Badlands Race on DVD.

Primal Quest Badlands DVD Now Available!.

A 2010 race date/location for Primal Quest hasn’t been named yet due to lack of funding. Dammit. Just as I was about to register…

OK, so these three races seem just out of my reach. What can I do? In my search for more attainable races that wouldn’t cost me thousands of dollars (and tons of laughs at my expense), I discovered the Warrior Dash. This race covers nearly 3.3 miles and includes 13 obstacles that must be dominated by the participant, such as mud crawling, fire leaping, beer drinking… wait? What? Wow.

As the website says–this will be the “craziest freakin’ day of your life”!

Now I am not sure about that, but what I am sure about is that Warrior Dash has race routes all over the US including eight in 2010 and so far two already scheduled for 2011. I am participating in the North East route in Windham, NY this fall with my kickboxing instructors and friends. We will be a team of 30 and willing and ready to do whatever we need to do to fulfill our Warrior ambitions! Although we are a team, we compete individually and although it is a race, its more of an event.

Unlike the high costs to race in other Adventure Races, the Warrior Dash costs just $65 to register and all finishers get a Warrior Helmet, a medal to wear proudly around your neck and a t-shirt!

Here are some pictures from the Warrior website to give you an idea of the type of day I will likely have. Check the website for even more pictures and information on the races and where you can register yourself, unless of course you are already registered for one of the other races I have mentioned above…

Happy Adventure Racing!

With Wimbledon still in full swing I can’t help but be excited that the US Open will be here before I know it!

The US Open occurs in Flushing Meadows, Queens each summer beginning in August and I can honestly say that it is THE best sporting event I have ever been to (and I have been to what I think are some epic sporting events in the past). It is extremely organized, clean, open and feels like a festival of sorts–often compared to an Olympic village atmosphere. Tickets to the day or night matches are available to see the main matches that take place in the Arthur Ashe stadium (the main arena there) but the tickets also allow free roaming ability to walk the grounds to shop, see tennis auctions, eat, visit and witness all of the constant action on the other 15 courts on the grounds. Aside from the “official” courts–there are practice courts on each side of the grounds and watching the tennis greats warm up up close is my favorite part of the Open.

At the practice courts, all of the players, ranked and unranked, practice for their matches side by side-like at a park or high-school. I am in awe for days after seeing Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal (RAFFA!!!) and Venus practice from front row bleacher seats.

Tickets are available here for the 2010 season that runs August 30- September 12 and here is a tip: if you go a week prior to the Open starting, you get on the grounds for free and can watch (and maybe meet) all of the tennis greats practice up-close.

My friend Cora and me at the Open last year. Love that blue court!

me and Roger

Nadal up close at the practice courts

Venus & Roddick practicing

the globe outside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Originally constructed for the 1961 Worlds Fair.

some of the practice courts

NYC from Arthur Ashe