June 05, 2014

Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival, Day 1

I am writing this from Boston College! I only have a few minutes, so I just thought I'd quickly share my first day in Boston. I had to get up at 3:30 this morning to get ready to head to the airport at 4:15. I was SO tired. Normally, I need a drink or two before I fly, because I'm such a nervous flier, but I learned that the airport doesn't serve alcohol before 7:00 AM... so I had to fly sober.

The flight wasn't great. I flew on JetBlue for the first time, and I don't know if it had anything to do with the plane itself, but it was kind of rickety, and I actually got motion sickness. I didn't throw up, but I felt really nauseous the whole flight. Thankfully, it was only about a 90 minute flight.

Caitlin picked me up from the airport (I'm SO glad, too--I'm terrible with public transportation!). Our plan was to walk around Boston. It happened to be VERY rainy all day, unfortunately. At first, it was just a light drizzle, so we decided we still wanted to walk around. We saw a David's Tea store, and since I'd never actually seen a David's Tea shop before, I wanted to stop in.



We spent about 15 minutes smelling and sampling tea, and I bought a couple of new ones. We also got a cup to carry around with us.


Shortly after that, the rain really started coming down! We got completely soaked, but we kept walking. I absolutely LOVE the buildings--I really enjoyed just walking around the city and checking things out. We went past the Boston Marathon finish line, which was fun to see...


By lunchtime, we were soaked to the bone, and I was really craving a bowl of clam chowder. I love clam chowder, and that was the only request I had about coming to Boston ;)  So we went to a place that her dad recommended, called Boston Chowda Company in Quincy Market, and it was PACKED with people. I got a bowl of the clam chowder, and it was the BEST I've ever tasted.


We had walked around for a long time looking for a table, but there weren't any available, so we ended up having to sit on the floor. It was worth it for the soup, though!

After that, Caitlin wanted me to check out a pastry shop that she thought I'd like. It was a little ways away, but we were already soaked, and you don't exactly have to twist my arm to get dessert--even if it means walking in the rain ;) The shop was called Mike's Pastry, and my mind was blown when we stepped in there. The desserts looked amazing!! I had such a hard time deciding what to get, but I ultimately settled on a piece of carrot cake.


I love their cake to frosting ratio ;)  It was so so so good! I love my desserts, but I couldn't even finish this one because it was so rich. It was perfect.

We had walked about 5.5 miles total, and then we went back to the car. Caitlin drove me to Boston College, where I met some of the other bloggers. I've got to get ready now to head to dinner to meet up with all the bloggers and the Runner's World staff. It's been a busy day, but so fun!

Click here to read Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival, Day 2

15 comments:

  1. OH my!! Yes, that my kind of cake to frosting ratio!! Have a great time!

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  2. Great endeavor! I am now craving for that clam chowder.

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  3. mike's is amazing...but next time leave the cake and take the cannolis

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  4. There are a lot of Nicoles who read your blog!

    YES - Mike's cannolis - go back there today and get one for breakfast!!! chocolate dipped :)

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  5. I love Boston! My sister lives out there and Mike's is always a stop before I come home. I agree with the Nicoles--the cannolis are awesome! Enjoy your run!!! :)

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  6. so glad you had a great first day ... enjoy the runs .. never been to Boston but would love to go someday.... craving clams and canonolis this morning...

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  7. Happy you are having a fun getaway. Enjoy your adventure!

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  8. I love reading about people visiting my city. Sorry it was such a rainy day, but this weekend is going to be beautiful!

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  9. That cake looks amazing!

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  10. Sounds great! I actually like walking in the rain if it's warm enough. ;) And, even though I love dessert almost as much as you, carrot cake would be the absolute LAST thing I would pick! I can appreciate the cake to frosting ratio, though.

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  11. I would love to go to Boston. I'm hoping soon. Soonish.

    David's Tea is great. For Christmas this year we had David's Tea Crackers. Each cracker came with a joke and a Christmas tea. Must better than the silly toys that are normally in them.

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  12. AnonymousJune 06, 2014

    Ahh I LOVE these pictures - they make me homesick! I live in Ohio now but I lived in Boston for 4 years AND went to Boston College so you're right by my alma mater. Love Mike's Pastry (great cannoli!), all the "chowdah" shops and so much more. Good luck with the event - have so much fun meeting with the other bloggers!

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  13. Awesome! I'm going to Boston tomorrow myself for the festival. Not running, since I couldn't get my schedule to work right with the early hours, but I'm really looking forward to all the seminars and the expo~

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  14. Oh my gosh... that carrot cake looks amazing!

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  15. LOVE Mike's Pastry! Their lobster tails (think croissant + pastry cream) are delish. Have a good time!

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