Year 2, Week 23 (Days 522 - 528)

This week I'm going to try something different while I recap another eventful weekend.

One of my sponsors, Laura P. from Xoelle bow ties, is due to welcome another member of their family sometime soon so she generously sent over a few bows to keep me motivated since it's likely I won't hear from her for a bit. One of Laura's best talents is re-purposing fabric from neck ties (or shirts or pants or whatever you want to give her) and constructing awesomely rad bow ties. Check the top bow on this post - it was actually converted from an old J.Crew tie that I no longer had use for as a neck tie. Cool, right?

This past weekend I got the chance to participate in a fun mud run in Medford, NJ, that consisted of zombies on a 5k obstacle course. The idea was pretty simple. Hold onto any of the three flags that you're given and be considered a "survivor." If the zombies get your flags, then you'll be labeled "infected." Either way you get a medal and the chance to run the course.

After having finished 8 various "races" that were arguably more rigorous than this course, I was left incredibly impressed by the organization and tenor of the event. Event workers and volunteers were friendly, the portable potties were incredibly sanitary and at no point was there a sense of people taking themselves too serious. 

This was one of the few courses that I ran by myself, so my overall time was certainly cut, but without any Assassins by my side I was vulnerable to the packs of zombies that littered the muddy course. At some points the course was too narrow to pass without at least four costumed characters grabbing at me. I slipped more than once and lost my third flag with a third of the course yet to run. Aside from the crowds of zombies you had to run around, the course featured monkey bars, a dark smokey house, a small maze, a mud pit, a tunnel of mud and a water slide. I'd say my only reason to complain would be the lack of water pressure at the showers. 

I'm happy to report that I didn't keep the Mrs. waiting for more than 39 minutes - just long enough to run off our Cracker Barrel breakfast and pick up this cool piece of hardware. If you'd like to get a taste of obstacle course racing or just want to have fun running around with zombies, check out Run For Your Lives - and let me know what you think!

Year 2, Week 18 (Days 487 - 493)

How does one celebrate an overdue spring break? One wears bow ties, of course!

Thanks to ties.com and xoelle for helping me get this far. We're almost halfway there!

Year 2, Week 10 (Days 430 - 436)

This week's featured sponsors: 

Xoelle

Ties.com

Instead of highlighting a particular bow tie this week I thought I'd include a brief recap of my weekend outside of my comfort zone.

I signed up to participate in a S.E.R.E. Urban Challenge about three months ago on a whim in response to a late night conversation on Facebook. I have been training with this team of part-time obstacle course racers for a few months and was inspired to take a step toward completing a challenge that was designed to test me mentally and physically farther than I thought possible. 

What did this test consist of? I won't share too many details so I apologize if you're trying to train for this and happened upon this blog with the hopes of trying to piece together an idea of what to expect. Part of stepping out of your comfort zone is dealing with the unknown. I will only say that our class of 45 was put through 16 hours and 15 minutes of a variety of physically and mentally draining exercises with some instruction peppered throughout. My favorite obstacle involved low crawling across the Brooklyn Bridge somewhere around 3AM. Unlike many folks who sign up for SERE I had no intention of competing (Did I forget to mention this was a race?) and instead wanted only to take pride in finishing with my entire GT team intact. Many of us lead very civilian lives and rarely have time to train for this sort of madness, but we've sacrificed so little compared to the brave men and women in uniform who go through worse to protect our freedoms. It was an honor to participate with this in mind. 

Shortly after the race I was reminded about why I started participating in these type of events, pushing myself to limits that I had always been told were impossible for me. Pediatricians and physicians always told me I wouldn't grow much over 5'3'' and that I shouldn't bother lifting weights because it wouldn't add an inch to my stature. Doctors would ridicule me later on in life after breaking my wrist playing basketball with my students and tried convincing me that I shouldn't be running at all after breaking bones in both my ankles. I train because I want to experience life to the fullest of my potential. I refuse to be defined by my age, my stature or my profession. So as we traveled home on Saturday evening one of my teammates fell asleep behind the wheel for just a few seconds, hitting a parked car and flipping his vehicle on its side while I sat in the passenger seat. As soon as we realized we were not hurt we climbed our way out and thanked God for the opportunity to run another race - hopefully with a greater appreciation now than when we started.

When I want to run fast, I run alone. When I want to run far, I run with my team.

In front of the memorial at Firehouse 10 near the WTC

Poor Ruby never saw it coming

Year 2, Week 8 (Days 416 - 422)

Bow Tie Spotlight: This week I'd like to take a moment to recommend that you pay a visit to my friends over at ties.com. They have a range of neck ties, bow ties and accessories that are sure to meet your menswear needs. They were also one of my original sponsors and have consistently been sharing words of encourage along with their monthly contribution. This week's bow tie features blue sharks on a pink silk thread. Not only is it fashionable to wear a fishy print, it's also a great reminder to eat clean. 

This week's featured sponsors:

Xoelle

This Humble Abode

Ties.com

Knot Now

Year 2, Week 7 (Days 409 - 415)

Bow Tie Spotlight: This week I'll take a minute to highly recommend going to thrift shops and vintage outlets to dig out some snazzy bow ties. I was inspired to make this reminder, not only from taking a look at my own vintage ties, but after coming across this hilarious song appropriately titled "Thrift Shop." Check out an edited "clean" version here.

This week's featured sponsors:

This Humble Abode

Xoelle

Year 2, Week 5 (Days 395-401)

Bow Tie Spotlight: I've worn it twice this week - that's how much I think of Carlos' work. The man behind Knot Now and Necks Tuesday bow ties is not only generous with his ties but he was kind enough to take about four hours of his personal time to teach a total stranger how to work a sewing machine enough to start crafting his own bow ties. Carlos - I'm forever grateful and hope all is well!

This week's featured sponsors:

Not Know

Necks Tuesday

Xoelle

Aaron Michael

Year 2, Week 4 (Days 388-394)

Bow Tie Spotlight: This week I want to take a moment to highlight one of my own bow ties - not for the sake of self-promotion, because sewing bow ties is more of a hobby than another form income for me - but for the sake of inviting anyone in the NYC area to come train with me. That's right - I'm talking about the Zombiefit bow tie. If you've signed up for a GoRuck/ S.E.R.E. or a Spartan race and are looking for ways to prepare - check out our trainer's blog here. Come out and train with us. 

This week's featured sponsors:

Xoelle

Speak Louder

BeauTiesLtd. of Vermont

Year 2, Week 3 (Days 381 - 387)

Bow tie spotlight: This week I'd like to highlight a camo bow tie that was gifted by Laura P. from Xoelle. It's unique in that it is handcrafted from vintage camo fabric that's about as thick and tough as denim. The faded pattern is awesome when paired with a hoodie and your favorite jeans. 

This week's featured sponsors:

Xoelle

Forage

Aaron Michael

Year 2, Week 2 (Days 374 - 380)

Bow tie spotlight: Over this past week I began my official training regimen for the Goruck challenge which I signed up to do in May. Part of the training involves carrying 7 bricks in a backpack during physical training that may or may not involve carrying a teammate on your back as well. As a way to include my family into my training I decided to wrap each set of bricks with a bow tie to represent a member of the family. Yup - the bows will remain on the bricks throughout my training and the challenge. This particular Mockingjay bow was handcrafted by yours truly using scraps of a t-shirt that was given to our teaching staff last year. Our oldest son is a big fan of the Hunger Games trilogy and so this bow serves as a reminder of him. 

I'm also glad to announce that I've got a special discount code for anyone interested in completing a spartan race this year. If you're interested in saving 15% off any race, you can use this link to get your discount. You're welcome!If you'd like in on the Spartan Sprint at Citi Field in April, just use code: CITIFIELD to get 20% off. That second offer expires on the 21st of January so get off the couch!

This week's featured sponsors:

Xoelle

BeauTies Ltd. of Vermont

This Humble Abode

Year 2, Week 1 (Days 367 - 373)

Welcome to the second year of my self-imposed challenge to wear a bow tie for 1,000 consecutive days. 

For this second phase of my blog I'd like to modify when and what I blog. I'm making this change for a variety of reasons but essentially I want to ensure that I am making the most use of my time on a daily basis. I'd rather apply the minutes that uploading/posting on a daily basis toward other parts of my life that need it. Instead, you'll hear from me once a week, recapping the bows I wore, highlighting something new, and mentioning something unrelated to bows. My hope is that there will be more value in 52 than 365 blog posts.

Bow tie spotlight: Pictured center is a new design created by yours truly inspired by the Spartan races. It features a green spartan helmet with a comical sword driven through it. I intend on wearing a bow tie to at least one of the obstacle races I'm running this year. Let's see if I don't change my mind before the year is up. Speaking of my races this year, I'm currently planning on participating in TEN OCRs (obstacle course races) in 2013. This number may increase but I'm hoping to really push myself farther than I anticipated in 2012 when I began training for these events. Here's a table of said events:

This week's featured sponsors:

Aaron Michael

Knot Now

Xoelle

Day 357

The boys and I decided to debut our Christmas bow ties today which were designed and constructed by Laura P. over at Xoelle.com. Check out her etsy shop here. If you can't tell from the picture the bow features a holiday plaid with a red fabric backing (making this a two-sided bow) and green bias tape. Awesomeness!

Day 355

One of our favorite holiday traditions is coming together as a family to take in some classic holiday films. Today's bow, another gift from Laura P. over at Xoelle, is a tribute to one of our favorite films - White Christmas. How so? I suppose you might have to watch it again, but I was thinking of the General when tied this one around my neck. Kids, it was a great 2012. I can't wait to see you when classes resume on the 7th. And no, CC. You can't have this tie.

Day 346

Was the world supposed to end today? If it was then I'm glad to know I would've gone out in style in one of my favorite striped bows by Xoelle.com. Check out her etsy shop here.

Day 345

Report card night! Parents got to see this lovely hand-crafted felt bow by Xoelle. Check out her etsy shop here.

Day 342

Something pretty amazing happened today, and it wasn't something I expected to occur. I didn't wake up thinking about it, but I'm glad I was prepared. Earlier in the week I had been encouraging (nagging, perhaps) my wife to make an appointment and join a class with our trainer. At one point I even decided I'd skip going to a class and watch our kiddos while Lily went to get her training on. I argued it would be ok if I missed because I'm up to training 6 days a week on my own. I could wait to see our coach until the following week if I needed to. Once we realized we would both be able to see our trainer I instantly realized I was glad I came prepared for class. It was surprise test day at the training facility. Test day? Allow me to explain. Every so often, on a date unknown to us, our trainer likes to give us a timed exam. The exam consists of a series of movements and exercises that test your core strength and speed. In the middle of the test I realized I had been given the test to proceed to what is currently the highest level within our membership. Although there were no black belts, trophies or ceremonies announcing the progression, when the test ended it was clear I had passed. I'm only inspired to continue. 

You know what else inspires me? Bow ties ties by Xoelle like this plaid number.

Day 338

Today I started sending out a Holiday greeting to all of my supporters. If you didn't get your Holiday card, please send me a message so I can get yours to you right away. In response I received this really kind note from the COO/President of Ties.com. Omar was actually the first person to write me back nearly one year ago when I initially decided to take the leap into this crazy adventure of wearing bow ties for 1,000 consecutive days. I'll admit there are days where I'd rather not have to spend time coordinating outfits and bow ties, but I know that for every second I doubt what I'm doing in trying to raise awareness of the achievement gap there are hours I could recount stories after stories as to why I love what I do for a living and why I enjoy sharing a few moments with you along the way. To everyone who has sent an email, liked an Instagram post, retweeted a tweet or commented on this blog: THANK YOU. 

Today's bow is another fall favorite handcrafted by Laura P. from Xoelle. Check out her etsy shop here.

Day 329

Today's bow came by way of Laura over at Xoelle.com. Check out her awesome selection of bows here.

Day 327

Nope - we didn't take advantage of any Black Friday deals just yet. I did step out to our local GNC and came upon a 65% special and got to use a $15 coupon for some extra savings, but that's about it. Today's bow is another Xoelle cotton treat, with some embroidery that's actually hiding from the camera right now. Check out the Black Friday deals on the etsy shop here.

Day 326

It's Thanksgiving Day and you know what I'm thankful for? You guessed it - wonderful sponsorship and the support of loved ones. I'm especially grateful for having a chance to meet, albeit online, Laura P. from Xoelle. If you're interested in her fabulous array of bow ties check out her selection - and take advantage of the Black Friday deals here.

Day 317

Tough day today ... Truth be told, it's the first time in my 14 years where I've had to teach inequalities and I'm battling some insecurities about my execution. Even though my scholars are averaging 88% mastery, something doesn't feel right. Darn these high expectations. I may just need a good run to get my mind right. I logged 5 miles on Sunday, I hope to run at most 3 miles today and I want to get up to 9 miles later this week. Let's see how that goes. 

Today's bow was handcrafted by Laura from Xoelle. Check out her sweet collection here.