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runninggest-blog · 10 years

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MARCH 10, 2014: Double Digits... and Brooklyn.

Above all the cool things about this run, the fact that I ran 10 miles, my longest run ever, was an important physical benchmark and more importantly a mental benchmark. I could never have imagined fighting through 10 miles of running in my life, let alone enjoying it.

For the most part, this was a familiar, but still enjoyable, run down the Hudson River Greenway. The major difference was trying to pace myself without any historical context for what I was really in for and trying to loose myself in my music so I could forget about running for a quarter-mile here and there. What I would do without music on longs runs, I do not know.

Everything felt as expected through Manhattan, which was most of the distance. Hitting the Brooklyn Bridge meant two important things: 1) I was leaving Manhattan, and 2) I was approaching my longest run ever. Leaving Manhattan was big because other than going only to the end of the Queensboro Bridge and back not long before this run, I had never ventured into another Borough before.

Putting aside the annoying but inevitable tourist herds, running across the Brooklyn Bridge is still one of the coolest things to do in the city. Something feels more inherently historic about it than most things in the city and it's simply beautiful in a way other bridges just aren't. My guilty pleasure is running on the wood-slatted path, which is a welcome break for the knees.

Up and over, lost in the infamous views, the mission quickly became a final 2 miles slowly climbing to the (rather grand) entrance of Prospect Park, my finish line. This was one of the few times that being a psychological runner bode well. Everything was burning, yes, but after running that far, 2 miles didn't actually sound terrible. I couldn't help feeling excited more than anything, and I was happily distracted exploring new territory in Brooklyn. Ultimately, I ended up running a better pace in those last couple miles than in most of the run. It would only be fair to reiterate how nice it was running through Brooklyn: beautiful plazas downtown, the new Barclays Center, charming brownstone-lined streets, towering monuments and for once, a sense of where everything is in a place you previously knew only by subway stop.

Finishing this run was a big thing to me. It felt much more fulfilling and exciting than any runs or races I've had in the past. I've realized I care a even more about this than all the other athletic competition I've engaged. Ironically, the only finish-line audience you get when it actually feels like it matters is a questionable dude slouched on a park bench, drinking from a brown paper bag. I'm fine with it.

After buying a water with a very soggy dollar at the nearest bodega, it was onto the 3-train home. And to me, that was the start of when my runs really became adventures.

City Hall:

Brooklyn Bridge:

Cadman Plaza, Downtown Brooklyn:

Barclays Center:

Typical Brownstones off Flatbush Avenue:

Grand Army Plaza (Entrance to Prospect Park):

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runninggest-blog · 10 years

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MAR 5, 2014: My Toes.

Ok, I lied about skipping to the next phase. Before I get to the "real" runs, I would be remiss not to document the actual running element of marathon training. Heaven's for bid. So, here's a quick ode to aches and pains.

Because I took a good handful of months off from not just running, but everything else healthy, I was surprised that running between 5 and 7 miles wasn't feeling as taxing as I would have expected, like I had been better prepared than in reality. Except my feet.

My rejuvenated heart and lungs were apparently steeling their life-force from my toes. I hadn't had this problem before, despite years of running, because I never ran all that far on a regular basis. My toes hurt so so much, especially wearing dress shoes at work the next morning, men's equivalent of heels. Painful. All that said, I figured it was part of the deal and decided that I was going to just fight through it. SPOILER ALERT: I've only really done something about it as I'm writing this in August, and that was stupid... you'll hear more about my toes.

Any why not throw another interesting run into this post?

This was one of the last of the single-digit miles golden age; an Upper East Side loop, crossing Central Park and spanning to the East River. Lots of beautiful homes before you pass 3rd Ave, then blocks of "eh" that 20 and 30 something's can afford, but conveniently still call the Upper East Side (America's richest Zip Code). But with the "eh" comes a surprising downhill stretch and all the "eh" goes away. The East River Greenway is nice particularly for the less-common, or at least less-cliché views. The Uptown portion of the park could be nicer - it's outdated, unlike the renovated portions further Downtown. The coolest thing is definitely Gracie Mansion (The Mayor's ceremonial home), that you nor I ever knew was at W 90th Street on the East River, looking out over Riker's Island. At worst, this was an educational and definitely still enjoyable run. And my toes really hurt.

Ok, next post we can get to the "real" runs.

#toes #gracie mansion #upper east side #running #run #marathon #training #ouch #Upper East Side #Yorkville #Mayor #Central park #rikers island #upper east side bros

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runninggest-blog · 10 years

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MAR 2, 2014: Hudson River Greenway

I'm continuing my catch-up from when I started training in February to now. Next up, early Spring on the Hudson River Greenway.

This was a major change in my running habits. First of all, I started settling into approximately 6 - 7 mile runs and felt comfortable... that was a new feeling for me. Second, this was the first time I didn't try to end a run near where I started. It dawned on me, I can expand my running frontiers if I don't loop back home and just take the train back. It's a little annoying, but totally worth it.

The Hudson Greenway is a running staple. It's an incredibly long, unobstructed running and biking highway that tours all the cliché neighborhoods of Manhattan's West side. It's also flat and has a constant water breeze, which makes running just a little easier.

I started in the West 70's near one of my favorite spots for a evening drink, Pier i. While I didn't stop off for the famous blueberry vodka lemonade, I did run through the cool sculpture garden that stretches a dozen blocks.

The West side of Midtown isn't as pretty, but there are still cool things to see, including the distant iconic buildings that give you a sense of how far you've gone. Did I mention the Intrepid museum with the space shuttle on top? I also enjoy seeing the progress being made on the Hudson Yards project, where buildings are finally starting to rise out of the massive construction site and an entirely new neighborhood is coming to fruition.

The stretch through Chelsea, the West Village and TriBeCa lasts a long time, but you can see lots of funky, abstract buildings, look down historic streets and enjoy a nicely renovated, bustling stretch of the greenway. Perhaps the best part... tourist have their own path, so it's clear sailing the whole way.

I don't make a habit of going by my office when I'm not working, but this run takes you directly through the World Financial Center. It's actually an impressive setting, particularly when the amazing yachts (as seen in Wolf of Wall Street) are parked in the harbor. Some day, some day.

And then the home stretch. Once the knees are really aching, you arrive at Battery Park. On one side, the historic high-rises of Lower Manhattan and on the other, famous views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It's definitely a grand finale. Being the very last, painful stretch, the best part might be the ocean breeze that smells refreshingly like the ocean and not the Hudson.

At this point in my training, I was pretty comfortable with the distance, my pace was coming down, and I felt totally energized by my training. I was ready to step it up. For my next post, we'll fast forward through a few more runs and to my first real long-distance exploration. Stay tuned!

#Hudson River Greenway #Hudson River #Pier i #Upper West Side #Hell's Kitchen #Chelsea #West Village #TriBeCa #Lower Manhattan #World Financial Center #WFC #Staten Island Ferry #Battery Park #Statue of Liberty #Ellis Island #Running #Run #Westside

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runninggest-blog · 10 years

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FEB 14, 2014: Central Park Perimeter

Run number 2. At this point, I still wasn't venturing far and 7 miles was really pushing the distances I could handle. I thought running the full perimeter of Central Park would be good distance (6.7 Miles) and a chance to explore what surrounds the park, not just what's inside it.

Like I said in my last post, I love seeing how the rich live and of course, Central Park is the place to see it. It's not just the Upper West and East sides... Central Harlem is a place every New Yorker should checkout. The neighborhood has a lot of important history and I think you would be surprised how good of shape it is in. That said, there is nothing that can compete with the pristine Upper East Side that follows. These homes, consulates and museums are the epitome of sophistication. It might also be the only place in NYC that has found a solution to keeping trash off the sidewalks. Hallelujah.

When you live in New York, you find yourself avoiding the touristy parts of town. Despite ourselves, sometimes it's fun to be a tourist and get caught actually looking up at the buildings, or cutting through Times Square. That's the spirit you need when you traverse Central Park South. This is tourist central and dodging people is simply a part of the challenge. The redeeming grace?... the impressive building-scape and the half-tourist, half-local Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. Never the less, it feels really good to turn North and have clear sailing to finish the run on the good ole'Upper West.

Perhaps the best part of this run is simply saying you ran the perimeter of Central Park - that's pretty cool.

#Running #Central Park #Upper West Side #Central Harlem #Upper East Side #Central Park South #Columbus Circle #Time Warner Center

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runninggest-blog · 10 years

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FEB 12, 2014: Starting in My Backyard

The idea of blogging about my running adventures has come several months into my training. I'm going to start by featuring runs I've done since I set my 2015 NYC Marathon. We're rewinding to February 2014.

First of all, February? This was an exceptionally cold winter, so you probably think I'm crazy, but actually I love cold weather running. Moreover, I'm not a fan of running in the heat. It's August as I'm writing this and I would kill for a Winter run right now.

Appropriately, I started my training in my own backyard. I love living on the Upper West Side - gorgeous homes, museums, parks, you name it. This recipe makes it easy to ignore your legs and admire your surroundings.

First up, I'm a sucker for seeing how the rich live. Heading up Riverside Drive you basically follow a wall of elegant wealth, flanked by the lushness of Riverside Park with views of the Hudson. It definitely helps you ignore the 2 miles of continuous vertical rise.

At the top of the hill is Columbia University, which I think is such a nice spot. The campus is beautiful and you get to run along Morningside Park - basically the top of New York City. Yes, it's a good feeling to see nothing but downhill ahead, but the unobstructed views from Harlem to Midtown are better.

Central Park is basically the second half of the run. I think Central Park is just the best... there are few places with as much variety, elegant design, expanse and the unbeatable juxtaposition between urban jungle and lush oasis. It also happens to be very runner-friendly. Being a competitive person, I love the constant stream of runners; It makes me feel like I'm in a race and pushes me to work harder.

All-in-all, this is still one of my favorite runs. It has great diversity and really makes me appreciate my neighborhood. If you don't live nearby, I say jump on train. As you'll find in my future blogs, I think it's worth traveling for destination runs - the experience is too rewarding not to put up with a little inconvenience.

7.4 Miles down, hundreds to go.

#Running #New York City #NYC #Upper West Side #Columbia University #Morningside Heights #Riverside Drive #Riverside Park #Central Park

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