Thing I Learned Running in NYC

Yes, I ran yesterday.  But only because I promised you that I would.

And for the record, when my alarm went off at 6:30, I cursed you.

And again at 6:39, 6:48 and 6:57.  And then I got up.

Because you can't see a city better than you can while running.

When you're running you cover so much ground and you can actually feel the pulse of the city as the traffic ebbs and flows.

And yet, you're so much more connected than you would be in a car.  

Here are a bunch of things I learned yesterday, running through New York City...

• There are a lot of people in suits already walking around at 7:15am
• Frederick Law Olmstead brought a lot of joy to our cities.
• People in NY are vigilant.  Men in Boston are not aware of their surroundings, Men in NYC are.
• Directionally Challenged people like myself would benefit from living in a city on a grid system.  
• While Central Park is GREAT.  Given the choice between running in the part and running along the water, I will always choose the water.
• You New Yorkers need to smile more.  Everytime I smiled at someone or said, "Good morning" it was like the recipient had been given a gift.
• I couldn't hear my ipod over the sounds of the city until I got to Central Park.
• Central Park is hillier than you'd think.
• Traffic lights kill your pace.
• But you run sprints in the city trying to hit the lights.
• In NY the walk signal is LAW.  Unless you want to die.
• Avenue of the Americas is incredibly impressive.
• I will never own an animal whose poop I have to pick up.
• DH better never become incontinent.

Also, THANK YOU to everyone who commented yesterday and said that they believed that I would run.  I don't know if I ran because you believed in me, or if you believe in me because I ran but your confidence in me makes me stronger.

Thank you for that.

 

Comments

[Kate]

My husband gets up way too early every morning and starts a two hour long commute to NYC. He may be one of those men you saw in a suite on your morning run, however I know he would have acknowledge you with a smile. Glad you managed to get up and see the city in that way. There is nothing like the solitude of an early morning run.

[email protected] (for some reason it won't allow me to post using this as my URL)???

[Jaimie]

Since I dont know that i will ever get the chance to experience NYC ( Though I really hope too!) It's posts like this that I absolutely adore! The little tidbits that make me feel like I'm there! :) Thank YOU! Ps~ I knew you had it in ya... ;)

[JJ @ 84thand3rd]

Good for you to go, esp so early in the morn! When we lived in the city is when I started to like running - around the reservoir in Central Park, dodging the tourists, it was like a different world to the madness outside of the park! We still go for a loop or two when we are in town. Sigh. Say ~hi~ to NY for me, I miss her!

[joeinvegas]

I don't understand how that last one fits in with the rest. I agree with it, it just doesn't match.

[Ken]

I have to ask - were you part of the "surroundings" of which the NY men were so aware?? :-) Me too water! Have a safe journey home.

[Lizbeth]

That is bloody awesome you were up and out the door before the majority of us. Well at least me.

Yay!

[Josiphine]

Kit,
You RULE!

[Jessie Powell]

I hate owning an animal whose poop I have to pick up. ICKY SICKY

[Amalie Garvoille]

I felt like I was running with you! BTW, I did request to join your running group on FB (under my *real* name as I write under a pseudonym ;)Looking forward to more posts!

[Kit]

It follows with the one before it. :)