BloggingDangerously

Thing I Learned Running in NYC

2012-02-24T09:00:00-05:00

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.

Dig If You Will A Picture...

2012-02-23T09:00:00-05:00

This is a picture that I took today as I drove down the Henry Hudson Parkway on Manhattan's West side. It was 60 degrees and gorgeous.

New York was as wonderful as I expected. There is an energy to the city that you don't feel anywhere else. I checked into my hotel, had a glass of wine, ate dinner and then walked to Times Square. It was alive and electric and beautiful.

I thought about exploring further but wasn't sure where to do and then realize that I haven't run in days and I really need to do that, so I came back to the hotel and once I'm finished with this post I'm crashing hard and getting up at 6 to run to Central Park. At least that's the plan.

Also, I left forgot Siri at home so, ARGH.

I was supposed to run a marathon in NYC once but I sprained my ankle playing rugby (all of this is true) and had to cancel so I've never run through Central Park. If I can get up and out by 6:30 tomorrow I should be able to do 5 miles before my meetings.

I will tell you all about it tomorrow.

P.S. In an attempt to bring some accountability to my ambition, I've started a photography group on Facebook. The basic idea is to remind ourselves to take pictures every day. I am 100% only using my iphone for this challenge so we're not talking about aperture and shutter speed, we're talking about remembering to see the world as art and snapping the photo when you see a special frame. Just to clear the cobwebs I've been using @fatmumslim's photo challenge for inspiration and invite you to join too and post your photos.

Dangerous in the City

2012-02-22T09:00:00-05:00

My company was acquired about a year ago and we're finally going through a reorganization that has me working in New York City two days a week starting this week.

I am THRILLED.

Of course it's going to take some getting used to and being away from the kids will be hard but the truth is that it's only one night per week and my husband is a rock star father.

I LOVE to travel and despite living so close I've never spent very much time in New York City.

I'm so excited to go and take pictures and SEE things and go for a run on the East River!

I leave first thing this morning for 48 hours. Be excited for me okay?

Also, leave suggestions on what to do in the comments!!!