it's been a while

Not since I've run. That I've been doing consistently. It's been a while since I posted about my runs. And do I have a bunch to tell you!

The rest of last week's runs after work were relatively uneventful, but then this weekend happened.

Saturday: I ran outside for the first time since starting this mini-marathon training! It was a beautiful day and I managed to convince my friend Steph to come running with me. We ran the East River Promenade from 86th street all the way down to where it ends on 60th street and then back. Googlemaps says (but is probably wrong) that it was 2.7 miles and we did it in 28-ish minutes. I have a running app that tracks your route, time, etc. but evidently I didn't push the right button or something so it didn't track it. Again, I'm a genius. We did a quick stop at 60th street to stretch and so Steph could adjust her sock, so we probably averaged 6.0 mph or maybe a little faster. Not bad for my first time outside!

Sunday: I went running on the East River Promenade by myself. Since I wasn't running with someone who could pace themselves, I didn't pace myself so I got a little too ahead of myself and wasn't able to run the whole time. I had to do run/walks the whole time. But I didn't walk that much, so it was still good. And it was super windy. I did figure out how to get my running app to work though (I pushed the right button and waited until it started). This time, it said the route (the same route that I did on Saturday) was 3.26 miles and I did it in 34:45. I'm not sure which distance to believe, but it doesn't really matter, I guess. It was still a lot more fun running outside than it was inside on a treadmill.

Monday: Since I actually did my two runs this weekend, I didn't have to go running on Monday! I got to have dinner with my cousin instead, which was super fun and I got to try Dos Caminos which I had never been to before (it was really really good. Try the short ribs. And the guacamole.)

Tuesday: Yesterday, I packed a big bag with my sneakers and all the running things I would need for the week. I've been doing this for the past few weeks so that I have all my gym stuff at work and then just have to bring my sneakers (and ridiculous number of hair necessities) back and forth from work. It makes my mornings much less stressful since I don't have to pick out a tshirt and pants and socks for running along with my work clothes. Since yesterday was so nice outside (I think it was around 50 degrees), I decided I would run home from work. So I just brought the minimum number of things I needed for work (my work ID, driver's license just incase, debit card, apartment key) and wore a fleece to work. Then, at the end of the day, I changed into my running clothes, put my work clothes into the big bag in my desk, and took off! From my office to my apartment is 2.5 miles and I did it in 26 minutes! I had to stop a few times to wait for a light to change, but luckily there was a lot of traffic on the avenue I ran on so most of the time the cars were in complete gridlock so I didn't have to wait. The joys of New York City. Also, I ended up getting home faster than when I usually take the bus!

Yesterday's run home from work was so enjoyable that I'm going to run home today as well.

Things I didn't find enjoyable: groups of people that take up the whole sidewalk and don't bother moving even though they see you heading towards them. I understand you're out with your 15 closest friends, but general courtesy says that when someone is heading towards you that you should seperate slightly to allow them to pass. Just saying... Also, people with dogs who walk on one side of the sidewalk while their dogs walk on the other side and the leash stretches across the entire width. These people also tend to not move when they see you running towards them. Am I the only one that realizes that other people also need to use the sidewalks?

Happy February!
-J

PS: I just started reading a book about running. So far it's extremely entertaining! Maybe I'll write a post about it when I get farther in (or finish it).