Summer Streets the Next Two Saturdays

Those looking for a chance to run in Manhattan and avoid the cars - take advantage of the Summer Streets program that goes on for the next two Saturdays, Aug. 11 and 18.

Cruise from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park (or vice versa) along Lafayette and Park. Great opportunity to try a different running route (and go early enough to avoid those dreaded walkers ... of course, you could be a walker yourself, so disregard that comment a second ago :-))

Running the Bridges and Brooklyn Waterfront

There's something to be said about mashing together two shorter running routes to get a good 10K run in.

One of my staple runs is to start at the Brooklyn Promenade near Remsen, head over the Brooklyn Bridge, and then head back. It's just shy of 4 miles, and I'll do it usually when I have just a half hour to run.

With a bit more time this morning (and not meeting up with any of my usual Saturday cohorts), I decided to mix together this run with a Brooklyn waterfront run. So after getting into Manhattan, I headed into Chinatown and came back to Brooklyn via the Manhattan Bridge. From there, it was straight into Dumbo, where I hugged the water (and farted around in Brooklyn Bridge Park near Pier 1 for a bit) all the way to Atlantic, then headed back up to the Promenade.

The route is about 6.4 miles, give or take, and is nice in are really only a few places where the cars may interrupt your running. You also get two long "bridge" hills and a short, but steeper, approach from the water up Jouralemon (or, if you choose to modify it, up Atlantic).

Running in the Humidity

Phew, this has been one tough week to run.

I've done my best to dodge the humidity, running in the early mornings, late evenings where the temperature has been great. Not really all that successful, I've found, with sweat dripping off my brow within a mile, and regularly coming back from runs having dropped 3-4 pounds despite efforts to stay hydrated.

But if you're training for a late summer/early fall race, you've got to do it. Need I remind the Boston Marathon wannabes (me! me!) who are looking for a last-minute qualifying time for 2012, the entries open on Sept. 12, which pretty much rules out most of the great fall marathons in the area.

As I was reminded earlier after whining to folk about today's run, which was cut short ... again ... by the humidity: You set a goal, you go after it, you do what you have to do.

Today's run: Prospect Park, over the Brooklyn Bridge, a loop around the southern tip of Manhattan, back up to the Williamsburg Bridge, over and then along Kent and Flushing before finally collapsing near the Brooklyn Bridge Park. 4 miles short of the planned 20.

So, you pick yourself up, and do it again. :-) Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Running Along the Waterfront

Sometimes you don't want to deal with any hills, yet get some miles in.

That was my thinking this AM as I did a very flat 6-miler, starting from the Promenade and heading north, then reversing direction and running out to Red Hook via Henry Street. Then back along Columbia (dodging the Battery Tunnel entrance), along the pathways that make up Brooklyn Bridge Park.

A few nice things about this run:
*It's flat (did I mention that?)
*You can cut it short in numerous ways (or go longer, obviously)
*There are also places you can do "time checks" and figure out your pace: For example: It goes right past the Red Hook Track (I did two laps there just to get my pace under control), there's a section between Pier 6 and Pier 1 that looks to be about 1/2 mile, and then there's the Promenade, which is about 1/3 mile.

5-Mile Running Route Involving Brooklyn Bridge

Got a query from a reader, to which I belatedly responded, though thought I'd throw it out there: What's your favorite 5-mile route involving the Brooklyn Bridge?

For me, it's a loop including both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, which I regularly do.

I start on the southern end of the Promenade by Remsen, head north, then cut right on Middagh and thru Cadman park to get over to the Brooklyn Bridge. Once in Manhattan, I cut through Chinatown to the Manhattan Bridge to head back to Brooklyn. I normally head back to the starting point (which would be only about 4.5 miles), so to add to that, I'd head down to the water and run through Dumbo and the park there to pick up the extra mileage. Other thoughts?

Battery Park-Central Park 20-Miler

I was inspired by the article in the NYTimes last week about doing a full loop of Manhattan (32 miles). Not so inspired that I think I'm going to run that anytime soon ... however, for those of you looking to do a 20-miler, there's a relatively straightforward loop you can do within Manhattan.

The route below starts at Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall (easily reachable by the 4/5), though it can be run from any part of the loop. Very simply, it hugs the water in the lower half of Manhattan, cuts across 59th St., does an almost full loop of Central Park (except for the southern section) and continues along 59th St. to the East Side. (Note, you have to stay on 1st Ave. to 34th St. at least - this route cuts over at 23rd for preference reasons (you pass two hospitals with bathrooms ... and if you need to collapse ... to be honest).

It's a bit more than 20, I think (this can be adjusted depending on where you start the run.). Plenty of water along the way, and it's a bit more diverse than running three loops in Central Park. It's also mostly flat (which is both good and bad), though you can plan for when you want to deal with the hills depending on the subway stop you get off.

Pier 1 Problems ... Again

I'm out of town, so I haven't witnessed this personally, but apparently the resurfacing of the Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 1) isn't going so well ...

Summer Runnin', Having Some Fun ...

A whole lot of summertime songs are running thru my head, but you don't care about this.

The return of Summer Streets ... that you care about.

Run from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park
*in the middle of Manhattan
*without having to hug the rivers
*if you time it right and avoid the tourist hoard, without having to stop

Three consecutive Saturdays in August (7, 14, 21) - well worth doing

5 Bridges, One Way, Lots of Ups and Downs

The other day, got a chance to do one of the funner running routes I've done in a while - hitting the bridges of Brooklyn (twice), Manhattan, Williamsburg, Pulaski and Queensboro - in a one-way route that totaled about 14 miles. The one I've mapped below started from Grand Army Plaza, though obviously you can start from anywhere and experiment. Note the route I offer includes a couple of short cuts - go from bridge to bridge in your own way.

The nice thing about it is that you get to hit Queensboro within a couple of miles of the time you would during the New York Marathon, which at least simulates some of the pain and fatigue you might be feeling at that point in time.

Running and Pianos

I'm seeing a running route in this (or multiple trips) ... with the installation of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" piano exhibit, there are 10 pianos in Brooklyn (and 60 throughout the city) just waiting to have your sweat-dripping fingers making some beautiful music. (Does Vanessa Carlton run?)

I passed the one in City Hall Park this morning - very colorful under its plastic wrap. The exhibit starts tomorrow and runs for two weeks. Grand Army Plaza, Coney Island, McCarren Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park all have one, and there are more ...

Bridge Running, Redux

Check out this post from One Runners World on a bridge run done today. It includes Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, Pulaski and Queensboro.

How Many Bridges Have You Run?

I ask this question, and I need to think about it a bit. Verazzano, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, Queensboro, Pulaski ... I've walked over the GW, though never run it. A whole slew of smaller bridges, I'm sure (how many different ways have you crossed the Gowanus?)

Had a chance the other day to do a workout in Manhattan, and, bored with Central Park, realized that I'd never run Queensboro from Manhattan (obviously, it's always from the Queens side, and I'm usually in massive pain at the time).

And so I did, after finding the walk/bike path (thanks officer). The approach from Manhattan seems longer - definitely longer than the Williamsburg (or maybe it's just the steepness -- I'll need to get some measurements).

Got into Queens, figured I'd try to get to the Pulaski, realized I hadn't a clue how. (When in doubt, pick a direction). After wandering for a bit (always fun as a runner), and about to give up, I found a sign for the Pulaski and, lo and behold, managed to run that as well. I'm thinking a run from Manhattan back to Brooklyn is in the works.

One of the various message groups I'm on had some lengthy discussions about various bridge runs that could be done, incorporating a lot of the big ones. Yeah, it's a lot of miles, but you can also probably shorten it by some targeted subway/bus rides.

The above photo, BTW, is a picture to the entrance for the ... actually, not going to say. (Lot of hints - it's one of my favorites for running, it's been featured in recent commentary). Just find it, and run on it. It's worth the experience.

Running Conditions - Please Chime In!

Whooh. Just back from a 16-mile run, much of it in Prospect Park, where the outer loop is in pretty good condition. A good number of runners and bikers out there.

The upper loop transverse - Center Drive - is passable, though there are a couple of slushy/packed snow patches. The lower transverse, by the lake, is not in great condition, particularly the bridge that's been blocked off.

Other areas that I saw:

*The Brooklyn Bridge is in surprisingly good condition - the running and bike lanes are both narrowed because the piled up snow, but it's definitely runnable.

* The Brooklyn Heights Promenade has a two-person-wide lane running through it. So if there's no one there, no problem. If there's a dogwalker in front of you, with one of those extending leaches ... problem.

* The Cadman Plaza "track" is covered in packed snow.

* Court Street sidewalks are in generally good conditions. The big problems are the secondary street crossings, where it gets a little dicey at times.

* Union Street is OK. Most of the sidewalks are good, but there are places - particularly by the Gowanus, where they are still covered in snow and there are some serious ice patches. The bike lane is only partially plowed.

* In running along most of the secondary streets, the sidewalks at this point actually seem to be the best bet. Running in the middle of the street is workable (watch for cars, obviously), though all the car owners that waited until today to shovel out their cars are now shoveling the snow into the street.

What about other places? Ocean Parkway? The Coney Island Boardwalk? Shore Road Parkway? Other bridges? If you've been out there running, please comment away.

Prospect Park/Green-Wood Cemetery Loop

After watching cars flailing on the roads as they attempted to stop this morning, our group decided to stick to areas where we didn't have to worry (as much) about moving vehicles. Hence, a loop around Prospect Park and Green-Wood Cemetery. Let me tell you, there's nothing like trying to finish up the run up Zoo Hill in the park and having a steady 20mph wind in your face (while trying to avoid faceplants caused by the slippery snow).

Wednesday 10-miler

Had some extra time today, so ran a bit longer than I normally would in mid-week (though if the marathon training kicks into gear, suspect that will change).

Anyway, wanted to do 10 miles, starting from Brooklyn Heights - there are a variety of options, but I realized I hadn't been over the Williamsburg Bridge in a bit, so figured I'd do a loop - over the Brooklyn Bridge, down to the river, then back over Williamsburg and back along Kent and Flushing (detouring a bit through Dumbo)

One of the benefits to this run is a working bathroom just north of the Williamsburg Bridge (the water fountain is turned off, but the sink is still running) that's generally been clean the few times I've had to use it.

Cider Time

One good thing is that, when it's the time of year when the water fountains start getting turned off, it's the time of year to make sure you bring an extra couple of bucks with you to get some hot cider at Grand Army Plaza once you've finished your run.

Today's run, in the blustery, 45-degree temperatures, was fairly straightforward. Grand Army Plaza, over the Brooklyn Bridge, back on the Manhattan Bridge, then thru Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights before heading back. No one was interested in running fast, so the group I was with kept it at an easy pace, and started taking some random turns as we headed back to Grand Army. If you head straight back after the Manhattan Bridge, it's probably closer to 9.5 miles ... but as I mentioned, we decided to stray.

Most fountains were turned off, though note the fountain by the entrance of the north side of the Promenade (near Orange Street) is still functioning ... for now. And the cider, albeit a bit expensive at $2, was well worth it, if only to warm the hands.

Summer Streets is Back! Aug. 8, 15, 22

Apologies for being somewhat infrequent in the blogposts over the past several weeks - other priorities have caught up to me (I've even neglected my fantasy baseball team - and am paying for it).

So, will catch up this weekend. Most importantly: A great running route has opened up for a short time only: Summer Streets is back in Manhattan. Starting tomorrow, and continuing for the next two weekends, you can run from the Brooklyn Bridge to the 72nd St. entrance in Central Park -- on a car-free boulevard! (OK, if you run in the middle of the day, you'll have to deal with the dreaded tourist pedestrian, but it's *probably* easier than trying to battle cars and trucks).

Most of this is an opportunity to run down Park Avenue -- and we should take advantage!

How'd Your Run Go Today?

It's a simple, innocuous question, and I usually answer it with the same stock answer. "Fine." It's not like anything ever happens on these daily runs ... or does it?

Think about it.

Getting outside and pounding out the mileage has the added benefit of seeing things that you might not ordinarily see, and certainly experience things not found sitting on the living room couch. It's not the exceptional all the time, obviously (though I have seen what purportedly was a dead body) ... but it's still enough to make me want to head out the door the following day. It's those little details.

And it helps to have fun people to run with.

The route of today's run isn't anything particularly special. From Grand Army Plaza, out to the Green-Wood Cemetery, around clockwise, back to Prospect Park to complete the loop, then on to Brooklyn Heights. About 10.5-11 miles, or thereabouts - not at an incredibly fast pace either, but then, it didn't need to be.

But, some of the run highlights:

-- a dead raccoon (blech)

-- almost getting smooshed by an MTA bus pulling out of the bus yard (thank you kind driver for stopping in time)

-- high-fiving a teenager who, along with his friend, looked like he was coming back from a party where he inadvertently fell asleep at 4 a.m. and was just getting home

-- a lively discussion about whether Michael Jackson was in fact buried in Green-Wood (a significant portion of my friends and colleagues are entertaining the prospect that he's not dead)

-- a helpful chat with a park worker at Smith and President about the time the park sprinklers would be turned on (apparently 80 degrees is a key temperature).

My friend at What You Do Not Know Because You Are Not Me often regales me with his running adventures. Since some of his runs are a lot longer, he sees a lot more.

Anyway, here's today's route.

Ohh, The Places I Haven't Seen

Sometimes, you (I) just need a wakeup call. Such as ... one of the fundamental reasons for running:

To explore places that you haven't seen.

In looking back at my running log over the past few months, I've noticed a distinct lack of new places. A lot of Brooklyn Bridge/Prospect Park/treadmill adventures. Not a lot else. Close to, though not quite, a running exploration rut.

So this past weekend was a refreshing splash in the face of doing things that weren't par for the course. Forgive me for this occasional personal interjection into the blog, since it raises an important lesson for me (and perhaps for you as well).

Saturday: Pepper Martin 5-Mile Race in Staten Island.

Let me say: What a friggin' fantastic local race (results are here). This is the perfect example of a community-supported road race (dozens of which take place in Greater New York every year that don't involve loops of Central Park).

This isn't meant to be a diss at New York Road Runners. The amount of races and support they offer, whether it's in Central Park or somewhere in the boroughs, is wonderful. But there are a ton of differences. And we/you/I need to appreciate what else is out there.

Some highlights:

-- The pre-race setup. No having to get into corrals. Or be in line for the race 15 minutes (or more) before the start. This was a fun local race. Yes, a pain to get to - I had a ride, though you could take the Staten Island Ferry and a bus - but well worth the effort.

-- The course. I knew there would be hills (it goes up Forest Avenue to a park, loops around it, then heads down). Knowledge and actually running them are two vastly different things. I'm sure I could find hills like this in Brooklyn - though it reminded me more of the Harlem Hills in Central Park (or those coming off the water near the George Washington Bridge). I didn't have a chance to even drive the course beforehand. Sur ... prise! There's a reason why my mile splits for miles 2 and 4 differed by a solid minute, even as I hit my goal race time.

-- The volunteers. Except for part of the course in the park, where no water stops were allowed, there were water stops, it seemed, every half mile. Small cups, half of which went on my head, half of which I tried to ingest on the fly. Thank you to all, including the kid with the Red Sox cap I inadvertantly almost tomahawked as I tried to get the cup from him.

-- The post-race setup. Bagels, watermelon and grilled hot dogs (I managed to eat two, including one before 10 a.m. I'm not Joey Chestnut). Mmm. Mmm.

-- The awards ceremony. Endless, because there the age-grade categories were in five-year splits, and they gave out tons of trophies. Awesome.

This race had more than 500 people finish. I shudder to think what would happen if it topped 1,000, given the resources and the wonderful volunteers. (No race chips. Shocking). But the uniqueness completely tops a lot of the cookie-cutter stuff we're all getting accustomed to. It's worth thinking about before we resume the grind to get the 9 New York Marathon qualifying races.

Sunday: 7 1/4 miles, including a trip to Ft. Greene Park.

Today was supposed to be a recovery run. In fact, if my balky knee was complaining, I was pretty sure I'd be spending it inside in a low-key workout in the gym. Thankfully my running friends convinced me otherwise.

Part 1 of the run was spent in Prospect Park, very specifically doing a loop that included the trail part of the loop (no, you can't run the entire park by stepping off the curve, and you most definitely have to watch out for the horses, but worth doing).

Part 2 involved a run down Vanderbilt, ultimately reaching Fort Greene Park. And then, after a loop there, heading down Fulton to get back into Brooklyn Heights.

What was notable here was the second part of the loop. I've been so ingrained into heading to Prospect Park taking a very traditional route (Court to Union, or Clinton to Carroll/President), I've neglected other routes. I walk down Fulton all the time, especially on trips to Macy's (please bring back the fireworks to Brooklyn). I didn't quite think about extending that into a run that heads elsewhere, and hitting a park that, with a nice variation of hills and trails, is a worthy addition to the running route list.

I'm posting a map, that, while most likely not the exact route I ran, is a good example from the park ...

An Oldie But Goodie 8-Mile Loop

A fair number of my running friends are doing the Cinco de Mayo tomorrow in Prospect Park, which meant that most wanted to do easy and relatively short. So today's run was kind of a no brainer - giving people an easy 5.5 mile option, an 8 mile option (mapped) with plenty of choices to do more.

From Grand Army Plaza to the City Hall end of the Brooklyn Bridge is almost exactly 4 miles. And if you stop in Cadman Plaza Plaza and turn back, you're at the 2.75 mile point. Happily, they've finally turned on the water fountains in the park, which was welcome as the humidity started to barrel in.

Thankfully, at 8:30 in the morning, there wasn't much food or bike traffic. There were, however, two police ... what, enclosed golf carts? ... that barreled past with little warning (reminded me a bit of the cars in The Italian Job remake -- one of my favorite no-brainer action movies), which livened up the run a bit.

An early Happy Mothers' Day to everyone. For the running guys, make sure you get that Sunday run done well before you have to serve breakfast in bed. For the running moms (especially the newbies), I offer up a link from the amazing Paula Ratcliffe as she discusses her training regimen with her baby daughter.