Come Run With Me in Harlem!

Next Saturday, August 18th, I'm putting together a course preview of the Percy Sutton 5k (which is the following weekend). We'll be covering the 3.1 mile course starting in St. Nicholas Park before continuing south to Morningside Park. Since this route features the streets and parks of Central and South Harlem, I figured I'd invite any readers along for the run.

This course preview will be the start of the Dashing Whippets usual weekend long run so if you're looking to do your long run for the week, I've got you covered there too. After running through Harlem, we'll be traveling south through Central Park to advantage of Summer Streets on Park Ave.

Even if you only want to run a few miles, come enjoy beautiful Harlem and meet some new runner friends.  There will be folks of every speed so no need to worry about getting left behind.

Here are the key details:

What: Percy Sutton 5k Course Preview and Run through South Harlem

When: Saturday, August 18, at 8:30 am
Where: W 135th St and St Nicholas Ave

A Low Key Weekend of Running

This weekend we had two beautiful days in New York with lots of sunshine and seasonal temps. I still haven't returned to long runs yet (next weekend?) but I did manage to get out and enjoy the weather. On Saturday I woke up early to get in a quick easy run around Harlem and Morningside Heights before heading out to Brooklyn.

Photo Credit: nycgovparks.org

Continuing my volunteer kick, I signed up to volunteer at the Verrazano Half Marathon, put on by the folks at NYCRuns.com. Somehow, I slipped through the cracks and as of Saturday I hadn't heard back from them but since I had a friend running I figured I would show up and see what happened. Sure enough, the organizers were only too happy to have another hand. I had a blast! I helped with baggage check, setting up the post-race food, and most important I cheered runners on at the turnaround point. I love these small local races because everyone seems to know everyone and the folks are all friendly. There's nothing fancy about these kind of events, they're just running for the sake of running. Still, they're well-organized and you can't beat the real Brooklyn bagels that have at the end.Of course, what really made the morning fun was a post-race visit to Spumoni Gardens for some of their famous Sicilian slices.

Sunday, I got a late start after a bit too much wine Saturday night (oops!) but I didn't let that stop me from getting in a run along the East River Esplanade. After the run, I picked up a bagel from Bagel Mill and ate in Carl Shurz Park, one of my favorite spots in Manhattan. It wasn't a super exciting weekend but it was a nice break from an intense training schedule. Now, however, it's time to get back on that training bandwagon since it's only three short weeks until the Brooklyn Half.

I'm Back!

To all my loyal readers, I'm back in Harlem after a great weekend in Boston. I'll have a recap of my race in the next day or so, but for now, in case you're wondering, I'll just say that I met my two goals for this race: (1) cross the finish line; and (2) no walking during the race.

Let me also give a huge public thank-you to the people of Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston for their awesome support and hospitality this weekend.  Alright, time to get back to recovering...

A recovery run, or my favorite Harlem route.

Here we are at the end of another work week. After doing 30 miles in three days (which will seem like nothing once I hit 70 mpw but seems like a lot now that I've been doing 40 mpw), I was ready for a recovery run today. Given the forecast, I was prepared to do the run on the TM at the gym, but thankfully, I woke up to mist instead of rain. With temps in the mid-40s, it was downright pleasant out.

I have a route I do for recovery runs that's mostly flat. I'd say about 80% of runs involve Central Park but when you live on the north end, you can't enter the park without tackling the Harlem Hills. I didn't want to do that today so I stuck to my flatter recovery route. It takes me through Morningside Park, along St. Nicholas Park, through central Harlem and back along 5th and later along Lenox.

I love this run though because of all the stoplights I don't do it often. It's great to see Harlem in the pre-dawn hours. Each time I pick different side streets and notice new buildings. For those who haven't spent much time in Harlem, it has some of the best residential architecture in the city. With rows of preserved brownstones and dozens of churches in all manner of styles, it's a real visual treat. On days like today, I feel privileged to live in such a great neighborhood.