Running to Manhattan

Yesterday's run was a new experience on many fronts. New routes, new shoes, new fuel belt, new nutrition gels, new everything.

And... we left Prospect Park for the first time!

Our run took us from Grand Army Plaza, down Flatbush, across the Manhattan Bridge into the city, across Canal Street, and up the West Side Greenway to 61st Street (8.6 miles).


I have to say that it was my favorite run we have done so far. The view from the Manhattan bridge is pretty spectacular on a Saturday morning. You see the Brooklyn Bridge, and the lower Manhattan skyline. It's quiet at that hour, which is kind of unique in NYC.

Running through Chinatown on Canal Street was filled with stops and starts. That area is really crowded. There are some major roads where you have to stop and wait for cars to pass, instead of just jaywalking like most people usually do.

I loved the run along the Hudson River in Manhattan. They have done a really nice job making a nice, safe, pretty running and biking bath on the west side. As we got further uptown we saw a few cruise ships (HUGE) that were letting off their passengers with all of their luggage. The weren't very tan, so we were trying to figure out where the cruise destination was. The aircraft carrier Intrepid is being renovated, but the sign says it will be back in 250 days for all of you that have been missing it.

The coaches want us to take in 100 calories every 45-60 minutes while running. I tried the Cliff Shot strawberry gel for the first time, and I have to say it was pretty gross. I drank lots of water with it. I think next time I will try the more gummi-bear-like food. Maybe it will be less gross?

We had our "Connection to the Cause" breakfast yesterday. Unfortunately I couldn't make it, because I went to Philly right after the run. We're helping Rick's sister with some renovations they are doing to their house. Elizabeth promised to tell me all about it on our next run.