Running to Brooklyn

Day 24 - September 30, 2007

September came to a close today and so did my trip to NY. Today I ran across the Brooklyn Bridge, turned around, and circled back to the West Side. After the bridge, the highlight was finding the courthouse and getting to run up the steps. I guess if you like Law and Order you'd understand.

Chris

Day: 24 .....Time/Date: 7:30AM 9/30/2007 .....Weather:Clear, 58F
Run: Brooklyn Bridge..... Miles: 4.7 .....Time: 34:08..... Pace: 7:16 min/mile
Miles to Date: 87.8..... Total Running Time: 11:06:18

Lost in NY

Day 23 - September 29, 2007

I should not be allowed out on my own without a map. I made my way down to the path along the West side and enjoyed the view as I ran toward the Statue of Liberty. The rising sun reflecting off the distant shoreline made the filth of the city seem tolerable. At the southern tip of Manhattan, I turned back into the heart of the lower east side thinking I would run a few blocks up, hit Church St., then cruise on back to the hotel. What was I thinking that I knew where I was. After about 10 minutes of running away from where I needed to go, I found myself under the Brooklyn Bridge. Ooops. I stumbled onto Wall Street and decided that was as good as any to run on, and eventually found a subway map that pointed me back to Church and I managed to keep the run under 5 mile.

I don't know how people run consistently in the city...too many streets to cross, too many wind tunnels between the buildings, too much construction to dodge. It was weird running between the buildings, like running in the woods without any trees. I'll take my country back roads any day.

Chris

Day: 23 .....Time/Date: 6:45AM 9/29/2007 .....Weather:Clear, 60F
Run: Lost in NY...... Miles: 4.4 .....Time: 34:30 .....Pace: 7:51 min/mile
Miles to Date: 83.1 .....Total Running Time: 10:32:10

Was that a left or a right?

Day 22 - September 28, 2007

As tough as it was to get up this morning - that was nothing compared to what the run had in store for me. With the late night last night and the trip to NY today, I thought I'd muddle through a 2 mile quickie and get back ASAP. I started out running down 512, but the lack of sidewalk and busy traffic made me uncomfortable. When I reached the turnaround point, I decided to run back up through the industrial park that parallels 512. I thought that the roads in the industrial park were laid out in a nice neat grid, but apparently not so. As I was running back on S Commerce, the lack of moon and sun failed to alert me that the road had gently turned 90 degrees. That little twist completely threw off my sense of direction and when I reached the 4 corners, I turned right. That proved to be the worst of the three choices. Left wold have brought me out just below where I wanted to be and straight would have taken me exactly where I wanted to go. Not having Google maps along with me, I turned right and ended up a mile from where I wanted to go.

In the end, it turned out to be a good run and I'm glad I got the miles in. Hopefully tomorrow in NY I won't end up on the wrong side of the Hudson.

Chris

Day: 22 ..... Time/Date: 6:30AM 9/28/2007 ..... Weather:Partly Cloudy, 62F
Run: Industrial Park 512 ..... Miles: 5.1 ..... Time: 37:28..... Pace: 7:21 min/mile
Miles to Date: 78.7..... Total Running Time: 9:57:40

3 Weeks down, 140 to go

Day 21 - September 27, 2007

It has been a long time since I ran 21 straight days without a day off. Fortunately, I don't have any real aches and pains to talk about. I ran through the Achilles soreness from last week and stretching has alleviated most of that pain. The one thing I have noticed is my increased need for sleep - 5 hours isn't cutting it anymore. Hopefully as I build endurance I'll be better able to deal with that.

This morning's run seemed especially dark due to the layers of fog in the air. The full moon was even dimmed to a yellow-orange glow as it burned through the thin clouds. At one point I was completely enveloped by fog which gave me the feeling of running on a treadmill in the dark. It was very ethereal to see the exact same thing (or lack of seeing) with each stride. I have a feeling I will get to experience that a lot as the calendar marches deeper into autumn.

Tomorrow looks like the first real obstacle to the streak, but with the bus leaving later than I had thought, it should be OK - hopefully I'll be able to post from New York, but if not - have a great weekend and look forward to lots to read on Monday.

Chris

Day: 21 .....Time/Date: 6:10AM 9/27/2007 .....Weather:Fog, 65F
Run: N Carnation-Davis .....Miles: 3.6 .....Time: 27:08 .....Pace: 7:32 min/mile
Miles to Date: 73.6 .....Total Running Time: 9:20:12

But I don't want to get up

Day 20 - September 26, 2007

What a slacker I was this morning - but I could not force myself out of bed. I was too tired, too sore, too much of a crybaby. Finally, with no more time to waste, I kicked my own butt out of bed and ran a quick two miles. Not the most consistent run I've ever done, but by the end I was feeling better. I was dragging the first half mile and reached the turn around in 7:43. Realizing I was looking at 15:30 for two miles, I picked it up and ran the last mile in just over 7's. I'm glad I got the run in - the prospect of running after work and Wed. night activities did not excite me. But hey, I'm 2% of the way to 1000.

Chris

Day: 20 .....Time/Date: 6:50AM 9/26/2007 .....Weather:Clear, 67F
Run: Amicus 2 Mile..... Miles: 2.0 Time: 14:46..... Pace: 7:23 min/mile
Miles to Date: 70.0 .....Total Running Time: 8:53:04 .....Weight: 175