Covering the Streets of Manhattan at a Respectable 7.5 mph

Date: Saturday December 4, 2010
Distance: 8.5 miles
Time: 1:11:47
Temperature: 36

Total Distance: 214.6 miles
Total Time: 31:18:48

I thought running through Time Square on a Saturday afternoon in December was going to be next to impossible. Probably not the best choice of routes but that’s just the way things worked with my schedule. As much as I grumbled about the crowds and the craziness in Time Square, and also the pop up mall in Bryant Park, is was great to see all of the people out enjoying the festive holiday feel throughout the city. I had originally planned to hit Time Square at an off time when it was empty, if there is such a time. But the more I thought about it, that just seemed like cheating. What’s the point of running through the biggest tourist attraction in the city when no one is there. So I went for the other extreme, go on one of the busiest days of the year. As a result, I did have to dodge more than a fair share of people, but it really added to the Time Square experience. Whenever I’m in Time Square, the lights and the grand scope of everything reminds me why people flock to check it out. It would never be my sole recommendation for an out-of-town guest, but I think Time Square is a least a place that you have to experience once.

View 12/4/2010 40th-43rd (8.5) in a larger map

Date: Saturday July 30, 2010
Distance: 8.9 miles
Time: 1:19:24
Temperature: 76

Total Distance: 167.3 miles
Total Time: 24:17:52

With today’s run between West 98th Street and 110th Street I have now completed all of the east/west streets on the Upper West Side. I know its not much considering the number of streets I still need to cover but this does give me a small sense of completion. Divide and conquer is the only way to keep me focused.

I really enjoyed my runs on the Upper West Side. This neighborhood provided dramatic views of New Jersey and was dotted with many old amazing buildings. As for the terrain, I was often unpleasantly surprised with the number of hills hidden throughout this area. The last of these hidden hills came today on the stretch of streets between Central Park West and Amsterdam Ave. Great for training but a heads up would have been nice. All and all I would recommend anyone to skip yet another run around the loop in Central Park for a few miles on the streets of the Upper West Side.

View 7/30/10 97th-110th West (8.9) in a larger map

I was originally pretty disappointed when I didn’t win the lottery for entry into the NYC Half Marathon. I ran the race last year and found it to be an incredible experience. Leaving Central Park and running into Times Square with not a car in sight was just unbelievable. In addition to the scenery you also have the legendary NYC crowd out in full force cheering you on the entire way. That being said, I quickly realized there would be other years and plenty more races. Little did I know at the time that I would be banged up and would likely have had to sit out the race regardless.

So with much excitement I broke out the ‘High Five Station’ sign I made for the 2009 NYC Marathon (see below) and went to dish out some high fives. I got the idea for the high five station sign while running the Brooklyn Half last year when I randomly high fived an unsuspecting course volunteer. At the time it helped get me going so figured it would work for other runners as well. Having run races with no crowds I can firmly say that the cheers from spectators can help push you through a race. High fives just play into the spectator/runner energy interaction and I find people really appreciate the personal interaction.

For today’s race I biked up to the park and set up at mile 2. I saw Maura and some runner friends while giving out a few hundred high fives. At mile 2 people were all smiles and full of energy. Runners found the High Five Station to be amusing, with many people joyfully slapping my hand. It was a slightly different story when I got down to mile 11. The runners were close but by no means done. I felt like many of the runners at mile 11 needed a high five, or some sort of encouragement. I got many more heartfelt thank yous at mile 11 than earlier in the race. It’s so much fun to see a runner’s face light up when they see the sign and come running over with their hand raised. In the end I think I had just as much fun not running the race as I would have had I participated.

As for my running, I did get a few miles in after the race. The hip is feeling better and I may be ready soon to start tackling some new runs and getting back to my goal of covering all the streets in Manhattan. Right now I am taking it easy and staying close to home, still staying involved in running and having a great time doing it.

Date: Thursday June 24, 2010
Distance: 3.0 miles
Time: 26:20
Temperature: 92

Total Distance: 144.6 miles
Total Time: 20:47:28

My Manhattan running project runs are usually solo events or on occasion my wife will join.  This allows me to view the everyday activities going on around me without disrupting the natural flow of things.  One or two people running down the street in not going to throw off the rhythm of life within any given neighborhood.  With that said, tonight’s run was a completely different story.  As part of the Wall Street 3 Miler, Maura and I joined a few thousand other runners and countless walkers to take over a few blocks of lower Manhattan.  It was hot, it was crowded, but this is New York so what more could you ask for.  On this run, instead of observing the everyday goings of the neighborhood, we were the show.  Professional looking folks cheered us on as we weaved our way thought the cavernous streets of the financial district.  I view my Manhattan running project runs as a way of observing different parts of the city but I guess for one night there’s nothing wrong with being part of the show.

View 6/24/2010 Wall St Run (3 Mile) in a larger map

Date: Saturday November 21, 2010
Distance: 6.1 miles
Time: 55:43
Temperature: 50

Total Distance: 206.1 miles
Total Time: 30:07:01

I started my Manhattan running project with no end date in mind. I knew that I wouldn’t spend all of my runs on this project and didn’t want to feel like I had to get runs in just to check off more streets. That said, I have set a somewhat modest goal of covering all of the east/west streets between 14th Street and 110th Street by the end of 2010. I am pretty close at this point with only about 20 streets left, which works out to about 40 miles. Should not be too bad except for the fact that many of these streets go through prime holiday shopping hot spots. Time Square, 5th Ave, Rockefeller Center… should be fun. With any luck, by the first of the year I will reach my goal without killing any shoppers.

View 11/20/2010 37th-39th (6.1) in a larger map

Date: Sunday November 14, 2010
Distance: 3.6 miles
Time: 33:54
Temperature: 59

Total Distance: 200.0 miles
Total Time: 29:11:18

A week has passed since the NYC Marathon. Despite some nagging hip issues for most of the run, the marathon was amazing. Starting with the incredible views from atop the Verrazzano Bridge to the cheering crowds in Central Park, and everything in between, the race was unforgettable. I left the day knowing that this would not me my last marathon, let alone my last NYC Marathon. I already have my sights set on the NJ Marathon on May 1, 2011. Can’t wait.

But between now and then I hope to bite into a big piece of the Big Apple. Today was my first run since the marathon and used it to get back into my street running program. I put in a few recovery miles in midtown. There is nothing like having thousands of people cheering as you and your fellow runners own the streets of the city of a day. That said, I’m not one for the spotlight so I much prefer a relaxed run minus the cheering crowds, just blending into the everyday goings of the city street. Still, if you see me running around one day feel free to yell a hardy “GO WEBER!”

View 11/4/2010 35th-37th (3.6) in a larger map

Yes, I am still planning to run all of the streets in Manhattan but I have been a bit busy lately training from the NYC marathon. Now I know what you’re thinking, with long runs in the high teens for the last few weeks and the foreseeable future shouldn’t I be picking off large chunks of the city. This being my first marathon I’m taking an extremely cautious approach. This means sticking to the mileage prescribed by my training schedule, as to not over or under train. My training schedule calls for three runs a week, one long, one speed/tempo, and one short/easy. The long runs of obviously intended to build up your endurance while getting you accustom to running for hours without rest. Given that I am sometime forced to stop for lights while running the streets of Manhattan I’m hesitant to run the street on my long runs because it may cut into the beneficial endurance building. As a result, most of my long runs take place in the park, where there is no reason to stop. As for the speed/tempo, these runs require either short busts of speed or medium distance at a heightened speed. The benefit of both speed and tempo runs would be greatly reduced by the need to stop from time to time. This leaves my once a week short run. Unfortunately, as my long run mileage increases the short run have turned into about 3 mile jog followed by some core work, just does not seem worth it to hop on the subway on a Monday night after work for such a short distance.

So that’s the answer to where I’ve been. So until the marathon on November 7, I think my project is somewhat on hold. But after that, I’m coming back, planning to use my new found love of 15+ mile runs to cover some serious ground.

Date: Saturday August 21, 2010
Distance: 12.7 miles
Time: 1:12:05
Temperature: 81

Total Distance: 196.4 miles
Total Time: 28:37:24

Walking around Manhattan you are often aware of the subway trains traveling beneath your feet. You can feel the ground rumble as the subway speeds past or see the masses of people exiting from the subway stations. But in many Manhattan neighborhoods, for better or worse, you never actually see the subway above ground. That being said, if you’re a fan of watching trains in motion, 97th and Park is the place for you. At 97th Street the MTA Subway and Metro North trains exit the tunnel system and begin traveling above ground on a beautiful suspend stone pathway. There is something strange about Park Avenue essentially turning into a street divided by a stone wall, but if your goal is taking in free train related entertainment, you could not ask for anything more. On the 97th Street overpass you can hear the trains approaching from within the tunnel, building the excitment as they come barreling into sight. I can not help but think of my little nephew, who could watch trains all day long. If he came to NYC we could show him the Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Brooklyn Bridge, a Yankees’ Game but I have a feeling the intersection of 97th and Park would be the highlight of his visit.

On a different note, this run finishes up the Upper East Side. Chipping away…

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View 8/21/2010 95th-109 east (12.7) in a larger map

Date: Saturday August 14, 2010
Distance: 10.0 miles
Time: 1:28:14
Temperature: 77

Total Distance: 183.7 miles
Total Time: 26:45:19

Medieval architecture is in no way synonymous with New York City. Despite this fact, there are a few medieval type structures located throughout the city. Everyone knows about the Cloisters, probably the most famous, located up in Inwood overlooking the Hudson River. To my surprise there is also an amazing castle, or at least a castle facade, on Madison Avenue between 94th and 95th Streets. Approaching the structure from the west it was like running through a time warp. One minute the street is lined with large residential buildings, the next I’m standing in front of a castle. Upon closer inspection I found out that the building only consists of a castle facade with a park located behind the giant archway. Turns out this is the Squadron A Armory, and up until 1965 consisted of a massive structure occupying the entire block between 94th/95th and Madison/Park. In 1965 the majority of the building came down leaving only the facade on Madison. Despite losing a significant portion of the original armory, the current towers and archways lining Madison Avenue still provides amazing contrast to their Upper East Side neighborhood.

View 8/14/2010 87th-94th East (10.2) in a larger map

View 8/14/2010 87th-94th East (10.2) in a larger map

Total Distance: 173.7 miles
Total Time: 25:17:05
Total Runs: 33

View Progress Report 8/9/2010 (33) in a larger map

Date: Wednesday August 4, 2010
Distance: 6.4 miles
Time: 59:13
Temperature: 83

Total Distance: 173.7 miles
Total Time: 25:17:05

Until my late twenties living in New York was completely off my radar. In my mind, New York was packed shoulder to shoulder with people surrounded by block after block of high-rise buildings. This notion of the city came from my seperatic visits to New York which usually revolved around going to see the band Phish at Madison Square Garden.

In a past life I spent way too much time listening to and following Phish around the country. Every year they would play a few shows at MSG and my friends and I would dutifully head to New York for a few days. Given our destination was MSG everynight we ended up spending most of our time in the midtown neighborhood surrounding the venue. As a result, much of my initial understanding of the city was shaped by this experience. So to me, NYC was just one big island where everything looked and felt like midtown.

This is obviously not the case but given that tonight’s run began on 32nd street in front of MSG I could not help but think back on those trips to New York. We were young and in a big city with no rules or responsibility. Despite that fact that our experience of the city may have been limited to a tiny portion of only one borough, to us we experience everything. Often much of the excitement of New York is linking to a feeling of unending possibilities. Whether its new people, food, or art, the energy of the city taps into this collective anticipation. Looking back on my earlier trips to New York, we may not have made it to any art galleries, or to Brooklyn to hear the next up-and-coming band, but we did explore a world foreign to us, with the expectation that around each corner may bring a new and exciting experience.

That being said, its somewhat ironic that I’m headed back to MSG tonight for a concert, to see Arcade Fire for the first time. Even though the allure of heading to midtown may have lost some of its luster, nothing can beat the excitement of a big rock show at the famed Madison Square Garden.

View 8/4/2010 32nd-35th (6.4) in a larger map

I officially started training for the NYC Marathon. The race is about 15 weeks away but given its my first marathon I opted for a good long training program. Millage wise the first few weeks shouldn’t be much different than my regular routine. Three runs a week with one of them being a longer run. It’s a bit strange printing out the training schedule and realizing this list of seemingly insignificant boxes will dictate my workouts for the next four months. Part of me feels a bit constrained by the list, understanding that I likely won’t deviate much from these defined distances and times until November. I often use running as a way of relaxing, running just to run. Running to relax also means doing what feels good in the moment. If that means 8 miles on a Monday night or a short 3 miles over the weekend, so be it. As restricting as my goal of running all the street in Manhattan can be, I have taken a laid back approach with this project, getting in my Manhattan runs when I have the time, rarely forcing them just to check off some streets.

At the same time, printing out my training schedule is exciting. It provides a road map for achieving the goal of finishing my first marathon. Many endeavors in life don’t come with a well defined checklist of items to complete. There is no road map for finding a partner, landing a good job or building a happy family. But for the marathon, the training schedule almost makes it seem easy. Just read the next box, run the miles and repeat.

How hard could that be?