June 15, 18, 19 Riverside Park

I have been doing my usual run in the Riverside Park. On Sunday afternoon, I ran along with Laukik. He runs too fast for me so I let him go ahead and tailgated him throughout. The afternoon heat was getting unbearable and annoying, I was showing clear signs of PMS viz, short-temper, irritation, lack of patience. I somehow chugged on for 2.5 miles and was glad to get done with it.

After a rest of 2 days, I got back into my running shoes and ran from 120th St to 66th St in the park. I had intended to run 4 miles but Google maps tells me that I ran about 5.5 miles. My legs aren't too tired. Running feels less of an effort now. Maybe its the weather (Cool 60s). Maybe its my shoes (I switched back to my old running shoes, the new ones are too cushiony and feel like lead weight, I am heading back to Jack Rabbit to get them changed). Maybe its the music (I was listening to the Kiss FM radio channel). Maybe its the strength-training in the gym (I did it twice this week, wonder if it has instant benefits). Maybe its my hormones. Maybe its all of the above. I hope this streak continues.

The Hudson River is my new best friend. I see him thrice a week and he is happy to run along with me :)

2.5, 5, 5 miles

June 14 Central Park Reservoir

We did our Asha group run on Saturday morning. Our entire group ran along with Coach Jane to the reservoir and then we set off for a round of the reservoir. We met again and ran back to the Asha tree. Coach Courtney got us to do the stretches and then we grabbed bagels and gatorade for breakfast.

Ran about 3.5-4 miles.

June 10 and 11 - Riverside Park

I have been doing the same 4 mile route in the Riverside Park in the past 3 days. It is soon going to get really boring.

On Tuesday, Tejas and I walked/ran as far as the 79th St Boat Basin and the pier that juts into the river. In the evening, we went to the Jack Rabbit store on 14th St and bought running shoes. We both got ASIC Nimbus. The shoes have gel in the soles and give good cushioning. My knees are very grateful. The shoes are slightly heavier than my current ones and cost a small fortune (120 bucks). They look a bit ugly (white, silver, frost blue) but who cares.

On Wednesday, I was on my own. The riverside path near 96th st was blocked by police barriers. A car had skidded off the 96th St exit ramp and fallen into the Hudson river in the early morning hours. The NYPD divers were looking for the car and any people overboard. News article here, photos here.

June 9 Riverside Park

I did 4 miles in the Riverside Park in the morning on the usual route. There is a major heat wave this week with temperatures soaring to 100 deg F. It feels just like Mumbai in the month of April-May... hot and humid. I tried to avoid the heat by starting early but even 8 am isn't good enough. As the summer progresses and my runs become longer, I am going to have to change my schedule to sleep early, wake up early and start running by 6 am. I have started drinking protein shakes after my runs, need to start strength training soon.

June 7 - Asha group Saturday run

We ran 4 miles in Central Park on Saturday morning. Our pacer insisted that we run slowly and build up endurance. You should be able to run at a comfortable pace and be able to keep up a conversation with your buddies all along. My running buddies were Jyotsna and Shabnam. Thanks to them I ran most of the distance stopping only for a couple of water breaks.

The NYRR women's mini 10K was in progress at the same time on our route. The first of the runners reached the 4 mile mark in 20 minutes. That's 5 mpm. Compared to my measly 12 mpm, those women were literally sprinting all the way.

Post-run we did some stretches, abs, and planks with coach. The easy pace running and the stretches helped ease out the stiffness in my legs. We grabbed some bagels and gatorade and waited to cheer some of the Asha ladies who were passing through towards the 10K finish line.

June 3-4 Lexington, MA

I am visiting my cousins in Boston this week. I did my regular run on a footpath near their place.
Running here isn't as much fun as in New York city, but I am thankful that this place atleast has a footpath along the road. My legs feel kinda sore and are crying for strength training and yoga. Need to take that up ASAP.

2 miles on Tuesday, 4 miles on Wednesday.

May 31 Asha team

The plan for the day was to do a timed 1 mile run and then go for a 4 mile relaxed run in Central Park. We met at 8:30 in the morning at the Asha tree in the park. I was a bit worried that I might not be able to run at all as I had consumed a significant amount of alcohol and slept fitfully (if at all) the previous night. I guess running is more about will power than physical ability. I told myself, "You got to what you got to do", and set off.

I did the mile in 10:43 and then went ahead for the long run. I was feeling quite dehydrated and took several water breaks on the round trip from lamp post 6202 that marks the 62nd St to 02-something that marks 102nd St. Surprisingly, I had no aches and pains and felt good to go for the rest of the day.