After not venturing outside much for my workouts last winter, I’ve been taking to the streets a little more frequently lately thanks to an awesome Christmas gift from my wife. She hooked me up with a super warm, lightweight jacket that has made running outside much more enjoyable. I can’t stand training on a treadmill, so this has made it a lot easier for me to get outside, even on the coldest of days.
In Manhattan, there aren’t many options for a nice, uninterrupted run. People don’t exactly head to Times Square or Fifth Avenue for a leisurely jog. The tourists, stoplights, street vendors, and taxis are enough to make the most patient of people lose their minds trying to keep some semblance of a pace.
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| move it or lose it, sister! |
Due to the limited options, hundreds and even thousands of people run and bike the loop in Central Park every day. This is my usual “go-to”, mixing in occasional runs/rides along the Hudson River on the Upper West Side. There are many reasons I love training in Central Park, but here are a few:
- Even on the coldest of days, there are enough people running, biking, and walking that an innocent bystander would think there was an organized race going on
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| don't be fooled, no bib numbers here |
- No lines at the Honey Buckets
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| lady's choice |
- Endless paths to explore if you want to go off the beaten path
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| one of my favorite detours |
Some of the best “people watching” this country has to offer:
- I seem to always pass a couple well into their 70’s just chugging along
- Besides runners and bikers, there are usually a few unorthodox methods of transportation that catch my eye
In the city that never sleeps, these workouts in Central Park have provided a much-needed break from the treadmill of life. Without a yard of our own, it’s therapeutic to get out in nature and clear my mind. While NYC certainly presents some unique challenges for devoted triathletes, I’ve grown to embrace it.
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| half city slicker, half monster |
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