New York Harriers Winter Scavenger Hunt Run #3

For my third New York Harriers winter scavenger hunt run, I kept it close to home. I also kept it easy. I chose not to explore any historical sites today and instead see how many simple things I could cram into one run, which I wanted to be in the 4-5 mile range.

One of the clues is “H-shaped route.” I decided that would be an easy one to achieve on the Manhattan grid. Why not make the entire run a big H and then end it with some food? It was a plan.

WINTER SCAVENGER HUNT RUN #3

• Clues: 4
• Miles: 4.66
• Time: 48:46
• Weather: 55º, sunny
• Location: Upper West Side

CLUE #6 of 25: H-shaped Route

I spent a few minutes before the run looking at a map of the Upper West Side to determine how far south I should run: from 110th to 82nd, up again, 96th to Central Park West, down to 82nd, and back up to 110th would give me a little under 5 miles.

This was a nice and easy run and was even easier going down and up CPW as there were few intersections to interrupt my flow. Pro tip for Central Park West running: run along the lined space next to the bike route using the plastic poles as a barrier between you and the street.

The GPS was much more wonky on West End Avenue as opposed to along CPW – the more buildings, the more interference. Hence, my H’s scraggly left side.

I’ve been feeling pretty good on my runs lately, and these 4.66 miles flew by.

CLUE #7 of 25: Turkey Trottin’

I chose to follow the “creative alternative” part of this clue as I sadly did not run an actual turkey trot this year. Instead, I wore the shirt I got from the last turkey trot I ran in 2018. That was the second year in a row I ran the Huntington 4-mile race on Thanksgiving Day, and to date is still the fastest I have ever run 4 miles.

Honestly, it was warm enough that I could have easily worn a tank top, but I figured the day after Thanksgiving was a good day to complete my Turkey Trottin’ clue.

CLUE #8 of 25: Donut

CLUE #9 of 25: Dumplings

These two clues go together because I bought them together at my favorite local supermarket and also ate them together. Well, not at the same time. But one right after the other. Guess which one I ate first? If you guessed dumplings, you’re wrong.

Maybe they’re not from a fancy dumplings shop, but you know what? Maria makes some good homemade dumplings. And I don’t know where Westside Market gets their bakery donuts but the glazed donut I ate was one of the best donuts I’ve ever had.

This was a pretty easy scavenger hunt run, and perhaps I didn’t learn any historic facts about New York City this time. That’s okay. I had a donut and dumplings for lunch.

New York Harriers Winter Scavenger Hunt Run #2

Since I’m back to running three days a week, I did my second run for the New York Harriers winter scavenger hunt on Wednesday. The third run will be Friday. I’ll keep up the Sunday-Wednesday-Friday schedule for as long as my feet cooperate WHICH THEY WILL, RIGHT, FEET?

Here’s some backstory about the scavenger hunt, a fun activity that is going to keep my legs occupied for the next two and a half weeks!

New York Harriers Winter Scavenger Hunt Run #1

Since I haven’t been writing much on here about running as of late, I thought this might be a fun little thing to do. I don’t know about you, but I would like an increase in the amount of fun in my life right now.

My running club the New York Harriers has been finding creative ways to keep us runners on our toes, literally, since the beginning of this pandemic (that we are still, apparently, according to my notes, in).

The Beautiful Puzzle Of Marathon Training (And How Much I Miss It)

The fall marathon season is in full swing. Well, virtual marathon season. If you’re running a marathon this year, chances are the race will not be on a marked course with water stops, medical tents, and thousands of other runners. It will likely take place on a course of your choosing, at whatever time you want, over a specified range of dates. There won’t be water tables, gel stations, or free samples of Biofreeze. You will probably run it alone.

It won’t be the same. And I wish I was running one.

Happy Birthday, Blog (And Why You Should Start One)

It occurred to me earlier today that I’ve had this blog for three years. Turns out I just missed the anniversary of my first post, which was September 18. So, I’m a couple weeks late in wishing it a happy birthday. Okay, a few weeks late. Well, just pretend I’m not. What are dates, anyway? What is time? I’m not sure it even exists.

For anyone who wasn’t around as a reader back in September 2017 (all of you), here is my very first post, which was titled “Hi“

When a Runner Can’t Run

I was just looking at my blog stats and noticed someone had recently clicked on my post Ghost in the Shell. I couldn’t remember what the post was about (which I guess happens when you have a three-year-old blog) so I opened it. It’s from February 2018 – several lifetimes ago. At the time, I couldn’t run for a week because the ball of my foot was acting up, so I went to a podiatrist who recommended I didn’t run for a week. I was very sad that I couldn’t run for a week.

Distance

I’ve been wondering what my next post should be about on this blog. In my last post, I wrote that I wanted to transition this space into one that encompasses more about life in general, with not necessarily such a narrow focus on running. There are still running-related things I want to write about: plantar fasciitis, how to work out when you can’t run, playlist recommendations. I will write about these things and I will also write about other things.

Chasm

Last month was the first time since I started this blog back in 2017 that I didn’t write a single post.

There are a few reasons for this. I haven’t been running. I didn’t feel like writing. I haven’t had much to write about. I don’t know about anyone else, but the national discussion following the murder of George Floyd on Memorial Day took hold of my attention to the point where, for a few weeks, it felt tacky to post anything about myself.

How Much Does Running Cost?

With the recent shutdown of [gestures to entire universe], I found myself thinking about how much money I’m saving by not buying things I normally buy. Unlimited MetroCard for $127? Don’t need that anymore – I have nowhere to go. I’m not renewing my membership to the NYC Rec Centers (which I mainly joined for the pool) so that’s $150 saved. Road races? Remember those? I’m getting refunds for the cancelled ones I already paid for, at least the ones NYRR has offered to refund so far.

56 Miles in Andes, NY

Wednesday, March 18

This is my first run upstate, ever. I’ve been coming here since the late 80s so this feels like a major achievement. Here I am. A city gal running in rural upstate New York.

I head in a direction I know, making a right onto Route 28 toward Main Street and its one stop light. From there, I’ll turn left four times until I’m back at my dad’s house. Google Maps says it should be about 6.5 miles, and thank goodness for Google Maps because otherwise I would not know how to get back.