Running...

Running to class, running around the kitchen, running to catch trains, buses, and cabs, running across the brooklyn bridge and in central park and just running to clear my mind. Since the last 14 years of my life have been devoted to the sport and I know at least the next 14 years will also be devoted to running that i needed a post about running.

City running is a world away from the trails and mountains of colorado. Central park is about as close as it comes and even that is a far cry from "trail running" especially when there is tens of thousands of people in the park at any given time. As a runner, though, we adapt to our surroundings and make the best of it. I have taken a liking to running over the Brooklyn Bridge into lower manhattan and over to the Hudson. It can actually be a pretty peaceful run if you hit early enough or the weather is bad. Otherwise if it is nice out and in the afternoon, forget it, the bridge is packed with tourists and wall street commuters. Or there can be a demonstation or march across the bridge, like on good friday, and it comes to a stand still (yeah, major mistake on my part).

It's been a tough transition for me going from being in the best shape of my life to only running 4 to 5 times a week but i am starting to find my rythem. I am going to run the Healthy Kidney 10k in may, so that will keep me motivated. Being on my feet in a hot kitchen for at least 7 to 8 hours out of the day makes it tough to want to get out in the afternoon or evening so i try to get out in the morning. I always had an admiration for those who train and work full time and have a greater appreciation for it now that i am not just working at the running store where i had a pretty flexible schedule. But that's life and like i said runner's adapt and i am adapting to my new surroundings. Mountains for skyscrapers, trails for concrete, wildlife for taxis.

This past weekend i quietly snuck away to Boston for the weekend and it just happened to be the weekend of the Boston Marathon. First of all what a great weekend! As much as i love to cook and be in the kitchen it was nice to get away and play hookie for a day. I got to visit with some "colorado friends" as i refer to them with my "new york friends" and it was great to see all of you. The weekend was great, the race great, and the company great and it fueled the fire to keep getting out on the roads and running. Also a congrats to all who ran and completed the marathon.