Urban Run @ Yoppi

NYC is truly a runner's paradise. There's just no excuse for not running because you will always get motivated seeing everyone run in the park. True, it may not be as scenic as SF and it may not have the perfect running conditions year round as SF, but the four days that I spent in NYC, it was perfect...for July. Summer months are almost always hell months as I will certainly witness during the NYC Nike Half Marathon in August. Upon my arrival, however, it couldn't have been better because temperatures hovered in the 70s with relatively low humidity. Thuderstorms pounded the NYC tristate area days before and during my departure from NYC as the plane was ready for takeoff on the runway (really!). In any case, I spent everyday in NYC running as well as helping my sister get ready for NYU in the fall. I ran with groups and I ran alone. On Sunday, I tried to meet up with the adidas NYC group runs. But I nor a couple others got the email that the upcoming runs were being cancelled due to holidays. But a few did turn out at the Chelsea Pier and I did a total of 7 miles from my hotel to Chelsea Pier (adidas meeting point) to South Ferry and back to the hotel, all along the West Side bike path. The path is great for bikers and runners alike as it takes you from the southern most tip of Battery Park to, I think, Riverside Park. On Monday evening I ran along the West Side Highway to the Time Warner Center on 59th Street for a group run that meets on the second floor in The Running Company store. It was part of Nike's preparation for runners training for the Nike NYC Half Marathon in August. I met a lot of fast pacers, including Worku Beyi, who has a fast time of 2:26 in the NYC Marathon to add to his credit and is gunning for the Olympic trials. I was intimidated by his presence but it was he who modestly introduced himself to me and talked about his ambitions for the 2007 year. He is only 20 and you will definitely hear about him in the marathon circuit! He ran with the pros last year in blistering pace only to run 10 min+ pace and walk during the last few miles for his first marathon at NYC. And he still managed a 2:26!!! But after all, his full time job is running. http://www.workubeyi.com/ Then there was female Ethiopean pacer, Leteyesus Berhe, with a best time of 2:42, who led the longer run. These were a couple of the high caliber pacers for Niketown NYC. A lot of runners in NYC are damn fast and in huge numbers! We ran through Central Park, a longer rolling version of Golden Gate Park, and along the bridle path plus the resevoir dirt path twice. Even though it was an easy day, we were still doing 7 minute pace. I could barely hold on for such an "easy day" in addition to the running of extra miles from my hotel. On Tuesday, I decided to take the subway to Niketown's evening run. We did hill intervals in Central Park including Cat Hill and this heck of a climb near Cathedral Parkway in Harlem's side of the park. We did 3 repeats of the long hill, similar to going up Cliff House. Tough day and it was quite warm that evening too. On Wednesday, I did my last NYC run along the East River via the FDR bikeway, passing the old Fulton Fish Market. I went under the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges to get to the East River Track. I only did 2 x 400 because of time. It was pretty cool. Not as great as Kezar, but still nice since it's free and along the way. I wanted to run on Brooklyn Bridge, but I had done way more than I expected during my stay in NYC; I enjoyed this trip to the city much more than my two previous visits. It just gets better each time. After running in NYC, I feel a bit out of shape.

Article and pictures on Worku Beyi and Leteyesus Berhe: http://www.nyrr.org/races/2007/wabc/local_gallery.asp
http://www.nyrr.org/races/2007/wabc/local_story.asp