Running Update #13: Take a Run With Betsy!

Man-sorry that sounded so cheesy.

When I was getting ready for my early morning run yesterday (Saturday), I thought “wouldn’t it be fun if I took a camera with me and shared my run with you all?” Well, I think it’s fun…not sure if you will too.

This is a typical East Side run, about 7 miles or so.

I knew it was insanely cold out so I was dressed to the 9′s….running style!

A fleece vest, my fav Lululemon jacket, a long-sleeved dri-tech shirt underneath, the BEST Nike running tights, gloves, my awesome underarmor hat and the ever-reliable Saucony Omni’s.

I was set to go and psyched. Yeah-I know my braid is sticking out the side. It’s hard to put hair in a hat.

But once I got outside…holy crap, it was freezing. In the low 20s. I crossed my fingers that I would warm up fast.

FYI…from here on, all pics are taken in motion, so they might be a little blurry. My apologies.

I set out along Avenue B on a little walking warm-up, what I always do. That didn’t help. It made me colder. Man, it was cold.

But, then I got to Houston St and started moving! Yes! I headed east for about 5 minutes.

Till I cross over the FDR and hit the East River! This is when, in my head, my real run starts. That’s Brooklyn across the river there.

There’s a path, not pavement, kinda packed dirt, that runs sort of along the river, but more so along the FDR. Who doesn’t love running along a highway. Yeah…I just try to look to the left, to the pretty trees, the sports fields and the Williamsburg bridge up ahead.

After about 10 minutes I hit the tiniest little area with grass that has a little dirt path that has been tread on by hundreds of runners. For some reason, I always look forward to it. However, it only lasts about 10 seconds. It’s really short. To the left there is some warehouses or something. It’s an interesting scene in East River “Park”.

At the end of the little path with the Manhattan Bridge ahead (it was one spectacular day). To the right is the FDR which is now a raised that I’m about to go under…

Under the FDR!

Ahhh…that’s better! Still under the FDR but it’s completely open on the left so it’s much prettier. There’s always tons of older asian men and women doing exercises and calisthenics…they’re so cute! I don’t think they’d like me taking pictures…so I didn’t. That’s the Manhattan Bridge in the foreground and the Brooklyn Bridge in the background. I was still feeling good-not cold anymore but man oh man was my nose running.

I got closer to the Brooklyn Bridge, which I run across on this route when I want to add some extra mileage. It adds about 2 miles. Awesome.

This was interesting turning to the side and taking picture, but it was too beautiful not to capture. Brooklyn Bridge again with Brooklyn outlined in the light. Hi Ari! Nice pic Bets!

Ahhhh!!!! When I get past the bridges, there’s this super scary…thing. I have no idea what to call it but it freaks me out everytime. It’s dark and empty and cold. Good think it’s like the path…10 seconds and I’m done.

And then I hit the seaport with the big ‘ol ship! Hi big ‘ol ship!

A little running. A little running…Then there’s this weird grate thing that is right over the water that always makes me feel like I’m at Seaworld. Dolphins? Shamu? None today. Boo.

Following that is a nice open stretch right along the water today. The wind was roaring here yesterday which made it quite difficult (and cold!) to run.

Look! In the distance that’s the Verrazano-Narrows which goes from Staten Island to Brooklyn (this is really zoomed in) that starts the New York Marathon! One day…one day.

Then I hit the bottom tip of Manhattan…there’s the ferry to Governor’s Island to the left and the ferry to Staten Island ahead.

Staten Island Ferry up close!

It’s turn-around time! I ran to Battery Park which is right at the bottom of the island looking up at Lower Manhattan, and where every tourist in Manhattan congregates to go to the Statue of Liberty. Thankfully I was there early (maybe 8am) so it was empty.

It’s me halfway! Sorry I’m squinting…it was insanely sunny. That pointy thing to the left of me is the Statue of Liberty. I was feeling pretty good halfway. Taking pictures was totally distracting me so I barely noticed I was running. Let’s go back!

Governor’s Island ferry to the right.

This is a heli-port that was one crazy busy when I was running by it with all these photographers around. There was someone famous landing but I didn’t get to see who it was. In my mind, it was J.Lo and Marc Anthony. I feel like they would be the kind of self-absorbed famous people that need to fly around in helicopters. It still would have been super cool to see them. Or whoever it was.

It’s the seaport again! Hi big ‘ol boat! (Hi Betsy!)

Back under the FDR again in Chinatown. I was starting to feel it here. Gettin’ tired. A little wheezy from the cold. Keep on trucking, keep on trucking.

The path is up ahead! I’m getting closer!

Then I noticed the fence along the FDR had animals on it. Like this crab. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t eat a crab fished out of the East River. Wait-I would never eat a crab. Never mind.

Pretty with the Williamsburg Bridge ahead and fields to the right. I saw lots of kids playing Pee Wee (is that right? I grew up around Hockey and that’s what it’s called in Hockey) Football and Soccer. I felt bad for them in that cold. I felt even worse for their parents…they were just standing there. It was freezing.

Flat, weird packed dirt stretch!

Mid-run pic! Eek. I’ve looked better. I apologize. But I was running!

My 6th street cross-over up ahead! I’m almost done!

Up the bridge. Get out of the way walker who is walking in the middle!

Down the bridge.

A final run along 6th street…

A dog driving a truck…

And I’m done! My final cool down.

And there you have it! A great 7-miler in the cold to start the day. Thumbs up! Up next…TURKEY TROT!!

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