Running on the West Side

Great night's sleep, coffee, breakfast of english muffins and PB. Pulled on the running togs, lubed up with Body Glide and strapped on my running shoes, and I was off, geared up in my mind to get 14 miles in. Not a real plan, but ran over to 2nd Ave, then south to around 50th. Turned west at 50th, then south again on Madison, stopping at a Starbucks for a quick potty break (of course), then all the way to 23rd. West again at 23rd, then north a few blocks on Broadway. The city is starting to wake up, and Broad is crowded here with shops opening up and people out heading to church. At 29th, I go west again, all the way to the river, and then bravely I turn south on the riverside path. Flat, open, enough people on the path to have company, not so many to cause roadblocks. Ran all the way down past the West Village, and made the turn to head back a few blocks south of Christopher.

Head north on the West path, all the way up to 70th, the road flying by under my feet, feeling good. At 70th, there is a long stairway up to West End Ave., a bit of a challenge, my quads complaining bitterly all the way up. Back on the west side, two blocks north to 72nd, then east to the Park entrance. A quick jog on the 72nd transverse, the charged up the hill between 74th and around 80th, all the way to the 84th street park exit, and I'm done.