Saturday, July 23, 2011

Running in America

I'm free to write this arvo as we're at home in our Guest House (just off the upper east side of Central Park), enjoying the air-conditioning on this, the hottest July 22 day in NYC history.

I've been keeping the running going — generally, daily runs of 5 to 10k in the MAF heart-rate zone (tempo runs if you wish). For the first few days in Washington DC it was stinking hot, so I ran on the hotel treadmill. I've changed my opinion about treadmills — they're excellent tools for neuromuscular conditioning; learning to run with good form at a particular pace. Movement must stay the same at a steady speed if one wishes to stay on the treadmill! They're also boring for anything longer than a 5k run!

We're now on our last day in NYC (after a busy week here). I've been enjoying the city (and the running in Central Park most mornings). I was also taken on a tour of Roosevelt Island and the 59th Street Bridge by TK one morning. The 59th is her bridge! Really enjoyed that — her company and the views of Manhattan over the East River. On our first full day in New York we got to meet upover bloggers Flo, Julie and Joe (plus non-bloggers Jonathan and Heather). Julie wrote a great story about it, as did Flo. Thanks! You've saved me some work there.

We're off to Boston tomorrow (escaping the record heat of New York). Will blog again when I get a chance. I also have some video footage of running with TK and in Central Park... which needs careful editing.



A Few Good looking bloggers
Meeting my good up-over mates at Ditch Plains

13 comments:

Girl In Motion said...

Fantastic meeting you, Ewen! It was such a wonderful bit of fun to attach names to faces to bodies. Sorry the weather got so horrible, that was not the best welcome gift, nice to know you were able to make use of TMs when needed though. Have a great time in Boston and say hi to Mal and Joy! :)

Black Knight said...

Sorry for the heat but you succeeded in running in NYC and Washington.
About the "dreadmill" I joke when I say that I hate it. I find it useful for short and fast distance too.
Have great time in Boston.
Are you ready for the 3 Nations of rugby?

rinusrunning said...

Great time in the usa and meeting the bloggers.
Nice movie and have fun in the usa, i like that.
And congrats with the tour the france winnar...
www.rinusrunning.nl

TokyoRacer said...

New York City! Good on ya! (I'm from Long Island.) Hope you enjoyed it despite the heatwave.

plu said...

Ewen,

Yes I enjoyed that. I ran all the monuments , WhiteHouse and Capital hill one morning in July 1997 - same - yes it was very hot.

Plu

Ewen said...

Same here Flo. Enjoyed meeting you and the up-over gang at last. Also enjoyed running in the park in spite of the heatwave. Mal & Joy say "g'day!"

Stefano, would like to be watching more sport, but Joy won't let me (don't tell her I said that though).

Rinus, one day I hope to meet you! That will be a fun blogger gathering - as long as you don't try and convert me to ultra running ;)

That's great Bob. We didn't get a chance to explore Long Island. Liked NYC, and loving the quieter life (and cooler subways) of Boston.

Plu, yes - agree that it's fun exploring the sights of O/S cities by running. No news at all of Cadel's great win over here. Missed seeing that live. Hope your training is going well - will catch up with your blog when I get a chance.

Lize Brittin said...

Arrrgghh! Any chance you are heading to Colorado next?? ;)

Mark U. said...

Yup, our summer heat and humidity does get quite oppressive, especially late in the morning when you ran DC. In even worse heat we do long runs via starting at - or ideally an hour before - the crack of dawn, and stopping frequenly for water and a buffered electrolyte capsule. Hope you enjoy your visit.

Ewen said...

Lize, the closest we're getting to Colorado is Vegas at the end of our trip for 5 nights. Colorado would beat Vegas for running, that's for sure!

Thanks Mark. Yes, enjoying it a lot. The running in Boston, Bar Harbor, and now Quebec has been easier with temps in the mid-20s C.

strewth said...

That run looks very flat Ewen! I'm impressed that you're keeping up with the running especially in that heat. You and I both missed the coldest days here although the morning after I returned from Vanuatu it was minus 8deg so be prepared to freeze!!

Lize Brittin said...

Ahh well, you're definitely missing out as far as running scenery goes, but I bet Vegas will be really fun! I hope we get some details from that leg of the trip. :)

Ewen said...

Strewth, you know me - I like flat runs. We heard about the minus 8 and celebrated missing it.

Lize, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas ;)

Robert James Reese said...

It's too bad that you had to move some of the runs onto the treadmill because of the heat. Glad you got a chance to explore the city at least some though. The 59th Street Bridge is one of my favorites -- a nice long steady climb with (as you mentioned) amazing views.