Running New York?

I first visited New York City in the summer of 2001. Despite being a fan of cities, I had never really been interested in visiting the Big Apple. I know, it seems like a contradiction to love cities but not have an interest in NYC. But the opportunity came to visit, and I discovered the hype is true - there is really nowhere else quite like it.

On that first visit we did all the typical New York touristy things, and I found myself loving the energy and vitality of New York.

Two years later I visited again in the summer of 2003.  The city was a much different place after September 11, 2001. It was still pulsating and vibrant but there was also an undertone of sorrow that hadn't existed before. 

The visit in 2003 was just as touristy, but I felt less like a tourist. I was becoming comfortable with cities, and New York proved to be no exception.

My sister and me on the Ferry to Ellis Island, June 2003

I started running in 2006, so in my first two visits to New York I wasn't looking at the city through a runner's eyes. I visited this past weekend and found myself itching to run New York.

Our hotel was in a questionable neighborhood. That, combined with the rainy weather, left me running on the hotel treadmill. During my hotel gym runs I had a singular thought: could I run New York?

Central Park is a runner's dream!

 Earlier this year I entered the lottery for the New York City Marathon. It's the holy grail of races for me - I would LOVE to run through all five buroughs in one of the greatest races in the world.  The lottery drawing is this Wednesday.  It's a long shot, but I'm refusing to give up hope.

I've visited New York City three times, and for a cityphile it's a great city to visit because each trip is completely different.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my fourth visit to the city is this November, and I get to tour the city with 45,000 of my closest friends.

"Running" with the Jesse Owens wax figure at Madame Tussaud's in NYC