Even though it required me getting up at an ungodly hour, I was looking forward to a group run with some of my Twitter friends Tuesday morning. I met, ES, EG and SS, at 6:15 on the west side of the park. It was a bit like a blind date, except we already knew all these random facts about each other. For example, as we made our way around the full loop of Central Park, we drilled ES about the wedding she went to on Long Island last weekend (that girl from Ohio was appalled). We traded notes on other tweeting runners (who we’ve met; who we like; who seems a bit aloof), and of course we talked about our Fall marathons (SS is running Philly next weekend). We ran for nearly an hour, marveling over the connections we have to each other through other New York City runners. (EG is in the same running club as JPM, my buddy from the Millrose Games; ES and SS both know EN; I actually ran with ES last summer.) Being a runner in NYC is a bit like being a blood vessel–you spend a lot of time moving through the circulatory system (the streets) but are always brought back to the heart of it all (Central Park). I liked these women, and hope we keep our ad hoc plan of taking group running tours each others’ neighborhoods. (May I suggest you follow them on Twitter: @NYCe, @nycbklyngirl and @worldrunner)
Tuesday evening was my Strength and Flexibility for Runners class. A few weeks ago I signed up for one month through the New York Road Runners, hoping it would be the motivation I need to get back on track with my core and hamstring exercises. (Sometimes, I can be such a brat–a childish insolence kicks in and I refuse to do what I know to be the best thing simply because I. Don’t. Wanna. It’s kind of embarrassing.) Anyway, the stretching part is active, so rather than posing and holding, each stretch is a movement repeated 8 times. Hmm. The strength part focused on core muscles–yay!–except we just did crunches. Hmm. I am keeping an open mind; mainly, though, I probably just need to stop pouting over cross-training.
Last night I saw Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs in concert at City Winery, where they played tunes from their two Under the Covers albums and told stories. It was like being at the filming of an episode of MTV Unplugged, with a really nice glass of vino to swirl while listening. I couldn’t have been happier–Sweet’s a favorite from way back and it was a treat to see him play in such a laid-back, intimate setting. Fun fact: Sweet performed in Vibram Five Fingers. He’s not a runner (clearly) but he loves to go barefoot. Supporting my nickname for the VFFs (I call them Monkey Feet), Sweet praised the VFFs for “their simian style.” Today is my Friday; I took tomorrow as a vacation day and am heading up to Pennsylvania early for a Girls’ Weekend (meaning, just me and the dog). First, though, I’m seeing Joan Osborne in concert at BB King’s with an old industry friend, where I will dance, and raise my pint glass to the notion that every Thursday should be a Friday. While we’re at it, let’s make every Monday a Sunday.
Ok, I have to ask:
We traded notes on other tweeting runners (who we’ve met; who we like; who seems a bit aloof)
Where did I fit in? :O)
Kidding, sounds like a great run and I will be there next time. I would love to host a run through my “hood” and Mama Bear I would love to run over your bridge with you sometime!!
Have a great girls weekend!!!
Obviously we all like you! Can’t wait for you to join us one day.
Sounds like a great time. Would also love to meet up for a group run sometime, if the scheduling ever works out.
I took the Strength and Flexibility class once before. While definitely the strangest fitness class I’ve ever taken, it was very helpful since I’m not flexible. I even bought their book and rope. However, I quickly forgot how to do the stretches, and never tried again…
Yeah we should have a massive tweet-up run in Central Park one day after work.
I was so happy to hear the four of you got together for a run in CP. I hope to join you all soon on my next trip (late winter/early spring) to NYC. We’ll run, have brunch with mimosas/bloody marys and later meet up for dirty martinis (ES especially like those!). Runners rule! 🙂
YES! Do tweet us up when you are in the city!
Sounds like a damn find day!
I am huge fan of Matthew Sweet as well. His 100% Fun provided a bandage for a terrible breakup I was going through at the time. I once spent a 7 hour car trip listening to nothing but ‘Smog Moon’.
I got all tingly with joy when he launched into “I’ve Been Waiting” for the encore.
That is so cool — I almost went to Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. I saw Sweet like 20 years ago, and was one of the best concerts of my life. This morning I realized that the concert was last night and never got around to tickets, going, etc. (I had actually looked into it, but never pulled the trigger.) So I listened to him on the iPod instead.
Did he play any old stuff? My wife is so sick of “Sick of Myself” … and she puts it on every playlist she makes for me. The guy’s music alternates between pure heartache and fun.
He played two of his old songs; so did Susanna. The rest of the show was dedicated to the two albums they did together, which was what I expected.
I love that song, “Sick of Myself.” So many of Sweet’s songs are among my all-time faves.
city winery is around the corner from my office – i’ll meet you next time you’re going! I need to do a RR class too – been very lazy about core and stretching since I HATE all the instructors at my new gym…
It’s crazy how much of a community there is among runners in NYC.
And, that’s awesome that a band played in the VFF’s. I wear mine out on errands every once in a while just so I feel like I didn’t completely waste my money (since I’m certainly not running in them anymore…)
Have you ever purchased bananas while wearing your Monkey Feet? Hahahaha!