There were stretches of the 4-mile loop in Central Park where I ran without the disruption of a stranger, where no runners could be perceived coming from ahead or behind. This is the gift of winter training: the virtuous solitude that surrounds us when the fair-weather runners head to the gym, and fall marathoners are taking it easy. Even though it means training through snow, ice, stiff breezes and frigid temperatures, it also means the priviledge of an intimate moment with Central Park, with the Queensboro Bridge, with my Sunnyside Loop.
I most definitely run faster in the cold, there’s no question. And here I’ve stumbled upon another benefit of winter training–the encouragement of quick paces, even during Week 1. I am stronger than I think, and I’ll only get stronger. Believe me: I do not take that lightly.
Even at 6 PM the park was dark, the streets now completely clear of Saturday’s snowfall. The fields and gardens alongside the road were still covered in snow, though it was no longer fluffy, and the trees had already shook off their layer of white. At night, the snow takes on shades of gray and blue, it loses its flirty sparkle and lays there, hushed and subdued as we run past.
4.49 miles takes 39:57 minutes, my body perfectly heated from the exertion. More, please.
Pigtails Flying 
Yes, the park is blissfully empty this time of the year, and continues to about end of Feb. It is still possible for relative solitude after that, but you have to pick your spots carefully (Sunday 6pm is one I’ve used myself from time to time in the summer!)
Good luck in your training! My marathon is the week after yours. While there is no ‘week 1’ in my training, or any numbered weeks for that matter, I’ll be starting to build up soon!
That sounds beautiful. It is completely beyond me how anyone can not enjoy running this time of year.
You are sooo right! I love the quiet paths of nearby Fort Tryon Park, Inwood Hill Park and even Riverside park is deserted because it gets icy,and that frightens away the cyclists. Ahhh the solitude of the winter.even my regular running group of 6 or more people dwindles down to 3 or so for the winter and I feel closer to them than usual because of the sense that we’re “braving it” together. 🙂
sounds like a perfect run…
[…] but this was the kind of snow that was fresh, dry, clean, not too deep, and not too slippery. Very enjoyable. Give it a day or two and it will turn to slush or ice and will be a sh*t show for […]