Fourteen; and Family

In the summertime it’s easy to take running in daylight for granted. There’s such an abundance of it: the light pushes out the night before 6 AM, and spills over into dusk past 8 PM. In the winter, I get two daylight runs a week, on Saturday and Sundays. That’s it. So you can imagine how energized I felt on Saturday when I realized I would need to wear my sunglasses! The sun was shining as if it had held its breath all night long and now was blowing it out in a great, bright sign of relief. 

59th Street Bridge as seen from the East River Greenway

 

So, 14 miles. Right-o! But where to go? I was not enticed by my regular routes. Over the bridge and across town to the park? No, I didn’t feel like fighting pedestrians headed out for brunch. Over the bridge and up the East Side Rec Path? No, I didn’t want to run that far up Manhattan. Into Astoria to Hell Gate? Not enough miles. I was restless, I wanted to trail blaze but I also didn’t want to deal with auto traffic, sidewalks clogged with strollers. I didn’t have time to plot out a new route and write up a turn sheet, so I settled for a composite run. Bridge, rec path, Astoria Park. 

37th Street Trestle leading into Hell Gate Bridge in Astoria, Queens

 

It worked out alright. Because the routes were so familiar to me, I could put my feet on autopilot and let my mind wander, thinking about my friends and family, and about forthcoming dates to visit and dine with them. Nevertheless, I was a little bored. By Mile 11 I just wanted the run over with. The benefit of this was that I ran faster in my haste to be home. 14.05 miles in 2:08:58. Average pace 9:10; fastest mile 8:35; slowest mile 9:52. 

After I stretched and showered, I got in the car with Matilda (my dog) for some family visits, and meals. First, spaghetti and meatballs with Nana. Then, I went drove east to see Mom and Dad. I haven’t been there for a casual visit in ages, though I was there for Christmas. It’s always special to have a few aimless hours with my parents, during which we catch each other up on the big and the small bits of life. Having them all to myself is a treat, and it’s even better when it comes with a meal of shrimp oreganata, polenta and asparagus. Matilda and I returned home after 9 PM, weary yet full of good food and good company.