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Good Runner. Bad Blogger. (Updated)

Good Runner. Bad Blogger. (Updated)

Who would have guessed that it would be easier to get me to run regularly than to blog?

It’s been a week since my last post and not for lack of running. I guess this is going to get some getting used to.

The most important news to report is that the crew (boyfriend and dog) and I are back on the hard Fort Tryon route. Now, for those of you who don’t know the park, Fort Tryon is located on top of one of the highest points in Manhattan. The views are gorgeous and the hills, for the untrained legs and hearts, are killers.


It’s a small park – only 66 acres compared to our neighbor Inwood Hill Park’s 196, or Central Park’s whopping 840 (for those of you New Yorkers who don’t venture past the hundreds). But there are few trails to choose from and because of its somewhat hilly terrain it’s possible to increase the difficulty level without adding miles to your run.

When we began running a few weeks ago we started the loop around the park at the bottom, at Broadway and Bennett. In those few weeks I saw little improvement because when you start at the bottom, well, you have to go up. We decided (read: I forced Daniel) to start at the top so that I could develop some stamina (and confidence). After all, the main issue for me is that my heart wants to jump out of my chest and my lungs can’t keep up with all my panting. I think I finished the loop the first day we changed routes. I decided to blog a few days later, after I proved that that first finish was not a fluke (there are three uphill sections on that route that I wanted to make sure I had conquered). I was so excited.

Anyway, I have been dreading switching back to our original route because I was afraid that if I had to stop and walk part of the way, I would be discouraged and bye bye running, see ya’ blogging.

But I’m happy to report that we have been taking the hard track for the last couple of days and though I’ve had to stop (both days) on that damn hill that runs parallel to Dyckman street, it’s getting much easier. For starters, it’s the only section that I walk around our loop. But most importantly, I’m running half way up the hill. Woohooo! May not look seem much, but trust me, it is a fucking big deal for me.

Also, today was the first time that I actually started to feel my legs working. Usually, I’m too concerned trying not to get a heart attack or stop breathing to notice a lot of action on my legs. But today, as I was going up the stairs near the Fort Washington entrance to the park, I felt it. I felt like I was at the gym doing some type of leg work. Not sure which one. Never went to the gym long enough to learn the name of the machines. But it was there. And so was the panting. But still, another benchmark to celebrate.

Anyhoo, enough about all this running nonsense.

We are uncles! Yes, my friends, a few weeks ago we noticed a pigeon had built itself a nest just outside our living room window, on top of an old A/C. Well, as it’s to be expected, we’ve been keeping vigil (read: Daniel has been keeping vigil) over the pigeon and a couple of days ago we saw mama pigeon feeding its tiny chicks. I only saw one. But Dan says there’s at least two. I don’t have a photo yet, but in the meantime, here’s one of the proud mother:

mama pigeon

It's Like National Geographic Just Outside My Window

I’ll be sure to post another image if I can catch a sight of the little ones again.

Oh, and just in case any of you (read: Daniel) are wondering about my choice of image for the post, I went with a picture of Zeus for this one because: 1) he’s cute, 2) this is what he does after our morning run, and 3) he has been a good dog today…unless trying to puke on my brand new rug for the 3rd time in as many days counts for bad behavior.

UPDATE: Mama pigeon left the nest momentarily to go fetch some food for the offspring and I had a chance to snap some pics before the battery on my camera went kaputz. As you can see, and I forgot to mention earlier, baby pigeons are yellow! (Sorry for the bad colors – grimy window. Let me know if any of you have tips on how to clean third floor windows.)

Cheeky Chick

Today’s route:

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