Who Run the World; Not a trick question

15 Jun 2020 Leave a comment

by Lori in Running Tags: , , , , , , ,

img1592225938848In the words of Beyonce, “Who run the world…” I don’t think it was a question as much as it was a rallying cry for women everywhere to stand up and take their place. I’m happy to say we are responding in ways, means, and numbers like never before. Pretty cool but we’re also having everyone along for the ride, it’s a wonderful thing to see. Of course I’m using the song as a metaphor of sorts to the movement for change that is sweeping across this nation and around the world. But the truth is we’ve left the song behind awhile back when the protesters became bigger than any one group, class, or segment of people, when people everywhere decided that injustice is a humanity problem and a call to be our brother’s keeper. The irony of ironies is that while we’re marching in our cities together, we’re still, for the most part, running and working out alone.

Here in NYC, we’re in the initial phase of reopening since the March shutdown due to Covid-19. Major solo runs are still my thing and I’m also cycling every which way in an attempt to discover the borough of Queens and, if I’m being honest, stave off boredom as well. I’m heartened to see some of the local running organisations coming up with various challenges to keep people motivated and running in and around the city these days, God knows we need all the motivation we can get. This way many have the opportunity to run wherever they can and  get a medal for their efforts if they’re so inclined.  I, too, would like to encourage you to set some running intentions for yourselves during this summer. Only make sure to run smart – for me this means running early mornings and late evenings in order to minimize heat and sun exposure, and please, hydrate properly.

I wouldn’t ever suggest something that I haven’t already done or that I didn’t think has some measure of interest or value. Because I know these times are challenging enough as it is and we, meaning me primarily, need to stay running or else, I think it’s a good idea to set some intentions with the least amount of stress involved. During these times it’s primarily up to us to motivate and hold ourselves accountable. How or if you implement any of these ideas is really up to you. Only be sure to have fun, be safe, and stay healthy.

  • Set a mile/distance challenge – a fix number of (uncommon amount, it’s a challenge after all eg. 100) miles you want to run in the next few weeks, say 6-8 weeks, and make sure you have a comfortable pair of running shoes and log your milage on Strava. 
  • Set a bridges challenge. We have lots of bridges here in NYC, pick some or pick all. Log your miles, take photos and post them.
  • Choose various places of interest to run to and make it a discovery run – maybe one per week. Take pictures. You can even journal your runs and discoveries. I’m only recently coming to know my neighborhood and environs and I’ve lived there for over 5 years!
  • Train for and run a marathon distance. I would go so far as to say if you live here in the city to run the NYC Marathon route if possible. Obviously, if you’re a newbie runner I wouldn’t recommend this, I recommend working towards a half marathon distance instead. There are numerous training plans online to help with training or you can always ask me!
  • Forgoing the NYC Marathon, you can run the 5-borough  challenge if you live in or around the city. Running Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island is no easy feat. You can divvy it up and choose your milage and where and when with the goal of completing a run in each borough in the decided-upon time. It’s also an opportunity to discovery your city! You can totally customize this idea to wherever you are and add a local twist.

Since you’re running solo, it’s important for you, the runner, to make an effort to include others in your efforts to help motivate yourself but also you just might inspire someone. I encourage you to post pictures, share insights, stories on your discoveries,  your mileage, and any other information you might have learned or found useful, which can be helpful to others. Another idea might be to start a running blog – of sorts – to share your running journey during these momentous times. Where that may lead is anyone’s guess. But you’re bound to have something to share – a story to tell even – and it might just inspire someone to start their own journey.

Running, Jogging, Walking, and Cycling – Variety Workouts

16 May 2020 Leave a comment

by Lori in Running Tags: , , , , , , ,

So we’re stuck – of sorts – and we’re bored – no question – well, Summer’s approaching – what does that even mean nowadays – and is it even possible to stay true to my fitness intentions now? Some of us are fumbling with the questions and juggling the options while trying not to run out of steam both mentally and physically. There’s good news. Exercise is made for such a time as this. It is possible to jerry up things a bit to get you some focus, me-time, and address the pressing look good – feel good factor. As always, I’m sharing based on personal experience and what I may have come across that appears interesting and reasonably safe.

Running

Discover Runs – Google Maps can actually take you places. Who knew. You can look for interesting landmarks in your area via Google maps and plan a weekly workout run to a preselected spot and back. I’ve recently come to know a few undiscovered lakes, parks, and sites of interest in my area of Queens, NY that I have never visited before now. Thanks Google!

Tempo Runs – Choose a short distance to run at a steady upbeat pace, 3-5 miles is a good place to start. This run can be done in your neighborhood, a nearby park or on a running path.

Early Morning / Sunrise / Sunset Runs – Warmer weather is here and it’s perfect for either time of the day. Run with your phone to capture these awesome moments that will ignite your heart and social media feed. Running with nature is as good a hashtag as any and better than most.

Long Runs – In times past, I would save my long run for the weekend. These days weekends are everyday and it’s easy to pick a day after deciding on a destination with noteworthy views. A bridge route always offers some good views and the opportunity to run into new territory or, as in the case here in New York City, another borough. Hey to know your city or town.

Jogging and Walking

Nature Walks – I love going to the larger parks in the area and walking or jogging the trails. Pay attention to the trail colors, which determines the level of difficulty and keeps you from walking in circles. Though, that’ll work too.

Hills, Stairs, and Track Workouts – These are really good options for those of us looking to up our fitness level through conditioning, repetition, and consistency. Power walking or jogging in any or a combination of these locales two to three times a week for 30-40 mins each time is a good workout any day. Pretty soon you’ll be running and you won’t even know it.

Hiking – One of my favorite things about the good weather is the opportunity for hiking. These days there are limits to that – the nearest park with trails – for those of us limited to public transportation. Butt for others, who can drive out to a starting point, there’s nothing like climbing a mountain with the reward of some incredible vistas for your effort. Hiking in the mountains along well known/ travelled paths are just about the best way to get your walking and exercise in. Here in New York, we have the amazing Catskills Mountains which is a treasure trove for newbies and veteran hikers alike.

Walk-Jog Intervals – This is a good anaerobic workout for those wanting to work on skill or getting into running. Choose a distance of say 1-2 miles and alternate between jogging and walking. For example; jog 2 minutes, quick walk 2 minutes. Repeat.

Cycling

Cycling is still somewhat new to me and while it was in the plan from the get-go, I didn’t really jump on – pun intended – until this pandemic forced us into isolation. Thank God for knowing, before I did, what I needed because it has turned out to be a blessing. For the most part, I’ve been going on long-ish discovery rides of my neighborhood and its environs while learning the rules of engagement on the roads. I’ve discovered some new areas and found that I can take my bike hiking – of sorts – where I ride to the park and then walk the trails, bike in tow. Turns out that is a great way to get a workout in too!

Do your due diligence folks and vary your workouts. Chances are very good that they can be fun and learning experiences. Quite so!

 

Queen of Running In Quarentine

09 May 2020 Leave a comment

by Lori in Running Tags: , , , , ,

Breezy Morning on the Run

Looking back to January this year, I have to say I wouldn’t have predicted this even if you had paid me to come up with the most bizarre outcomes for the year. These days, even though I’ve been living in this twilight zone, of sorts, for about seven weeks now. Pinch me! By now I’ve been home six weeks, every day, all day – save for the times I go running or riding, which by the way has saved my life, and no matter the distance, is all home by now surely. They say, staying home saves lives; Is it just me or is that the irony of all ironies? Because in all honesty, had I not been able to run (away), well let’s just say I’m super thankful that I can.

Irises in Bloom

Back to January’s intentions and my decision to do away with goal setting and focus on doing things with intent. LOL. Right! Look how that turned out. This isn’t to say setting intentions aren’t beneficial, only that we could be armed with the very best intentions but there’s no accounting for unforseen circumstances. No matter that we’re set about the path with all the right tools and are in full kick-ass mode. Today it’s Covid-19, but really it could be anything outside of our control and then it’s so long intentions, for then anyway. At the end of the day we have next to no control over external factors, which can affect the outcome of our intentions. So what am I saying? Is it pointless to go about making plans and setting intentions with so much unknown and outside of our control? Absolutely not. When has the future ever been certain? And who on earth can predict outcomes with absolute certainty anyway? We can only do that which we can do, with the right perspective, accepting our God-given, not human-set, limits. And leave the rest to the One Who holds all our tomorrows in His super capable hands. May the odds be ever in our favor.

Cherry Blossoms @Cunningham Park

So, in true roll-with-the-punches, or more likely do-or-die, form; I’ve rebounded with a plethora of fitness endeavors that’s second to my regular fitness schedule only due to the missing gym component. The truth is I’m extremely self-motivated in the area of health and exercise and that’s been to my advantage. Thank goodness too, for I have a hard time thinking how I would manage without the ability to escape into whatever form exercise takes on any given day. Francis Lewis Blvd @Sunset
For the record, I’ve found that running away – both literally and otherwise – is by far the most beneficial, though not always the most enjoyable, method of exercise these days. To my credit, I’ve thrown some variety in there with the the type, distance, and course, while divving up the days to mitigate against routine and boredom. So far, so very good. The important lesson in this season of “solitary confinement”, and I’m learning this as well, is that being open, adaptive, and flexible are valuable assets.

Queens Run
Train Line/Depot
Neighborhood Street

In fact, this running-away technique/exercise method has been going so well that I’ve oft been hit with a sense of “I live here! Who knew!” To be clear, running has always been a way to clear my mind and focus outside myself, more so now where the emphasis is freedom from the confines of this self-imposed prison, which my home have now become. Of course, it’s only a prison because I have to be there, and I’m sure it won’t always be that way but for now there it is. And so running in my neighborhood and in surrounding Queens, New York is apparently a learning experience I don’t mind at all.

St Pascal Baylon Church



Neighborhood Street


I’ve run down neighborhood streets, up main streets, across bridges and county lines, on boulevards, near parkways, in parks and wooded areas, to the airport, by churches, around playgrounds, before sunrise, into sunsets, to the grocery store, the pharmacy, to and from home and everywhere in between. It’s been interesting, satisfying, informing, tiring, purposeful, useful, and mostly pretty, which is really the best part for me after the finish line satisfaction I get each time I’m through. My best runs are those with the loveliest views even if they’re on a mountain top or in a canyon. For me, the view is always worth the run. It really is the simplest things that bring the most joy.

Queens Moonlight

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