MileGrams - September Days

Started the month off with a brutal 16 mile Team run on the Riverside Park path.

 Latest installment in the early Saturday morning pictures of drunk hipsters. I've decided that this guy must have gotten down onto the platform, only to be greeted with the news that the next train wasn't coming for 20 minutes. So, he made the brilliant decision to take a nap. Here he is, hours later.

 Beautiful view of boats along the path. The group I'm supposed to be running with is just in front, slowly pulling away.

The George Washington Bridge! Everything is hazy because we were basically running through soup. That lady in yellow is actually in the nasty water, risking becoming a mutant just to cool-off. 

 Little Red Lighthouse! Water-break and turnaround point. 

About-to-vomit selfie. I had to sit and drink Gatorade for 15 minutes before I could muster the energy to find a cab. 16 ugly miles in the bag!

September made for some beautiful neighborhood runs.

 Pretty clouds during sunrise at McCarren Track.

 Pretty clouds on our street corner.

 Kent Ave. view of Manhattan, part 1

  Kent Ave. view of Manhattan, part 2

An amazing hipster running outfit. The shirt was cut in the middle of the front and flying like a cape. She was wearing a regular, red bra. The shorts were regular shorts you would wear out. The socks....I can't.

Attended my first Wednesday Team practice in Central Park.

In the middle of Central Park, you can actually pretend that you are in the countryside. 

The subway stop to head home after practice is the American Museum of Natural History stop. The walls on the platform have Dinos. My nephew, Gus, would have loved it.

Sunday, September 14th was the New York City Marathon Tune-Up 18 mile Race!

 Runners entering Central Park and heading toward the Start gate.

 Coach Scott giving us instructions after warm-up.

 Runner's waiting for the start. 4,861 runners finished the race!

 Rock-star old lady group. These veterans were talking about their previous marathons and making brunch plans. Check-out the lime-green outfit with the bright orange hair!

 The course consists of 3 loops within Central Park. A very hilly course, this is a pic of the infamous Cat Hill. It is hard to see but that is a cat statue, which stands nearly at the top of the hill. 

 Managed to keep a slightly faster pace throughout!

Official race picture taken by the race photographers. I finally put my name on my singlet and it is incredible how motivating it is to hear people call your name. 

After the 18 miles, we enjoyed a lovely step-back week.

 Made it to another Wednesday practice! The team meets in front of the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. 

Entrance to the park next to the Met.

 View of buildings from the Great Lawn.

 On the subway ride home, I caught my first glimpse of a subway driver in action! Here he is, throwing shade at some poor tourist trying to ask him directions. 

Creepy runner's legs I saw on the L train. Something just isn't right.

Starting to incorporate a Williamsburg Bridge run once a week. Time to get ready for all of the hills and bridges!

View of the Manhattan bridge.

Finished the month with a gorgeous 14 mile run along the waterfronts of NYC.

Lead-up to the Brooklyn Bridge.

 Freedom Tower view from the top of the Brooklyn Bridge.

 Pretty boat at water stop in lower Manhattan.

Surprise achievement!

Heading into the last month of training!