Running in NYC

I recently moved to NYC! Never thought I would end up here, or that I ever wanted to live here. It's crazy how life can be so surprising. I was a little worried about being able to run in New York. I wasn't sure if it would be as enjoyable. But now that I am here I couldn't be happier.

I often run at Central Park in NY. It is one of the most beautiful parks I have ever been to. I have so much fun running at this park. It is pretty crowded there. But it's kind of fun to see so many different types of people, enjoying running and biking and just being outside.

I do have to take the subway to get to Central Park so I run there about once a week. I live in Flushing, NY in Queens. The rest of the time I run at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. My runs there are very enjoyable also. I am surprised how much fun I have had run in NYC so far. Running makes me feel so happy. And I also like how it makes me look...

I haven't found a gym in the area yet. I've still been lifting a little bit though. There is a lot of stuff you can do without a gym. There is another park right next to my apartment that has a playground and a small track. On the playground I can do pull ups and dips, run some quick sprints around the track and do some lunges. When I get done with that I go back home and do push ups, abs, my booty exercises and lift some free weights. I really have been able to stay in great shape without the gym even. I don't plan on getting a gym membership until it starts getting colder out. I enjoy being able to do more of my workouts outside.

I feel like I've gotten more fit since I've been in NY because I walk so much besides my normal workout routine. I can get everywhere here by walking and taking the subway. Since I moved here, I've sold my car since I have no need for it. I hate driving anyways.

I hope my blog inspires you to get active and fit! You will feel so much better and you will also look better. But consistency is key when it comes to working out. Your not gonna get in perfect shape overnight. Go out there and get active and have fun with it!

Running can be fun

It was lovely weather today so I felt like going on a long run. I ran about 10 miles. I took the last couple of days off from working out, so I was ready to start running again. It is important to take rest days, just as important as it is to exercise. I get too burnt out if I don't take rest days. Your body needs time to recover from working out.

I usually run 3 times a week. I like to run one really long run (about 7-10 miles), one medium run (4-6 miles), and one short run (2-3 miles). I love my long runs, but those I usually run slower. Doing a 2-3 mile run keeps me fast. Since I run those short runs pretty fast. Running like this allows me to run a 5k or a half marathon no problem with little notice. Sometimes I tend to be last minute on hearing about races and I like to still be able to run them even if I wasn't specifically training for that race.

Overall, I just love running. That's hard for some people to understand. Part of the reason it's so enjoyable for me is because I've been doing it for the last 13 years. After a while it just becomes part of who you are. Not a chore or something I must do, but something I love.

My advice for new runners is just keep running. Hopefully after a time you will learn to love it. Also, when you are first starting off, don't push yourself too hard. Of course your not going to enjoy running if  you can't breath during your run, or get really sore after to that point that it hurts to walk. Start slow and easy, walk if you have to. And after a while you will improve; be able to run longer and faster, and hopefully learn to enjoy it.