never thought I’d see the day

Monday evening I departed for my second business trip in as many weeks. NYC was my destination, and I was pumped, as evidenced by my status update on Facebook.

I love New York.

And my employers couldn’t have been more gracious, situating the office right in the heart of Times Square, clearly as a favour to me.

As locations go, it just doesn’t get any better than this.

My hotel is also conveniently located, just a few short blocks away from the office. It recently underwent an ownership change /rebranding and facelift. Entering the lobby late Monday night was reminiscent of walking into an upscale nightclub. Very swanky.

When I made it up to my room the welcoming committee was standing by to greet me.

No plain boring walls and doors here.

Once I got settled in my room I ventured down to the 3rd floor to check out the hotel gym. Not bad; lots of cardio equipment plus a universal weight machine. That would have been the safe option; the easy way out.

But I wondered what it would be like to run outside. In New York City.

I don’t want to get all cheesy and call it a bucket list item, but, on some level, it kind of was.

A year ago February, when I was in San Francisco, I looked on enviously as joggers ran alongside the beautiful bay. Sure, I got some decent mileage in that day myself, but I walked, I didn’t run. I didn’t feel confident enough to even try. I worried that I’d look awkward. I thought people would make fun of me.

I set my alarm for 6:15 Tuesday morning, with a plan to run outside. In New York City.

As I drifted off to sleep my mind reassured my insecure self that the hotel gym was always an available option.

Guess what I did Tuesday morning.

I ran outside. In New York City.

If you click to enlarge the map you’ll see some odd little loops and switchbacks. That was me trying to avoid stopping at red lights. 🙂

So let’s recap here:

• I ran outside. In New York City!
• I didn’t get hit by a car!
• I didn’t run into any pedestrians (there were many)!

And I actually performed pretty well!

4.4 kms in 33:18, for an average pace of 7:33 per km (Or a speed of about 5 mph). This includes a 4 minute warm up walk at the beginning. Dude, that’s pretty darned good, for me. 🙂 Especially given all my runs in the past 3 months have been indoor/treadmill. And there weren’t that many of those.

During my run, I felt really, really good.

I felt capable.

I didn’t worry that people were judging me.

And even if I really looked like the lower half of this picture, I am still very proud of myself.

For years I told myself I couldn’t run.

Evidently I can.

Keep moving,

xoxo nancy