Running in NYC Q&A
If you’ve been following me on my Instagram, you’re probably aware that I’m a runner. I have always been passionate about fitness and living a healthy lifestyle my entire life, and as I’ve been continuing to share my fitness lifestyle with you, I’ve gotten a handful of questions about running in New York City, my workouts, and all things fitness.
Scroll down for your submitted Q&A’s and links to my favorite running gear!
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FITNESS GOALS THIS YEAR?
One of my five healthy habits that I shared in my previous post, was working on endurance in fitness this year rather than ‘getting fit.’ I made it a goal to run at least a 10-mile straight run once a month. Last Friday, I planned accordingly and set a new personal record with my 10-mile run — under 1 hr 30 mins and no stops.
Q: YOUR TOP FAVORITE RUNNING ROUTES IN NYC?
Central Park full loop — (scroll down for more details about this route)
2. Jackie O. Reservoir in Central Park
total = 1.58 miles
3. Run alongside the East River starting from Carl Schultz Park
Q: WHAT IS YOUR WEEKLY WORKOUT ROUTINE?
I’m not the kind of person who sticks to one workout routine. I’m always finding new ones to try and incorporate into my healthy lifestyle. Switching it up is not only good for you in the long run, but it also helps you enjoy it more. I’ve always approached it this way — fitness should be fun, never a chore.
Here’s a typical schedule that I map out on Sunday nights before the start of a new week (every week isn’t the same — sometimes I’ll switch the order or try different workouts):
SUNDAY: walk outdoors
MONDAY: morning run between 9-11am (I run in the mornings on an empty stomach to avoid any cramps), stretch
TUESDAY: at-home ab / butt / core workout
WEDNESDAY: walk to the Met Steps and do 2,000 jump ropes / leg / butt workout
THURSDAY: REST
FRIDAY: at-home ab / core workout
SATURDAY: morning run (I like to start and end my week strong with a run)
I also use the ‘HEAVY’ resistance band from this set here.
Q: HOW MANY MILES IS THE FULL CENTRAL PARK RUNNING ROUTE LOOP?
If I’m looping the Central Park running route from the east side all the way up to Harlem, down the west side, and back around to the starting location on the Upper East Side, it’s about 5 or 6 miles for me. However, keep in mind that I run at a different running pace so it could be longer or shorter, depending on your own pace. To determine your average pace, I use the Nike Run App.
I wanted to breakdown the Central Park 10-mile run that I did a few days ago. After running this loop several times, I’ve picked up on “obstacles,” as I like to call them, on my path that I know I have to be wary of. There are 4 obstacles total (in my opinion) and I’ll share how I approach them.
For Obstacle #1, the first time I ran the dreaded “Harlem Hill,” I almost died. I was running at a faster pace and then had to stop and catch my breath after running the hill. This hill is more of a gradual uphill loop around. I know better now to preserve my energy and not overdo it on the hill so I can pick up momentum afterwards.
Obstacle #2 is another gradual uphill. It’s not like the “Harlem Hill,” but after running for 2.5 miles already, your legs will give in a bit on this uphill climb. For this one, I’ll pump my arms differently to give me speed rather than my legs.
Obstacle #3 is yet another gradual uphill with a bit of a loop. By now I’m approaching mile 3, and this one always makes me feel tired for some reason. You’ll also start to see the Jackie O. Reservoir from this path.
Obstacle #4 is the last little gradual uphill right around the finish line at E. 84th Street. I think this one kills me a bit too because it’s right near the end and my legs always start to give in on me when I know the end of the first path is near…
After I get through each obstacle, there’s this victorious feeling that gives me the push and endurance I need to keep going. Even when my Nike Run app alerts me that I completed another mile, I can’t help but smile. It’s truly the little things.
To wrap up, miles 6 and 8 are either the inside loop around the Jackie O. Reservoir or the second loops outside of it (depending on how I’m feeling). Then, I’ll run the other loop for miles 8, 9, and 10.
Q: HOW MANY MILES IS THE RESERVOIR?
One loop around the Reservoir is 1.58 miles.
Q: BEST RUNNING GLOVES TO WEAR?
I did a lot of research on running gloves because I usually switch between the Nike Run App and Spotify for my running playlist, and hate having to take off my gloves to do so. I found this pair and 1) it’s hard to find gloves that fit my tiny hands and they fit perfectly and 2) they have grips on the bottom of the gloves so I can hold onto my phone and 3) I’m able to touch, text, and use my phone with the gloves on. One thing I will make note of is, they aren’t the warmest gloves for your hands and occasionally when the wind picks up, my hands start to get cold.
Q: DO YOU WEAR A MASK WHEN YOU RUN?
When I run, I do not. When I’m walking to Central Park, I absolutely do. I take it off right as I’m about to run and put it back on when I’m done. The running path in Central Park is pretty spaced out and I do my best to keep some distance between the other runners and myself.
Q: BEST RUNNING LEGGINGS?
I just recently found this pair and LOVE THEM. I wore them on my 10-mile run and the pockets were a lifesaver. I knew my AirPods would die, so I stuck the case and my apartment keys into the side pockets and I didn’t have to worry about them falling out the entire time.
Have any questions for me? Let me know in the comments below or feel free to DM me on Instagram @bygracelee!
SHOP MY FAVORITE WORKOUT PICKS:
