this ain't no running town

So, any of the long run options with the Flyers this morning were way too early for my liking (as yours truly needed to sleep off more than her share of appletinis and vodka tonics...) But, I figured since this was the last weekend of the Summer Streets...running to City Hall and back would be just perfect for my long run, and all I have to do is be done (at least with the streets) by 1 pm...easy enough, right?

Well, that's how it started off...but as I turned onto Park Avenue from 72nd street (and saw Johnny running the other direction!)...I noticed that things seemed a little different from 2 weeks ago, and it became more evident the further south I ran. Maybe it was the later hour...but it looked like a lot more cross-streets were open to traffic, and there were a lot more bikes out. And it's weird...but as a runner, I kinda felt like I was in the minority...the bikers had the designated "fast lane", the walkers the designated "slow lane"...where's a runner to go?

It got worse once I got all the way to the end, and then added on an out-and-back over the Brooklyn Bridge to get my hill work in :) Again, there was a bike lane, and the pedestrian lane was filled with people walking 4-5 abreast...I swear, I never had to yell out "on your left" or "on your right" so much. And I got yelled at for being in the bike lane...well sorry, but where was I supposed to go-instead of yelling at me, yell at the walkers for taking up the entire lane, so I don't have to edge into the bike lane!

Couldn't believe I was saying this, but I was actually relieved when I wound up back at the park. Maybe the "Summer Streets" novelty wore off...but I felt today, NYC was a biker and walker-friendly city...but runner-friendly? No way...we were like the forgotten group or something. (Yeah, I coulda dragged myself out of bed and joined NYRR at 7:30 downtown...but again, I needed beauty sleep :) ) But whatever, it was what it was...14.7 more miles under my belt. Had to GMap this one, as Mr. Garmin freaked out yet again near Grand Central...saw the distance move backwards more than once!!

In other news, I got my free skirt in the mail today!! Not only did I get this cute pink skirt, but they threw in a free tank top (which says on the back "you've been passed by a skirt!") too!! Thanks again to the ladies at RunningSkirts.com-this was definitely a nice treat!

And tonite will be the USA's last chance for a track and field medal...the men's marathon!! Go Ryan, Ritz and Brian!! (though I know Ryan is the best medal hope!)