On Friday I went deep. It is sure to last throughout time as one of the runs of my life. My intention was for it to be an easy run of about an hour. I just wanted to get the time in and NOT push it, as I had a race the very next day. Following the spirit of many of my runs lately, I decided to make it an adventure and do something I had never done before - traverse Lower Manhattan's 3 bridges (the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburgh).
Running across the 3 Bridges in one run was amazing, but just the tip of the iceberg as to all the things I experienced. Highlights were finding myself smack dab in the middle of the Hasidic Jew community. I might have well been on the moon for how different it felt - men walked the sidewalks on their way to work in their dark suits, distinctive hats, and long locks of hair while the women and childen played in fenced in urban playgrounds. Only 15 minutes later I was in the heart of Chinatown and bikes, street markets, and bus stations.....it was a dramatic example of New York's diversity, and I loved it.
All this people watching quickly disappeared as I traversed the Manhattan Bridge back toward Brooklyn. I was all of a sudden completely alone. The contrast again amazed me. Then the storm hit. A pounding rain and steady wind engulfed me as I was halfway across the bridge. My spirits soared as water poured from my saturated running shirt. I couldn't believe how much fun I was having. How alive I felt. As I was on my last push back towards Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge I started to lament the fact that the run was almost over. My "little" run was now over an hour and a half long! But I didn't want it to end. I stopped and soaked it all in....my body was numb but I was completely comfortable. I concentrated on how the rain felt on my face and actually outstretched my arms to my sides. It was the most "Zen" moment I've ever had while running. Apparently it was time to go home though, as a single lightning bolt then struck so close I couldn't tell exactly where it hit (Ellora checked me for entry/exit wounds later). It rudely sent me into panic mode, as I was up on a bridge in a fairly open space feeling a tingly sensation in my head! It was the only bolt of the whole storm..... Luckily the only casualty of the day was my Mini-ipod. RIP!
Training for this marathon has help me discover a new outlook on running. My runs have been filled with adventure. The fitness almost feels like a byproduct of the process, whereas it used to be the goal. It's a lot more fun this way....my spirit is soaring. GC
That sounds awesome bro! All but almost frying, but that is actually cool too because the keyword is "almost". So is that why your ipod died or was it the rain? the way I read it, it sounded like the bolt was super close causing your head to tingle and your ipod to fry as well. Nutz bro! keep it up.
paul
Posted by: paul | May 23, 2006 at 12:15 AM