East River Park in May

If you're like me, then you're squeezing in your run after those last precious moments of sleep and the mad dash to the bus stop, between official work hours and unofficial drinking hours, before meals with friends and family.

It's especially difficult to find time for a run when one is traveling for work. I've been lucky enough to have had many glorious days in New York this May. I took these photos on my first trip at the beginning of the month. Originally I had planned to buy a one-month gym membership to get me through my two stays in New York, but then I discovered the East River Park, a short but scenic route along the river that looks out at Brooklyn.






New York continues to impress me with its parks and public spaces. And what you don't see here is the public track on East 6th Street & FDR Drive. That's right: New York City Department of Parks and Recreation maintains this track for anyone to use. (But be warned, early birds: the bathrooms don't open until 7 or 8 am.) And it's not the only one. I stayed in Williamsburg with a friend and discovered another one in McCarren Park.

(I know, I know: we basically have access to the university and college and high school tracks around town. But I love love love the idea of a public track, and immediately began to wonder if Minneapolis or St. Paul has ever considered building a public track.)

Over the last four years, thanks to work trips and friends, I've been able to run quite a bit in New York. I did the Brooklyn Half Marathon and the NYC Marathon in 2007, and I've done quite a few runs in Central Park and Prospect Park. I also hear that there is also a route along the perimeter of Manhattan.

What are some of your favorite runs away from home?