Mark and I recently (January) joined a gym. While New York is a great place to run the cold, dark, and windy days of winter made it really hard to get out in the mornings. It's been great going to a gym 3 times a week (when we do) and I love getting exercise first thing in the morning. As spring has started we have ventured outside again and I can say with much certainty that I prefer running outside to spending 30 minutes on a treadmill. There is something so mind numbing about a treadmill. While running outside I can see my progress rushing past me. On a treadmill I am exactly where I started when I finish. Sure the thing says I've run almost 2.5 miles but that isn't enough.
This morning it was light enough and warm enough to go for a quick run. We went to Morningside Park which is only a block or so from out apartment. Morningside Park has quite the reputation. It separates the beginnings of Harlem from Columbia and many students are told to just avoid it completely. I've never felt particularly unsafe there but I am usually with Mark or it's the middle of the day. I think in the last few years its become a better place than it was but the reputation as stuck. It is certainly full of interesting people. This morning we saw some guy peeing next to a tree while having a conversation with a lady walking her dog and some other guy taking practice shots with a pile of golf balls and a nine iron.
 |
| It really is a beautiful park |
I am really looking forward to the days when we are able to go out and enjoy the parks more (even with the weirdos).
