Giving myself a little push

"Did you know each time you push through
a discomfort barrier you make it easier to do next time?"
- Jeff Galloway

I am writing this post from my bed, where I am lying practically in the prone position. I don't have one of these kooky desks, but this should give you an idea of what I look like:

I always wear a suit to bed
Photo credit: Skymall

Tonight, I pushed through a barrier. I am glad to have done it, but I am a bit...sore.

 

Today was a truly nice day in NYC, and around 3pm I started getting antsy to get outside for a workout. (Again -- progress! It has been a long time since I was excited about working out). I got home, laced up my sneakers, and grabbed Audrey to head out for a long walk/run (but mostly walk). I'm taking Audrey on my workouts now -- she is also on a new training program called "Walk Away the Naughtiness". Audrey has been behaving very poorly lately (the doorman says she's "moody"), so I figure if I tire her out she won't feel like barking at me for no reason or peeing on my furniture.

I didn't really have a route mapped out for my walk, I just figured I would keep going until I had just enough energy to turn around and get home. There are lots of great streets to explore in my neighborhood, I'm never bored of the scenery -- and if you have your shades up, I am totally going to look in your windows! 

I walked up Henry Street, which has lovely mix of residential and commercial blocks, and started to get my heart pumping and my lungs filled with fresh air. Felt so good! And I loved being out in the neighborhood -- there was quite a bit of pedestrian traffic out there: people heading home from the subway, running the usual errands, eating dinner outside. For a long time I was pretty much a gym-only girl, but I haven't been able to get myself inside a gym in months -- I love exercising outside! Even if I'm not actually socializing with my neighbors, it just feels nice to be out and about in the community.

When I got to the Brooklyn Bridge, I decided to explore the waterfront area. I am embarrassed to admit this, but after more than 5 years in Brooklyn, I have never really been down there. Never eaten pizza at Grimaldi's, never had a romantic dinner at the River Cafe. It is so adorable and charming! The sun was turning pink in the sky, there was a warm breeze in the air -- oh, I was loving life! I didn't have my act together to bring my camera or phone, but I will next time and I'll post some photos. So lovely.

And I discovered that there is a great jogging/bike path that runs along the waterfront, leading from the bridge right back to the park in my neighborhood. How did I not know about this?? I'm kicking myself for not finding this sooner, but I am excited to be able to make this a regular part of my route. Most of the folks out tonight were runners, and I was a little jealous -- they were making it look easy! Audrey and I picked up the pace and worked on passing the few other walkers on the path (I am a wee bit competitive...). 

Here is a site plan for the park -- I walked the span, from Fulton Ferry Landing down to
Pier 5, which is my little neighborhood park
Photo credit: designobserver.com

As we walked, we enjoyed one of the most spectacular views ever -- the Manhattan skyline, boats floating in the East River, and the Statue of Liberty always in sight. I know, the no-pictures thing is terrible -- sorry to be such a tease, I promise I'll make it up to you! I suspect I'll be spending a lot of time on this path in the next few months. Actually, as I watched the runners around me I had a brief glimpse of Future Me plotting some long training runs through the park and over the bridge. Does that ever happen to you -- you want something so much and you can visualize it so clearly that it feels real? I love that -- I know I am in control of creating my own reality!

An aerial shot -- pretty, isn't it?
Source: designobserver.com

We ended up walking a lot longer than I planned, and it was so worth it. At the end, both Audrey and I were pushing through a little bit of pain -- but I know Jeff is right, and next time it will get just a little easier. I popped a few Advil and am headed for some restorative sleep. Soon enough there will be another barrier to push through!