Every year in August, NYC closes some of its streets to traffic for ‘Summer Streets’ – letting the runners, walkers and cyclists take over from 7am to 1pm. I’ve heard about it the past couple of years and I knew it was Park Avenue that was closed to traffic. In my mind, that means the Upper East Side, which is a bit of a commute for me to make just to take advantage of the closures. I am so relieved I actually looked up the website on Friday and realized that the streets were closed from the Brooklyn Bridge all the way up to Central Park.
So with a long run already on my schedule for Saturday morning, I ran to the bridge, then up Lafayette Street and Park Avenue, to Union Square, for a wonderful out-and-back on the LAST day of Summer Streets for this year!
It was a gorgeous day and these views are pretty killer to kick off a run:
Followed by an amazing chance to check out NYC neighborhoods on the run – without worrying about traffic or crowds.
Of course, the run didn’t happen unless there were selfies, right? 😉
Something that was also much appreciated was the rest stops along the route. All of them had drinking fountains, courtesy of the NYC Water Department (thankfully!) and each rest area had different amenities. One down near the bridge was offering free bike hire, but my favorite was at Astor Place, where there was a stretch area set up with bands and rollers and stretch classes going on – all free. I kind of wished I lived right by Astor Place, so that could have been my end stop! I’m so happy I took advantage of Summer Streets. I’m already looking forward to next year.
I also happened to be passing a fire station just as one of the firefighters was doing the ALS ice bucket challenge.
Luckily, someone nominated my husband, so I was fortunate enough to be able to tip a bucket of ice water on Fran’s head later that day. There was chatter on Facebook after he posted it that perhaps it was a bit of a slow pour by me, but I just wanted to make sure I was accurate and thorough with my aim. You can’t really tell in this still, but Roman was cracking up.
It was such a gorgeous morning and running over the bridge inspired me to suggest we take Roman down to Brooklyn Bridge Park for a bit of a rampage once I got home. We had a lovely time wandering about, playing tourist.
Every time I go to Brooklyn Bridge Park, it seems like they’ve expanded it a little more and there are more cool summer features, like kayak rentals.
And of course all this adventuring requires snacking….some healthy, some not quite so healthy. But oh-so-delicious.
I went to spin class on Sunday morning, with my friend Maggie. It was a really hard class and the instructor ‘forgot’ (?) 
it was a 45 minute class, so we started our cool down flat at around 50 minutes or so. Holy cow, there were quite a few hills involved. I was a sweaty mess.
When I got home, Fran and Roman had kept themselves busy with a little bit of dress-up fun. That face, he just kills me. Then we headed out again for some fun at the splash pad in Prospect Park. They were having a Dino Day, with characters from Dinosaur Train – Roman doesn’t watch the show, but he’s just starting to really get into dinosaurs, so he was VERY excited to meet a real baby T-Rex!
All in all, a pretty awesome weekend. The only bad part was that I think there’s something going on with my left hamstring. I noticed on Friday after running it was a little tender, so I decided to see how it felt when I headed out on Saturday. It was fine during the run – I forgot all about it – but late afternoon, when I had time to put my feet up, I realized it was still niggling at me. I skipped my run Sunday and just did spin and today I’m cross training, so hopefully it will work itself out.
Where did you run/walk/cycle/hike/swim/yoga/chase children this weekend?
Do you ever play tourist in your own city?
Awesome! And what perfect timing for the ice bucket challenge,….I love that you said “luckily, I was nominated…”. Bet it was refreshing though! Keep an eye on that hamstring, mine has been giving me trouble for months….they are hard to go away once you have a problem!
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I really hope it goes away! I try so hard to keep myself injury free, it feels unfair to have one!! Story of every runner’s life, I guess.
How cool that they shutt down the streets. I wish they would do that in the city I lived in. I went to visit family this weekend and went for a long run with my sister and mom.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Helping Hands
I love that you guys all run together! That’s so awesome, Lacey. 🙂
That’s such a cool thing NYC does. I wonder if they have something similar here in St. Louis, that’d be pretty awesome!
Jaclyn @ Bumpsweat recently posted…{MIMM #6} Making the Most of The Wait
It’s so special to be able to see the city from a whole new perspective. 🙂 I have clients visiting St Louis this weekend – I hear you guys are having quite a heatwave!! Ugh, sorry mama!
I was on summer streets too!! How did we miss each other?! I was out there from 8:30-11 I did the bridge to park and 30th and back. The bridge was SUPER crowded and a bike almost ran me over at one point!! Loved your pictures 🙂
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama recently posted…6 Must Have Superhero Requirements #FamilyForward
We MUST have passed each other!! That’s so funny! I got to union square around 8:20 and did my turnaround. It wasn’t super crowded either – I wish I’d spotted you!
Oh my son would LOVE to meet the dinos from dinosaur train! We’re doing the Thomas the Train thing next month. That is so awesome they shut down the roads for everyone to walk/run/bike/etc. We had a low key weekend, but it was still pretty awesome. Have a great week Carly! 🙂
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Roman is obsessed with Thomas. He especially loves Cranky the Crane. 🙂 that will be so fun!!
That summer streets run sounds awesome!!!
We don’t play tourist much around here but that is mostly because Topeka is fairly small!!!
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It was so awesome, Kim! I’m only sorry I didn’t take advantage of it more!
I just chased children this weekend. And photographed a wedding! And rested.
Summer Streets sounds so awesome! I may play tourist in October when all the leaf peepers make their way here. It would be fun to find out the drives they’re taking to see the foliage.
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That sounds like a lovely touristy thing to do! I’m so excited you photographed your first wedding! I bet the couple will be thrilled with the photos.