Fitness Files: United Airlines Half NYC 13.1-Miles Through NYC

On Sunday I woke up bright and early (at 6 am!) to run the United Airlines NYC Half with my friend Morgan. She is always a few letters in front of me, but it’s nice knowing you’re with a friend. I was so nervous because I haven’t been running since the Midnight Run on New Year’s Eve. I either pulled a muscle or had really bad shin splints and I had a sharp pain when I ran so I decided to take time off and went to yoga and barre classes instead. My leg hasn’t been hurting as much when I walk so I decided I would try the run and could always stop or walk parts if necessary.

We started at Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, ran over the Manhattan Bridge, through the Lower East Side, up FDR Drive, through Times Square, and through Central Park. It was a great way to see the city and it was fun to run in areas that are usually filled with cars. There were so many people cheering on the sidelines and I was so excited to see my friend Meaghan volunteering and my friend Arielle who came to watch. My leg hurt a bit and I was out of running shape, but I finished and had almost the same time as my first half-marathon!

Now off for a much-deserved (and much-needed) nap.

The United Airlines Half Course:

Miles 1–2: Start on Flatbush Avenue near the Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park. Bear right around Grand Army Plaza and continue on Flatbush Avenue.
Mile 3: Cross the East River from Brooklyn into Manhattan via the Manhattan Bridge.
Mile 4: Turn off the Manhattan Bridge onto Canal Street, and follow Canal Street to East Broadway.
Mile 5: Take a slight right from East Broadway onto Grand Street, and then a left onto Columbia Street. Take Columbia Street to East Houston Street and take a right, and then follow the exit ramp left onto the FDR Drive.
Miles 6–7: Continue north on the FDR Drive. Merge right onto the exit ramp for East 42nd Street.
Mile 8: Follow East 42nd Street to Seventh Avenue and turn right.
Mile 9: Run north on Seventh Avenue and enter Central Park, following Center Drive toward East Drive.
Miles 10–11: Continue on East Drive in Central Park. Turn left at the 102nd Street Cross Drive, and take another left onto West Drive in Central Park.
Miles 12–13.1: Follow West Drive south, around the Reservoir, to the finish line at West 75th Street.