RUN: 4 Miles (Easy Run – Central Park again)
2007 Jun 01Course: Central Park
I was blessed with another morning run in Central Park again. Nothing special to report, except that I love this park.
Run, Turtle, Run!
Run. Do. Tinker
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Hi, I just moved to the city and i want to try to run before work. is it safe to run in the park at 6am? (i’m a small female)
(Please note: my journal has been moved to http://www.runturtlerun.net. I’m responding here, but I’ll also move these comments over to the new site.)
Well, to be honest, I’m not a regular in Central Park, so I couldn’t say for sure. What I can tell you is that on the two mornings I ran there recently, at around 7AM or so, there were a TON of people running and cycling in the park, particularly on the loop that goes all the way around the park (the paved road, that you’d share with cars and cyclists). I would be REALLY surprised if anyone’s ever been attacked or mugged while on that loop during daylight (and sunrise is before 6AM these days).
That being said, one can never be too careful. I posted in May about a member of my running club who got mugged at about 6pm (it was still light out) on a path in along the East River right next to the track where we train – there were definitely people around jogging and walking then, too, so, you never know what might happen.
All things considered, I think I would recommend Central Park as a great place to run at 6am. Just stick to the paths where there are a lot of runners, and make sure you’re aware of your surroundings (maybe leave your headphones at home so you can be more attuned to what’s going on around you). You might also consider running with a loud whistle attached to your keys or to an elastic band around your wrist or something, for emergencies, though honestly, at that hour, I don’t think you’d really find a quiet place in the park where there weren’t at least a few people nearby.
And a general note on safety in New York: I grew up in a pretty affluent suburb in Orange County, California, and I really feel safer in New York most of the time, because there are usually other folks around at all hours, getting off of work, going to work, etc. Back in my hometown, there have been armed robberies, home invasions, and murders… I’d have to say that, per capita, there’s probably a lot more violent crime there than there is here. Don’t let all the hype about New York City get you too worried to enjoy living here. And definitely don’t let it stop you from running.
(Just don’t go running in Central Park, or any other park, anywhere, for that matter, by yourself at night!)