jogging in the park during weekdays

doublediamond

Now that it's getting warmer, I'm thinking about jogging in prospect park in the mornings before going to work.

Does anyone know if people are even out there on weekday mornings between 6-8am?

What I'm concerned about is jogging and finding myself the only person on the road as I get further into the park.

erikka

I think there are people out there but I would probably stick to the outer edges of the park. I've heard some horror stories and you never know...

whyfi

I've been out there on the road in the mornings (not 6am, but not far off) and there have been people out and about. Now that it's getting warmer, I'll probably be out there more often with the dog.

furrygreyboy

You'll have plenty of company at 6am. There are many die-hard runners who are out there year-round at that time, and now that it's both warmer and lighter, these numbers are even greater. There are plenty of cyclists too, so even if you find yourself out of sight of others for a stretch, it won't be for long.

I don't run on the transverses at that time of day (unless I have company), but otherwise, feel absolutely safe running at 6am (there are a few hardcore runners just finishing up around 6am - god knows what time they start!)

doublediamond

thanks for the feedback. So I'll go out there tomorrow and see how it is. If there's not enough people, I'll turn back and go to the gym.

furrygreyboy

I'll be out there. I'm not exactly sure how this happened, but I woke up a while ago, looked at my alarm clock, read "6.30" and wondered why it was still so dark. Tried to sleep some more, looked again a while later... 6.30. Figured I misread it the first time.

Wide awake, I decided to get up and go for a run, but wanted to check the temperature before I headed out. Checked on the computer. Damn. It was only 5am, and that, for me, is way too early to run. So now I'm killing time on my favorite message board......

(Somehow, the time I was reading was the time the alarm was set for. Duh.)

bkgypsy

FurryGreyBOy wrote: I'll be out there. I'm not exactly sure how this happened, but I woke up a while ago, looked at my alarm clock, read "6.30" and wondered why it was still so dark. Tried to sleep some more, looked again a while later... 6.30. Figured I misread it the first time.

Wide awake, I decided to get up and go for a run, but wanted to check the temperature before I headed out. Checked on the computer. Damn. It was only 5am, and that, for me, is way too early to run. So now I'm killing time on my favorite message board......

(Somehow, the time I was reading was the time the alarm was set for. Duh.)

furrygreyboy - i noticed you are in SS. how long does it take you to walk to the park? i'm on 23rd and 5th and sometimes it is a long hawl!!!

furrygreyboy

bkgypsy, I'm a lot closer than you... it takes me less than 5 minutes to run to either the 9th St or 15th St entrance.... so walking, probably under 10 mins.

From 23rd/5th, you've done more than a mile before you get to the park, and I guess you start with an incline? It all counts though!

Check this out for distances:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

saram

i'm out there a few days a week at that time (though i try to sleep in a little more if possible).
i just wanted to add that because of traffic in the park during that time, i like to go against the traffic when possible and sometimes go through the middle sections where there is no traffic. on the middle sections i often cross other runners and dog walkers, so i never feel vulnerable. also, unlike during the winter months, it is quite bright during those hours. even at that time in the morning i find the scariest element to be speeding cars going into the bike lane.
side note--i think they put up a new sign today on the windsor terrace side at the top of the big hill that says something about yielding to pedestrians on that cross section.

furrygreyboy

because of traffic in the park during that time, i like to go against the traffic

Y'know, in theory, cars aren't allowed in the park before 7am (not including police and park vehicles) - not that this stops everyone.

I'll be looking out for that yield sign, though doubt it'll make much difference - I'm not a cyclist, but really, can you see it making sense or even being safe for them to try and stop suddenly at the top of a hill?

doublediamond

I needed my sleep so I ended up going a few times after work this week instead. I'll see if I can actually get up and go in the am next week. :-)