I’m going to New York for a few days with family, and want to get in my usual quota of recovery week workouts while we’re there. We’re staying in a hotel near Central Park. I’ve never been to New York, so I’m looking for resources for running routes, gyms, and swimming pools. Thanks in advance!
Steve -
If you do a few searches there is some good info, but the basic synopsis I can remember from living there:
a) Run - Just hop on in and run the big or little loops of Central Park, a classic run. If variety is the spice of life head west and you can run up and down the west side via the path that is there. Third option is to run over the Brooklyn Bridge, which is a locals classic.
b) Pools - The best pools are in the oddest places – Chelsea Piers (West Side) and Asphalt Green (East Side). Both have gyms and both will cost you a pretty penny to drop in on. Small problem is I think the Green is closed for renovations. Another alternative is the Y or the to drop in on a Red Tide (Www.redtide.com) master’s session over at Baruch College or John J.
c) Gyms - They are everywhere. Find one associated with your hotel or get a local to sponsor you as a guest.
Enjoy the city.
CenterMiddy gave you most of the info you need. A run in Central Park is a no brainer. There are lots of pool options if you are willing to pay - you can get a day pass to an Equinox with a pool (Columbus Circle), try and get a day pass to Reebok or hit one of the YMCAs that have pools. You could also reserve some time in the endless pool at SBR at 58th and 7th. There are some other public pools to try as well.
Steve,
Great info from the other 2 posters.
Here is a link to a map of Central Park,with the different running/biking routes,and there mileage.
http://www.nyrrc.org/divisions/training/cpdistances.html
Joe
We’re planning a move to NYC within the next several months. However, I’m very concerned about my upcoming training for Ironman Coeur d’Alene. I currently live in Ohio, and I have plenty of room to go out for a 100+ mile bike ride, an open water swim or a long run (Central Park’s longest run is a little over 6 miles). With the notion that NYC is highly congested that even driving a car on the island is a task, how do people training for an Ironman train?
Open water swim? Pool swim? Long runs (w/o the obvious loop)? Long bike rides? I hope these aren’t all done indoors on trainers, treadmills or 25-meter pools. Say it ain’t so!?!?
Thoughts?
We can postpone our move to NYC until after the race, but I really want to move out of Ohio. However, there’s a lot that I have to think about at this time.
If anyone is from NYC and has done Ironman training, I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks
Dale
Someone will surely chime in, but my guess is that long rides are over the George Washington Bridge and into Jersey. Long runs can be done in the Park or at off times through the streets (like there are off times in NYC). Open water swims are not likely.
Right, the riding is quite good heading over the GW Bridge and up Route 9W to Bear Mountain/Harriman State Park. Loads of cyclists train up there, so drivers are aware and tend to give riders space. Easy to do very long and very hilly rides up there.
You definitely do not need to worry. It’s going to be a little different than what you’re used to, but there are plenty of NYC’ers training for IM’s.
For running, as someone wrote above, there are the loops in Central Park and Prospect Park. There’s also the running path along the West Side Highway that stretches from Battery Park to the George Washington Bridge (with a couple detours on streets). The run from Manhattan to Brooklyn across the Brooklyn Bridge is a great one. Running on city streets isn’t bad, once you get used to it. The NYRR (www.nyrr.org) sponsors races ranging from one mile to 18 about twice (or more) a month throughout the year. And based on the singlets I see at the races, there must be a dozen different running clubs you could join. There are a few tracks scattered around the city. And if you want to run off-road, just last weekend I “discovered” awesome trails just on the Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge. The main trail runs about 13 miles one way.
For cycling, the Central Park loop is easy for shorter rides. I did a lot of winter training in the Parks winter because the roads in the Parks are kept well cleared of snow and if it got too cold or the conditions changed, you’re never far from home. For longer rides, you should cross the GW Bridge and roll out on Route 9W. It’s a great ride with some nice climbs and there are nearly always tons of other cyclists out there. You’ll probably have to get used to riding in the city to get where you’re going. As long as you’re careful, it’s not as dangerous as you might fear.
For swimming, I don’t think there are many pools longer than 25 yards, but there are a few you can find. Open water swims are a challenge, but Cibbows (www.cibbows.org) does semi-organized group swims at Coney Island from March or April through at least October. Also, www.nycswim.org sponsors a bunch of swim races mostly in the Hudson throughout the summer.
Do some searches on ST, you’ll find a ton more info.
Lots of people train for IMs in NYC (I think you will be very surprised by the number of IM triathletes, and the tri “scene”). I personally think living in the city doesn’t put you at a disadvantage for IM training, maybe what does is the weather (I am a total cold weather wimp). Weather aside (esp. since you are coming from Ohio, not So Cal–so it’s not like that our NY winter will be a shock to your system), here are my thoughts:
SWIM:
It’s not super easy to do OW swims, but it’s doable if they are a must for you. You can go to Brighton Beach and swim in the ocean there–I think Brighton Beach is better than Coney island because it’s less crowded… (there are even group swims, check out: http://www.cibbows.org/). There are also many OW swim races held by NYC, primarily in the Hudson… if you don’t mind swimming there (they call off the race if the water quality is poor) http://www.swimnyc.org/ Also there are OW swim races in CT, LI, NJ.
There’s also something interesting that I just recently came across… http://www.minnewaskaswimmers.org/
Pool swimming is much easier to accomplish (Brighton Beach is like an hr on the subway on the weekends from midtown Manhattan). Asphalt Green has a 50 meter pool, probably the best in the city (check the schedule if you insist on swimming in a 50 meter pool, they change the pool configurations several times a day). Drop in rate is ridiculous though, if you swim regularly it’s best to buy a “swim membership”, $1000/year (you can save 15% off if you are an AG Tri club member). If you don’t want to spend the $$, AG Tri club (http://www.agtri.com/) has 2 coached swim workouts a week that are free to club members (although the lanes during them can get pretty crowded at times). They also have a masters swim.
Another masters swim group that’s pretty popular with triathletes is Red Tide. http://www.redtidenyc.org/
Also Riverbank has a 50 meter pool–$2 or so drop in rate. I went a couple of times, the pool is pretty much empty in the mornings. The only disadvantage is its location, I think the area is technically called Hamilton Heights (maybe it’s still West Harlem though), 145th or so st, all the way west, by Hudson river.
Equinox has nice pools, but this gym is SUPER expensive ($150/month or maybe more by now), and the pools are small (25 or even 20 yards) and always ridiculously crowded. Terrier Tri club trains out of there, another large (and seemingly very social) Tri club of NYC.
I hear Chelsea Piers also has a nice pool (and a tri club), but I’ve never been there, so I can’t comment on that). There’s also a tri club
Largely, what it comes down to, is where you are going to live, and how much $$ you are willing to spend on swim/pool membership.
RUN
Central Park is the best/easiest/most convenient option. It’s big enough for your long runs, with 6 mi per loop. You can get creative and come up with other routes, like along West side highway, around the southern tip of Manhattan, across Brooklyn bridge, whatever–if you are really bored… You can also go up to the Bronx and run in Van Cortland park (it’s a short loop, only about 5K, but challenging trails). For your bread and butter every day runs, CP will be it.
BIKE
Yes, like everyone else said. Across GW bridge, into NJ, and then along 9W is the most popular option. Most triathletes I know pretty much ride it weekend in and out. You can make it 100 mi ride, to Bear Mountain and back. I personally find it insanely BORING (and how many freaking times can you do the exact same ride??? Or maybe it’s because I’m more of a “smell the roses” kinda chick… and even if I’m in the middle of the hardest interval, and I see wild turkeys or smth like that, I stop to look at them). I ride on 9W for my shorter weekend rides (like on Sun, if I have a longer bike scheduled on Sat)–about 40 miles to Piermont round trip, 50 miles to Nyack round trip.
For longer/more challenging (and by far more scenic!) rides, I much prefer taking a Metro North train, and ride up in Harriman State Park (SUPER hilly), and around (near West Point, Newburgh, Storm King, etc.) Orange county on the west side of the Hudson is GREAT for riding I think. The East side (Westchester, etc) is fine too–mostly rollers, while west side offers you super challenging continuous climbs. I like to take the train to Garrison or Cold Spring and ride across Bear Mtn bridge to the West side… or take a train to Beacon, cross the Newburgh-Beacon bridge into Newburgh and start my rides there.
My absolute favorite riding area though is near New Paltz (it’s especially awesome this time of the year, with the leaves turning, and the stunning views of the Gunks!). Train to Poughkeepsie, ride across Mid Hudson bridge, short ride into New Paltz… Mohonk, Minnewaska, etc, etc. Really good stuff.
When you move here, to learn the routes, I highly recommend joining a few New York Cycle Club rides (although they don’t like bikes with the aerobars… if you have a road bike bring that instead!). Here’s the website: http://www.nycc.org/ They also have an incredible ride library if you are inclined to explore on your own: http://www.nycc.org/rl_db/home.aspx
During the week,early morning there are plenty of Triathletes/roadies training in the park. You’ll never have a problem finding someone to ride with. As far as pools go,you have “Asphalt Green” on 92nd and York ave.,which is a 25/50 meter pool. There’s also “Riverbank State Park” which is also a 25/50 meter pool. For both pools you just need to find out what hours they have the 50 meter pool open.
Everyone is being very pollyanna in this thread. you can certainly train for an IM in nyc, however you might want to think strategically when planning where to live in the city.
getting over the GWB from anywhere downtown, particularly on the east side (e village) = the suck. add an hour to your ride just to get out of the city, and with stop/go that barely counts as training time.
also, laps and laps of central park are SO FREAKING BORING after about the 100th lap.
plus it sucks not having a garage to clean/store your bike… i really miss that.
there is a “triathlon” co-op coming to the UES. Buy an overpriced apartment and get your own coach!
http://www.nycondoblog.com/?cat=71
It’s really not all that tough, but like another poster said, choose your neighborhood wisely. Close to the park is good.
Prospect park in Brooklyn is also quite nice, although about 1/2 the size of central park. I did a lot of IM training in there, it’s a mental and physical challenge.
Thanks to everyone!
I was given a lot of information, and I especially appreciate the long post about the pools and rides heading out of town. It definitely makes the idea of getting out of Ohio a bit more uplifting with regards to training. There’s so much more that NYC has to offer over Ohio that I don’t want to miss out because of Ironman training.
Now my excitement for NYC has picked up steam. I’ll definitely check out and join a tri club or two and possibly a running and cycling club as well.
Thank you again for all the terrific information.
By the way, we’re looking to buy a condo/co-op in the UES or in Turtle Bay.
Take care,
Dale
Thanks to all of you from me as well.
I’ll possibly be moving to NYC in May (from Europe, latest stop Dublin/Ireland).
@Jonathan: I think about renting a flat in Brooklyn and run to/back from work (51st/52nd street). What do you think of that? I guess running over BBridge and then along western part of Manhattan is best. Is this a popular way to commute in NYC? I’ve seen quite some running commuters in London lately.
Cheers
uli
<<getting over the GWB from anywhere downtown, particularly on the east side (e village) = the suck. add an hour to your ride just to get out of the city, and with stop/go that barely counts as training time. >>
Not very accurate.
If you live in the East village you might be riding in stop and go traffic 10 minutes tops.
This is the time it will take you to head over to the Westside path.
Once you make it to the Westside Path,the ride to the GW bridge for the most part is nonstop.
Riding the streets of NYC is tough, REALLY tough. Getting into the aerobars isn’t an option due to looking around all the time. When I was training and went to NYC, I took my bike to Central Park and did 60 miles without boredom setting in. It has such a variety of terrain and paths that you can get a lot of work done there. It’s not flat and if you did 10 laps clockwise and 10 laps counter clockwise you’ll get a ton of climbing and descending.
Bob
It’s definately a do-able run. There are lots of health clubs in midtown, finding one to take a shower at wouldn’t be all that tricky. Some offices have locker rooms and showers for just that reason. If and when you do move to Brooklyn drop me a line and I’ll get you connected with others in the community.
It’s not flat and if you did 10 laps clockwise and 10 laps counter clockwise you’ll get a ton of climbing and descending.
Bob
yeah except that any self-respecting NYer will harrass you for riding the wrong way! tourons usually get a clueless idiot pass but anyone seriously training on a bike and going in the wrong direction is gonna get a “yo WTF”… or get yelled at by park service.
regarding running over the Brooklyn Bridge for commute- that will be cool and will work fine, although E side path cuts off around 38th st, you’ll have to head into the avenues but you’re only going to 51st so shouldnt be that bad. I LOVE that run btw… so gorgeous 
don’t try and seriously train on the bike over the BBridge, you’ll never get anywhere cuz of the tourons.
catmandu, i am on the eside and still think getting over the gwb sucks bigtime, path or no path. it’s doable, but is annoying to have to add 50 minutes of commuting each way to a long training ride just to get out of the freaking city. no one’s mentioned the n side gwb stairs yet, either. those are charming for the first couple rides clomping up and down them in your roadshoes!
Funny thing, I hope they’re yelling at the men’s Olympic Trials Marathon every step b/c they’re goign to be going the “wrong way” for 24 miles…
Bob
Funny thing, I hope they’re yelling at the men’s Olympic Trials Marathon every step b/c they’re goign to be going the “wrong way” for 24 miles…
Bob
RUNNING the wrong way and RIDING the wrong way are very different things. I don’t mind so much when runners go the wrong way, but when cyclists do, it’s a bit more alarming. You come at each other pretty fast…