Running From Ocean to Ocean
My husband came home from his first Ditmas Park run and declared this “the best” neighborhood for running. We’ve lived together in three states and a handful of neighborhoods. Is it the best?
“I love running in our park!” said William, an early morning runner and Ditmas father. “The best are moments when I can get away from the main drive and feel like I’m in the woods a million miles away from NYC.”
Runner Liz agrees, “I love running in the park because it is so reflective of Brooklyn—you have weird characters, Park Slope moms, people who are seriously training, etc, all together.”
“Far and away Prospect Park is my favorite place to run,” said Bill Boyle, long-time runner, lifetime Ditmas resident, and founder of Ditmas Park Dashers.
“I’ve been running in the park for 30 years and watched it change a bit. It’s beautiful throughout the year and offers a variety of running surfaces and grades.“
Anonymous Craig, chronic Ditmas Park Corner commenter, runs in the park and also around the neighborhood. On early morning runs, “we get to see who is up in the hood, who is wasting water, how many homeless guys are sleeping on the benches in the Parade Grounds, early morning police activity, progress on external home renovations and all the skinny bitches who run faster than us.”
“A 20-mile marathon training run does not have to be in circles,” explains Michael Ring of Prospect Park Track Club. PTC is planning a run from Grand Army Plaza to Fort Lee, NJ then back to Washington Heights to catch the subway home.
If Ft. Lee is too ambitious, Bill suggests Ocean Parkway as an alternative.
“This is a flat surface that allows you to easily gage your progress and distance by increasing the number of avenues you run with an ultimate challenge of running to Coney Island.”
Jean-Claude Cajou, owner of Rising Tide Fitness, uses his runs to explore the city from Williamsburg, to the Brooklyn Bridge, to the West Side Highway.
Runners Love Company
Deborah Lorber ran alone for 15 years.
“I guess I liked the independence of it—just grab your shoes and go.”
After her recent relocation to Ditmas, she contacted long-time friend Anonymous Craig and asked to join his running crew. She’s now a group running convert. “Nothing is off limits when you’re running the dark, it seems.”
“I don’t think I would have kept running in the ‘hood without running buddies,” said Tessa, confirming that exercise buddies keep you honest.
“If I’m not there, God knows what they’re saying about me,” she added.
Group Run Options
Prospect Park Track Club holds group runs Saturdays at 8am, Sundays at 9am, and Wednesday evenings at 7:15pm. Meet up at Grand Army Plaza. You don’t need to be a member to join a group run, but membership is $25/year.
Don’t mind throwing back a cold one while you get your running fix? Brooklyn Hashers meet up every Monday at 7pm. Meet up locations change based on the route. Check their website before you go.
Jack Rabbit offers group runs tailored to specific goals.
Jean-Claude holds spring and summer clinics in Prospect Park. Personalized sessions are available in the fall and winter.
Ditmas Park Dashers are negotiating space in a fitness center to use “as a base to conduct running and triathlon clinics.” Stay tuned.
There Is Cute Running Gear to Be Had
Jean-Claude stresses the importance of proper equipment: shoes, socks, sweat wicking clothes, a heart-rate monitor. Tessa cites “the excuse to buy new gear” as a reason to expand running beyond her comfort zone. Jack Rabbit can properly fit running shoes and has a nice selection of running specific gear.
See How Fast You Really Are
Prospect Park Track Club has a list of races happening around the city. The 5-mile Turkey Trot still have places left but will likely sell out.
Is my husband right about Ditmas being the best? I plotted myself a 2-mile loop and now brag, “This morning I ran from Ocean to Ocean!”
