2009 May 2: The Great Saunter

Yesterday I took part in the annual Shorewalkers Great Saunter, a 32-mile walk around the entire perimeter of Manhattan (map here). I was hesitant to sign up because in the past I’ve had a terrible tendency to be way too goal-oriented, to the point where I found myself doing tasks just because I felt so compelled to carry them out to the end, even when they were making me miserable. These days I don’t do things just for the sake of doing them. I do things that I WANT to do, because I enjoy them. When I stop enjoying them, I stop doing them, simple as that.

So I had my doubts about this one. Did I really want to spend an entire day walking around NYC all blistered and sore? Was it worth it just to say I’ve walked around the entire island of Manhattan?

Ultimately I signed up and decided I would go at least to the halfway mark, since walking the length of Manhattan is something I’ve been wanting to do for ages. If it was raining or I was too sore or just sick of the walk, I’d stop there and be OK with that.

I set off at 7:50am from South Street Seaport, walking clockwise up the western side of Manhattan, taking perhaps too many photo stops to take pictures of the piers and boats around Hudson River Park before meeting up with Fallon and her friend at 42nd Street. The 3 of us continued the walk up through Riverside Park and to the GW Bridge and Little Red Lighthouse (another thing I’ve been wanting to visit for ages), where it started lightly raining (ugh). But we trudged on northward past Fort Tryon Park and finally to Inwood Hill Park around 1:15 or so and got to sit and eat lunch, at long last! We got accosted by several Jesus Freaks handing out prayer brochures while we were downing our hotdogs and kebabs, but I hardly cared because I was just so happy to be sitting down. We only stayed at the park for maybe a half hour, if that.

By this time, the weather had turned glorious – it was sunny and warm and essentially perfect. I knew I was going to finish out the Saunter, it was too nice out not to continue walking. I had gotten used to the constant soreness from my knees to my toes, and somehow had yet to develop any real blisters. So on we went, through Inwood at the very top of Manhattan, past a bunch of shops selling live chickens, and down into Washington Heights. This part was a little tricky to navigate so we tagged along with a seasoned group of Shorewalkers who knew the way. It entailed walking under overpasses and bridges and walking down some unsuspecting streets. I pride myself on having an excellent sense of direction and affinity for independent adventuring, so it pains me to ever have to ask for directions or join a tour group. I much prefer navigating on my own and figuring out my way. I mean it’s simple enough to find your way back downtown, there’s not just one specific path you need to take… so I wasn’t too concerned about going the wrong way or getting lost. Just head south!

Once we began the second half of the walk, Fal started to go at a slower pace. Her friend decided to wait for her, so I broke away and went solo for the final third of the walk. The beautiful day energized me the entire way, and this part of the walk might actually have been my favorite. The waterfront parks on the East Side are gorgeous! There are constant views of the various bridges connecting Manhattan to Queens. I had to stop a few times to sit and readjust my shoes/socks/bandaids, but it was so painful to get up and continue walking that I tried not to stop too often. But once I got to the East River Promenade and Carl Schurz Park (north of 89th), I just HAD to sit and enjoy the views. This was the most enjoyable part of the whole trek, this gorgeous area. I can’t wait to go back!

Once the golden light faded as the sun continued to set, I knew it was time to get up and gear up for the final stretch. God was it painful! But I kept a steady pace, fueled by the thought of actually finishing and perhaps some key music choices. On I went, past the Queensboro Bridge, back inland until 34th street, and then back to the waterfront walkways all the way down again. Once I caught sight of the 3 bridges I just felt so content because I knew that within a half hour or so, I’d finally be done. The lighting on the Brooklyn buildings across the river was just perfect, I couldn’t help but slow down and admire the view.

And then finally, at 8:10pm, I returned to South Street Seaport. 32 miles, 12 hours & 20 minutes later. I’d say I was continuously walking for 11 hours (let’s say the 1h20m were for breaks and photo stops). I only stopped THREE TIMES to pee, which is highly unusual for my bladder.

Oh god, getting back home after that was a nightmare. I was literally dragging myself to the subway, it hurt so much to walk once I had broken my momentum. Walking upstairs was actually preferable because it worked my thighs rather than my busted calves. Once I got home I was pretty much immobile and parked myself on the couch for the rest of the night while Lauren basically waited on me and got me dinner and such (she’s the best!). Even though I wasn’t that hungry at all throughout the day, pizza was pretty satisfying afterwards. The only damage done was a bunch of bruises on the fronts of my ankles (perhaps a problem with circulation?). Surprisingly no blisters to speak of! Guess the bandaids did the trick?

I woke up the next day with a comfortable soreness below the knees, but pretty much fine. I’m pleasantly surprised!

I have to say, I’m glad I ended up completing the walk. It didn’t feel like a chore, and I didn’t feel like I was forcing myself to finish it. I genuinely enjoyed most of the walk (I mean, I typically walk my arse off around the city anyway on weekends, so why not go for broke this time?). It was perfect weather for walking (comfortably cool and then warm). I saw so much of the city, places that are too far away to get to often. So I’m happy :) Much love for NYC right now! I love this city so damn much, and I think doing this walk made me realize it even more. It’ll be hard for me to leave here if I ever decide to move away!