Suddenly a 1.2 mile walk to the subway isn’t part of my daily commute. How could I possibly complain about that? Well, now I have to find new ways to get that exercise in! This can go one of two ways:

1. I explore fun exercise options in my favorite city! Researching possible bike adventures, checking out the huge selection of fitness classes offered every hour of the week, and scoping out the most fun events in town that contain an element that’s easily considered “exercise” – like, 7AM dance parties totally count.
2. I get too busy, “forget” to make up for this lifestyle change in any way, and turn into a schlubby sack this winter!

This weekend got me off to a great start in the direction of Option #1!

5K and Outdoor Yoga on the Long Island City Waterfront

Lululemon and Hunters Point Park Conservancy teamed up to sponsor an “End of Summer Festival” this past Saturday. Of course I had to attend. As someone who holds on to her favorite season until the final seconds of September 21, I feel it’s important to support any “end of summer” event held in mid-September. Even if it means attempting a 5K run with zero training!

Hey, with views like this, it’s easy to ignore the huffing and puffing of my out of shape bod!

I succeeded in running about 3 out of the 5K. I walked the rest and felt no shame. Simply getting out to run at 8AM on a Saturday morning is a big accomplishment for me! Besides, it was a “fun run” which means if you see a hammock, you HAVE to stop and swing in it, right?

Right. At least for as long as it’s still summer and this is the official final week!

After the run, I sat my sweaty self down on the cushy turf of the LIC Landing and got ready for a class lead by The Yoga Room. All this and I still hadn’t had coffee! How do you exercisers do it? Let the coffee slosh around your belly while you exert yourself? Or am I supposed to get to the point where exercise is my natural energy enhancer and I won’t even need coffee anymore!? (Haha hahaha haha yeah right.)

So many people showed up for this 10AM class. I mean, can you beat the environment? Although, just out of frame there was a tiny tots soccer game. Interjections of “Sierra, get the ball! Good job, Oakley!” were simply a part of our practice. Be present in the moment, feel your breath – “Kick, Jackson! Kick for mommy!”

After the class, I felt pretty great. Sure, I also like the least flexible person on the waterfront that day, but still pretty great.

Do you have a favorite way to exercise in the city? Any class recommendations you’re obsessed with? Is the Soul Cycle cult enough of a New York cliché that I NEED to give it a try and blog about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts, drop a comment or tweet @NewYorkCliche