Whew-kend II!

It's been a slightly different weekend.
Friday: The evening was spent at Central Park, running outdoors after a very long time. Taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the park, while running on the circular track reminded me of how it is to run free and liberated, meandering my way through the other runners, dodging the occasional bikes that whizzed me by, with a partner in tow and the wind for momentum. I've been running indoors, regularly on the treadmill, with music for company, sort of on my own designated space, linear and in motion, pushing me forward, step by step. A new running buddy, not music, for company; a new track, stationery, not mobile, to run on; marked the beginning of the weekend. Post-running, a juice and a 26 block-long walk; one of those fun conversational walks in the city. Back home at 10 pm, to have my favourite soup for dinner, packed the bag for the next day's first 5K run and after setting two alarms for the next morning, called it a night.
Saturday: Woke up at 6 am and left home after breakfast to get to the Riverside Park for Asha's third annual 5K Run/ Walk. The track was a beautiful linear ribbon, that found it's way through trees and dog-shows and paralleled beautifully by the Hudson to bring us back to where we would start from. The energy was contagious, as the Asha volunteers and the 5K participants registered and warmed up for the run. At 9:10 the run started and the first runner trickled into the finish line, a quick 19 mins later. I made it in 30, which was a personal victory, but still needs to be worked upon. Turns out the 250 odd-participants had managed to fund-raise about $20,000, aside from the registration fees and other collections still underway, all to be invested in Asha's various basic education programs run all over India. A true example of how a small effort can go a long way.
Post-run a few of us went to Cafe Lalo for brunch (more new people) and then made our way downtown, walking and talking, taking in the summer sun. A pee-stop at the Lincoln Center Plaza where we sprawled by the water fountain over some sorbet and gelato. Back home in the afternoon, to relax and spruce up for the evening farwell party at a friends place at Times' Square. The evening and most of the night was spent chatting with and meeting new people at the party, over a few drinks and ended with kathi rolls in Midtown Manhattan. Cabbed back home by 4 am and hit the sack.
Sunday: Thankfully a lazy Sunday morning that started at 11:30 am. Could'nt make it to brunch with some friends and just hung out at home instead. Made movie plans with some other friends for the evening. Went to the temple in the afternoon and then rushed back into the city for X-Men 3. Another new acquaintance made, watched the film and then walked some more in the city. Back home in Astoria, ran some errands and then off to bed, to end another weekend spent meeting new people, doing new things and harbouring a new goal; that of achieving a farther milestone in my next run, which should hopefully develop some new habits:)
On a separate note, over the last few weekends, I've added more new names and phone numbers in my phone than ever before. Gregariousness, at it's best!
Maybe I should consider an alternative career in public relations or event-management as a close friend suggests!