The weekend plans had been in the works for months.

Six of my running friends and I had signed up for a spring half marathon featuring two challenging loops of NYC’s Central Park.

It was an anticipated outing that had everything: A stellar event in the Big Apple, local accommodations, and ample time to masquerade as a “Lady Who Lunches.”

It was not without its challenges.

I’m not going to lie. At first, this outing felt like a whim.

It began as a text message excitedly posted to a group chat about the potential of a women-only racing weekend right when the trees’ most colorful fineries would be on showy display. Not only did the original poster offer up free accommodations at other people’s houses, proffering not only the hope of such generosity but also the cross-fingered belief that free, on-street parking would materialize with the same........

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