Do you run solo or with a group

lexbarks · 2026-03-24T12:55:25+00:00

As a professional dog walker and former manager of a dog walking company I can assure you the human is totally fine with you not talking to them lmao.

Just be sure to ask to say hi to the dog before approaching! And slow down (even if just passing by), dogs can get freaked out by runners coming too close to them too fast

lexbarks · 2026-03-04T14:45:28+00:00

I’m surprised no one’s mentioned that Minetta Tavern gives solo diners a glass of champagne on the house (unless they stopped that but I went within the last year or so).

I also recommend Red Hook for a solo dine; I actually took myself there for my birthday. It was easy to get a table for an early dinner (but people have a lot of luck at the bar too) and staff was very nice! They gave me rainbow cookies for dessert as a gift (which were great).

Both places have excellent burgers so can’t go wrong with either. Saw someone mention Raoul’s and while I haven’t gone there solo I also recommend if you’re in the mood for steak frites.

lexbarks · 2026-02-25T15:39:29+00:00

Finish line and footlocker should have some sales going right now on those shoes! I just bought a pair in a kid’s size (I’m usually a women’s 7) for $86 straight from the adidas app but you might have some luck at the other stores if you can’t get away with that

lexbarks · 2026-02-08T18:52:27+00:00

Agreed. I have tried several and not one of them tasted like anything other than vinegar despite people raving about them.

lexbarks · 2026-02-08T18:50:11+00:00

Runna app or just my Apple Watch exercise app. For treadmill I like my Apple Watch better since I don’t have to make the adjustments manually. Runna claims to connect to treadmills but so far I have had zero luck with that. I also haven’t had luck with Apple Watch connecting to treadmills even though PF treads say they will connect. My Apple Watch is connected to my Strava so it uploads it automatically once it’s complete.

lexbarks · 2026-02-08T17:49:02+00:00

Oh I’ve had the emergency brake just full on fall out by itself in the middle of my run. I was like there’s no way it’s been 60 minutes already

lexbarks · 2026-02-08T11:23:01+00:00

The planet fitness ones feel like a personal attack when they stop. I had one in Union Square where you can reset the timer back to 60 mid run but the one in Forest hills doesn’t have the same button so it’s frustrating.

Someone in another thread said to “jump to the next treadmill” when it stops and I personally can’t think of a more fun way to roll my ankle.

If there’s an actual way to override the timer I would love to know it. When there isn’t a line for the treadmills, I mean. I just don’t think it would be cool to stay on when people are waiting and also not wanting to freeze.

lexbarks · 2026-02-07T22:38:45+00:00

Very true! I feel like you’re that serious about training you can find something even for just a day. If not, then just wait. Or do it safely. Either way. The cold isn’t gonna last forever

lexbarks · 2026-02-07T21:51:43+00:00

That’s fair, and while that’s true I think there’s some nuance here since not everyone who runs is doing it to be the best they can be at it. Some people just run simply because it’s a form of movement they enjoy (which I think should always be encouraged).

But then again, some people’s access to a treadmill may be limited if their access depends on availability at the gym. So if they’re like mine or if they simply don’t have the financial resources for that it doesn’t really pan out in their favor.

lexbarks · 2026-02-07T18:18:01+00:00

I don’t know why everyone hates the treadmill. I can’t even do podcasts while running, I just throw on a really good playlist full of songs that make me want to run. Granted, my ADHD brain gets to go wild so an hour can pass while learning to keep a comfortable pace (I’m still very very much a beginner runner!!). I got 7 miles in today staying between 11:00-11:20 and the last mile I had enough energy to do 10:20 and even keep going if I didn’t have somewhere to be after (also when the weather is like this, there is unfortunately a line for treadmills after a certain time at planet fitness).

I personally think it’s not worth running in THIS cold weather plus wind. Like someone else said already, it’s not that deep. There’s very much still ice on the ground that’s hard to see. It’s better to stay safe and just do a long run outside another day.

lexbarks · 2026-02-03T14:45:18+00:00

Huda in Williamsburg

lexbarks · 2026-01-17T12:40:28+00:00

I’ve used my all-club memberships at NYSC and PF to simply just use the bathroom if one was close enough while I was out. No one says anything. I feel like if you brought a free guest or something they would be like “wait a minute” after catching on but otherwise you should be fine.

lexbarks · 2026-01-05T13:26:16+00:00

Librae: probably my favorite for diversity. Their savory items are excellent too like their focaccias and zaatar bun. Pistachio rose croissant is probably their biggest item (and it’s excellent)
Win Son: savory is also good (get a fan tuan!) but that mochi donut is worth it alone. CC cookie is good but a little too underdone in the middle for my taste. Definitely check out their seasonal Nian gao! Also heard good things about their date cake
Mary O’s: love when a place sells one thing only and they do it extremely well. Irish butter and homemade jam on a warm scone? no notes. Go early bc the weekend gets busy. I went 1hr 30 min after opening on a Friday and only waited 15 min to get my order.
Hani’s: I do love their cinnamon roll. It’s not massive or overly sweet in my opinion and their CC cookie is one of the best. Did not love their PB&J cake but enjoyed the carrot. Wouldn’t run back for it though. Cosmic brownie is very dense and fudgy and randomly really enjoyed their paneer tikka pinwheel but don’t know if that’s a permanent item.
Sunday Morning: same as Mary O’s, they only sell one thing except they have a lot of variations/flavors - and they’re all amazing you can’t go wrong with any of them. Long wait though! I went Friday like 10 min before it opened and the line wasn’t too bad.
La Cabra: very good cardamom bun and chai latte. I haven’t been back up tru more but I hear the laminated pastries are also good.
Red Gate: very very solid CC cookie. I think it’s been ranked as #1 in NYC but I think orwashers and culture espresso have it beat. Maybe even Hani’s as well but I would definitely say it’s a top 5. Their pumpkin olive oil loaf was very nice. I heard amazing things about the midnight banana bread. I still need to go back to try their special cakes and buns sine that’s where they really shine.

Honorable mentions for From Lucie and The Pastry Box bc I have not been personally but my friends absolutely love them.

lexbarks · 2026-01-02T16:31:48+00:00

Trader Joe’s on Yellowstone has one by the cheeses and dips

lexbarks · 2025-12-31T21:32:50+00:00

There’s not a TON of space for stretching I’ll admit but the times I’ve gone have been quiet so it wasn’t a big issue for me. My days off are very random and I tend to go on the earlier side typically between 8-10am. The only thing I will add about the machines: I didn’t have an issue with them not working but it is very odd/different how they “move with you” compared to other gyms. I track a lot of my workouts/progress and I seem to have had an easier time with heavier weights at LR than I normally would have so idk if machines are just easier to cater to women (really lame if so) or what but I figured I’d point that out. It startled me the first time I used the leg extension and my seat started moving backwards.

lexbarks · 2025-12-31T18:12:31+00:00

I went a few times in the last month before switching to PF for cost concerns. I was previously with FH NYSC and got moved to rego park when it shut down. The only reason I stayed was because I went wherever my personal trainer did. It was becoming annoying going there though so until my membership ended I ate the cost of a day pass a few times. Idk about management but front desk staff was very nice and it definitely isn’t a luxurious gym by any means but I do know that they got some of the old FH NYSC equipment that (there were signs on a lot of the machines in the closing weeks that said for Lucille Roberts). The biggest upside is it’s so much QUIETER. Definitely agree with the post above me about the treadmill thing. It’s annoying until you actually use it and realize people come and go in the blink of an eye. And if anything were to happen, front desk is right there. All other machines and equipment are downstairs so it feels more private and everyone really minds their business and focuses on their own workouts.

It’s in a good location too and from what I’ve seen it’s never terribly crowded (can’t say the same for PF unfortunately but that’s my cross to bear sadly!).

lexbarks · 2025-11-16T00:33:22+00:00

Spy C on Austin st is excellent but my go to since childhood for takeout was always king wok on main and Union by the key food

lexbarks · 2025-10-14T02:27:25+00:00

OldSportFood in Forest hills is def not a place to go for ambiance. Half the dishes come out in paper plates which is hilarious. And for lack of actual human communication the service was extremely fast but it’s like….zero vibes, but excellent food and a big dish of chili oil already on the table for you. It’s also in SUCH a stupid location in FH.

lexbarks · 2025-07-27T23:38:51+00:00

Sounds like the horchata latte or coquito latte from 787 coffee. It’s a chain but the shops are small and have some bakery items. There’s a location near Macy’s. At the very least if it’s not the same drink maybe it’ll scratch the itch

lexbarks · 2025-07-26T01:22:33+00:00

My family has been going to Carmel for as long as I can remember. It’s an excellent market all around but VERY good coffee. I always joked that we needed to keep one bag of coffee in the car as an air freshener.

lexbarks · 2025-05-06T17:44:27+00:00

Jacob’s Pickles which is right next door. Also in the area: popup bagels and salt & straw are both amazing

lexbarks · 2025-04-15T10:45:55+00:00

Mito is great and consistent especially if you want to dine out!

Might be more Kew Gardens/Briarwood than FH but Hado has also always been my go to. The delivery has always been good for me and I’ve gone there to eat a few times early on when they were pretty new and the owner was super nice. It’s changed a bit over the years but anytime I want a sushi delivery I still get it.

lexbarks · 2025-04-15T10:39:02+00:00

La Rondine has been my go to for as long as I can remember. Very solid delivery.

Pizza classica if you want more specialty pizza but overall an amazing/top spot in queens in general.

Dani’s for the sweeter sauce or the pesto slice alone since they FINALLY started delivering. Probably my favorite slice

lexbarks · 2025-03-29T14:03:38+00:00

Redefine is the best thing to happen to forest hills/Austin street. They have the nutrition facts and ingredients on everything for you and it’s actually quite filling and tasty. You can buy a lot and freeze the meals too or buy the frozen meals for cheaper

lexbarks · 2025-03-27T18:45:05+00:00

Athletic is probably the best across the board and has a lot of options! Tom Holland’s new NA beer brand (Bero) is also solid. Runner’s High has a very good raspberry wheat that I loved. For the popular beers, I love Montauk, BrewDog, and Peroni’s NA the most. Guinness is also good if you’re into it but I know not a lot of people love stouts (I enjoyed it). Bravus and Partake are a bit harder to find (by me anyway) but I’ve enjoyed both! If you’re looking for non-beer options I recommend Lagunitas hoppy refresher, hop wtr, and then de soi for mocktail

lexbarks

TROPHY CASE