Serious running requires singular dedication of mind and body, and the regular anaerobic speed workout is an important part of the grand plan.  But all work and no play makes very dull boys and girls, so these workouts are also social entertainments.  These photos were taken at the April 29th workout down at the East 6th Street. Photo 01  Before the workout, you are supposed to stretch your body and loosen up like Ken Shatzer. Photo 02  And if you are flexible like Laura Ford, you can really stretch. Photo 03  But if you have to sit on the infield grass to stretch, you should watch out for the soccer balls like James Siegel is. Photo 04  But maybe stretching on the running lane like Andrea Haver is not such a good idea because ... Photo 05  ... the freight trains knowns as the sprinters (Phil Carpenter Lee and Alan Bautista) are about to fly down the track. Photo 06  The dress code here is informal.  But if you have just run the Penn Relays like Tony Ruiz, you can parade your event shirt. Photo 07  The pre-workout ritual is the social interaction, as per James Siegel, Stephanie Gould and Audrey Kingsley. Photo 08  Here, Melissa Tidwell explained to Brian Denman how she managed to finish her first four mile road race, the longest distance race of her life. Photo 09  And then we have the actual workout, in which you can still afford to smile in the first three 200m warmups, like Margaret Schotte. Photo 10  After the warmups the workout gets more serious with Margaret Schotte and Zeb Nelessen. Photo 11  The workout is usually divided into four groups based upon different speed.  Here are Ken Shatzer, Kevin Arlyck and Jeff Wilson. Photo 12  Here is another group with Andrea Costella and Andrea Haver. Photo 13  Here are the sprinters Ray Prybylski, Melissa Tidwell and Phil Carpenter Lee. Photo 14  Here are Laura Lee Kozusko, Jim Aneshansley, Jonathan Federman.  Please note that this is the correct track etiquette --- run in single file along lane one and use lane two as the passing lane. Photo 15  Andrea Haver and Jim Aneshansley Photo 16  As evident on Zeb Nelessen's face, the workout is a physical stress with a smile. Photo 17  Did Laura Ford stretch a little too much?  Her legs appear to have grown since she last wore those track pants. Photo 18  Mystery solved!  The pants were borrowed from short-legged speedster Joe Tumbarello, seen here trying to hide behind a backpack. Photo 19  East River Park is far away on the east side of Manhattan.  But you can always hitch a ride on Sid Howard's Super-Fast Deliveries van to any point along 14th Street.