This book

is awesome: Spark: the Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. Very informative and inspiring. It gave me the science behind what I've known intuitively all along: My life did a 180 when I started running, and it wasn't just a coincidence.

Biggest Loser Marathon Recap

It's really great that The Biggest Loser contestants have achieved amazing weight loss and fitness goals. But I'm not sure what to make of the marathon...The Biggest Loser portrayed a very glossed over, rosy picture of what it takes to run a marathon. A few weeks of training and a little determination would seem to be all it takes if you just watched last week's episode.

One woman finished under 5 hours, another under 6. The other two had to walk the distance and finished in 9 and 13 hours. What was glossed over was the training, nutrition, and pain involved in running a marathon. All that was said about training was that they had just a few weeks to do it. Obviously, they must have had a base level of running fitness because most of those 26 days they had would be spent tapering. There was no mention of Gatorade, energy gels, water, salt or any of those marathon nutrition necessities. And aside from the guy with the bad knees, these guys looked really fresh and pain-free throughout the race. This appeared to be a tough course with serious hills, AND the race finished on soft sand! What?! Who really can sail across the finish line. running on a soft, sandy beach looking as fresh as when they started?! I just don't know... Again, I applaud the contestants accomplishments. I just don't think this show painted a very realistic, responsible portrait of marathoning. That's all. But if you want to read more, lots of people have been giving their opinions here.

Running Rocks

Remember Erin, AKA Lady Southpaw, who put together an amazing running song and video a couple months back? Of course you do, but just in case you forgot:


I'm very happy to report that Lady Southpaw has been hard at work on new songs, a new blog, and an updated website!

Using vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, computer beats, keyboard synthesizers, harmonica, accordion and a baglama, yes, a baglama, Erin has written 6 new songs specifically designed for running! How so? Well, they are based on research about music and the brain, flow and "the zone," and the mind-body connection. Pretty freakin' cool. You can find out more on her blog, Running Rocks.

I say Lady Southpaw rocks.

Running in traffic

is just STUPID!!!! WTF?! I've run all over this city - and in every single neighborhood on every single block, there have been SIDEWALKS. Better yet, there are miles upon miles of bike paths and carless park roads in this city. This bullcrap (from the Real Housewives of New York City, which I fully and completely admit to being enthralled by):

is NOT NECESSARY! And that's why nobody does it. No matter what this loony toon said on the show, it's absolutely NOT one of the best things about living in New York City. It's not one of those cool things that "real New Yorkers" do. Perhaps suicidal New Yorkers do run in traffic occasionally, but even your general mentally ill New Yorker sticks to singing, religious diatribes, and other much less harmful eccentricities. It's just so ridiculous...I have no more words.

It's cold

I've been a trooper about it for the most part - getting up at 6 am, piling on the layers, sucking it up and getting the run in. Christina G. has been an amazing motivator.

I'm so over it though. It's painfully cold. And dark. And gray. And I'm over it.

My convertible mitten/gloves aren't working. Neither are the new $$$ Sugoi Sub-Zero Tights $$$ I purchased (with a gift certificate). I'm just cold. All the time. Unless I'm in my bed under the covers. Sister agrees.

Runnin' in the New Year

What better way is there it ring in the new year than a 5K run in the park?! Followed by fireworks?!

This is also where Luis and I met...3 years ago. Back when we were the only 2 running nerds we knew. This year, there's a whole gaggle of us.

The Treadmobile

I dont' really know what to say about this, except that it's AWESOME:



Thank you *CLARK* for sharing this!!!

Can I just say...

The whole color-coding of the NYC Marathon start area really gets on my nerves. The race has 3 different colored routes (green, blue, orange), and each route is divided into 5 lettered corrals. Then they throw in 3 different wave starts this year and really mix us all up. As you can see:

So I and others have emailed New York Road Runners (NYRR) asking if there is any way we can change colored routes. Each time the response is, "you may move to slower wave or a slower corral." No mention of colored route. Clearly, NYRR does not care about running partners we may have trained with for the last 6 months. Hmph.

Well I do!!! So here's to you Christina G. (on the right)!! And Cathy (on the left)!!

We ran countless miles together - from those cheery first runs in May, through the stifling humidity of summer, to these final crisp fall days. Christina G. has been able to motivate me to get up for 6:30 am runs every Thursday for the past 2 months!!! You may remember it was awful in the beginning, but we stuck it out and have been going strong all this time. Even when it started staying dark in the morning.

We talked about our lives, gossiped, and even played 20 questions. We laughed and cried and almost pooped our pants (let's be real - it happens to runners all the time). Not even NYRR, with all its color-coding, alphabetizing and corralling, can break those bonds. We may not be physically together on Sunday, but we will be together in spirit, cheering each other on with every step.

A possible solution?

What do you know - the NY Times just posted an article about running on the lesser traveled trails in Central Park. I'm pretty sure bikes aren't allowed on the trails.

Central Park: Traquil Haven or War Zone?

Oh my gosh, I got stressed out just reading this one, New York Magazine's coverage of the daily battles between runners, bikers, dog owners and cars.

Prospect Park isn't quite as bad, but I've had my share of run-ins with irate bikers. One foot over the line on a Saturday??? When there aren't any cars??? Come on. Don't worry I informed him that I was doing 15 miles on a steeply cambered road and he should try it some time, mother-f-er (my parents read this). It wasn't only that he informed me that I had one foot over the line, it was the tone and obscenities he used. Regardless, I really, really try not to fall into the "bikers are assholes" mentality.

But never, I tell you, never have I had a run-in with another runner anywhere but Central Park. Apparently I was running too slow. Yeah, it's called recovering, b-. And too bad anyway, I'll run as slow as I like.

You see how stressed out that crap gets me?! I can't take the entitlement, the indignation, "I'm a serious athlete" attitude.

Can't we all just get along?

Weekend Round-Up

Luis and I headed out of the city this weekend for some much needed R & R with the parents in the "country" (a town in PA called Yardley that is actually a very developed suburb of Philly). All was quiet except for the occasional growling and snarling of Sister and Zoe, my brother's cat, as they fought for territory in the kitchen.

Anyway, Luis and I made it out for 10 mile run along the Delaware Canal Towpath. It was muggy, but there was a good amount of cloud cover and shade, making the run bearable. Except for the last 2 miles, when I almost keeled over.

Allergies are no joke

I don't know what these people are laughing at:



I feel bad for the big guy.

Allergies have had me in funk for weeks. A good article on the Jack Rabbit website lays out the basic facts and dispels some misconceptions about allergies, rhinitis, and exercise.

Running in the Street...

is always fun! I'm looking forward to Bloomberg's latest experiment. Car-free Saturdays.

The car-free playground will stretch from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Central Park entrance at East 72nd Street between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Aug. 9, 16 and 23, providing a 6.9-mile boulevard for a simple stroll, a vigorous bike ride or specially organized health activities such as yoga classes.

(from the NY Post)

I'll have to wait until August, and it's only for 3 Saturdays, but I'm so there. And I promise I'll stop and buy water at a bodega to support local businesses.

What have I done????

Too many drinks, too much food, and I...

...agreed to do Reach the Beach! Help!

This was Saturday night, and I haven't changed my mind yet. Deb and Rayne must be magical because I swore I would never do this.

Treadmills are good for something!

I've run on a treadmill maybe a dozen times in the past 3 years. Hate them. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how many videos of cats on treadmills are up on YouTube, and how entertaining some of these videos were. It was hard to pick a favorite. These two won mainly because they are not set to any cheesy songs - just the sound of the owners laughing.

Running TV Coverage

I missed most of the Olympic Trials webcast this morning, and then missed the highlights at 12 pm (grocery shopping).

However, I just stumbled across coverage of the Paris Marathon (which was 2 weeks ago) on Versus (channel 122 on our cable). The women's race was really exciting!

It turns out Versus is also covering the Boston Marathon starting at 9:30 am tomorrow. It will be replayed from 3:30 to 7 pm tomorrow. Lance Armstrong is running, if you care. Not really, right?

Sweet Dreams

I had a dream last night that I ran a 3:30 marathon. And it was easy! Over before I knew it.

According to Dreamota.com: Running in race suggests daily or business life. Depending on how you are doing in the race, consider whether the future looks good or bleak. The dream may refer to issues concerned with ambition; career; competition; skills or abilities; prowess; winning or losing.

Excellent! I must be feeling pretty positive about things right now. I just hope this dream isn't cancelled out by the one I had right after it - that I was swimming in a lake and ended up with a huge, swollen, open sore on my arm. That can't be good.

It was bound to happen

A nice, crappy run this afternoon to keep me humble. Legs were stiff, shoulder sore, breathing off, ears hurt from wind...I set out to make up a hill workout from last night - 3 miles, plus 4 hill repeats. I decided that one repeat with 40 mph wind in face was close enough. Still, I somehow managed to keep up an 8:50 pace. It was the Young Woman for sure. I just let myself have a bad run, relaxed, and was able to keep up an ok pace. Besides I knew Sister would love me just the same either way. And I was right. She left her favorite toy mouse in my shoe for me.

Endorphins are cool

The NY Times is so runner friendly. Here is an interesting article about some folks who are gathering scientific evidence for the existence of the "runner's high." ...As for me, I know for sure that I am a healthier, more balanced person because of all this running. My energy level is more even, I sleep better at night, and I'm more focused throughout the day when I'm running regularly. I wish I could say I watch less TV, but then I'd be lying. How bout you?

Images are (from top left): beta-, alpha-, and gamma-Endorphins

The Prospect Park You Didn't Know

Another fabulous run this evening. Again with the 8:30's! The park was packed, lots of energy, a really beautiful night.

This all made me think about a news bit I just saw on Fox 5 on an effort to makeover Prospect Park's image. We are all being encouraged to discovered the Prospect Park we didn't know. Examples included the carousel, the Audubon Center, and drum circle. Apparently even frequent visitors to the park are not taking advantage of all of the park's features. For shame! So, I implore of you, after your next run, drop a line in Prospect Lake (it's the largest concentration of large-mouth bass in the entire state!), relive early farm life at the Lefferts Historic House, take a spin on the carousel, and maybe even birdwatch a little. Our beloved park has an image to uphold, you know.

For the record, after my run, I just stretched out at Grand Army Plaza - the Audubon Center closes at 5.