Running Tracks

There's nothing like a good soundtrack to make your marathon training runs the best they can be. This playlist keeps me going at a nice comfortable 10-minute-mile pace for about six miles:

Let's Get It Started by Black Eyed Peas
Baby Got Going by Liz Phair
Running by No Doubt
Running by The Fixx
A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
Whenever, Wherever by Shakira
Go - 2006 by Moby
Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan
Forever And For Always by Shania Twain
Invincible (Theme From "The Legend Of Billie Jean") by Pat Benatar
Breathe (2 Am) by Anna Nalick
Run by Ben Kweller
One Step At A Time by Jordin Sparks
Don't Look Back by Boston
Can't Stop Now by Keane
Don't Stop Me Now by Queen

More Marathons!

While I'll be running (and writing about) the New York City Marathon, there are plenty of other great races to think about. Here are some I've heard good things about:

• Broad Street Run in Philadelphia on May 6th (the 2nd largest 10-miler in the U.S.)
• Boston's Run to Remember, May 27th (both 1/2 marathon and 5-mile races)
• Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, June 3 (2008 marks the 10th anniversary of this run)
• Gold Coast Marathon - a Half Marathon, 10K & Family 7.5K Walk on July 6th in Australia

Today's Run and What to Eat

I haven't run for a week -- we were away skiing over the 10-day school vacation and conditions were too snowy and icy -- so it was good to get back out there today. I felt a bit sluggish as I circled Central Park, my pace was slower than I would have liked and I seemed to lack energy. But despite predicted showers this morning, the weather was pleasant and overall I felt good.

One of my concerns as I increase my milage is what I should be eating to replenish energy. I've never been a big one for drinking or snacking as I run -- I only take small sips of water when I need it on the hottest days -- but most experts seem to recommend that long distance runners "top off the tank" at some point. So as spring approaches and my distances increase, I'll be experimenting with different types of fuel. Here' s what I've heard so far:

Two good options to try are Detour Runner bars and Luna Sport Moons Energy Chews (the latter is said to have 100 calories and good flavors like blueberry, pomegranate and watermelon). I won't bother with the Greens+Energy bar -- Women's Health magazine hated the taste.

I'm In!

At last it is official! I ran the 9 races required by the New York Road Runners club in 2007 for guaranteed entry into the 2008 New York City Marathon and received confirmation today (the first day the online application was available) that I'm in! To celebrate, I watched the online photo montage of last year's race. And now that I'm appropriately inspired, I've got to get training! Stay tuned for how I keep motivated, and for my ongoing thoughts about my first time running this race.