Half-Marathon

I'm thinking of signing up for the 2008 NYC Half-Marathon, scheduled for July 27th. It will be a good way to encourage me to up my weekly miles and a good test of where I stand with little more than 3 months to go before the real thing. Sadly, though, application is by lottery -- and I'm not always so lucky with those!

Insider Tips for a Healthy Vacation

Travel - even vacations - can wreak havoc on your usually healthy daily regimen (and I speak from personal experience, having been on vacation last week). Once you are out of your usual routine, it can be easy to go whole hog at dinner and to skip your usual workouts. But even business travelers who are extremely pressed for time can squeeze in some exercise by following these tips:

• Get to the gym whenever you can. Most hotels now have some sort of workout space - make sure yours does (with extended hours if possible) when you make your reservation.
• Walk whenever you can, whether it is part of your sightseeing or a means of transport from one appointment to the next. If you are near the shore, walking on a sandy beach has special benefits for your legs and feet.
• The hotel's stairway can be a great place to work up a sweat! Race up as fast as you can (taking the steps 2 or 3 at a time) then use a recovery pace on the way down. Repeat or do as many floors as you can. You might alternate with sprints in which you take every step.
• If all else fails, here are some basic exercises you can do in your hotel room (or really, anywhere):
  - jump rope (bring one with you since it doesn't take up much room in a suitcase)
  - push-ups (always considered the ultimate fitness test so do as many as you can)
  - crunches and reverse crunches (lie on back, bring knees to chest)
  - windshield wipers (lie on back, raise legs straight up, then lower to floor on one side and raise up to center and the over to the other side)
  - forward and side lunges (do them down the hallways if you're brave and want the space)

Fred Lebow Documentary Premieres at Tribeca Film Festival

New York City is full of reminders of legendary Fred Lebow's contribution to the New York City Marathon, the New York Road Runners club and to the sport of running in general. There is Fred Lebow Way, of course, the part of 89th Street between Madison and 5th Avenue where NYRR headquarters is located. There is the wonderful statue of him in Central Park just inside Engineer's Gate, that features the ever-time conscious Fred looking at his wrist watch. And now the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival is set host the premiere of Run for Your Life, a documentary about his life and his role in the birth and growth of the New York City Marathon.

Reading about Running

In honor of tomorrow's Drop Everything and Read day, I thought it might be worthwhile to think about some books on running. ChiRunning by Danny Dreyer was recommended to me as a way to help me embrace running with good form as a means of staying injury-free. Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports by Kathrine Switzer, the first women to run the Boston Marathon with an official bib number, is another good and inspiring choice. And for those who prefer fiction, Marathon Man by William Goldman and The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner by Alan Sillitoe both feature running as integral parts of the plot.

Dress to Impress

I'm a big fan of new technology in fabric design. My problems with blisters on my feet was helped tremendously by giving up my 100% cotton socks for higher-tech synthetics. I love the way that fleece jackets, vests and pants are soft, warm, washable, and even somewhat water resistant. I appreciate the sweat-wicking properties of my new performance tops, both in hot weather (so I don't look and feel drenched) and in cooler weather (so I don't get that clammy feeling as I cool down after my run).

More recently, I've read about compression garments (like the ones from Skins, Under Amour and CW-X), which are supposed to provide more strength and endurance during a workout, and a significant reduction in muscle soreness afterwards. Better performance just for changing my clothes? This I've got to try!!

Hydration

Like many runners, I work to make sure I consume the proper amount of fluids. If I don't drink enough, I generally feel lousy, so I always make sure I drink water throughout the day and right after running (and during the run, as well, if it is especially hot or if I'll be pounding the pavement for more than an hour or so). But I'm wary of drinking too much -- having read stories about athletes who suffer from hyponatremia -- and frankly, I have to laugh at the folks who gulp water continuously during a short run.

Rainy Day

I hate to run in the rain. Am waiting now to see if it clears up -- after yesterday's terrific outing, I am willing to run again even if it means getting a little wet, but I don't want to get soaked to the skin. My alternative (going to the gym) isn't half as much fun.

When it feels good to run

I had a glorious run this morning. Everything seemed to be just right -- the air was crisp, but not too windy (unlike yesterday); I felt good -- energized and ready for a good workout; and Central Park was showing signs of spring -- the daffodils and crocuses were blooming beautifully. As a result, I had one of my best times every. Boy, does that feel great!