Today’s run: 6.26 miles, 1:10 minutes. YT: 334.43. Today I made it all the way down to the Wall Street heliport. It was nice to see some new scenery, including a load of people getting off the ferry. I think I’d love to ride the ferry every day to work!

I am so happy to be getting more long runs in again. They’re so much more fun! Mark my words, new runners, you’ll start to enjoy it when you train your way up into 5-8 mile runs. It takes a couple miles for your body to say, “OK, OK, we’re running!” Then it starts to get good.

Today’s run: 3.27 miles, 34:39 minutes. YT: 310.9 miles. Seen: An impossibly tall, willowy woman with her head shaved bald, running with the two fluffiest, squattest dogs I’ve ever seen.

As you may have noticed, my running has dwindled and I’m very, very behind. Since moving to NY, I’ve had trouble prioritizing my run. So many other things vying for my attention. So… I’m taking it social and joining a running club. All the active groups that showed up on Meetup.com were in Central Park, so I’m starting there with a trail run on Sunday (which I’ve been wanting to do for a while). Will I be the first runner they reject for being too slow? I’ll let you know!

Image: Jet Pack Graphic Design

Today’s run: 4.35 miles, 43 minutes. YT: 174.03. Was it the martini I had last night? The sunshine? The 36 degree temp? The need to get to finish fast and get to work? I don’t know, but I had a spring in my step and a great run – a personal best! Now, what is it with New Yorkers and bulldogs? I see 20+ bulldogs a run. Is it a Bloomberg thing? No to salt, yes to bulldogs?

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Are you a total beginning runner? Here’s how to get started.

1. Go feet first. Visit a high-end running store and have them evaluate your stride. If you already have a pair of running or athletic shoes, bring them so they can analyze wear.
2. Take measurements. If you’re doing this even in part to lose weight or improve your physique, take your measurements. Your weight will likely jump up for a few weeks, but measurements can help assure you that your body is still getting smaller, whatever the scale says.
3. Get a check up. If it has been a long time since your last physical, go talk to your doc and get a clean bill of health.
4. Create a training plan. You’ll have more success as a runner if you plan your training, at least weekly. It may start as simply as “3 miles a day,” but as you continue you’ll want to vary it with intervals, speed training, and more – you’ll get fitter faster and it will keep your running interesting and fun. You can find many training programs for free just by googling. Consider Couch-to-5-K (C25K), if you’re a true beginner.
5. Get entrenched. Read Runner’s World to get a sense of the community and the sport. Then find other runners by joining a site like DailyMile.com. Putting yourself inside a community of other people who are doing what you’re doing will keep you focused, even when the rest of the world is constantly saying things like, “6 miles before breakfast? Are you CRAZY?”

Now get started!

Today’s run: 3 miles, 32 minutes. YT: 165.61. I was back on the treadmill – ugh – and did some weights after. But I’m happy: Capping the running at 20 miles a week this month and adding in more weights is going to be a very good thing. A friend made an interesting observation about the gym: You can tell whether the trainers are flirting with their clients based on whether they use a towel when they help stretch them, or touch them directly.

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At some point it happens to even the biggest enthusiast – the runner who, at first, laced up her sneakers with the gusto of a ship captain preparing his sailboat for a thrilling journey across a lusty sea. Who left for each run with a smile and a spring in her step. Who finished each run with energy to spare, and was already looking forward to the next.

We all get bored at some point.

But it’s easy to fix – just mix up your training. Here’s some ideas for putting new verve into your program.

1. Fartlek it. Intervals rock.

2. Try for a personal best. Sometimes we forget to challenge ourselves.

3. Alternate tempo runs with easy runs, 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off.

4. Reduce your mileage and throw in some weights or other cross-training (like me!)

5. Get some great new music.

6. Pick a new route.

7. Get a workout partner. I worked out with a friend today – a nice change!

8. Hit the treadmill. It will be heinous but think how much you’ll appreciate you next outdoor run.

Today’s run: 3.45 miles, 10:36 min. YT: 155.31. Today’s run had to be shorter than I would have liked, but only because I had fun plans that needed accommodating.  I’m calling it the ugly run because it was mostly in Alphabet City – just urban streets, not much to see. About 1 mile of it was on the East River, and that was lovely. It was a lovely, lovely day.

All you wise runners who come to this site: Lately I’ve been mildly sore after running, in what seems to me to be a strange place. I”m wondering if this is common, and if it’s because I’ve been running a tiny bit faster these days – ie getting closer to being a “real” runner and thus having pains in new places.

OK, no more suspense over the “where” of it. It’s …. I guess it’s my hip – it’s almost at the latitude of my belly button, maybe a little lower, and halfway between center and the edge of my hip. Maybe around where the pelvic bone juts out. And it definitely feels like a muscular soreness, not a joint or something.

Is this a typical runner’s pain? Anyone?