Tune Your Run...

First, let me say that I'm so very honored to be invited to contribute to Gabby's Joe blog. This will in fact be the first time I haven't blogged anonymously, under a pseudonym, or with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

A delightful number of our number are professional singers... I'm producing an "emo rock musical"... Mariana and I went to the Met the other night... which got me thinking: when you're not running with Joe, what's your favorite running music?


According to a cool quiz in Runner's World last year, I'm a running "Purist." I'd have doubted that, but as last year's iPod outage inpsired me to train for the marathon entirely without music, no exceptions (not to mention my "no headphones in races" rant that my running buddies repeatedly put up with), I can see where being a purist comes into play.

And speaking of play (groan), the launch of the Nike+ system brought music back as this year's #1 training partner. Well, okay - a close second after all of you.

My favorite running songs are usually hip hop, maybe some kickass Yeah Yeah Yeahs or fast-paces Kylie thrown in. And yes, I have Hillary Duff and the theme song from Legally Blonde on there too.

A study suggested Vivaldi made for good runs. The NYRR insists on playing old rock songs at most races, though that changed a bit with Diddy running the city in '03. Rock n Roll marathons are in San Diego, Texas, and other cities. Our own marathon has bands almost every mile in Brooklyn and Nike races like Run Hit Wonder brought out Joan Jett, Mos Def, Everclear, and Devo. Which could be good or bad, depending.

So how about you? What songs/artists/genres make you run faster, further, with more rhythm? Add it to the comments below...

Gotta go - Justin Timberlake wants to know if he can join me for my hill workout.

To the limit,
Ciara

Keeping Up With the Pack (and Keeping Our Secrets)

This recent article in the Times, Keeping Up With The Pack, talks not only about running groups, but the fact that people often share information with their running partners that they might not ordinarily share with non-running friends. I'd have to agree -- running with someone is a way to get to know them very quickly, and it also makes the miles go by much faster!

Concert of French Music

The Music Salon of Winnaretta Singer, Princesse Edmond de Polignac
Next Thursday, October 4th, 1-2 pm
Elebash Recital Hall
CUNY Graduate Center
365 Fifth Avenue (at 34th Street)

I'm singing on a concert of beautiful French music on the Music in Midtown series next Thursday. If you work in midtown, spend your lunch at Elebash Recital Hall. I'll be singing songs by Fauré, Poulenc, and a New York premiere chamber work by Edmond de Polignac.

Also on the program: Pavane pour une infante défunte for piano — Maurice Ravel,
Eclogue I from Duo Concertant for violin and piano — Igor Stravinsky, and Quartet No. 1 for piano and strings in C Minor, Op. 15 — Gabriel Fauré.

Sylvia Kahan, narrator and piano; Mary Thorne, soprano; Ronald Arron, viola; Olivier Fluchaire, violin; Edward Arron, cello

Adding a few new voices (feet)

I've decided to open up the blog to some of you, my runners. I've added the diehards, but if you, too, want to be able to write on here, please let me know and you will be added.

Meanwhile, Ciara's show was great fun! Violence, Nudity, Fake Blood! They looked like runners (once naked..). And, as a special surprise, Amanda Byron's(Waverly Manager) boyfriend was the drummer! Good times!

Thanks to all you who showed up or will, for supporting each other!

Mighty Hamptons Triathlon

So the Tri in Sag was pretty awesome! I went out there with my Mom, who is a great sport! I showed up at the beach on Sunday a.m. at 5:30. It was pitch dark and freezing cold! I put on my wetsuit - backwards - then put it on right and made my way to the water. The water was a good 15 degrees warmer than the air, and my numb feet started to thaw. I was in the second wave of people, and we swam into deep water and waited for the horn to begin. I've been told that there was lots of wind which slowed us down and the water was pretty choppy. Hands and feet kicked and splashed in every direction, making it hard to swim in a straight line, but eventually I made it to the end. My legs felt pretty good as I ran to my bike, pulling my wetsuit off on my way. There was major wetsuit rub on my neck which leaves a reminder of the good times for a week or two.

The bike portion of the race was pretty smooth. Unfortunately, I realized pretty quickly that my brakes were pressing in on my tires, slowing me down. I stopped to try and fix the problem, but had no idea what to do. I biked 25 miles riding my brakes and cursing the poor guys at SBR who tightened them for me.

Returning to the beach, I happily ditched the bike, sucked down a Vanilla Gu and took off on my best of all 3 sports: The Run! I passed people like crazy..people who had whizzed past me on their non-braking bikes. My legs felt fresh and bouncy! Maybe they were looking forward to Clam Sauce Spaghetti at Felice's in Amagansett (I know I was)!

I finished in 3:15:10. I finished NYC Tri in the same time, but with a 15 minute current induced shorter swim! I was pretty happy about the race.

Next time, with brakes worlds away from tires, I will kick some Long Island Ass!

How to get tix to Ciara's show!

Here it is guys and dolls! Enjoy! I think I'll go Tuesday so I can party like a rock star afterwards!

Ciara Produced a Show!

Ciara not only runs like the wind, but is producing a new rock musical! In her own words,

"Hi everyone,

I'm an associate producer on LOVE KILLS, a hot new rock musical by my friend Kyle Jarrow. It opens next Tuesday as part of NYMF - "the Sundance of musical theatre," where producers are scouting the next big thing. Just like Entourage! With singing!!

No matter what, plan to be at the FABULOUS opening night party Sept 18!"

I think we should go! Anyone want to get first row tickets with me? -Gab

Free Yoga!

Kathleen gave me this info on Saturday's run. It's a website about yoga in which you can download yoga classes free every day! Yoga is a great complementary exercise to running. Any of you runners do yoga? Any special stretches you think help your running? Runners notoriously don't stretch enough. It hurts. Thanks Kathleen

Race For The Kids!

I've recently become a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters(aka BBBS)! I've thought about it for years and finally got my act together! I now am Big Sister to a lovely girl named Katherine! We spent out first afternoon together at the Bronx Zoo! We saw every inch of that place(and lots of cute baby animals!) and must have walked a 10k at least!

Speaking of 10ks (lousy segue, but it's the best I can muster today..), BBBS is having a race on September 29th to celebrate mentoring and to raise money. All are welcome to race and celebrate!

Also, if you are feeling particularly giving, you can donate $$ in my name with the above link.