As a newbie runner, it’s super easy to get intimidated by other runners, bored with your routine & bummed that you’re missing out on Friday and sometimes Saturday night shenanigans.

Well my friends, I think I’ve finally figured out the secret to having a good long run.

Yippee!

Here’s the scoop:

1. Find Running Buddies

Running with friends can be a little intimidating at first, but I promise it is so worth it.

[Bonus points if you can you spot the new World Trade Center!]

This awesome girl tweeted me Friday night about running a few miles together on Saturday.

A few Twitter DMs, quick swap of cell phone numbers and Facebook friend request later, we were good to go!

The morning of the run, I kept my Droid in my SpiBelt and stopped to text her my location a few times. We finally found each other around my Mile 2 and then ran 7ish miles together.

We talked about things to add to our NYC Bucket List, work, 9/11, that we want an awesome apartment, that we can’t believe how far we are running down Manhattan and what our friends think about us staying in on Friday nights for Saturday long runs.

For more info, read Ali’s post – Don’t Fear the Running Buddy.

2. Find A New Running Path

Central Park and I have become disturbingly close the past few weeks.

Ashley & Theodora run the West Highway a lot, so I finally decided to break free of my weird, clingy Central Park comfort zone and just do the dang thing.

Almost.

I started my 14 mile long run in Central Park & then exited around Mile 1.

Notice that elevation on the left for Harlem Hill.

It’s a beast.

After I exited, I ran towards Riverside Park and had a majaaa gasp when I realized where I was….

“Don’t cry, ShopGirl, don’t cry..”

The park where Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan got together in You’ve Got Mail!!!

Ok, touristy moment over.

Maybe.

But seriously, new running paths are da bomb.

3. Turn Your Long Run Into A Crazy Photo Shoot

Oh hello there, weird statues.

I probably stopped about 8 times in total to take pictures on my Droid.

The West Side Highway was sooo pretty!

And new!

And hundreds of Marines and Sailors were walking towards the World Trade Center!

And there was free kayaking!

Channel your inner Vanna White and do it big.

4. Buy Colorful Shoesies

I just bought these bad boys and am officially in love.

Not with the blisters they gave me yesterday, but for their purdy colors!

Feel free to name them too.

Preferably something funky… like Bloobs.

5. Don’t Worry About Your Pace

Just knock out the distance.

I think this is a great tip for first time marathoners (like me!) with their main goal to just complete the marathon.

I’m not worried about time.

I don’t care about a PR.

I just want to cross the finish line with a hop, skip and a huge smile on my face!

Ok that is a lie.

I would ultimately LOVE to finish the race under 5 hours at a 1030- 10:45 minute/mile pace.

Yesterday, I used Runkeeper to track my mileage and honestly have no idea how accurate it was. That average pace was me stopping a million times to take pictures and forgetting to press pause, so I really have no idea how well I did.

Think I’m going to sign up for a Half Marathon soon and use my final time from that to predict my average Marathon Pace.

Baddabing badaboom!

5. Eat, Nap, Eat, Shower, Eat, Go to Happy Hour

In that order.

6. Mix It Up

When you’re in the marathon training zone, it’s super easy to only run. Racking up all of those miles each week is extremely tiring.. so I feel ya!

On your cross training day, rest day, or even a few hours after your long run…

Try something ridiculous.

Such as the Equinox VITALITY Class.

It will kick your butt.

Do you have any super secret tips for having a good workout?

Spending the afternoon in my pj pants, sipping on my 2nd hazelnut iced coffee and singing Rascal Flatts “Unstoppable” at the top of my lungs.

Sorry neighbors!

Today’s plan is to go shopping downtown. I really need some new work clothes, summery skirts and a light jacket.

Yesterday around 11am-ish, I scarfed down some running fuel: banana and 100-calorie Sandwich Thin (I’ll buy you more sister!) with apricot jam and the sad remains of the peanut butter jar.

About an hour later I threw on my white V-neck, hat and Road ID for a 4-miler in the park.

I’ve been in an iPod and Droid love triangle recently.

For safety, RunKeeper and Pandora reasons, I love having my phone on me when I go out for runs… but really hate lugging it around.

The iPod Nano on the other hand is teensy bitsy and you hardly know it’s there.

Used to have the Nike iPod Sport Kit but lost the dumb little white connector thingy.

Trying so so hard to not give into a Garmin, but knowing my impulse purchases, it will probably happen soon.

It was SUPER hot in the park around Noon (derrr, Shannon). People were basically ripping off their clothes and running close to nekked.

I ran for about 1.5 miles, tackling the Harlem Hill, the hill after that and then stopped for a quick swig of water at a drinking fountain along the road.

Started running again and pulled over for more water about every mile after that.

Around W 72nd Street, I veered left towards Bethesda Fountain to visit Miss Ali! I saw she tweeted earlier that she was working the Jack Rabbit tent at an event in the park.

She kicked my butt in a shoe lacing contest!

They were giving away tons of free swag in the park for this event called “Adventures NYC” sponsored by City of New York Parks and Recreation and The North Face.

I saw that they had free kayaking in the pond.. and got right in line!

Kinda bummed I was all by myself, but this was totally once in a lifetime!

I asked some random paddlers to take a picture of me and returned the favor.

Hehe.

I may or may not have taken a million pictures, but I’ll spare you with these seven.

(Today I have a farmer’s tan.)

Oops.

PS I loved loved loved the kayak.

It was so light, easy to maneuver and had tons of storage space.

The brand was Wilderness Systems Pamlico 100 and apparently costs about $540. If I was back in Florida, I’d seriously buy one in a heartbeat.

Maybe I’ll buy one anyway and paddle myself to work everyday on the East River hehe.

Do you have a boat, jet ski, canoe or kayak?

Don’t be surprised if I change it back this weekend!

Hehehe.

Last Sunday I hung out with these lovely NYC bloggers at Ashley’s gorgeous downtown apartment.

We were all interviewed for a short YouTube video. Check it out here in case you ever wondered what we all sound like in person.

Warning: I sound slightly spastic. [photo via Ashley]

We had quite the spread of breakfast food including pumpkin bread, fresh fruit, Stonyfield yogurt, granola, and apple cider donut holes. The un-pictured mimosas, quiche, and raw pumpkin pie that Jocelyn brought were amazing.

Woot woot! Finally reunited with these two– we barcrawled in Chicago last August.

Goooood times my friends.

Monday morning, my sister and I got all fancied up to walk around the Union Square Market. All I gotta say is thank goodness I fit into Sarah’s New Yorky clothes. I am quite possibly the worst shopper ever and have no idea what looks good with what.

Somebody please be my personal stylist?

I’ll bake you cookies.

Or pie.

Lots of pie.

Later in the day we somehow stumbled upon a movie set at the Flat Iron Building.

The darn camera wouldn’t focus right, but that is the one, the only…. JIM CARREY!!!

I could get used to this fake snow and 60 degree weather. Hehehe.

So far Jim Carrey is my 3rd celebrity siting to date in this big ol’ city. Check out the other two here and here.

Doin’ pretty well.. but I’m still on the hunt for Bobby Flay and Zac Efron. High School Musical FTW.

Fashion help!! Where do you buy your boots and leggings?

(photos via Weheartit, ffffound, IHeartShabbyChic)

What’s a movie that never fails to creep you out? For some reason during college, I had the random urge to watch Saw 1 and 2 all by myself. Worst decision ever.