Winter has come

For nearly a year I've been listening to George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series as I run.  The series is great and I often couldn't wait to see what would happen next.  It provided motivation to get out there and find out what the fate of my favorite characters would be since I only allowed myself to listen while running.

But thats all over now.  I finished the published series and must await the forthcoming Winds of Winter before I can continue.  Over the year I grew attached to all of the characters in the series.  Its going to take some time to warm up to a different audiobook as I run.  I'm thinking of listening to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins next.  I've heard a lot of good things about the series.

What are some of your favorite fiction series?  I'll need suggestions again soon, as The Hunger Games will only last for about 30 hours.   For reference each novel in the Song of Ice and Fire series was between 30 and 50 hours long.

Motivations: The views

I have great respect for anyone who runs without a beautiful backdrop.  I have two normal outdoor running routes.  One is along the east river in Brooklyn where I have wonderful views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges along with Manhattan to the north and the Statue of Liberty to the south.  This route takes me down the Brooklyn Promenade and through Brooklyn Bridge Park.  It is especially nice at night.  Occasionally, there will even be fireworks over the river as I run.

My other favorite route is in Manhattan along the Hudson river south toward lower Manhattan.  The views aren't as spectacular as from Brooklyn but looking over at Hoboken and Jersey city as well as watching construction of the Freedom Tower makes the miles go by fairly quickly.  

Throughout the year the routes naturally change.  Flowers come and go, leave change colors, and there is an occasional (very occasional this year) bit of snow.

Do I think I'm lucky to be a runner in New York City?  Heck Yes!