Running- A Healthy Addiction

“Running is like going to the dentist - the benefits of going far outweigh the desire to skip your appointment."

Your day at work has just ended. You are exhausted, hungry, stressed, and possibly a little delirious from all the coffee you sucked down during the late afternoon push. Let’s face it. The last thing you want to do when you get home is lace up the old kicks and hit the road. Enthusiasm or not, the benefits of running should be enough to make you think, “How could I not go running today?”

Let’s sum up the physical benefits of running: It’s good for you.

Whether you are a runner or not, most people know that running is one of the fastest ways to burn calories and fat. If you don’t know, all you have to do is look at experienced long distance runners and compare your body to theirs. Depressing, I know. Runners burn about 100 calories per mile. This amount changes slightly depending on your weight and ability level. If you are an experienced runner, your body will be more efficient in its calorie burning and your body will burn fewer calories per mile. Regardless, being a runner has many physical benefits that you will eventually discover for yourself once you become one.

Becoming a runner is like joining a secret society where everyone understands each other. They have inside jokes and secrets, wear similar clothing, and share the same passion and desire for the open road. While everyone joins the secret society for a different reason, they all remain long time members for the same reason - addiction.

We use the word addiction because, for one, running is physically addicting. Endorphins are released within the brain and you become “addicted,” more or less, to this feeling. I also use the word addiction because, endorphins or not, running itself is an addiction. Running is you, your thoughts, and the terrain. It is finding a new trail, finding a new speed, or maybe even finding a new you.

Running gives you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It continually reassures you that you should never doubt yourself or tell yourself that you are not capable of achieving something. It is also a stress reliever, an energizer, a sense of inner peace and sanctity, a motivator, alone time or social time, a weight controller, and a hobby. Running pushes you through your hard days, is a reward after your easy days, and is the one thing that always has benefits, regardless of how bad you hate it some days.

So, the next time you are sitting in your car on the way home from work and the excuses begin, ask yourself, “What can running do for me today?”

Montauk Friends of Erin: 2010 ST. PADDY'S DAY

Spring is almost here and the Leprechauns are feeling lucky! The 48th Annual Montauk St. Paddy's Day Parade is on Sunday, March 21st at 12:30pm this year. The Montauk Clothing Store is already showing its spirit. The above sweatshirt reads, "The Leprechauns made me do it... Montauk, NY". In 2 weeks, every local, tourist, and business in Montauk will be wearing their GREEN and celebrating this holiday like a true Irishman!

Events start on Friday, March 19th @ Gurney's Inn- the Grand Marshal's Luncheon. Tickets for a full course meal are $40 per person. 12-3pm Call 631 668 2257 for details.

Then Saturday, March 20th from 4-8pm- Gala Cocktail Party. Live music @ Gurney's by "Gravy". Tickets are $60 in advance ($70 at the door). Call 631 668 1578.

Don't Forget the Pot Of Gold Raffle! Tickets $25 each or 5 for $100. Drawing takes place at the Gala Cocktail Party. Grand Prize $10,000. Call 631 668 1578.

OTHER EVENTS

The Havana Beach Club Restaurant is re-opening Friday, March 19th. ALL WEEKEND LONG $10 Buffet from 5-10pm. PLUS BIG RICH KARAOKE! Friday 9pm and Sunday 2pm. Happy Hour all weekend long from 2-6pm. $2 domestic beer $3 imported beer $4 bar drinks.

Shagwong- OTB Bet & DJs every weekend!

Even if you don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day- the beaches in Montauk are already attracting some love. "JOHN" (seen above) was found written in the sand near Nick's Beach Club.... the story behind it is unknown to us.... but its footprints are exciting for this beach community.

'Made Off' With Your Money, But Lost His Beach House

The $50 billion Ponzi scheme conducted by Bernie L. Madoff resulted in a $9 million sale of his Montauk Oceanfront beach house. Nestled on the beach at 216 Old Montauk Highway, Madoff was known for throwing lavish annual parties for his employees near the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the weekend following Fourth of July. The property, which boasts sweeping ocean views, was built closer to the beach than would be permitted under today's strict zoning regulations. The home has 3,000 square feet, with 182 feet of beachfront and is 50 feet from a sand dune. Madoff was paying approximately $17,000 in annual property taxes to the Town of East Hampton for his Montauk property.

So this East End getaway goes to a mystery buyer for more than its $8.75 list price. (Gossip around Montauk and East Hampton offer a sale price of $9-$10 million.) The real estate agent handling the property won't disclose the buyer- nor the exact price- but says contracts have been signed. A broker with Corcoran Group states that the property did go for more than the list price. There were between five and 10 offers on the property, and more than 28 showings since it went on the market in late August, she added.

Now for the good news- the money the government made on the sale of this beach house will pay restitution to victims affected by this horrendous scheme. Its crazy though because Bernie incurred billions and billions of dollars of fraud therefore, this $10 million is barely a chip of the iceberg.

Other local gossip consists of someone sneaking onto this, now government owned, property only to steal a $300 statue off of the front porch. I hate to let this person know, but if you are caught, you will pay much more than $300 to get yourself out of trouble. STUPID MOVE in my opinion. And I am actually surprised that the U.S. Marshalls didn't have video surveillance all around and inside Madoff's beach house. Needless to say, the sale of this home has created a buzz in the End End. People are driving on Old Montauk Highway trying to catch a glimpse of anything they can associated to this scheme.

Luckily for the affected population, this was a 'quick and easy' sale and only the start of a hopefully brighter future.

But for Madoff, the "Weekend at Bernie's" is no more.

The Smallest Town in the Smallest State

By plane or by boat, arriving at Block Island is simply amazing. After an hour ferry ride, the shoreline of this unique experience comes into view. Arriving from Montauk, N.Y., the island is initially directly in front of you and as the ship moves closer, you travel along its beautiful coast.

There are hundreds of boats docked throughout the harbor, many with Rhode Island license plates but some from Connecticut and Massachusetts. Block Island is 12 miles offshore and it exhibits a historical presence due to its antique accessories and 1800 style buildings and homes.

This island was plundered by French pirates four times- in the late 1600s and 1700s. During the American Revolution, islanders were essentially defenseless. General George Washington ordered Yankee Islanders to move their cattle and sheep to the mainland so Colonial livestock did not become rations for British soldiers. A generation later, in the War of 1812, the island chose neutrality and it is still a safe haven today. There is essentially 900- 1,000 people who live on Block Island year round. This is part of what makes it the smallest island in the smallest state, the other is its land area.

You arrive docked at the bottom of a hill, and about 1 mile from the middle of town. Therefore, you have a few options: rent a bike (if you didn't bring one), take a taxi, or walk. My mother and I chose to rent a bike which was, in my opinion the best choice because not only are you site seeing, but you're getting a nice and easy workout in as well! In town you have the option of renting a car, moped, kayak, scooter, etc. We parked our bikes and enjoyed the individual shops offering anything from clothes and accessories, to body paint, candles, painting, and real estate. Gorgeous hand-made jewelry and exquisite paintings stole the show.

The simplicity of this island is the amazing part. If you think your life is simple here in Montauk, you need to see Block Island. Many people do not own a car because its either too expensive to bring it there or they choose other means of transportation, for example bikes and mopeds are a must! Two grocery stores, no traffic lights, EVERYTHING in at least biking distance, and no commercial business whatsoever (although one coffee shop DID offer Starbucks coffee).

I don't want to ruin your experience - I think you get the hint.

If you are in Montauk and you are looking to visit Block Island via the Viking Superstar, the contact number is (631) 668 5700.

Think big- visit something small!

Traffic Sign Confusion

For the entire summer, all of us battle crowds. We sit in traffic to go 2 miles from Ditch Plains to Nick's Beach, we wait 15 minutes in line at the Montauk Bake Shop for a $1.75 coffee, and even longer for a table at the Surf Lodge on Sunday night. This is all expected and in my opinion, a necessary element to the existence of the Hamptons however, I have one thing that continues to boggle my mind.

Ok, so you have the locals and you have the vacationers. At one point I considered myself a vacationer because I grew up in upstate New York and only came to Montauk in the summers. I finished my MBA and this is now the 2nd full year I've lived in Montauk therefore, I guess now I'm in the local category. Locals always look forward to the summer months however, some can be territorial and not very discerning to the "vacationer mentality." People don't always know the "ins and outs" of the town and they are constantly asking questions regarding directions, parking, recreation, etc. This is all expected and understandable, but the question I have to ask is, aren't simple street signs universal? Even though you are in a "foreign" place (Montauk), when you see a STOP sign, don't you know to stop? Conversely, (which seems to be more of a problem) when you DO NOT see a stop sign, you DON'T STOP, right? For some reason, not only are vacationers ignorant to "local knowledge" but they completely forget how to drive properly, or in order words, read/follow street signs. I know its nice to stop at an intersection to let someone go by, but if you DO NOT have a stop sign, there is a reason for it and this is a way to keep traffic flowing. Therefore, to avoid minor accidents and confusion, be considerate but be smart.

So please, next time you are driving in Montauk, STOP when it says to, DO NOT stop when it does not say to, YIELD when it says to, and please drive the speed limit on the stretch.

Thank you.

August Crowds

Finally the East End has come alive! From Montauk to Manhattan families are vacationing and enjoying the summer weather. Lucky the rain came in June, whereas this month has shown just how prosperous and lucrative the Hamptons is and will stay!