1) Eller’s Donuts. I had my first one today, and I don’t know how I’ve lived here this long without trying this wonderful treat. All runners are entitled to a donut now and then.

2) When the Guns N’ Roses song Paradise City plays on my iPod while running. It’s not that the beat is particularly fast paced, but it’s strong. And the last time this song came on, I decided I would push a little harder until the song was over. I forgot that the song lasts forever. But that was good. It made me work.  The fact that the song lasts forever is also worth noting if you’re planning to do karaoke.

3) Using the slide board. Have you tried one of these? You put booties over your shoes and then slide back and forth — good lateral exercise — on a slippery 5′ by 8′ board. There’s a picture here.

It took a couple of tried before I could make it the full width in one motion, but it was pretty fun.