Come clean

DETOX FROM...

...that sedentary lifestyle

New York Road Runners

Start slow
You’ve gotta walk (or jog) before you can run, Madea. There are plenty of places to do it in the city for free; check the city’s Parks and Recreation website (nycgovparks.org) to find a track or trail that appeals. Plus, this city is a pedestrian’s wet dream (ahem, “Great Walks” is in Own This City), and walking tours can feed your brain while you burn calories. Check out bigonion.com for $15 tours ranging from “Historic Times Square” (Thursday 1 at 1pm) to “Gangs of New York” (Sunday 4 at 1pm).

Find a group
Ready for shin splints? Try a running group. New York Road Runners (nyrrc.org) offers a full listing of local clubs, such as a Brooklyn chapter that hosts regular runs four times a week in Prospect Park, and suggests fun runs through the borough (from the park to Red Hook and back, for example). Visit brooklynroadrunners.org for more info.

Go whole 26.2 miles hog
If you’re looking to run the ING New York City Marathon, the Road Runners offer guaranteed entry into the race for members, though if you join now, your slot will be in 2010. Membership costs as little as $40, and you’ll need to slog through nine qualifying races next year, plus volunteer at an NYRR race (we told you this was high commitment). The club also provides advice on a training regimen to prepare for the marathon. (See also Own This City.)—MPV

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