How long would it take to actually run ‘Born to Run?’ (Map)
Bruce Springsteen is coming to Freehold's Barnes & Noble Tuesday to sign copies of his new memoir, "Born to Run." We're expecting it to be swamped (and several NJ 101.5ers will be there).
You've relished the Jersey references. You've identified with the feelings of despair, desperation and rebellion. You've heard those songs time and time again. But have you ever run through them?
No, we mean literally run through them?
Last year, for the 40th anniversary of "Born to Run," we mapped out all the New Jersey references we could find in "Born to Run" (we're sure if we missed any, you'll kindly let us know in the comments below), and plotted out a course.
We're squeezing in one location not explicitly mentioned on the album — The West End Court, Long Branch home where Bruce penned "Born to Run," "Thunder Road" and "Backstreets." Our own Big Joe Henry paid a visit to the home last year, so we really couldn't leave it out. Besides, it's practically on the way.
Check out our route below, hit each pin for more on the spots, and scroll down for our breakdown.
Let's assume you start with 10th Avenue in Belmar, make your way up the Jersey Shore to the Palace (RIP) and the Circuit Asbury Park, and find your way to the home in Long Branch. About 8 miles so far. No sweat.
But we hope you've got good stamina. You've got 18.7 miles out to to Highway 9 in Freehold, cutting across Eatontown and Colts Neck to get there. Way to finish a marathon!
Then it's a long 31 miles and change up through Monmouth, Middlesex and Union Counties to get to the Bayway Refinery in Linden. Stay hydrated!
Expect another 18 miles (that's nothing for you!) up to the Lincoln Tunnel (that's an iffy spot on our map — click on the marker above for why) and a short 7.5 to get up to the George Washington Bridge, to get out the way the Magic Rat came in.
According to Google's tally, you'd run 83 miles throughout the Garden State.
Let's say you've got a 10-minute mile in you — and the stamina to do the whole thing without any breaks. You beast, you. That means it would take 830 minutes — or 13 hours and 50 minutes. So, you know, a pretty OK workout.
Using a formula suggested by Runner's World, if you weigh 150 pounds, you can expect to burn 112.5 calories per mile — so a total of 9,337.5 over the course of the run.
Nice!
Go take a rest. You've earned it. Or hey, take a victory lap. We've got just the song in mind to rev you up.