Spirit Of The Marathon II

Yesterday, when the weather was idyllic, I went on my first big run since having pneumonia back in April. (I've only been going to weights classes since getting my lungs back in working order.) The day was perfect for a hop through the East River Park and even though my thighs are aching today, it felt good to get out and about.

This morning I found the trailer for Spirit of the Marathon II, a documentary that follows a handful of runners as they train for the Rome marathon. If you haven't seen the first one, it's well worth it.

Perhaps this is a sign that I need to get back into running races. Once all this rain stops. Grrr. Worst spring ever.

Let The Vanity Running Photos Begin!

I just picked up my number for the New York City Half Marathon, which I am running on Sunday. The expo was okay (not enough snack and other samples. Mostly just people hawking shoes and other gear) and the goody bag left a lot to be desired. It's full of coupons. No bueno, New York Road Runners.

Of course, you can still donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and help me meet my fundraising goal. I'm about $200 and change shy.

Pauline's Fundraising Page

Saturday Night Photos

It's Saturday night and I'm sitting on the bed waiting for Andre to fall asleep next to me. Such a charmed life. And now complete with more photos!

This bubbled up from Liz's wedding from a few weeks ago. Don't we clean up nice!


This morning TR, Andre and I walked a six mile loop during Summer Streets. One of the stops along the way was a Colombian coffee booth that offered free coffee and a real life Juan Valdez! Everyone stopped to take a Polaroid with him. But where was his mule? I think this should be my Christmas card.


A six mile walk is not going to get the junk out of my trunk, so I topped it off with a three mile run in the evening. Friends have been e-mailing lately and asking how I can stand running in this humidity? I love it and have been doing it for years. You have to drink a lot of water throughout the day and then a Gatorade beforehand usually helps as well. Afterward you'll look like I did tonight:


And no, I have no shame, obviously. I'm sure La Madre will have plenty to say about all these sweaty photos I've been posting lately. I promise not to post anymore, since they're all pretty much the same. But a good sweat like that is 100% awesome and good for you. Try it!

It's 9:00 a.m.! Time To Run A Four Mile Race!

It's barely noon and I've already run a four-mile race around Central Park. What have you been up to? This morning was the fifth annual Colon Cancer Challenge. (I challenge you! To colon cancer!) In all seriousness, it was a quick little race around Central Park that tested my ability to run in 32 degree weather as winds whipped around.

I finished in about 38 minutes and change, but I'll know the exact time in a few days. Not too shabby for my first race of the year.

There is nothing glam about running. Sure, if you do it enough you'll lose weight and look good in your jeans, but on a day to day basis it's drudgery and painful. That said, here are some photos!

Staying warm in Stabucks at 8:00 a.m. Even though the race started at 9:00, the New York Road Runners Web site said it started at 8:00 a.m. Way to be accurate, guys!


Everyone comes out of the woodwork for a race.


End of the race, looking my hottest!


Everyone into the giant, inflatable colon!

What's The Deal With The New York Sports Club On 23rd Street?

Row of Treadmills, originally uploaded by vwong22.

Today I joined the New York Sports Club on 23rd Street. It's right by my house and I figured I'll need it with all the Christmas parties I plan to go to.

I signed the papers right after work, then went home, changed, and headed back to work out. By the time I got to the gym it was almost 8:00 p.m., so I figured the after-work rush would be over.

How wrong I was. The NYSC on 23rd is one of the busist gyms I have ever seen. Even when I left at 9:00 p.m. there was still await for treadmills and almost every elliptical and bike on the second floor was taken. How many people are working over at Credit Suisse that the gym is packed after hours. And not for nothing, but these people were doing some hard core exercising. Crazy.

If anyone has any insight into this bizarre gym, I would love to hear it.

Web Picks And D Cups in Bathing Suits

First off, I want to say how thrilled I was to see everyone running, biking and blading in the East River Park tonight. It's great to see so many people out there, exercising and giving it a go, especially on such a nice night. I know I was glad to be back running after a long week. I did my four miles. Did you?

Here is my latest blog on The Huffington Post about D Cups in Bathing Suits. It's not as dirty as it sounds. I actually got a lot of comments.

My daily Editor & Publisher column about great web stuff. Today I picked The Washington Post's multimedia package about Iraq war veterans and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Photo by Dave Velazquez.