Never Too Cold To Run

Six miles in Central Park. 33 degrees. Finished in well under an hour.

Followed by brunch, naturally, at the Boat House, our branch office.

That is how you Saturday.

Kristos Voskres! Happy Easter!

The dutiful daughter always goes with her mom to Russian church on Easter, even if that means getting up early on a Sunday to take a crowded Metro North train to Stamford, where the people were almost outnumbered by the potted Hyacinths everyone seemed to be carrying. (Hostess gifts. Let's stop the madness.)

It was a struggle, since I was up late the night before because I went to see Jon Batiste at Webster Hall. As usual, it was an amazing concert, and I have now seen him perform three times in less than a year. I am getting dangerously close to being a fan girl.

If anyone wonders why I am so into Batiste, his song "The Jazz Man Speaks" pretty much sums it up. I love how Batiste, a modern, 20-something jazz man, samples from Jelly Roll Morton's Library of Congress Recordings. The old with the new, all while moving the genre forward. Which is essentially what jazz is all about.

Fun fact: 90% of the time when I go to a show, I go alone. I accepted the fact a long ago that my taste in music can be esoteric, if not a little advanced, and so I just buy myself a ticket and show up when there is someone I want to see. I've lived in Manhattan since the beginning of time (1999) so I often see someone I know at the venue anyhow. There's rarely a reason to bring anyone along as an arm charm.

Case in point: I saw Mike! I met him through Erin C. back in 2006, and he popped up at the show.

Every weekend begins with a run, and Saturday morning I ran with the people from Juice Press, an organic juice company with locations -- and weekend run clubs -- all over Manhattan. We ran 22nd and Fifth Avenue all the way down to Tribeca via the West Side Highway. I'm kind of loving West Side runs lately. Everyone seems so much more glamorous.

The gal in yellow is Theodora, who runs the Preppy Runner blog, and is a fellow Junior Leaguer.

Their Doctor Earth juice could probably cure anything that ails you.

Running, The Smith And Daniel Radcliffe

It's important to have friends in low places. While enjoying the gorgeous weather on Friday, the phone buzzed thanks to an email from a friend who works for a Broadway producer. Was I busy that night? Would I like to go to the invited dress rehearsal for the new play that Daniel Radcliffe is in?

It's not often that I get invited to dress rehearsals for major productions and even if I was busy, plans would be canceled. So yes, I went. The Cripple of Inishmaan is a wonderful, funny play. Radcliffe plays the cripple, which is quite a feat to watch since he can only use one hand and one leg, and he gets into some pretty physical stuff.

Saturday, of course, means running with the ladies. I have been waiting months for a run like today's. It was a fast four miles, since no one felt like dealing with the Harlem Hills, and in gorgeous sunshine.

We always take a photo before each run, in case someone gets lost and we have to send out a search party.

And then we bon vivant it up at brunch, because we are all accounted for. This week we hit The Smith over in Lincoln Center.

On the way home from all this merriment, I had an age-old question answered for me: Where's Waldo? He is, apparently, waiting for someone by the clock in Grand Central.

The Weekend, Thus Far

The ladies and I have a standing running date every Saturday morning at 9:30. We ran 59th to Battery Park again, this time in wind and rain.

Brunch at The Dutch, though, made up for the unpleasant weather. The Dutch totally didn't mind that a group of wet and sweaty women came in to potentially stink up everyone's dining experience. We didn't. They even sat us in the front room.

Next week: the full loop of Central Park and then a Boathouse brunch, as is tradition.

This is an obligatory "Got My Hair Did" photo. It's a nice change of pace to have hair that is one color, as opposed to the inadvertent ombre I'd been rocking for far too long.

And the rest of the day?

At Last, Sun.

Saturday started as most Saturdays do: with some distance running. The ladies and I mixed it up and ran from West 59th Street all the way down to Battery Park. Between the sun and the water along the route, it was amazing. (I'm aware that I wear the same outfit every time I run. I'm there to sweat, not for a fashion show.)

Afterwards we walked over to Balthazaar in SoHo and had some brunch, as one does after a run. Along the way I saw this sign in a store window. They're talking about running for office, though.

Today, Sunday Funday, was spent cooking. It's a misconception among people that know me that I can't cook. I can, actually, and quite well. I just don't advertise it so that I never get stuck cooking for other people, or hosting Thanksgiving. #feminism.

This is the mango pear salsa I put together -- and over poached chicken -- for dinner. Scallions and fresh lime juice give it extra kick.

I had a lot of peppers and scallions leftover, so I poured them into an egg and milk mix and baked some egg muffins for breakfast tomorrow. That's thinkin', kids.

The Unexpected Bonus Of Running In The Rain

As the days grow shorter, getting in a decent run during the week is difficult. Especially if you have a job. So I have to take advantage of the weekends. When I got up to Central Park this morning around 11:00, which is late for me, it was pouring rain. (That didn't stop all the people waiting in line to see the Vermeer at The Frick, though. That line was wrapped around the block all the way to 71st Street for hours.)

Since I was already up there, I figured I would at least try the four mile loop in the rain. As I started running, I noticed something -- I was practically the only one there. Drizzle has the incredible ability of keeping all the fool tourists on rented bikes out of the park, where they cause collisions, and into the Arms and Armour room at the Met. Yahtzee!**

It was the polar opposite of Saturday morning when on three different occasions I had to tell someone on a bike to get out of the runners' lane. It's confounding that it even has to be mentioned. Riding a bike near people who can't see you from behind and likely can't hear you due to headphones is a bad idea. But we can't all be geniuses.

Eventually the rain stopped and I ended up doing the whole six mile loop (in well under an hour, thanks for asking) without having to deal with a single tourist. My iPod, however, seems to be obsessed with Christmas carols. 'Tis the season.

**It is often said that you know you are a true New Yorker when you realize you can't deal with tourists. If that is the case then I have been a New Yorker since the summer of 1998, when I was an intern at Elle magazine. The Wednesday afternoon Broadway matinee goers used to clog up my local lunch spots, which was maddening. It was then that I realized I could never live anywhere else.

I Ran Six Miles, But I Don't Feel Like I Ran Six Miles

There are few of these idyllic fall days left in Central Park. I'm trying to take advantage of them. Today was pretty much perfect.

(And for my next act, I will cut you with my cheekbones.)

A few cliche, Central Park in fall photos. Humor me.

Has The Seed Been Planted?

I had a record of number of six friends finish the New York City marathon this year, and everyone ended up at Cafe Tallulah on the Upper West Side this afternoon, both the finishers and their entourage. (I think I knew everyone there between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.)

Could this mean that I may be one of the finishers in orange next year? I'm not sure, but the prospect is tempting.

My friend Beth was among the sweaty, orange masses. Very proud of her.

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.

At The Start

This morning's half marathon was the coldest race I have ever run. True story: while running on the West Side Highway, I actually picked up a cup of Gatorade that was starting to freeze.

From now on I'm using this experience as a motivational tool. As in, "Stop being lazy and get it done. It's not like running a half marathon 30 degree weather, along the Hudson River."

I'll let you know when I've defrosted.

Since we didn't freeze to death out on the West Side Highway, we brunched afterwards at The Cupping Room in SoHo.

We Are Ready For This Half Marathon!

This year I am running the New York City Half Marathon with my friend Jen. Jen and I went to Syracuse together, sure, but we actually met before the school year started when we both went up six months before the semester started to try out to be cheerleaders. Turns out we were both way to tall/large to be included on the Lilliputan squad.

After the tryout, I figured that would be the last I would see of Jen, since Syracuse is a big school and there were about 2,000 freshmen that year. She was also admitted into the esteemed Newhouse School, and I was an education major. (My dirty secret is that I transferred into Newhouse sophomore year.) Then, during Opening Weekend, I brought some bags to the trash room and I saw some collapsed boxes that had a Maple Grove, Minnesota address on them.

I thought, "That girl Jen, from cheer tryouts was from Minnesota. Hmmm." I walked over to room 301 in Day Hall, just a few doors down from my room, 309 and checked it out. It was the same Jen. We've been friends ever since.

We went to SoHo today, first for lunch at The Dutch. I love that place. The other woman you see is Kristin, who played hoops for Syracuse when we were there. The best part is that Jen picked the place without knowing that it was cool or that I liked it. All my friends have such great taste. And yes, it was snowing. Grrr.


Snowy SoHo

Whoo Hoo! Met My Fundraising Goal!

After weeks of harassing pretty much everyone I know (and a few that I don't) I'm happy to report that I raised $1,500 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They got me my number for this weekend's New York City Half Marathon, and so I rustled up some donations

I would like to get to $2,500, so if there is a company out there that is looking to match donations, or an individual who needs some deductions in order to get right with the IRS, ring my bell.

Now for the hard part: actually running those 13.1 miles!

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

Almost At My Fundraising Goal!

After just a month or so of fundraising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, I am happy to report that I am $407 away from my fundraising goal!

To review: I am running the New York City Half Marathon on Sunday, March 17th and raising money for the MS Society. All donations are tax deductible and go to a really wonderful organization.

Feel free to click below to make a donation. I'm on the home stretch! It's much easier to make a donation than to run 13.1 miles.

Pauline's Fundraising Page

Training In The Rain

Training for this year's New York City Half Marathon has been vastly different from last year. Last year the weather was strangely mild and I could easily run a few loops of Central Park over the weekend. No problemo.

This year it has been either Arctic cold, snowing or, like today, raining. And while I did get out there today when it was early and just an annoying drizzle, more rain is forecasted for tomorrow.

Nevertheless, I must run because the race is now less than a month away and I am still raising money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I'm almost at my fundraising goal! Feel free to make a donation while I wring myself out.

Pauline's Fundraising Page

I'm Obsessed With Photos That Contrast The Light And Dark Of Manhattan

This was taken from the top of the Empire State Building. By John de Guzman.

The New York City Marathon is canceled. Best.Call.Ever.

There is no need for a marathon -- that hands out free water and food to runners -- when there are people in Staten Island who have lost everything.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Spirit Of The Marathon

If you're feeling sluggish and unmotivated by the humidity in New York City or the derechos looming all over the country, watch this movie, Spirit of the Marathon and snap out of your funk.

It came out in 2008, but thanks to Hulu is it free to watch now. It's quite inspiring, for either the experienced or the most novice runner.

A 10K On A Beautiful Day

Finished a 10K yesterday in 59:56. The time is okay, but it was a such a gorgeous day that I can live with being about 30 seconds slower than the last 10K I did. Maybe I don't need to stop for water. This is the last race I'll be doing for a while, since most of the May and June races are filled up. I've done six since February, and two of those were half marathons. In terms of physical fitness, I'd day that's pretty respectable.

I don't usually stay for the awards, but there was a raffle with tons of prizes. I didn't win anything, although I was gunning for two free plane tickets to Abu Dhabi.

There were lots of pro runners at the 10K, but the most inspiring was the second place winner, Leonard Korir, from Kenya. He finished just two seconds shy of the first placer, who was an Olympian, and, at age 25, it was his first professional race ever. He couldn't dally on the stage, though, because at 11:00 a.m. he had to get to the Javits Center in order to graduate from Iona College. Talk about the best day ever: winning $12,000 in your first professional race, nearly beating an Olympian for the top slot and earning a college degree.

Four Miles Cleared in 36:48!!

...totally a personal best. I bet it would have been even quicker if I could have gotten around the slow, fat guys in front of me who didn't get the memo that you sprint the stretch before the finish line. Nevertheless, an awesome time. Last year I did this same race and finished in 39:13. What a difference a year makes.

I am slated for one more race, a 10K, in two weeks, and that may be it for a while, since many of the May and June races are already full. Boo.

A Few From The Weekend

What a great weekend. Gorgeous weather and lots to do.

First things first: I needed a new jogger bra for that half marathon that I ran on Sunday. I ventured for the first time ever into Lululemon in Union Square and picked up the Ta Ta Tamer (it's really called that) for $58. To test it, they make you jump on a trampoline. Utter genius.

Since a good jog bra is very hard to find, consider this a PSA -- and a ringing endorsement -- for the Ta Ta Tamer. Worth every penny.


These two were inseparable, as is their way on the weekends. I might as well not exist when they are up to their shenanigans.


I got a shrimp burrito from Paty's Taco. And it was right.


A nice sentiment.


Erin Duffy, author of Bond Girl, came to Sunday Funday book club. I was still very sore from running 13.1 miles just hours earlier, but she was hysterical.