How cute are we?

So Mom and I walked the More half-marathon last Sunday, as planned. We finished in 4:19. It was really fun! We were just walking, so there was no pressure, but I know Mom wasn't sure she would want to do all those miles.

It wasn't so bad after all!

overheard in the dressing room at Ann Taylor

"I'm telling you, don't even start with Chico's or Eileen Fisher. Once you get used to that elastic waistband, you might as well just give up."

Dang! Those ladies are tough!

Wily coyote rehabilitated

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A coyote was captured Wednesday morning in New York's Central Park after a prolonged chase that ended with the animal being tranquilized by sharpshooters from the Police Department's emergency services unit.

The animal was apprehended near Belvedere Castle, home of the annual Shakespeare in the Park theater series in the heart of the 843-acre park, at about 9:45 a.m., police said.
That was after the coyote gave pursuers the slip in the Hallett Nature Sanctuary near Wollman Rink, in the park's south end. It jumped into a pond, swam under a bridge, squeezed through a fence and raced away.

New York Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe told reporters at the scene, "We have the coyote cornered, but it remains elusive."

The coyote, nicknamed Hal, sparked pandemonium when it darted out of the wooded area and skirted Wollman Rink, where people were ice skating.

Police officers, rangers and sharpshooters -- as well as news camera operators and news helicopters flying overhead -- chased the coyote at a frantic pace before losing track of it.

The ice rink was briefly evacuated to get skaters out of a possible line of fire.
By Tuesday night, police and rangers had chased the animal into the preserve.

"Coyotes are native to New York state, and their habitat is rapidly expanding," Benepe told reporters Wednesday morning.

"This one probably came down through the wooded section of Riverdale in the Bronx, then crossed into Manhattan, where it probably went the length of Riverside Park," which spans Manhattan's west side, before entering Central Park.

He speculated the animal possibly swam across a river to reach the island of Manhattan. It was first seen at 1:30 a.m. Sunday and wrongly identified as a wolf, according to the parks department.

Police "did such a skillful job of tracking the animal over 20 hours and tranquilizing it in the most humane way," Benepe said in a statement.

Officials said the healthy animal was about a year old and was the second coyote spotted in Central Park in seven years.

Police sources said the coyote is being transferred to a wildlife facility in upstate New York, where it will be "rehabilitated."

This Weekend

Should be interesting. My mom is coming to town Saturday and we are going to walk a half-marathon together in Central Park on Sunday. It's a women-only event, for women over 40. Women under 40 (like me) can do the event with a partner.

[Hmm, 40 really isn't that far away . . . does anybody else hear that ticking?]

She claims she's been sick, so she hasn't been able to do much training. For weeks. Sounds like an excuse to me, but OK. She'll be fine. It will literally be a walk in the park.

Anyway, I think it is going to be fun, and I suspect she will get a glimpse into why I like the races. There's going to be a medal! And walking 13 miles will give us plenty of time to catch up. Maybe this will become a tradition? Although I bet Mom would vote for a 5K . . . ;-)

I booked her a massage a few hours after the race. Sometimes I am a pretty good daughter.

Race Report: Another 4 Miler

This morning, I was up and at'em in the Pfizer Oncology Colon Cancer Challenge. After a beautiful day yesterday, it was grey and nippy this morning. But I got up. I had my "summer runner's breakfast" of almond butter on whole wheat toast - yum. "Winter runners breakfast" is usually oatmeal.

It's pouring out now, but there was a constant drizzle during the race. I picked up my number and made it to the start about 30 seconds before the horn.

So, I think I PR's! The dang results aren't posted yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I defintely came within a minute. The clock wasn't working at the start of the race .. hope this doesn't mean results are lost!

This was my fifth 4 mile race in Central Park. The course is usually pretty much the same - there is a 4 mile inner loop, but the starting point sometimes changes. I like today's route best, because we start around 72nd St, instead of 110th.

Still waiting for results to be posted! Here are my comparables:

• February 25, 2006: Time = 43:34, Pace = 10:53
• December 3, 2005: Time = 43:26, Pace = 10:51
• April 24, 2005: Time = 42:58, Pace = 10:44
• February 26, 2005: Time = 43:36, Pace = 10:54

Will update soon!

UPDATE: Sunday afternoon

Hey, 42:06! I did beat my previous time, by 52 seconds! Pace was 10:31. Very pleased!

Sunshine Day

First of all, I love that Flatman and Tri-Daddy confessed that "The Notebook" was a real tearjerker. They're like, renaissance men that way.

But back to me. It is a bee-yoooo-tifull day here in NYC today. (That was supposed to be a NY accent). Aaahhhh . . . it is so much easier to go outside and be in the world on a day like today.

I considered going for a run, but I have a race tomorrow and I've been feeling the occasional twinge in my knee, so we went to the gym instead. Husband hit the weights - he is getting quite buff - and I headed for some cardio. I listened to Will and Kahuna's show while I "elliptycalled" -- is that a word? Someone called in and said that listening during a workout turns a chore into a relaxing activity. I feel the same way, and it kept me going for the full hour.

Race tomorrow. 4 miles. Starts at 8. I need to pick up my number, so I should leave here around 7? Forecast is 50 with a chance or rain -- pretty nice. I am really looking forward to a warm-ish weather run. Husband promises to kick me out -- I skipped my last race because "Morning Wife" whined that it was too cold. "Daytime Wife" always has such good intentions.

What else, what else . . . is anyone else as excited as I am about the Soprano's? New season starts tomorrow night. I'm making "Carmela's Baked Ziti" just for hahas.

So nice out . . . . I think I may convince Husband to grill tonight.

I think I'll go for a walk outside, the sunshine's calling my name . . . can you hear it now?

Home Alone

Husband's away for three days on a business trip. Usually I'm the one who travels; I'm not used to the creaky sounds in the apartment when I go to bed.

Last night I walked home for exercise, then watched "The Notebook" on the couch, covered in cats. It was kind of like, "Girl's Night In". I ate some chocolate and cried my eyes out. It's better he didn't have to see that.

Come home soon, honey. I miss you!

The Final Solution

This doesn't have to do with triathlons . . . well, actually it kinda does.

I have somewhat sensitive skin. I tend to get a little razor burn in the summer, especally when it's hot out. Last summer, with the the addition of neoprene, salt water, and additional sweating, this was a constant annoyance. Waxing is better than shaving, but that isn't perfect either.

Which brings us to the the final solution: ELECTROLYSIS. Yup, I bit the bullet, and got the armpits done last week. You are dying to know all about it, I can tell. Here's what I think you want to know:

- Did it hurt? Yes. It felt like, oh I don't know, someone sticking a tiny needle into each individual pore and delivering an electric shock. Yes, it hurts. I think that it doesn't actually hurt anymore than waxing, but the pain is much more prolonged. Which leads to . . .

- How long did it take? Way longer than I expected. 1.5 hours for 1 lousy armpit. Waxing hurts too, but at least it's over quickly!

- Was it expensive? Yes. I can't tell you anymore, because Husband reads this blog.

But here's the good thing . . . it's permanent! It's been over a week, and nothing has grown back! I have to go back to kill a few minor stragglers, but that's it.

Ladies, I think you know where I'm going next. Nothing too drastic, but summer is just around the corner. Bring on the beach!

I feel a little shallow. Trust me, I am not the type to go for plastic surgery or anything like that. But my hairless armpits are freaking awesome!

PS. Maybe this is a little too much information. I'm just keepin it real, people.