Dana Discovery Center (Photo By Diane Anderson)

I know it’s been fall for over a month now, but today really felt like a true kick off to the season. First of all, I celebrated our triumphant return to standard time (thank god) by spending a lovely few hours this morning with my good friend Diane (aka “Diaaaahhhne!”) in and around the gorgeous fall foliage of Central Park. Diane was kind enough to invite me to join her at the 13th annual Central Park Conservancy Brunch, thrown in conjunction with the ING New York City Marathon. Festive! First, Diane and I hiked from her home uptown near 5th Avenue through the densely wooded park to the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, which is located inside the park at 110th Street.

Harlem Meer (Lake)

The center looks out onto a man-made lake where both swans and geese swim freely; so beautiful and such a haven from the hubbub on the street. After gorging ourselves on a sumptuous buffet brunch that included banana pancakes and the most delicious link sausage I’ve ever tasted, we made it out to 5th avenue in plenty of time to see the marathon’s women forerunners speed past us on their way to the finish line further downtown.

I Ate Until I Was In Pain

We strolled leisurely back down the avenue, enjoying the beauty of the park and cheering on the winning hopefuls for the men’s division before returning to Diane’s to watch the winners cross the finish line on TV. What a refreshing and spiritually invigorating way to spend Sunday morning in the city.

Winner Derartu Tulu Seen Here With An Early Lead

For the men, Meb Keflizghi (2:09:15) became the first American winner of the ING New York City Marathon since 1982. On the women’s side, one of history’s all-time great distance runners, Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia, scored her first win with a finish time of just 2:28:52. Congratulations to all the runners, and thanks again, Diane for the wonderful day!