Category Archives: Basketball

Friday Five: Current First World Problems

Posted by hellyontherun in Basketball, Link Party, Not Running Related and tagged with , , , ,

New York City Marathon is a “wish-list” marathon for me and to have the opportunity to run it is just unbelievable. I still can’t believe I’ll be going soon!

When my husband and I started planning, we decided we’d make a trip out of it because we weren’t sure when we’d be able to visit again. Our number one priority while there (besides the marathon) was:

Seeing a Knicks game.

Well, in the days that we’re there, guess when they play. Just guess. Go on….

THE DAY OF THE MARATHON.

And that would’ve been okay. I would’ve gone to the game barely walking, limping, sore as hell.

BUT IT’S DURING THE MARATHON.

I mean, really??? Really, New York City??? Don’t you guys know there’s a freaking marathon taken place at the same time!!!??

Now before anyone starts blaming us for poor planning, the NBA schedule was released only a couple of weeks ago. We booked our hotel and flights the day we found out we’d be doing NYC. And yes, we’ve checked to see how much it would be to stay longer and extend our flight (because they play again the day we leave at the exact hour of our flight). The price to make the changes would be outrageous. Ridiculously outrageous.

So we’re bummed…..really bummed 😦

Why is this such a big deal, you ask? Well, because:

This was our Broadway play/show/etc.

For some, going to New York means having to see a show or play. For us, seeing a Knicks game is the equivalent. It was going to be our “main event” so to speak. What we were looking forward to the most.

We are HUGE basketball fans.

Both my husband and I are big basketball people. I grew up watching the NBA for as long as I can remember. Some of my favorite players played for the Knicks. I wasn’t alive to see Willis Reed or Walt Frazier but I loved reading about them and seeing classic clips. Growing up Patrick Ewing was a fave and I had a HUGE crush on Allan Houston (anyone remember him?).

Houston, we most certainly DO NOT have a problem.

Houston, we most certainly DO NOT have a problem. (Source)

I was bummed when Stoudemire left our Suns to play for the Knicks, but I wished him well (and now he’s retired so I wouldn’t see him anyway, lol). I’m not a huge Carmelo fan but with the addition of Derrick Rose, the Knicks would be actually kind of exciting to see.

Madison Square Garden is a historical landmark (to us)

There are arenas and stadiums whose name everyone can recognize, and this is one of them. Of course, New York City offers some impressive landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the World Trade Center museums (all which we do want to see), but a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden would’ve been a huge check off our list. Huge.

We bond over basketball.

My husband likes to run but he doesn’t love to run like I do. He’ll go to museums with me but they wouldn’t be his first choice of places to visit. If we didn’t go up the Empire State Building or swing by to check out Carrie Bradshaw’s NYC home, he’d be totally okay with it.

But the one thing we both can agree on, we both would be ridiculously happy doing, is watching a Knicks game at the Garden. It would be a memory we’d treasure forever, as corny as that sounds. When we went to Chicago last year, we were giddy taking a picture in front of Jordan’s statue outside the United Center.

I heart Mike.

The GOAT.

Basketball is OUR thing.

We’re not sure when we’ll be back to New York.

After (hopefully) completing NYC Marathon, we’re not sure when we’ll come back to visit. We know if we do come back, it will be with our kids and when they’re older. I can count on the Knicks being around then, but I’m worried about Madison Square Garden. I’m worried that what happened to Yankee Stadium will happen to MSG. And it really won’t be the same visiting a renovated Madison Square Garden. It just wouldn’t.

So there you have it. My current first world problems. No Knicks game for Helly. Tear.

–What current problem/situation (that’s really not that big of a deal) has you bummed?

–Are you a basketball fan? What sports team would you like to see play in person?

Linking up with the DC Trifecta girls Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for their Friday Five. Check ’em out!

 

TCS NYC Marathon Lottery Results

Posted by hellyontherun in Basketball, Marathon, Race, Running and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Screen Shot 2016-03-09 at 10.33.12 AM

I didn’t win, but I’m still going.

What do I mean, you ask?

Well, as luck would have it, my husband got in on his first try–just like in Chicago–and I didn’t. If you remember, I ran Chicago through charity raising money for the Ronald McDonald House. I was nervous, scared, and intimidated by having to raise money (and a lot of it) but I had such an amazing experience that it helped me decide to run for charity again, this time for NYC.

I won’t be running for Team RMHC though as I’ve elected to run for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. Sadly, we do have a connection with cancer, as a close family member is currently fighting; yet, Coach V’s fighting words of “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up!” is a motto that so many of us can relate to, whether we have an affiliation with cancer or not.

If you’re not familiar with who Coach Valvano is, he was a NCAA basketball coach for NC State in the 80’s and led his team to a surprising championship win in 1983. They were the underdogs that season and game after game proved their championship worthiness to the very end. They never gave up.

Then in 1992, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the short time he had left to live, unbeknownst at the time, he did so much to help with cancer research creating the Foundation knowing it probably wouldn’t benefit him, but that didn’t make him lose hope. His hope was that foundation would help others and it has, many, many years after his death. He never gave up.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I saw an ESPN 30 for 30 special on Coach V and his NC State team. It was incredibly moving and my husband and I still watch from time to time. In the documentary is his Arthur Ashe acceptance speech at the first ever ESPY’s. If you have a few extra minutes, please take the time to view it. It really captures Coach V’s spirit.

Running for charity is scary in many ways. First, the New York City Marathon itself is kinda scary–it’s the biggest marathon. It’s huge! I’ve run some big races–Chicago, Marine Corps–but NYC is bigger than both!

Second, the charity amount I have to raise is twice that of Chicago. But I feel like Coach V’s words ring through in so many ways besides fighting a terrible disease like cancer. In so many aspects of life, we have to overcome obstacles or challenge ourselves and never, ever give up. That’s what I plan to do–in training for New York, in raising money to run New York, and in crossing that finish line in New York.

I hope you consider helping me with this important cause. Your donation, of any amount, will help me run a dream marathon, and most importantly, help keep dreams alive for others.

You can donate here:

Helly Runs For Team V

–Have you ever run a race through charity?

–Do you know who Jimmy V is or heard his speech before?

–Have you been to New York? I went when I was 10 and don’t remember a thing, lol! It will be my husband’s first time though 😀

Game Time

Posted by hellyontherun in Basketball, Not Running Related and tagged with , , , , ,

Today is a big day. The NBA season begins.

My other love besides running is basketball and people who know me know that I’ve got this date marked on my calendar and that I schedule things in my life so they don’t conflict with games of utmost importance. In fact, my husband (who is also basketball obsessed) and I chose our wedding date so that it was before the season started and we chose the 23rd in honor of our favorite, Michael Jordan.

We look forward to Christmas day not only because of presents, food, and family but because of the big triple-header that’s always televised.

We think summer officially begins in June after a champion is crowned.

Tonight’s game is a big deal. It’s the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls. I detest LeBron James and will seriously go in to depression if he wins a third championship. What makes this match up such a big deal is that Chicago’s Derrick Rose is back. Derrick Rose sat out last year due to injuries and many speculate he’ll never regain his MVP status that rivaled LeBron’s.

This game is also important because I have a cousin who is a Miami Heat fanatic. I’m not kidding. The first time the Heat won it all he got a Heat tattoo. As in permanent tattoo. He’s gone to LeBron’s Vegas celebrations twice. He constantly updates his facebook status with something about Miami, the Heat, LeBron, or haters.

The Heat losing this game, albeit it being the first game, will allow me to plant a seed in his brain that this bad start is an omen of what the future holds for the team. They’re done. They can’t handle the pressure that is a three-peat. They’re too old. They won’t last 82 games.

He’ll tell me it’s only the first game but I won’t care. For a basketball fanatic, it’ll be a perfect way to start the season.