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?).

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.

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!