New York City | hellyontherun

Well, touring the city was definitely more enjoyable having snagged a PR. I had a little more pep to my step you could say 😀

We got started the day after. Yup, we weren’t wasting our time. I figured the walking would help with recovery anyway, right? Ja!!

The main things on my list were the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. An early morning alarm woke us up and I honestly didn’t feel too bad considering I’d finished a marathon the day before. We arrived at the ferry around 9 a.m. and it was nice beating the crowds.

It’s been a dream to see this statue in person. I mean, I’ve read so much about it in school growing up and honestly–sitting in a desk, it just seemed like fiction. But up close?? Man… And then to go to Ellis Island and read/see what the people arriving to the United States felt about seeing the statue–it leaves you a different person, really.

My parents are U.S citizens. My mom’s mom wasn’t (but became one late in her life before she died). My dad’s dad isn’t and lives in Mexico.

I’ve seen firsthand the emotions one feels not being able to be with family. I’m not going to turn this into a political post, but I do have to say, I wish the process were easier. And I wish people had more compassion to those who have family in America and long to be with them.

We read and learned a lot during our visit to Ellis Island. The process was not easy then….and some things never change.

After our morning in the museum, we headed to the World Trade Center/One World Observatory. We went up to the top and just had the most breathtaking view of the city. It was another surreal moment as we looked out the massive windows.

All in all, the day after the race totaled a whopping 10 miles of walking. I have no idea how I functioned, lol!

Tuesday, Election Day, was bittersweet. I was excited to be in New York City on a historical day but of course you already know in what capacity it was such.

We visited Central Park, a spot I had on my list I wanted to see.

And then we made our way to the Hilary Clinton Block Party, which coincidentally was at the same place as the marathon expo.

at the expo

at the block party

When it started getting late and things were not looking too good, we decided to call it a night. 😦

Wednesday was the day I’d been waiting for……NEW YORK KNICKS DAY!!!

If you remember my sob story a few months ago, I was super sad that the only games playing while we were in the city were the day of the marathon and the day we were to leave. Well, my husband decided that this was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity so we extended our stay one more day!!!

I had breakfast with a blogging buddy (who sadly no longer blogs) and then in the evening, my husband and I had a pre-game celebration with the amazing Colby. It was seriously the best way to begin the night ❤

Me and the beautiful Colby–LOVE her.

And then we watched the Knicks play at Madison Square Garden!!! Seriously guys, you have no idea how excited I was about this. Basketball was my first love. And while running has taken over, you never, ever forget your first.

HUGE check off my life list.

We jam packed our New York City vacay and I absolutely had the time of my life. It was a stark difference from desert living but I think that’s why I loved it so much, lol!

In all, I’m so happy that whenever I think of New York, I’ll only have positive memories of a great race and a great vacation.

–Have you ever been to New York? If not, what would you want to see/visit there?

–What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of New York City?

–Do you tour a city when you go on a race-cation?

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. (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.

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!

hellyontherun

Tag Archives: New York City

Touring New York City