My sister didn’t get to run the NYC marathon last year, but, went to New York and cheered my dad and me on. So, of course, I had to go back with her this year and support her run. Can I tell you how unbelievably happy I was not to be the one running? It was such a better trip this year! It ended up being a girls’ trip with Kris, Debra (Kris’s friend who also ran the marathon), Elizabeth, and me. We stayed at the Hilton Times Square in the heart of the city. Some people thought that hotel would be too loud with street noise, but, we were on the 33rd floor and barely heard anything. We had so much fun!
We arrived on Friday afternoon, checked into our hotel, and went to pick up the race packets. After spending some time roaming around the expo, we decided to take the subway into Greenwich Village to get cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery. Of course, we had to get two apiece. You’ll notice throughout this blog, food is the key. After eating one cupcake, we took the train back up to Times Square to grab a quick dinner. We had some delicious Chinese food at Ruby Foo’s.
Delicious cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. Note that two are already missing.
There they are...or the leftovers.
Elizabeth and Kris - after enjoying yummy cupcakes.
Saturday – Halloween in NYC. Yikes – the crazy people. First of all, don’t you usually just wear a costume on Halloween? Not in NYC. There were people in them on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. People there definitely enjoy dressing up costumes.
Debra, who has been to New York multiple times, suggested that we have lunch at a restaurant called “Peanut Butter & Co.” WHAT? A restaurant that makes everything with peanut butter? Heavenly!! We trained it back down to Greenwich Village for that deliciousness. We decided to get four sandwiches and just split them so we could try as many as possible.
Here they are in order of deliciousness:
Fluffernutter: creamy peanut butter, marshmallow fluff on wheat
Cookie Dough Surprise: creamy peanut butter, chocolate chips, and vanilla cream cheese on wheat
The Elvis: crunchy peanut butter, bananas, honey, toasted on wheat
Black and Tan: crunchy peanut butter, chocolate syrup, toasted on wheat
I bought a recipe book from the store, so, be prepared if I have to bring anything to your house – food-wise. It will contain peanut butter.
Yuminess!!!!
All four different sandwiches. The chips were needed to cleanse our palates.
We trained back up to Times Square and had tickets to see the musical, Chicago. Kris and I wanted to belt out the tunes because she has had the soundtrack since the movie came out and we knew all the words. We managed to keep our mouths closed….it was hard.
Kris and Debra walking to the theatre.
Elizabeth, me, Debra, and Kris after the show.
Afterwards, Elizabeth and I went downtown to meet up with Celeste, who was in town visiting another friend, Mallory. Mallory is attending fashion school in New York and has a kick ass apartment near the water. We also met her two friends, Freda and Andrew. We wanted to go to the Halloween parade that started in Greenwich Village. Due to some costume malfunctions, we didn’t leave Mallory’s until late. The subway was jammed with everyone headed to the parade.
Unfortunately, it was raining and the streets were way too crowded, so, we didn’t get to see the parade. That did not deter us (of course). We went to a bar near the parade route and had a few beers while doing some serious people watching. It was great seeing everyone’s costume…before you ask, Elizabeth and I did not dress up and we got crap from EVERYONE about it. How were we to know that everyone in New York dressed up for Halloween? Don’t’ worry…everyone who saw us, gave us crap for it. We had a blast that night. We went to three or four different bars…stopped at one gay bar for our new best friend Andrew, so he could check out the scene, and talked a doorman into letting us use his building’s employee bathroom. We ended up getting back to our hotel around 2:45am and had to be super quiet since the other girls were getting up at 5:30am to get ready for the marathon.
Elizabeth - trying to keep her hair dry from the rain.
Elizabeth, me and Celeste (she had on an '80s costume...very cute!)
Adorable little boy and Waldo on the Subway.
All we saw of the Halloween parade.
Elizabeth and me - soaked.
The group at the bar. Freda, Andrew, Celeste, Elizabeth, Me and Mallory.
Elizabeth and Celeste after a few beers.
Beauty Queen with creepy lizard guy.
Elizabeth and Celeste with Gumby.
Creepiest outfit that we saw. Super sweet girl, though.
The area where the doorman let us the employee-only bathroom.
The cologne in the bathroom area.....oh dear.
After waiting 40 minutes for the train....this is what pulls up. They have a freaking trash only train!!!! We were pissed...and also freaked...saw a sewer rat right after that. Gross!
Elizabeth's injury from the night. She was so busy looking at everyone's costume, she failed to look where she was going and walked into a concrete barrier.
Sunday was the big day. Kris and Debra left about 6am to get to the start line. Elizabeth and I got to sleep in for awhile, then watch the professional men and women race in its entirety before heading to mile 16 to see and cheer Debra and Kris on. Another of Elizabeth’s friends, Mindy, lived in New Jersey and had a friend who was also running so she came to our hotel to hang out with us and cheer her friend on. We somehow missed Debra at mile 16 (she must have been speedy) and almost missed Kris. We got to scream and shake our sign that we made for them.
We had some time before cheering them on again at mile 25, so, we headed to Dylan’s candy shop. They have bulk candy!!! Skittles (the worst candy in the world for you to eat), chocolate covered pretzels, sour candy and even chocolate covered gummy bears. There was also a candy that was called Chicken Feet that Elizabeth got, but, she said they were not that good. We hustled to mile 25 in Central Park to cheer on our girls. We may have gotten a few dirty looks while we were cheering…we were also eating our candy. I don’t think the runners were very pleased with us for that one. We tried to hide it behind our sign.
The girls - pre-race.
Kris at mile 16. That is a fake smile, by the way. She was not pleased after crossing the Queensboro bridge.
Our quick stop between cheering at mile 16 and 25.
They had a chocolate fountain - in the store!!!
The cheer squad!
Debra - looking great at mile 25.
We busted into the candy while waiting for Kris. Note the dirty looks from the runners.
Kris - delirious at mile 25.
It was a low key dinner and watching a movie in our room night after the race. Kris and Debra both did GREAT in the race and got their medals. However, both were completely pooped and sore. Debra headed to her Uncle’s apartment after the race so we were down to three. Bubba Gump’s for dinner and Musics & Lyrics on TBS. What else do you need?
Monday was our slow day. After a quick excursion to H&M for some shopping, we headed to a restaurant called “Burgers and Cupcakes”. Wouldn’t you go immediately to a restaurant named that? The portions were huge (why didn’t the waitress tell us this?) so we had to take our cupcakes to go. We were so full from lunch that we had to go back to the hotel and take a quick nap. Lethargy set in and we watched TV, messed around on the internet, and chatted the rest of the afternoon. We discussed going to The Met, Guggenheim, Empire State Building, etc, but, were just too tired from all our eating to get up and go. How’s that for lazy?
Best idea ever!! Well, maybe 2nd best. Peanut Butter restaurant is first!
Our huge lunch. We ordered sweet potatoes fries, onion rings and cheese fries.
So full, we had to take our cupcakes to go!
We had the best time and to top it all of: Elizabeth has decided to enter the lottery for the 2010 NYC marathon. She asked if I wanted to join her. Does she not remember my blog from last year? Heck NO!
We met up with my friend, Greg, who tailgates at EVERY Texas game. Um, what is that in my hand, you ask?
Well crap! It's me shotgunning a beer!! 
