Halloween in NYC... and other photos.

We landed at 6:30 AM and got straight to the business of being in NYC.  None of us had really spent much time Downtown, so we decided to walk around and see what we could see.

Our hotel was just a few blocks from Trinity Church, the grounds of which apparently make up the only active cemetery remaining in the borough of Manhattan.  (BTW, the big white tomb in the background belongs to Alexander Hamilton.  Very cool.)  It was fascinating to check out the old headstones... setting the tone for a fun Halloween in the City.  

I thought this was a fabulous pic!!!  We all leaned over the fence and yelled, "Give me my money back!  What did you do with all of my money!?!"  But seriously folks, I want my money back.  Seriously.

I have yet to meet a bull statue I haven't ridden... 

We walked around St. Paul's Chapel across from Ground Zero, which was an incredibly humbling experience.  Worth checking out if you're ever in the area.

Marathons are usually accompanied by an "expo" where runners pick up their race shirts, numbers, and timing chips.  Expos are also basically a giant runners convention full of souvenirs and running gear vendors.  As this is the biggest marathon in the world, I assume this is the biggest expo in the world.  It... was... epic.  Let's just say for Scott's sake that I didn't spend as much money as I could have :)  

The concierge recommended the Tribeca Grill for dinner.  Turns out this little place is owned by one Robert De Niro.  It takes up the first two floors of the Tribeca Film Center and serves as a gallery for artwork by De Niro's dad.  Did I mention we practically licked the plates clean!?!  Incredible food!  

4 happy and very full customers.

We finished eating just in time to enjoy the tail end of the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.  I LOVE this pic of my Dad with "Joe six-pack Palin" and "Billary Clinton"

For reals, people go ALL OUT for this event.  We had a lot of fun checking out the wide variety of costumes.  Hooray for Halloween!  If you ever get the chance to be in Manhattan on October 31st, I HIGHLY recommend the Village Halloween Parade.

The next morning we took a very memorable cab ride to the Manhattan Temple.  Honestly, how can anyone not absolutely adore New York and it's millions of colorful characters?!?  Honestly!  Greatest city in the world! 

We grabbed a very quick bite on our way to see Marry Poppins.

We basically inhaled our food as we only had 5 minutes to eat before finding our seats.  We wasted absolutely no time on this trip.

We LOVED Marry Poppins and would recommend it to anyone.

We then hopped over to Little Italy for our pre-race carbo load dinner.  I LOVE Little Italy!

I am the world's biggest fan of hyperbole... ha!...  so of course we had to try what this restaurant claimed to be the "Best Cannoli on Planet Earth".  I can't say whether or not their claim has any validity... however, I must say it was the best cannoli I have ever tasted.

While the Staples family was busy running a marathon, Scott was enjoying views like this...  there is probably something seriously wrong with that.  It seems the Staples kids are always running some kind of 'marathon'  (literally or metaphorically) while our spouses are left to fend for themselves.  Welcome to the family honey!   

We went to a great chinese place for dinner after the marathon... the guy next to my Mom was our server who literally served our food to us during the meal, telling us what to eat and when to eat it.  Also, I think he had the hots for my Mom, which was hilarious, but definitely didn't sit well with my Dad.

All in all we had a magical weekend in NYC and can't to go back!

NYC MARATHON PHOTO OVERLOAD

My fellow marathoners know how important it is to set out your gear the night before the race. Knowing I have everything I need helps me get pumped for the race.  I love the pre-race inventory!

Me with the folks on Staten Island before the race.  We were on the island for 3 hours in the ridiculous cold before the starting gun went off.  It takes a lot of time to get 38,000 runners corralled into their starting gates on time, so I understand, but THREE HOURS!?!  This was not necessarily my most favorite part of the race... more about this later.


Largest gathering of runners in the world = world's largest gathering of port-a-john's.  

Just after the start on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn.  

There were helicopters, coast guard boats, fire engines, etc. etc. etc. cheering us on as we began the race.  Oh yeah, we're pretty much a big deal. 

A sea of runners merged at about mile 8.

I heart Brooklyn! Running through this borough was pretty much a huge party. There were bands, a gospel choir, dancers, cheerleaders, and thousands of screaming supporters.

Brooklyn also brought us "Larry the Lighthouse."  I said to my mom, "I'll be damned if I get beat by a guy in a lighthouse!" No worries, Larry ate my dust.

All kinds of people set a goal to run a marathon, no matter what their physical 'limitations' may be.  NYC was definitely no exception.  People like this guy are my inspiration and a reminder that there is no excuse for putting off my goals.

Manhattan!!!  This is on the bridge going from Brooklyn to Queens (just past the 1/2 way point).

Before the race I read an article in Runners World about 81 year old Stanley Rygor and his cute wife Kathleen who have been giving runners a much needed boost with their accordion folk songs since 1985. Of course I had to get a picture with them! This race is loaded with wonderful characters like the Rygor's.

This is coming out of Queens into Manhattan... my back started to spaz out (standing in the cold on Staten Island for THREE HOURS = back problems for Katie), but the roar of the HUGE crowd gave me enough of a boost to make it to a first aid station...

Where there just happened to be a chiropractor!

These guys saved the marathon for me. I wish I could find a way to thank my miracle workers. There is no way I could have finished the race without their help. Thanks guys!

Running into Central Park was a true religious experience... a running revival!  Hallelujah!  

I don't think there was any other way I could have finished this race... I got the most amazing surge of energy when I saw the finish line.  It was a truly indescribable moment.  

I am glad to have run 6 marathons in one year, but it's not something I plan on doing again anytime soon.  I'll likely run 2 big races next year (St. George and ?), but might also try a mini-triathlon.  Any suggestions?

There really isn't anything quite like hugging your husband after thinking about him for 26.2 miles.  I am a ridiculously lucky woman to have such a supportive man.

The 3 amigos have done it again!  A huge thank you to my Mom and Dad for spending a wonderfully unforgettable weekend in NYC with us!