As I mentioned in my previous post, on the day before the NYC Marathon, I was heading to NYC for a college roommate reunion.

My friend Judy and her husband, Mike were driving down & let me hitch a ride rather than taking the bus. We left Albany at 7:30 am and I was hoping that we would be lucky to get there without hitting traffic.

I was hoping to at least have time to stalk the finish line in Central Park before heading to Chelsea for lunch.

Well, we were lucky, we arrived there in no time – around 10:00 am.

They dropped me off at 67th and Columbus so I could walk into the park. (They went off to visit a sick aunt in the hospital).  They would pick me up at the same location at 11:15.

There was a 5K just finishing up in the park.  There were runners with numbers on.  I started to get RUNNERS ENVY.

Then I walked to the marathon finish line. It was very crowded.  There were lots of visitors who wanted to catch a glimpse.  Friends and relatives that were here to watch the race.  Of course, there were runners who were racing tomorrow.  Runners and people from all over the world.

I walked around the area for awhile just soaking up the excitement.

Then I strayed and walked around the park more.

That’s when RUNNER ENVY got really intense. No matter what path I took, there were runners.

I tried to ignore them but they were everywhere.

Why didn’t I wear my running clothes?  Well, of course now I know that I should have.  But not knowing what my friends were going to do, if they would drop me off near the park, how much time would I have, where would I run in the park….

So I just walked around admiring the fall foliage.

There were a lot more leaves on the trees than where I live.

Eventually, it was time to go and I said a sad good-bye and vowed to return…and run next time!!

I returned to the corner where I was supposed to be picked up. I waited and waited. Eventually my friends called to say that their car was either towed or stolen!!!  They said would call me back when they found it!

Well, we had noon reservations  in Chelsea Market for lunch. My friend Andrea & their daughter Danielle (from California) would be waiting there.  I called Andrea and they told me to take the subway instead of waiting. (I was at 67th, Chelsea is 15th.)  It seemed like a good idea but I had no idea where to get the subway, what subway, where to get off.  Eventually I found out that I had to walk to Columbus Circle (Broadway & 60th) and take the A train to 14th.

I have NEVER taken the subway in NYC alone.  But it was really easy.  I was pretty proud of myself. When I got off the subway, I walked a few blocks & quickly found the entrance to Chelsea Market (which was super interesting) and found the Green Table.

I arrived the restaurant to find Andrea & Danielle already there.

It was a little stressful because we feared that the car was stolen, my Ipad and car key was in the back seat, we would have to take the train home and Judy & Mike would probably be in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

But we ate anyway.

When we were done, Judy & Mike arrived. The car had been towed, they found it (paid $185) and this time parked in a parking garage.

The rest of the day was spend leisurely walking on the High Line.

The High Line was quite crowded since the weather was PERFECT.

It was quite interesting looking at all the views, plants, art work and people.

There were lots of places to sit.

It was a fun time for the 3 of us and we did a lot of catching up while we walked.

Andrea had to return to NJ but Mike, Judy, Danielle & I decided to return to Chelsea Market.   It was fun to walk around it – differnt shops and lots of restaurants.  I bought a cannoli (my lunch was way too small and way too healthy).

Finally we had to leave Danielle and drive back up North.

I usually go to NYC with my tennis friends just to see a Broadway show. This was a nice diversion.

I hope to return maybe in the spring or next fall to run in Central Park.

Happy Running! Do you ever go to NYC? If so, what do you do there?