Good morning!
I’m back in DC after a fun weekend up in NYC with Matt – we headed up to cheer on friends running the marathon!
It sure was beautiful up there this weekend with all the fall colors in the park. On Friday night, Matt and I arrived in the city in time to hit up the Runner’s World marathon party, where I got to catch up with my friend Theodora. It was great to see her!
On Saturday morning, we headed over to Central Park for a run. There were a bazillion people out with the same idea – it was so lively and fun in the park! There was a 5k race going on, and I think everyone else was doing their day before the race shakeout runs. 
Stunning fall colors!
Matt and I did a nice and easy 3 mile jaunt, stopping once about halfway through for some pushups and sit ups.
There were all sorts of things going on in preparation for the marathon the following day – the photo below is of the huge crates of apples that were to be given out to finishers after the race!
After our run, we headed to Central Park South to have lunch at Sarabeth’s with my grad school besties Lauren and Steph. I had the Cobb Salad – so good.
After lunch, the four of us walked around Central Park checking out the marathon finish area. It was SO good to see these beautiful ladies again!
The excitement in the air was contagious. It made me want to run the NYC Marathon myself someday!
From the park, the ladies, Matt, and I all strolled over to Times Square, for the sake of being touristy.
And then we swung by the famous ice rink at Rockefeller Center. Seeing this made me want to come back to New York around Christmastime – it’s so magical at that time of year!
Matt and I said our goodbyes (and good luck – they both ran on Sunday) to Lauren and Steph and then relaxed a little before heading out to meet Matt’s brother, Drew, and his girlfriend Morgana for dinner and a fun show. I totally dropped the ball on getting any photos but it was a great night! We hit up a Thai place in the upper west side and then headed to see the Ghostlight Chorus, a cool group that Drew and Morgana saw a couple years ago and wanted to check out again. They were amazing – such beautiful voices and haunting musical selections.
On Sunday morning, we started our day with a little P90X yoga! I was originally thinking about trying to go to a class at a studio but NYC yoga prices are so outrageous and I wasn’t sure if things would be closed because of the marathon, so I decided to just do my own class. Matt actually joined me which was fun, too! His comment: “That was hard!”
I really love the P90X Yoga X DVD – I hadn’t done it in awhile so it was fun to be back. A great mix of hard poses but with clear instruction, which was helpful for Matt as a beginner. After we finished, I worked on my forearm balance handstand. So proud I can finally do this – and hold it for a little while, too! Progress!
After our workout, it was time to cheer on our friends! We decided to spectate over at Central Park South, which is around the 25 mile mark, but first: brunch. We hit up the Brooklyn Diner (which is not in Brooklyn… or at least this location isn’t).
This place ROCKED. Best breakfast I’ve had in a long time – highly recommend it if you’re in the Central Park South area. I had the huevos rancheros – sooo good.
And Matt had the corned beef and hash, which he also loved.
Our bellies full, it was time to cheer.
We made it in time to see the elite runners finishing! I snagged this awesome action shot of Geoffrey Mutai, who won this year’s marathon with a finish time of 2:08:24. INSANE, right?!
I also got a shot of my favorite, Meb, in the white tank below, racing by a short while later.
Remember when I was lucky enough to meet Meb up at the Beach to Beacon 10k in Maine? Nicest guy ever. I was hoping he would win.
After the elites went through, we met up with Matt’s college buddy Ted, who was one of our groomsmen in our wedding, and Matt’s brother Drew. We warmed up with some hot drinks and then headed back out to catch our friends finishing between the 3:30 and 4:15 ish finish time zones!
I spotted fellow bloggers Monica, Gia, and Jess, and was able to get this great shot of Theodora as she cruised towards a new PR (her sub 4 hour goal was a big success – so proud of her)!
Next up was Lauren, who ran over and gave us a big hug!
Followed by Steph, who gave the thumbs up and a teary “Good!” in response to my “How you feeling?!" shout!
I’m so, so proud of everyone who was out there yesterday pushing hard through 26.2 miles. Between spectating NYC Marathon this weekend and the Marine Corps Marathon last weekend, I’m getting SO excited for Richmond in 2 weeks. Matt and I and Ted took another break to warm up indoors and then headed back out to cheer on their friends Andria and Katie who finished just over the 5 hour mark. I really loved being out there giving runners high fives and cheering on those by name who had their names on their shirts. What an inspiring way to spend a Sunday!
Matt and I took the bus back to DC last night, tired but so happy we made the push to NYC for the race. And now, another work week begins. I hope it’s a good one, everyone!
Who else raced this weekend, either in NYC or elsewhere? How’d it go?!
NYC Marathon Weekend Adventures originally appeared on fANNEtastic food on November 4, 2013.
The post NYC Marathon Weekend Adventures appeared first on fANNEtastic food.