NYC Part 5 of . . .

NYC Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 . . .

Waking up this particular Sunday morning was exciting.  I had a goal to run 13 races in 2013.  Once I knew the dates that I was going to be in NYC, I started googling races.  I mean, how cool would it be to not only run 13 races in 2013 but also have one of them be in NYC.  I missed the Jingle Bell Jog by a day.  But I was registered at home for the Santa Shuffle the same day so there was no sense changing my plans for that.  But after frequent checking I found the Riverside Park Hot Chocolate Run.  There was a 5 km and a 10 km.  I did the 5km.  Figured since I'd be walking all day every day, I didn't need to run 10 km.  I was a little worried about finding my way there and finding the start in the park but it turned out to be a breeze.

Waiting at the subway.

I got off and saw other runners!  I'm in the right place!  I followed them to the park entrance.

People hanging out and stretching.

Beauty park.

Ready to go!

Almost there!

Hell yeah I did!!!

Race #12 of 13 done!!

After the race, I was walking to the subway to get my day started . . . or so I thought.  Just when I was thinking that nothing looked familiar, I saw this. Monk's from Seinfeld!!!  AAAAAAHHHH!  This was on my list of things to see but I had no idea how close I was when I headed to the race and I wouldn't have found if I hadn't walked uptown instead of downtown when I left the park.  So happy!!

Within minutes I was at the counter.

And a few more minutes later, I was having bacon & eggs and coffee.  Totally reasonably priced too.

When I left, I was taking a few more pictures and a garbage truck pulled over to empty the cans on the corner and the two guys started talking to me.  One of them was a runner so he was asking about the race and then they asked if I wanted them to take my picture.  Umm okay!!

From here, I headed back to the apartment on the train to shower and get ready for the rest of the day.  Here is the block I was staying in and my little grocery store that I frequented.

I had a day of wandering planned.  I wanted to hit a few movie/show stops and the most incredible bookstore.  First up, some randoms as I was getting to my destinations.

Then the bookstore!!!  It did not let me down. 18 miles of books!

Aisle after aisle looking just like this one.

And I bought this super cool subway map reusable shopping bag.  Everything I've read says that New Yorkers always have some sort of subway map on them.  I even saw a few iPhone cases that were subway maps.  So cool.  I'd seen this bag too so when I saw it at the Strand, I had to have it.  I folded it up and used it the rest of my trip too.  Hehe.  I bought other souvenirs here too.  I may have to do a short souvenir post at the end.  I figured I'd just come home with my favourite magnet which is what I usually do.  THAT. DID. NOT. HAPPEN.

Walking distance from the Strand was the Starbucks from the SATC movie :)  I went in, had a coffee, and charged my phone and used the free wifi.

Then I headed over to Dean & Deluca -- Felicity anyone??  Of course I bought the t-shirt.  OF COURSE!!

And because I'm a huge Girls fan - if you don't know what I'm talking about, it's an HBO series.

Who are the ladies?!

Same place! Same frozen yogurt - yes, I'm a dork, I'm fine with
it.

Shoshanna's apartment.

Tom & Jerry's featured in the show.

Next up, I did a little shopping.  Went to the Union Square Christmas market and a couple huge shoe stores in search of boots.  Ended up finding an Aerosoles store that was still having a sale so I bought my black boots in dark brown and some nice low black boots for work.

I headed home with all the purchases that were now weighing me down!  I had no idea what to do that night.  There are very few if any shows on so I ended up heading to a movie (Delivery Man) and having a big bag of popcorn and a giant drink for supper.  It was really weird to be watching a movie set in New York while in New York, hehe.  I was home and in bed at a reasonable hour and it was so nice to know I was going to be rested up for the next day!!