The Nike Women's Marathon***

This is the description of the Nike Women's Marathon that Runnerworld.com provided for their article "Marathons You Should Run In 2008" :

Where: San Francisco, California


When: October 19


Age of Race: Running since 2002


Highlights: Hills, Urban, Great Foods, Lavish Fuel Stations, Entertainment, Cool Schwag, Star Power



Every marathon is 26.2 miles and every hotel is a place to sleep, but what sets them apart from the rest are the amenities. This marathon has special touches galore--most geared toward the 95 percent of runners who are women, including a "coat check" to drop your warmups at 2.5 miles; a "pedi-care" station for blister treatment or a change of socks; a Ghirardelli chocolate stop; and a Tiffany's necklace given to you at the finish by a fireman dressed in a tux.



ROUTE: The course takes you past so many scenic areas that many runners carry cameras. From Union Square, you run through the Financial District and Fisherman's Wharf; along the bay with unobstructed views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge; up into the eucalyptus and cypress forests of Presidio National Park; five miles apiece in Golden Gate Park, along Ocean Beach, and around Lake Merced; and finish on the ocean. The city's steep, cable-car hills are avoided, but three hefty climbs at miles six, eight, and 11 mean you should run to have a good time, not to run one.




ENTERTAINMENT: There are 39 stations with live music, DJs, and cheering squads, plus two more bands at the finish.




SPECTATORS: Some wait at the finish, which is near miles 11 and 16. Others take free shuttle buses to two of the four cheer stations, where comedians keep them in good cheer.



REFUEL: Fourteen fluid stations and seven food stations with Luna Bars, Luna Sport Moons Energy Chews, bananas, granola, or chocolate. Postrace spread features Bear Naked granola with yogurt and bananas, and to wash it down, Jamba Juice smoothies.




SCHWAG: Technical T-shirt, loaded goody bag, plus the Tiffany's version of a finishers' medal. The Nike Expotique also offers massages, manicures, and yoga classes.



STAR POWER: Nike athletes give expo talks; 2007 speakers included Joan Benoit Samuelson (who also led a pace team) and Brandi Chastain.


Umm...a fireman in a tux giving me out the schwag? I like this race even more. Except for the part about 3 hefty climbs...hill repeats here we come!

***please note- men are welcome to run. The article notes that women out number men 20:1 in this event. There are some seriously smart dudes. Just like the guys in High School who took Home Ec.

Introducing Kiki!

As part of my never ending quest to be both quirky and not so bright I've adopted another (feral) kitten. Last week my co-worker mentioned the four kittens he and his wife had rescued; I was basically strong armed. Guerilla salesman tactics such as showing me pictures and sharing cute stories. How can a girl resist a little gray fluffball such as Kiki.

Kiki is about 9 weeks old; she will socialize better than Gabby. When I rescued Gabby she 9 months old. Experts don't recommend attempting to socialize a feral kitten older than 12 weeks.

So far there has been the normal sibling rivalry. Gabby is jealous and afraid of Kiki. All in all they are both doing fine. In fact Kiki has taught Gabby a few things such as how to play with ribbon.

Here is Gabs stalking our new arrival-

Currently there seems to be some territorial issues involving the cat condo I purchased for Gabs last year. You know, the one she never plays in. It's kitten paradise and Gabs seems to recall it belonging to her...

I swear I won't turn into the crazy cat lady who just talks about her cats. But there just so darn cute...

To Be Continued!

Success!!!

Our fundraising efforts this weekend were uber successful. Details and pictures forthcoming; for now thank you everyone!

Randoms From My Day

I was driving home and stuck in traffic on 24. I put on my BlueTooth (I don't break the law) and called my Mommy. During the course of the conversation I began to gesticulate wildly for an extended amount of time. The gentleman in the lane next to me caught my eye, started laughing at me and imitating me. It was awesome. I smiled and waved, he continued for another moment then waved and smiled back.

Earlier today at Safeway the man ahead of me was literally buying Gin (Seagrams Club Size) and Juice (OJ in the big gallon jugs.) That's all he needed for his Thursday.

Training Progress

I’ve been training for almost 2 months now. Overall I’m rather pleased with the progress I’ve made; I’ve lost 12 lbs in the last two months and can see a noticeable difference with my appearance. Because so much time has been spent exercising I’ve been incredibly conscious of my eating habits. Last weekend while hiking I noticed that my balance and coordination have improved tremendously.

And…I haven’t been training hard enough. There are one million excuses I could give you, all of which would be bullsh*t. Truth be told, I haven’t been training hard enough because I’m embarrassed that I’m overweight. I’m scared of people judging me and making fun of me. I know that some people have and will; I also know that some people (my friends whom I love more than I can express) have the attitude that it is incredible that I’m trying.

People have generously donated and assisted me in my fundraising. I can’t let them down. I can’t let my teammates down, and most importantly I can not and will not let my honorees down. This all came to me last weekend thank goodness! It’s not to late to give it my all, after all Team in Training is still recruiting people for their fall season which includes the Nike ½.

Tuesday I faced one of my biggest fears and went to the track workout. It was hard; Paula has the patience of a saint with me; I did it (ok, most of it.) Muscles in my body that rarely see use are screaming still. Yesterday I downshifted and did some gentle yoga to soothe my body. Today I didn’t want to, I didn’t want to start a run still sore; but I did. I pushed and I ran (my pace is sloooow) for 14 minutes straight; I walked and then ran for another 4 minutes. Then I walked more and ran for another 10 minutes. All while incredibly sore.

I didn’t become overweight overnight and I won’t become thin overnight either. People will make fun of me; those people aren’t worth me worrying about. I’m lucky. Today I thought a lot about our honorees; I cried thinking about their struggles. If only their biggest worry was someone making fun of them.

I keep seeing the gorgeous smile of Maddie, who is 12 and has leukemia, in my mind. Justin, recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease. Maddie and Justin come and cheer us on at many training events. They are there, to cheer us on. It should be the other way around.

I thought about Brenda, a wife and mother who passed away. Cole, who passed away when he was not even 2 years old. Chris, not even 20 years old when he passed away, who lived everyday of his life to the fullest. Sonny, husband and father. The courage these families show, dealing with their grief while staying involved with the LLS.

It kind of puts things back in perspective.

Starting From Scratch

Yesterday I had an epiphany; my new promise to myself is that I will no do things just to prove that I can. I'm not speaking of physical challenges; but putting myself in situations likely to upset me because I like to pretend I'm tough. Here's a secret: I'm not tough.

It's also time to start from scratch. Ro knows what I mean; time to forget the past and move on. Easier said than done, but I'm going for it. This is scary, it means letting go of a few people that I genuinely care for. But I won't have room for potential new people without doing this.

Yuck! If I seem grumpy the next couple weeks...

Topless Pilates

High Sierra was a blast. Plus the TNT gals that went were super good and we worked out 2 of the days we were there. The first workout was a pilates class that the nice festival organizers put on. We leisurely walked over, laid our sarongs on the ground, and noticed the woman that decided to participate in pilates without wearing a shirt or bra. Yep. That is how hippies roll.

The next morning we decided to recreate our circuit training. There may have been adult beverages involved...We thought the area we picked would be relatively secluded but it seemed as if many people were around and watching. One woman asked to join us, but changed her mind when she saw what we had planned. As we ran by a few people commented "thats what I should be doing" or "I wish I had that kind of stamina."

All in all training is going great! I feel good about being able to do circuit training at 5000 feet in smokey air.

Begging for Money

You don't really ever want to have to see this again, right?

Odds and Ends

I'm getting ready for my next two weekends away from home. Up first is of course the High Sierra Music Festival! Great advice from Paula:

-Nalgene bottles: There are no cans or bottles allowed in the main stage area (they're ok at all the other stages). We typically pour beers into a nalgene bottle and take it in. Do not buy an expensive one, and if you already have a nice one, do not use it. Your bottle will smell of beer, no matter how many times you wash it.

-Beer and Water: It can get kinda expensive if you buy all your drinks from the festival vendors. You can always pick some up in town, but keep in mind that you don't want to run out at 2am when everyone is in super party mode. (And don't forget to be prepared for Shot O' Clock).

I'm always prepared for Shot O'Clock, although my tolerance has gone way down as of late due in part to losing weight, drinking less and exercising more. (Side note- anyone think that I'm losing weight because I'm drinking less and exercising more? Hmmm...)

My quote to Paula last night about the festival: "I'm placing personal hygiene low priority for my Festival experience."

Although I am planning on working out, so I'll probably take at least one shower. So everyone in our camp "The Coop" hopes.

I had a fantastic run Monday night on the Iron Horse. I walked out the distance I wanted to run, and ran back home. Why hadn't I thought of this sooner? Coated my legs in Tiger Balm and went for it. Doing the same tonight.

Lunch is over, back to it!