Pre-Race Pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=874ygok.6s80dl20&x=0&y=-wn05y4
The first few pics is of us doing salt packet shots before we left the hotel room. It was gross -- made you wonder where was the tequila.
Next shots are of us going to bag check-in, and getting pumped. It is 5:45am when we left the hotel, and it is still pitch dark out and cold. Race start is at 7am, and we are just getting stretched out, warmed up, pumped up. The crowd is excited and everyone's ready to go.
There's a pic of me with something in my mouth at bag check-in. This is a packet of GU (energy gel) that I had pinned to my shirt for the run, but somehow started to leak before we even start. I am sucking out what's oozing out of it -- but there is nothing worse than running along with some sticky goo stuff running down your leg. I managed to eat half of it, and pinned it upside down for the rest of the race -- that seemed to work.
If you're going through the slideshow -- the second album is of my sister's warmup run, pedicure, and pep-rally the day before. Kind of out of order.
The last album is of her flight there and also some pics of events going on at the exhibition tents.
Race Pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=874ygok.arr12mrc&x=0&y=-rsoltr
This link continues off from the start of the race onwards. The beginning pics are of the northeastern coast of San Francisco, along the boardwalk and through Fisherman's Wharf. The sun is just about to rise as we approach Golden Gate Bridge and it is so beautiful. The oranges just start glowing in the new light and the water is calm.
Mile 6 is the end of the flat run, and up to then I was running at a faster pace than I normally run. I think it was all the energy and adrenaline. When you hit mile 6, there is a sharp turn up this 45 degree hill for close to a mile. This hill's been talked up and had everyone worried, but I just chugged up it and it really wasn't bad at all. I just took my time and walked when I couldn't run anymore. All the running in Central Park really helped I guess. :)
Around mile 8-9 was when I started hurting a little. It was the typical runner's aches that I got during my training so I wasn't that concerned about it, but I just hoped that I would last to then of the run. I just had 5 more miles to go! I just kept thinking to myself, it's just another short training run left.
At mile 10, you turn this corner near the Cliff House restaurant and all of a sudden the road opens up into this panoramic view of the ocean with the waves crashing below. You can totally hear everyone just gasp at the beauty as they turned the corner. It was super awe-inspiring and gave you this extra energy after all that hill running to keep going.
At some point I had to stop to take this annoying pebble out of my shoe. When I got back up all my muscles clinched up and I had to take time out to re-stretch. Once I did, I continued on my run.
The course splits where full marathon runners keep running Golden Gate Park, and half-marathoner's run part of the way down and turn back towards the finish.
I had just a few miles to go, and was getting tired and was aching. At some point they were passing out orange slices that I sucked on. Then came some banana halves that I peeled and started eating. I had it half chewed before I realized I didn't want it and spit it out in the garbage. I just couldn't digest any more.
By the time I reached the Ghirardelli booth where they were handing out chocolates, I lost all motor function and could barely open up the wrapper to get to the chocolate. The caramel piece was all broken up by the time I got to it and into my mouth. I continued on, as there was just two miles left!
I'd like to say I got a burst of energy when I saw the finish line, but I didn't. I just saw it coming up and knew it would be done soon. When I crossed, I was really happy I was able to finish without van assistance. I knew if it was any more miles I probably would have to walk the rest. Everything hurt, even going to sit down was painful! I spent the next few hours resting and exploring the finisher's area while I waited for Elaine to finish.
Elaine keeps taking pics of the rest of her run. After the Park, the course continues down the coastline towards San Francisco Zoo, does a loop around the lakes and back up to the finish.
I waited for her at the finish between 11am-12pm when she was expected to finish. I was looking for her orange sunglasses and red Buff cap, but she had taken them off a mile before. I saw her just as she passed me on the sidelines, and saw her put her hands up... put them down, then up again. She later told me, she put her hands up to cross the finish line, but quickly realized it was a lot farther than it looked.
It was quite exhilarating to finish, and then watch Elaine finish.
Post-Race Pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=874ygok.3amr747s&x=0&y=rcbjmc
These pics are of the end of the day after Elaine crossed the finish line. We looked up our times on the finisher's board, and hung out on the beach. Then we hopped on the bus that took us back to Union Square. Niketown had a wall up with all the racer's names on it, so of course we had to take pics with our names! Later that night we went to Team in Training's Victory Party and then went to watch the Sox win the ALCS like the COMEBACK KINGS THEY ARE!!! Needless to say we crashed pretty quickly back at the hotel that night.
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This is my adventure as I train for a half-marathon in October 2007. Let me preface that I am _not_ a runner, and never have been. This is my most ambitious new years resolution.
I DID IT!!!
I did it -- I ran 13.1 miles when just 10 months ago, I couldn't even jog down the block!
It's definitely a fantastic accomplishment, and I knew the second I finished I knew I wanted to someday do a full. It was the most powerful moment - you feel like you do anything.
My sister and I SURPASSED our goal and raised $4124 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!!! Thank you everyone who supported us throughout our endeavour!
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My Story...
This October, my sister and I have committed to running in San Francisco for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am doing 13.1 miles in the Half-Marathon, and my sister will be doing 26.2 miles for the Full!
For those who have known us for a while, you know we are both BIG couch potatoes. You can read Elaine's story on the donation site -- as for me, my decision began at the beginning of the year. I was sitting in a bar and talking to some people around me. And I realized more people than I expected (non-runners) have trained and run half or full marathons. Two of my closest friends have already ran half-marathons before and spoke highly of the experience. When my friend Anita talked about her experience with the Nike Half-Marathon, I became excited about the prospect.
I'll be honest -- in the beginning it wasn't about the honor or accomplishment of completing the distance. It was about the fact that it was a women-focused event in beautiful San Francisco, and the Tiffany finisher necklace and pampering at the finish line! The whole thing was painted out in my head like it was a luxury vacation! (nevermind that I have to put my body through stress and struggle to get there!)
But the more I thought about it, the more excited I became, and the more committed I was to making this a reality. I think something about the advent of being "in your thirties" invigorates the sense of wanting to be healthier, stronger, and needing a sense of accomplishment. I never considered myself a person who had the endurance to do something like this. These type of things were meant for "athletic people".
So it became my New Year's Resolution this year to complete the half-marathon. After all, I had 10 months to train. Plenty of time to get myself in shape. I grabbed the Oprah Half-Marathon training schedule and got on the treadmill. This was January and I could barely walk a full mile without catching my breath. I was determined tho, and within 2 months, I was doing 3 miles easily.
That was when I convinced my sister to do the Half with me. She said she would, but I don't think she was fully convinced we were going to actually do it. Then she saw I was actually running. My sister not to be outdone, began running and soon surpassed me in mileage. Her and her ambitious attitude decided she was going for the gold and decided to do the Full, running with Team in Training. I'm sticking with the Half -- I like to keep my goals realistic. ;)
So we both have our own major goal to complete this year. It is an arduous road, and we are both working hard to get there.
But we both need your support in raising money for a really great cause. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
I am running in honor and celebration of my friend, Tara, who is a Type B-Cell Lymphoma survivor!
You can make a donation by visiting our combined donation site:
Please use the link above to donate online quickly and securely. You will receive a confirmation by email of your donation and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.
I really appreciate all the support I've received so far. Please tell as many people as you can and encourage them to donate as well! Also come back to this page frequently to check out my progress!
1 comment:
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