Nike Women's Marathon: 2011 Mission Accomplished!

Mom and I are ready to start the Nike Women's Marathon 2011.  This is mom's hand!

  

Cruisin along the Embarcadero.  Living in the Bay Area, at times, I forget how beautiful the city really is.  Along this area, Glide Memorial Gospel Choir is singing some awesome songs and you can't help but to stop and clap and thank God for the opportunity.

Walking along Fort Mason/Chrissy Fields enjoying the view of the Golden Gate Bridge.  The Sports Basement is also along this section of the course.  This is my restroom pit stop and only opportunity to use a 'real bathroom'.  This stop, I had hoped to buy some aspirin.  I was beginning to feel sore.  This was also the part of the course where I saw my former TNT coaches, Tom and Alice.  It's always a pleasure to get a hug along the way.

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Moving toward the Presidio. Rolling hills are in the very near future. UGH!  Lots of TNT support is in this area because it's such a tough spot on the course.  This is also where you will see faces of honorees or those who have lost the battle to a blood related cancer.  Lots of reflective moments happen here because my body hurts, I'm tired, and I'm ready to be done.  But than I remember...this is much more easier than chemo or being on my death bed.  I keep it moving.

Heading out of the Presidio and now entering rolling hills zone.  This was an excellent time to run into a mentor I had when I was training with TNT for my first full marathon in 2004, Nancy.  God love her!  She walked me up the hills, literally.  At this point, I was looking for the 'sag-wag'.  I was done and ready to finish, but with assistance.  Nancy let me know that I didn't need the 'sag-wag' and I was doing great.  In my head, I really wanted that ride!  She's probably in her 70s and has done 45+ marathons (fulls and halfs).  She was truly an inspiration and I'm so glad I saw her.  At the top, I gave her the biggest hug.  Thank you, Nancy!

 

At this point, I was truly in the home stretch making my way down hill towards Ocean Beach.  My mom had called me just as I was at mile 10.  I was really getting excited about what I was about to accomplish.  

 

I was so glad to turn that corner from Golden Gate Park to see The Great Highway.  The best part of The Great Highway?  The FINISH line!  Woo-hoo!!  

 

As always, mom was waiting for me at the finish.  I was happy, hungry, and sore all at the same time.  I usually stop to grab all of the freebies, but all I accepted this finish was my blue Tiffany box with my finishers medal enclosed and a bottle of water.  I wanted to grab my checked bag and make my way to the shuttle bus.  My body was aching and I knew it would shut down on me quickly.  

 

With the help of KMEL and KBLX, I was able to listen to my Sunday morning dose of gospel music.  And so, I completed my 9th Half Marathon today. Of all the events I finished, this is the one I'm most proud of.  

 

Until next year, Nike Women's Marathon!

 

 

This little item is coveted by many! 

   

              

Nike Women's Marathon: 2011

On October 16th, I would have completed my 7th Nike Women's Marathon (NWM).  There have been 8, but I sold my bib one year.

This is an event that I register for because I am a legacy (I completed the first 5 NWM), it's coveted by many thanks to the Tiffany finishers charm, and it's an event my mom is most excited to complete because we do it together.

Mom and I have our annual ritual of meeting in Union Square at the Expotique to pick up our bag-o-swag, which includes, our bib, safety pins, coupons, and sample treats from the sponsors.  We also cruise the food and drink areas to see what's new.  We don't hang too long because we leave to dine and talk more marathon stuff and other.  We typically end up at Nordstrom Bistro.  We love it there.  We can always find a light meal accompanied by a delicious drink.

This hasn't been the best trained event, so I'm hopeful my body doesn't turn on me.  Besides, I'm really hoping for muscle memory.  Afterall, this will be my 9th 1/2 marathon under my feet!


I've given mom the pick-up time, 5:30-5:45...in the morning!  I know mom will be anxiously awaiting my arrival with her sneakers on! 

Off we will ride across the bay to wait...until 7am!  For the start time of the 8th Nike Women's Marathon.  There will be lots of people, mostly women. loud music, and thunderous applauds and loud cheers of 'GO TEAM!'.  All filled with the anticipation of the race.  Women (and men) travel all over for this event, many who trained with Team in Training (TNT) and have raised funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). 

Here's to another great walk.  Wish me luck!

To find out more about TNT and LLS, visit:
http://www.lls.org/
http://www.teamintraining.org/
http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikerunning_events-en_US/?tags=nike_womens_marathon_2011






 

In a slump....ugh!

The last few weeks have been pretty tough for me on a personal level and a fitness level.  I am in a slump and thankfully, I recognize it.  People in  my life recognize it, too.  I thank you, mom and Sharon. 

During this time, this is when I need to listen to my own advise of 'working out when I don't want to' or 'when you're feeling down, working out will make you feel better'.  Well, for me, cuddling up in my bed with comfy pjs has been my desired coping method.  Oh....and eating!

I knew things were pretty bad when I called my mom and asked her to meet me for Chevy's.  While I was sharing with my mom what was going on, I instantly began to cry.  Like for real, cry.  I was speaking my frustrations through my tears of what was going on with me and why I was feeling the way I had been feeling.  I felt as if I were 12.  I think I freaked my mom out because I am pretty sure she wasn't expecting me to lose it the way that I did.

In true momma form, she knew exactly what to say.  She knew how to verbally comfort her baby girl who wasn't feeling 100%.  Thank you, mom for always knowing what to say, no matter what.

My friend, Sharon shared a blog post with me, 'Relapse Happens'.  You see, I've been absent from her classes.  Not only does she notice my absence, but so does my classmates. I read Sharon's blog as if she were directly speaking to me.  Her post spoke to my feelings of being burnt out, triggers, and how to recover. 

I am on my way.  I know this happens to me all of the time.  I just have to do better at not staying in my slump for so long.

http://zumbawithsharon.com/