Ironman races, Adventure races, marathons. I often get asked why I do such things. (Insane things, according to Richard.)
Self-fulfillment? The love of a challenge? Massacism?
In the case of last weekend the answer is simple: Jewelry.
Self-fulfillment? The love of a challenge? Massacism?
In the case of last weekend the answer is simple: Jewelry.
Sorry it's blurry....it says "Run Like A Girl."
Last year my friend Sunghee asked me if I wanted to run the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco with her in October. As I poised my lips to say 'no' and list all of the reasons hilly San Fran was the last place I would run 26.2 miles, she added: "The finisher's medal is a necklace designed by Tiffany's presented to you at the finish line by men in tuxedoes."
Well, we all know how much I love a man in a tux, so I said yes. And, because misery loves company, I recruited friends. There ended up being 8 of us in all, training through the year to run around San Francisco looking for men in penguin suits ready to give us jewelry.
If you are considering running a half or full marathon in your life, I HIGHLY recommend this event. And not just for the necklace. It is well done, well attended, well cheered, well mapped and for a good cause.
The course started at Union Square in the main shopping district near Nike Town, where all participants names as listed on a giant wall. The race started at 7 a.m., and was really well organized. You ran toward the water, and then swept past some of the iconic sites of San Fran just as the sun is rising (depending on fog) - Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge. The hills are not the worst that San Fran could throw at you, and they are early in the race. I was pleasantly surprised at how well we ran them, but I think the distractions of the views probably helped. It also helped that nearly every mile had some form of entertainment, from a gospel choir to bagpipers to a steele drum band.
Many of the sponsors also had stretches of positive, inspirational messages to keep you motivated. About mile 9 you reach the top of the last of the bigger hills and drop down onto the beach. The wind off the water is not bad and the views make it worth any extra effort. Here is where the half and full marathon's split. The full racers head off deep into Golden Gate Park while the half runners dip into the park and end back to the water's edge for the finish line. After a few miles in the park, the full emerges to run along the water past the San Francisco Zoo and then out around Lake Merced, pushed on by a fabulous 80s cover band.
Mile 22 greets you with Ghriardelli Chocolate samples before you head back up one small hill and down the homestretch along the water.
I ran the race with my friend Debbie and we had a goal of finishing. Not lofty, I suppose, but good enough for us. We were there to have fun, and we did. In fact, I carried my blackberry and was able to snap pictures, post to Facebook and chat with Richard while I was moving along. If I ran it again, I would be far more serious about actually trying to run it well, but for this time, I wanted to soak in the experience of the city, the views, the commaraderie and the fun.
A big thanks to Sunghee, for the suggestion; to Theresa, for coming down from Seattle; to Debbie, for training with me and running with me; and to her husband Scott and my dear Richard, ever my cheerleader.
He may shake his head then he hear's me ask if he's okay with me doing the next crazy event....but he helps me survive L.A. And I now have a fabulous little piece of jewelry to wear while doing it.
Get ready to go!
View of Alcatraz, about mile 4
Down to the beach!
Entertainment in Gold Gate Park
Back along the beach for the home stretch!
FINISH in sight!
Why, yes, I'd love a Tiffany Necklace, thanks!
Well, we all know how much I love a man in a tux, so I said yes. And, because misery loves company, I recruited friends. There ended up being 8 of us in all, training through the year to run around San Francisco looking for men in penguin suits ready to give us jewelry.
If you are considering running a half or full marathon in your life, I HIGHLY recommend this event. And not just for the necklace. It is well done, well attended, well cheered, well mapped and for a good cause.
The course started at Union Square in the main shopping district near Nike Town, where all participants names as listed on a giant wall. The race started at 7 a.m., and was really well organized. You ran toward the water, and then swept past some of the iconic sites of San Fran just as the sun is rising (depending on fog) - Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge. The hills are not the worst that San Fran could throw at you, and they are early in the race. I was pleasantly surprised at how well we ran them, but I think the distractions of the views probably helped. It also helped that nearly every mile had some form of entertainment, from a gospel choir to bagpipers to a steele drum band.
Many of the sponsors also had stretches of positive, inspirational messages to keep you motivated. About mile 9 you reach the top of the last of the bigger hills and drop down onto the beach. The wind off the water is not bad and the views make it worth any extra effort. Here is where the half and full marathon's split. The full racers head off deep into Golden Gate Park while the half runners dip into the park and end back to the water's edge for the finish line. After a few miles in the park, the full emerges to run along the water past the San Francisco Zoo and then out around Lake Merced, pushed on by a fabulous 80s cover band.
Mile 22 greets you with Ghriardelli Chocolate samples before you head back up one small hill and down the homestretch along the water.
I ran the race with my friend Debbie and we had a goal of finishing. Not lofty, I suppose, but good enough for us. We were there to have fun, and we did. In fact, I carried my blackberry and was able to snap pictures, post to Facebook and chat with Richard while I was moving along. If I ran it again, I would be far more serious about actually trying to run it well, but for this time, I wanted to soak in the experience of the city, the views, the commaraderie and the fun.
A big thanks to Sunghee, for the suggestion; to Theresa, for coming down from Seattle; to Debbie, for training with me and running with me; and to her husband Scott and my dear Richard, ever my cheerleader.
He may shake his head then he hear's me ask if he's okay with me doing the next crazy event....but he helps me survive L.A. And I now have a fabulous little piece of jewelry to wear while doing it.
One of the best parts of this race was our commitment to fun...which included taking pictures and uploading/posting to Facebook in-race (and chatting with Richard). So, these are camera phone and not the best, but....run along with us! (Though, I am not in any of these pics, just the photographer.)
Wall of racer names at Niketown
Get ready to go!
View of Alcatraz, about mile 4
Down to the beach!
Entertainment in Gold Gate Park
Back along the beach for the home stretch!
FINISH in sight!
Why, yes, I'd love a Tiffany Necklace, thanks!
