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| This month's box! Yum--Dark Chocolate Chili Kind Bars! |
The Nike Women's Marathon / Half Marathon is one of the hardest races in the country to gain entry into. So many people want to be part of the event, Nike has to set up a lottery system for entry. Only about 1 in 5 who seek entry actually get into the event--unless you are part of Team in Training! If you commit to raise money to fight cancer, you are guaranteed entry into this most sought after event. That is how I got in! In total, there was about 3,000 Team in Training participants in the race, raising over $13 million dollars to fight cancer. Nothing like a sea of purple running to fight cancer! 
It was still dark when the race officially started! Nike had a great DJ to get the crowd going. We even got a firework sendoff! It took me about 26 minutes to cross the start line. Those minutes waiting to cross the start are always so anxious for me. The first two miles were on the city streets of San Francisco, through the Financial District, heading toward the Embarkadero. The view of the San Francisco Bay was amazing, although it became very evident that the word of the day, like last year, was quickly becoming fog. It was so foggy that morning, that we could only see about a quarter mile out. I could not even see the water while running through Fisherman's Wharf or Pier 39. As we ran through the Presidio, all of the runner were eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the famed Golden Gate Bridge. Unforgettably, this was a marvel we would not be blessed to see that day. This was also the coldest half marathon I have ever done. It was about 50 degrees, and very damp. It never rained but the air was very wet. I was cold for the entire event. Some teammates tried to talk me out of wearing my long sleeved top. I was so glad I wore it! My hands stayed icy the enter race. Brrrr! 
Once we got to the top of this hill, we turned a corner and there it was--the most beautiful and breath taking view of the race. I got my first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean! The view looked like it came out of a book. The waves were crashing against the cliffs. The seagulls were flying around. Pure magic! I have always had a love / fascination with the ocean--especially the Pacific Ocean. When I got to the bottom of the hill, I could see race village--but I was only on mile 10. After another breathtaking mile along the coast, we made a turn into Golden Gate Park to run our last two miles. By this time, I could see runners who already had finished the race carrying their finisher bags, wearing their finisher shirts and holding their little blue boxes. It was tough to not look at the bright yellow shirt in the bags, but I was determined I was not going to look at their necks! I did not want to see the Tiffany necklace until I was looking at the one I had earned myself. 
I was so excited to open my Tiffany necklace this year--but I made myself wait until I got back to my room. I wanted to take my time, open the box slowly--to take it all in. I slowly untied the ribbon and opened the box. I pulled out the tiny blue bag. There is was--my new Tiffany necklace. Its a triangle shape, with an X to stand for a 10 because this was the tenth year of the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. 
Nike Women's Marathon was an amazing event! It was the most breathtaking course I have ever run. There is not one boring second of this race. There was always something beautiful to look at. The course was for sure my favorite I have ever done (don't tell the runDisney people.) The support on the course was also spectacular. I had 3,000 teammates/ new family members cheering me on on the course. There was hundreds of TNT coaches on the course. I could not go half a mile without seeing one of our green shirted coaches cheering on all of the runners. The NWM in San Francisco is going to be a yearly event for me. I can't wait to do it again next year!
Before every Team in Training event, the TNT staff through an inspiration dinner for participants. It is their way of saying thank you for all the hard work we have done fundraising, but its also an a send off for us--a reminder WHY we did all that hard work. The inspiration dinner for the Nike Women's Marathon a few weeks ago was no different--except they had a few extra specials surprise in store for us. 
We also got to hear from another amazing family--The Family of "Team Mickey". Mickey is now a sixteen year old girl with Downs Syndrome. When she was a toddler, she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Hearing her mom tell her story brought me to tears. I know how it feels to spend months and months in the hospital--how scary it is to fear for your child's life. After fighting the disease for years, Mickey in now in remission! Her mom joined TNT a few years ago. Mickey crossed the finish line with her mom at her mom's first half marathon. Mickey vowed then to do a half marathon with her mom as part of TNT when she was 16. That race would be the 2013 Nike Women's Half Marathon! Hearing Mickey and her mom tell their story was so heart warming. It reminded me of the power of a mother's love, the power of a family. It also made me miss my kiddos a bit. Team Mickey is what Team in Training is all about! Finding a cure, giving back, helping families have more time together. 
Last week while I was in San Francisco for the Nike Women's Marathon, I got to do something I have wanted to do since I was a child--I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge! The international orange bridge is such an American icon, it felt surreal to actually be there, to be walking across. |
| Marin County side. I love the shadow on the water! |
Denise and I reached the Marin County side of the bridge and turn around. That is when the best views  |
| Photo borrowed from Wikipedia |
My trip to the Golden Gate Bridge was an amazing experience! I am so glad I finally got to do it. Our trip to the bridge came to an end at the Golden Gate Bridge visitors center. For $1, guests can buy an official "I walked the bridge" postcard. The postcards are numbered and stamped with the date. I think its the perfect keepsake for such an amazing experience! |
| Photo from waltdisney.org |
Hollywood is where the Disney magic begins! Visitors get to see the invention of Oswald, and then Mickey. We saw the opening of Disney' first studio. This is where Walt met Lillian, his eventual wife. The museum winds to show Disney's venture into full length feature films, and then live action films. They have one of only three of the multi plane camera in existence, a technology invented by Walt Disney. The museum does not sugar coat anything. They go into the effects of the World War on the studios, and the artist strikes. 
The Disney Family Museum was nothing like I expected. I was expecting a "One Man's Dream" video presentation at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World type of thing, but with props. It was so much more that that. Through this museum experience visitors get to know the Disney family as people. On the walls are photos of the family--at home, on holidays, on vacation, at work. Walt's personality comes alive there. The Disney Family Museum is all about the man Walt Disney was, not just the extraordinary things he did. 
This past Saturday, I participated in the Baltimore Running Festival. I ran in the marathon relay with some of my Princess running friends. This race is special to me because Baltimore is like home to me, its the first place I remember living. The day started crazy and very stressful, but it turned out great!
Thankfully, my day turned around after that. I met some really fun ladies on the relay bus. We were running leg two, so we had about an hour to wait before our first leg partner got to us. We met our first leg running partners at mile 5, between Johns Hopkins University and the Baltimore Zoo. The relay exchange point was like a party! First to pass was the lead wheel chair athlete. Since I am a back of the pack runner, I have never seen the wheel chairs before. Baltimore is such a hilly city. I give those guys so much credit. After a few minutes the lead runner passed. The crowd cheered! It was amazing. We cheered and cheered as the runners passed. Soon it was my turn to run.
My leg started straight up hill! It was a tough start. I tried to walk the ups, run the down. My leg went from the zoo, past Hopkins University toward the famous Baltimore Inner Harbor. Then we ran through South Baltimore, around the Under Armour Headquarters and back to the Inner Harbor for the hand off to our leg three partner. In total, I ran 7.5 miles. 
After my hand off, I headed to race village. The festivities were in full swing! There was live music, vendors with food and lots of games from companies like Geico and Chick Fila. I entered the runners only area to meet up with my teammates. I got my relay medal and then went for some food! One thing the Baltimore Running Festival does better than any other is feed their runners well! I have never been to a running event with better food. First off, Chick Fila was walking around the finish area giving runners their amazing sandwiches. What is better after a long run than a Chick Fila sandwich? Baltimore is famous for their seafood, in Baltimore there is no more famous seafood restaurant than Phillips. Phillips was in the runners only area with their famous Maryland crab soup. There was also Utz potato chips, Power Bars, Dole fruit cups, apples, bananas and lots of other yummy food. What a perfect way to wait for my leg four teammate to cross the finish.
Along with feeding runners after the race, the Baltimore Running Festival knows how to feed runners on the course too! In my opinion, they did not have enough water stations. I guess I am spoiled by runDisney, with a stop at each mile. The Baltimore Running Festival had water stops about every two miles--but most stops had food too. Along the course was Dunkin Donuts, Utz potato chips, bananas, oranges, Power Bars, Power Bar gels and various candy. For fluids, they had Gatorade and water. I did not take any of the food along the course because I did not need it, but if I ever did a full marathon this would be perfect. One thing I still do not have down is during race fueling. This course would make it super easy because I would not have to carry fuel with me. 
The winner of this years race has a really heartwarming story. Runners were buzzing about it all day. The winner is a local teacher and track coach. My forth leg teammate reported seeing his students cheer home on as he passed mile 20. He was the first local winner of the race. The Baltimore Running Festival is an event I would highly recommend to anyone. One thing I wish they would improve--the half marathon 
I am so excited to announce that I will be an ambassador for the brand new Chesapeake Bay Bridge Run 10k to be held on November 9, 2014! This race will sell out FAST! Registration does not open up to the general public until 11/9, but I can get YOU in early. You can preregister with me before its open to the general public. Here is how:
This year was the first runDisney Dumbo Double Dare! It was held at the Disneyland Resort--the first official runDisney challenge held on the west coast. As soon as it was announced, I knew I had to be part of it. I am such a fan of Disneyland and runDisney, how could I not? 
Luckily for us runDisney lovers, Jeff Galloway put together a great training plan. Most weeks, you walk a  |
| 2013 Wine and Dine medal |
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| 2014 Goofy Challenge medal |
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| 2014 Marathon weekend 5k medal |
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| 2014 runDisney Marathon medal |
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| runDisney 2014 Half Marathon medal |
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| runDisney marathon weekend 10k medal |
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| Dopey Challenge Medal! |
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| Pink runDisney Coast to Coast Medal! |
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| All of the medals on display. |
