I would run 26.2 miles! And I did! I interrupt this blog to brag a little lot about running the Nike Women's Marathon on Sunday, October 17, 2010. This was my second full marathon of the year (the first being the Los Angeles Marathon in March 2010). It was a great experience of running through the city. We had clear views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, the famous San Francisco hills, and COLD rain. I was honored to continue running with Team in Training (TNT) which is a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I lost my mother to Acute Lymphcyctic Leukemia in 1998 so being a part of this team means so much to me. Nike partnered with TNT as the sole charity and over $13 million was raised just from this year's race for blood cancer research and support. What an amazing feeling to not only run 26.2 miles but to do it in raising awareness for such a great cause!
On the side of the Niketown building was every participants name. The last I heard there were over 20,000 participants. I've run the LA marathon and a few half marathons throughout the year and I have to tell you running with 18,000 (let's pretend that 2,000 were men because there were a few) was such a joy. We are so polite to one another. In past races people will push you out of the way, at Nike, it was more like, "excuse me, passing you on the left." haha. I couldn't help but notice the manners.
The yellow bag I have distinguishes that I was part of the full marathon group. I carried it around town the day before as a badge of honor! 1 year ago I could barely run 3 miles and now I've run 2 full marathons. I think I've earned the right to brag a bit.
Mr. Sangria was in charge of the camera the day of the marathon and sadly he didn't get any really good pictures. I will let him off the hook because it was raining and miserable outside and not really picture worthy. But I did take pictures of the map if you are familiar with San Francisco you can see the course above. Also check out those hills in the bottom left corner. Miles 7-10 and 12-17 were no joke, especially miles 6-7!!!! And what's that you see, a Tiffany box (upside down - whoopsie)?
Why yes, that is a Tiffany necklace. Instead of the traditional medals Nike Women's Marathon partners with Tiffany & Co and the medal is a Tiffany Necklace. And the best part? The finish line is a red carpet and the necklace is presented to us by San Francisco Firemen dressed in tuexdos. Yep, not kidding! There were a lot of women racing to that finish line. :)
This year the them was "I Run To Be....." you finish the sentence, heathy, an inspiration, motivated, strong, powerful, etc.
Also Ghirardelli Chocolate sponsored a mile and gave us chocolates along the route. Delish! Chocolate, Tiffany necklaces, firemen if you are into that (I'm happily married, thank you very much). What a great even! I hope to be able to run it again!
TNT is a great organization and I highly recommend it. If you would like more information please email me at: hello@cinnamonsangria.com or go to http://www.teamintraining.org/
San Francisco Firemen in tuxedos!
GIRL!!! You are awesome! For Tiffany and firemen in tuxes I will DEFINITELY consider running a marathon!!!
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