Yay! We finished the Nike Women’s Marathon! The morning started really early. We got up at 5 am after tossing and turning all night due to jitters and the neighbors playing poker all night next door. We got to the starting area by 6 am and the gun went off at 7.

The hills were pretty mean and the fog was cold and wet. We started at NikeTown, ran down Embarcadero, past Fisherman’s Wharf and The GG Bridge, and then through GG Park. The first half was fun with Susie by my side until we had to say “goodbye” at Mile 12 when the half marathoners split off and I was on my own for another 14 miles. The last half went deeper into GG Park, past the finish line (bastards!), down The Great Highway, around Lake Merced, and back up The Great Highway…pretty dull and painful. I felt ok until Mile 20 when the bump on my knee started to bother me. I think the hills had really taken a toll on my legs as well. All I know is that I made sure to eat and drink plenty of fluids along the way and boy did they pamper us. We had numerous aid stations, lots of Luna Bars, bananas, and chocolate. They even had a Pedi-Care station where they gave out free Nike socks and chairs for you to change into fresh socks. At Mile 25, I was struggling but then Ryan showed up and ran with me for the last mile. That was cool.

Overall, the race was scenic but painful and I finished in 5 hours and 45 minutes…much slower than expected but I’m still happy that I finished. The half marathon girls did really well. Vyl even finished under 2 hours and I think they all had a great time. At the finish line, we were greeted by men in tuxedos handing out the little blue box. The finisher’s DryFit T-shirt was also nice. Props to our supporters: Jimmy and Eleen with the noisemakers, Jesse the photographer, Victor and the signs, Ryan the last mile cheerleader, and Dayantha the guy with a loud voice.

Afterwards, we had Vietnamese food and then Vyl took me and Michelle to get pedicures. Aahh… Our flight home was delayed and the plane ride was very uncomfortable. Check out photos from the race here.