Showing posts with label #werunsf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #werunsf. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Nike Women's Half Marathon X Team Turtlez take on San Fran!

With very little sleep, and several set backs at 4 am, we finally made our way to the airport and made it through security and successfully made it to san fran with three legs of travel and no lost luggage!  Thursday we met my aunt at the airport and then met Angie and Merrie at the house.  We then made our way to the expo where we connected with Karen! (Yay!!! SistersInNike reunite!)  The expo was fun and not super crowded(just how I like it!) We ran into Joan Benoit Samuelson!! And then checked our names on the wall at Niketown, and then proceeded to spend a weeks wages on gear!:)


The next day we went on a duck boat tour.  Last year my goal was to ring the bell on the trolley.  Mission accomplished.  This year I was allowed to drive the duck boat!! :)  The sweatshirt over a hoodie look I attempted to bring back.  It was so cold I had to buy another layer and this I heart SF was $11.  Can't go wrong!  

We walked around fisherman's wharf and saw sea lions, did some shopping, shared a crepe...

Don't be fooled, she is saying, "yes, let's share." but she is thinking, "keep your grubby mitts off my nutella!"  No--we all shared and it was delicious.  my last crepe was in san fran last year.

Can't go to SF and not perform YMCA!!


We went and had our chowder in a bread bowl (which was unfortunately not as good as I hoped) however we had oysters on the half shell, calamari, and bruschetta that were fabulous. And of course a celebratory cocktail.
From our lunch place we did some shopping and meandering and found ourselves at the Buena Vista.  I don't normally like Irish coffee, however this was sweet and warm and in a pretty glass--we all loved it! 

Still rocking the double sweatshirts... 

Geez, day two and I am beginning to see we look like boozehounds... 
After we had a cocktail with lunch, a late afternoon irish coffee we had to rush to go to a restorative yoga class.  I had to ride in the hatch of a prius.  my aunt did volunteer as well, but she is 52 (yes marly i am stating your age because you are amazing for 52!!) and it felt wrong to stick the buzzard in the back.
i know this is against the law, and dangerous, but we were late and only one car was available.  It was actually comfy and for once I could see the tops of the buildings!
The yoga class was sooooo not worth risking my life in this position.  I have been fortunate enough to have had a class with Vandana and she was amazing.  Our instructor was a twit.  She set an alarm that would go off at the end of each pose. This alarm happened to be the alarm I wake up to every day so it was jarring and anxiety inducing.  She also kept leaving the room, etc.  A guy was snoring.  it just wasn't what I hoped it to be.  Alas, it makes for good fodder.  And after class Sunny told me how she had to modify a pose (thank god I didn't look over at her or I would have been in hysterics) and we now refer to that modified posture as "bear on a log".

We went to a 100% vegan restaurant that night for dinner, Herbivore.  And it was fantastic.  The food was very flavorful and satisfying and I also had one of the best cocktails I have ever had in my life.  It was prosecco with pear and ginger--DELISH!!!!!  

Saturday, the day before the BIG RACE we did a fun shakeout run through Golden Gate park.  The weather was in the high seventies on saturday and it was so wonderful to be in the sun.  We walked around the Haight-Ashbury area and ate lunch, bought snacks, and then went back to our house to relax.  I sat outside with my kindle and read and soaked up some sun.  We had a phenomenal dinner on saturday night at Razzata.  They walked us through the restaurant, down a tiny hallway and out into this gorgeous courtyard with a clear heated tent and lots of white lights.  it was prix fixe and it was excellent!  They kept bringing out something better than the last... and it was fun not knowing what was next.

Finally:  RACE DAY!!!  We woke early so we could eat and prep for the big event.  We had our Team Turtlez tees and chose a meeting spot for post race etc.  The race began at 6:30, so we were down there by 5:35.
Cab ride!!!
Kathryn is a former client and this was her first full!!  She has come sooo far! And i am so proud of her!!!
Team Turtlez!!

Girls gots GAMS!
Look at all these people!!!
I was trying to take a pic of the Wonder"woman" that was a man but I was running, they were running... so its blurry. :(
This was a break dancer--and the song was this song that marly's son (my cuz) and I would crack up at when we were little!  It was great to hear it again!
First hill HANDLED!
Almost finished! The windmill waves you on!
oh, bubbly? why yes.  super FAaaaaaahhhhhnnnnncy in a can, with a straw!! it was awful and none of us could finish it.
And I had to buy yet another shirt because it was so chilly at the finish I needed sleeves!

This sign cracked me up!  This was the mom and sister cheering on Meg! :)

After the race we made our way back to the house and we freshened up and went back to Buena Vista for a warm up and some nibbles.

Everyone was pretty tired so we made our way back to the house which took an eternity with our driver who moved to san fran from el salvador a week prior! but it was an adventure.  
The next day we all departed, several people having issues with super shuttle which was a bummer.  we had a VERY long lay over in seattle so we had manis!!! :)



This was a marathon photo I think I might need to buy:
The trip was a blast!  That is a lot of people to coordinate, and it worked out really great.  It was a challenge to get that many of us from place to place but we managed and i have seriously not laughed that hard in a long time.
Thanks to my lovely ladies!  you all mean a lot to me and I am so proud of everyone that ran/walked and finished!  I hope you all feel a sense of accomplishment and know that in my book you are all rockstars!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

100 push ups a day challenge... and heading to San Fran!

So i am at day 6 of the push up challenge (I think) and my arms are sore and tight... but i am sticking with it!  You perform 10 wide pushups then 10 "Pilates" or "tricep" push ups, then 9 and 9, 8 and 8, 7 and 7, 6 and 6, 5 and 5 and 5 and 5.  Total:  100!!  i can do most on my toes but have to do some modified.  I also began doing some "chalk circles" to help stretch out the shoulders.  google it if you have tight shoulders--these are AMAZING!!!  or i can maybe upload a video soon if any interest.

Today I am packing for our trip to San Fran tomorrow!!! Team Turtlez is heading west!  we are all running the Nike Women's Half Marathon.  I hope my legs can carry me through the streets of san fran after the full two weeks ago.  I am not running for time, just for fun.  I plan on running with a camera (mostly so I will have it at the finish!).

Follow along on Instagram (i am turtlegirl00)!  Best of luck to all the other entrants of the race, we will have a blast ladies!  Also I can't wait to see two of my #SistersInNike Karen and Tiara! 

Anything we shouldn't miss in san fran?  Be sure to let me know!  

Also if you decide to do the push up challenge, let me know how it goes! :)

Saturday, October 12, 2013

7th Marathon Handled!

7th Marathon Handled!!!  

I know it wasn't my fastest, however going into it uncertain as to whether I would even finish it--i am happy.  Plus it was so awesome to run with my aunt and cousin and know hubbee and bestie were on the course kicking butt at the half.  My aunt and cousin ran their first full and did AMAZING!  This was also Hubbee's first half and Charity's third this year! 
After packet pick up we went to the arcade.  Luc was hilarious and barely able to contain himself:

My uncle Paul cooked us a fabulous pre race dinner of chicken parm:



The weather was rainy, windy and chilly, but once we began running, we were plenty warm.  There were plenty of aid stations on the course.  Also, I was pleasantly surprised that there were so many spectators since the weather was less than ideal for standing around.  
There we are on the course!  around mile 24... staying strong.  My aunt (blue) just started running a few years ago and is quite inspiring!! :)

Once we crossed the finish the crappy weather really set in.  We were shivering, muscles seizing up, etc.  Even though the band sounded great we bailed on the after party.  We took our lobster rolls to go and headed back to the cottage.  My only complaint about the entire race was that spectators weren't allowed in after party area.  Had the weather been better it would have been great to celebrate our victories with our beers and sandwiches and our supporters.



The rest of our vacation we had stellar weather--low 80s!  it was remarkable.  Hubbee went fishing a few times with my uncle and cousin:

We had a great visit with our family and lucked out with the weather.  


This thursday Team Turtlez heads to San Fran for the Nike women's half!!!  Can't wait!