When we got to the hotel we checked in, had lunch and headed to union square to pick up my race kit. The race kit was pretty good, some surprising items, like coffee. We walked around the expo and then headed to a sight seeing bus to see San Fran.
Here's some of what we saw.
Saturday night, the night before the big race there was a team in training inspiration dinner. I'm not going to lie I was completely over whelmed. From the moment we walked into the building there were hundreds of people just cheering. This continued all the was down the escalators right to the buffet line. There were some great speakers and stories.
After the dinner I went back to the hotel to get everything ready for the next morning. I was a tad nervous and didn't sleep that much and was wide awake when my alarm went off. I had brought instant oatmeal to make in the coffee maker to eat before the race.
I met the team in the lobby and we walked over to the starting line together. we were there was too early and were standing waiting for over an hour before we actually crossed the starting line.
When my feet crossed that starting mat it was on, I took off! you can check out the professional photos here
It was a packed, tough and beautiful course. I felt like I was running and playing a game of frogger. There were a lot of walkers in front of me, which would be okay if they didn't walk five across. I stayed steady through the hills and the whole course. My ultimate goal would have been to finish my half marathon in under two hours, but I knew that wasn't realistic with the over 2000 feet inclines/declines. My goal time going in was under two and a half hours. Well I'm proud to say my chip time was 2:09:54.
It was great to have Judy, one of the TNT coaches run with me for a little bit, and to see Tiffany and Mark cheering me on down by mile 10. As I turned the corner and saw the finish line I booted it. There was a fire fighter in a tuxedo waiting to give me my Tiffany's finisher necklace. The finish line was really organized and after picking up all my swag I headed down to the TNT tent to stretch and pick up some more food. I had told Mark to meet me there. When I found him, he took these photos.
After these pictures I went down to the beach and went into the ocean. First I went into the water by accident, but then took my shoes off and went in up to my legs. It was a nice ice bath. My feet were sore, but the ocean seemed to do the trick!
The finisher necklace says "I run to be" and there's a spot to get in engraved. I'm still trying to figure out what to put, if you have any suggestions please let me know.
This was an amazing experience for me! I'm honoured I got to complete this run in honour of my mother in law. It was a challenge, but I did it!
Thank you!
