#nwmsf

[runningfortiffanys]

Nike decided to release a new stability shoe called the Structure and has the SF skyline on the tongue as a tribute to the NWM. I was disappointed that there won't be a special edition Lunarglide (last year's options were amazing!). So I'll give these Structures a try (just not on race day lol)

[runningfortiffanys]

NAM 2014 shirts

[tigerlilyscout]

Nike Women’s Marathon, October 2013.

I was so happy to have gotten picked from the lotto to get into the NWM. It was such a blast! We left Saturday and got to union square in San Francisco, where the expo was. I knew I shouldn’t walk around too much, but it was super cool so we did a little exploring. One thing on the expo day I’ll never forget, Shawn grabbed my hand and lead the way. I was distractible, excited, and out of my mind; wandering around looking at everything like Ariel right after she got her legs. We got my race packet and all of my freebees, tested out the flash jackets, and hung out in the gigantic union square Nike store. That night we ate a really great dinner, and I tried to get some rest.

I woke up around 4 and was SO nervous. Mostly because my Achilles was bugging me a little. Shawn was amazing. He put KT tape on my knees, encouraged me to try to keep taking bites of my banana (It was hard to eat so early!) and went through my routine with me so I didn’t miss anything. It was FREEZING! We permanently borrowed the hotel’s blanket and were off to navigate where I should be. Shawn dropped me off and went to find a parking space so he could stand with me and wait. We stood outside the corral as long as possible and chatted it up with another couple who was doing the same thing. Finally, on the dark chilly morning, I THOUGHT it was time to start racing, so me and Shawn parted ways. My heart was pulling toward him as it does when it doesn’t want to be separated. I was terrified and wanted to just hug him for…a few more hours. 😬. Turning and walking away was tough, even though I knew I would see him after quick little 26.2 mile run. He yelled as he walked away, “Kobe system!” Because there were 30,000 people running, I didn’t actually cross the start line until about an hour later! Thank goodness for the blanket reconnaissance. As soon as I started running, my Achilles pain went away. Whew! Not long into the race, I passed pier 7 where there was a choir singing to cheer us on. Even thinking about that makes me tear up, because it was powerful to be motivated in that way. Running down the Embarcadero, passing the piers that I had always visited, flew by so quickly. Shawn and I play a game where we check in on yelp when we go eat, and I checked in to somewhere while I ran passed pier 39. He immediately commented on the check in and I felt like he was with me. Also, at this point, I had to pee. I had already passed the first batch of Porto-potties, so I was left to wait in a short line for those green public restrooms. I’ll never forget the exact one! Unfortunately, it was broken and the door wouldn’t close. I was in race mode, so yes, I peed with the door open to all of pier 39. Just like a true eye-on-the-prize marathoner. So many people made me posters that day and text them to me. I can’t even write this without crying because it meant SO much and I will never have the words to explain it. Being supported by everyone I love was the number one tool I had to finish the race. After I passed 13 miles, I told myself that THAT was when I started the race, and I just needed to run a half marathon from there. No big deal, I had done that countless times. Wrong. The next 3 started to really drag. My legs were tired, but I was mentally strong. I ate some extra gu packets and at mile 16 I got a burst of energy! Second wind! Amazing! I’m running a freaking marathon!!!!! Short lived enthusiasm. Delirium? Mile 18 marked my mental wall collide, for which I had been expecting and prepared. Mile 18 seems SO close to mile 20, which was SO close to marker 26.2! I was on the home stretch! Then… Little thoughts started creeping in. “It’s really not that close, it’s 8 miles! 8 miles is a fairly decent length to run at once, normally running 8 miles is pretty rough on the legs, and at this point I have no idea how I’m going to even keep picking up my legs. They are SO HEAVY!” My brain was so foggy. I knew that when I hit this point I needed to eat eat eat, everything I could get my hands on. I did that. I text Shawn, I listened to Pdiddy and tried dance running to “all the single ladies”, I gave spectators even MORE high fives than I had been, but this time - I was saved by one Sophie Kennedy Clark. I pulled out my phone to look at the poster “she” made for me that day. I thought about how tough she was, her heart surgery, and how many obstacles she would have to face in her life. It pulled me out of it. I was smiling, I was picking up my feet, I was running a marathon! How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Shortly after I passed mile 22 (which was gorgeous and along the Pacific Ocean) a sideline coach said “hey! Do I see a grimace?” And started to jog along side me. I was overwhelmed because I hadn’t had anyone talk directly to me for hours. Although I was around thousands of people, I had been alone in my head. He said “see that white building?” He pointed off in front of us. “Yes” I said, probably in the mousiest voice I’ve ever uttered, “The finish line is BEFORE that!” “Thank you for talking to me!” Was all I said back, and I was very genuine. I needed that and the high five he provided.

Around mile 24, another sideline coach looked at me right in the eyes and said “you’re almost there! You’re going to run a marathon today!” And I started to cry. At this point I text Shawn asking him to NOT be anywhere before the finish line, because I was afraid it would be hard to run past him. I wanted a hug. I think my text was in-cohesive, but luckily he was waiting after the finish line anyway. When I crossed it, I was almost afraid to stop running. I heard Shawn yell my name and I think I was a little disoriented because I turned toward him and waved. THEN I realized I was all done, and I ran over to hug him over the rail. He said “you did it!!” And kissed my cheek. He said I tasted salty. I gave him a giant squeeze before I had to collect my Tiffany necklace and finisher shirt. After sitting for a bit, Shawn told me that the car was parked a few miles away, and I decided walking there with him would probably be good for me. After about 100 feet of walking, I changed my mind. Shawn went to get the car and I cozied up in my beanie and scarf and laid on the most comfortable bed I had ever felt; post race asphalt. Pure joy. We ate a yummy meal and then headed back to Fresno. When I got home, Nick carried me up the stairs and I had balloons! Such an amazing experience!

[runningfortiffanys]

Training Schedule for 8/18-8/24

Ah, yes... I totally forgot I was going back to posting my training schedule. Well, what's on NWM's workout plan and what I'll most likely end up doing will look very different.  Like I said before, I'm behind in my training so I have some catching up to do.

Monday- Called for 3 miles, I couldn't even run half of that today.  I got on the treadmill and got 1.5 miles (at a terrible pace I might add) before I started feeling sick and had to head back home.

Tuesday- 3 Miles. (NWM calls for 5 miles) I'll make up for today's run tomorrow (such a true procrastinator's thing to say). I know myself so I'm going to avoid running at the gym.  Since I'll be at my internship in Pacifica til 3, I just hope that I can get home and run the lake before it gets dark.

Wednesday- Rest. (NWM calls for XT.) My gym doesn't have any entertaining fitness classes on Wednesdays and I have a meeting to go to in the late afternoon anyway.

Thursday- 4 Miles. (NWM calls for 3 miles) I'm going after the ever elusive 4 miles again.

Friday- 4 Miles. (NWM calls for 3 miles) I'd like to get used to 4-milers to build up to longer distances.

Saturday- 5 Miles. (NWM calls for 8 miles- say what?!) If I'm to catch up and be ready for my 10K at the end of this month, I've got to be serious about upping my mileage and being comfortable with long distances.  I'm so scared of this run since I can barely run 4 miles as it is.  I think my biggest challenge will be finding a good route since there's no way I trust myself to finish this distance on a treadmill.  If I run around my neighborhood I'll also get in some hill running practice.

Sunday- Rest. If I end up doing that 5-Miler, I will most definitely be deserving of this rest day.

Total Miles: 17.5

[runningfortiffanys]

The Itch to Race

Even though I've felt lazy lately, I'm looking at races I'd like to sign up for to keep me motivated and to get more practice in organized races.  To date, I've only done one race- The Color Run in SF this past May and I didn't run the whole way.  Fun Runs are nice, but are very different from the type of race that the NWM will be.  I've looked on the internet as well as a copy of Competitor Magazine for upcoming 5Ks and 10Ks in the Bay Area.  

Here are a few that I'm really interested in signing up for:

July 12- Fleet Feet Stockton's S.H,E. (Secure Health Empowerment) 5K

This is an all women's event held at a winery in Lodi, CA which is a whole 1.5 hour drive from my apartment.  Registration is $50 until July 10th when it will raise to $55.  I'm still wavering on the decision being that it's so far away.  I'm interested in the race because of the following perks:

finish on a red carpet (cool but not worth entering the race based on this alone)

champagne flute & mimosa

fruit & chocolate

finisher's medal

fitness expo

a few other perks

I'm mostly interested in the expo and medal to be completely honest. As the 10th gets closer I'll have a better idea about whether or not I'll make the trek to this race.  

Aug 31st- Race to the End of Summer 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon

This one takes place in my hometown, San Jose.  In fact the start line happens to be in front of my old college job.  There's no finisher's medal for this race.  Just a t-shirt & goodie bag.  Registration is $35 until July 31st.  Although there aren't as many perks as with the S.H.E. 5K, it's a shorter drive.  It will be on a trail, though, and I haven't done any trail running.

4th Sunday every month- Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders 4th Sunday Run

I was excited to find out about this race series.  Lake Merritt is blocks away from my apartment and apparently there is a 5k, 10k, and 15k race every 4th Sunday organized by LMJS.  No finisher's medals, t-shirts are for sale, but entry is just $5.  It makes all the sense in the world to participate in at least one of these races between now and the NWM.

What races have you signed up for?

Are there any races in your area that you're interested in?

[runningfortiffanys]

The Lazy Bug

I'm spending the weekend at my parents' in San Jose and I never feel motivated to do anything while I'm here, whether it be homework or race training.  Yesterday and today I've been pretty unmotivated to run.  Yesterday cramps kept me on the couch for most of the day and today I had an eye appointment and had my eyes dilated.  My vision is back to normal now but at 86 degrees it's still too warm to get me out and running.  I'm thinking I'd like to run to Hayes Mansion and back (a mile each way) if it cools down in the next 30-60 minutes.  Warm days like these is when having a gym membership comes in handy, unfortunately my gym does not have any franchises in the South Bay.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

How hot is too hot for you when it comes to running?