Just back Monday evening from the Nike Women's Marathon & 1/2 marathon in SF. I had a great time! I finished in under the required time (barely). Chip times haven't been posted yet, but I think my chip time was wround 3:24
It was a little slower than I wanted, but I'll take it. It was my first race of that distance, post achilles surgery, and I managed to survive the hills. I came out of it injury-free and no blisters!
(Thanks again to whoever recommended those Injinji socks. I LOVE them!
Here are some highlights:
I finished!
Other than having some minor stiffness in my calves today, I feel great!
I got to meet Leanna and Susie at the finish area
Got my bling (Tiffany necklace)! I'll try to post a pic after I get home from work tomorrow night.
Got lots of compliments on the WISH shirt.
The start was all downhill for the first 1 1/2 miles. It really got me in a great frame of mind at the beginning of the race.
The finish area is just across from the beach
The not-so-highlights
The one-mile incline hill from mile 6 to 7. Not kidding - the whole mile stretch was uphill
It started up the road and then went to a couple switchbacks and then straight up again to the top. Ugh. Did I ever mention I HATE hills?! The worst part (other than climbing it), was that you could see it waiting in the distance as you were approaching that mile point. Talk about messing with your head.
The continual gradual uphills from mile 7-10. It's kinda like going up the exit ramps on the Disney roads, except it just kept going like that for 3 miles.
Of course after you got up the hill, you had to go down. Some of them were pretty steep.
I was not impressed with the Expotique. I guess I'm used to race expos where I can shop. Not here. The tent in Union Square was for picking up your packet, getting a manicure and a massage. They did have some guest speakers throughout the weekend. If you wanted to buy race related apparel or other running gear, you had to go across the street to Niketown.
Now, I know Nike's the sponsor and they wouldn't want other vendors there, but their store wasn't built to handle several thousand people in it at one time. It was packed.
I also was not happy with the race merchandise. It really bugs me that folks think all race participants are 5'2" and 120 lbs (no offense to anyone who is 5'2" and 120lbs). But I only found one shirt in the race logo section that came in a 2XL. I'm glad i didn't buy it, since when I got my finisher's shirt I got a 2XL and it is skin tight on me.
Won't be wearing that shirt anytime soon.
My niece finished in 2:30. She enjoyed the race, too, but wasn't happy with her time. She didn't like the huge crowds and how slow it was at the beginnng. (heck - it took me 22 minutes to get across the start line after the gun went off).
All in all I had a great time. We stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Union Square. It was great to be able to walk out the door at 6:15 and walk 1/2 block to the start area. It was good to know, psychologically at least, I can do the 1/2 without any problems. Now I just have to get ready for the full so i can successfully complete the Goofy in 2008!
Terri
It was a little slower than I wanted, but I'll take it. It was my first race of that distance, post achilles surgery, and I managed to survive the hills. I came out of it injury-free and no blisters!
(Thanks again to whoever recommended those Injinji socks. I LOVE them!Here are some highlights:
I finished!
Other than having some minor stiffness in my calves today, I feel great!
I got to meet Leanna and Susie at the finish area
Got my bling (Tiffany necklace)! I'll try to post a pic after I get home from work tomorrow night.
Got lots of compliments on the WISH shirt.
The start was all downhill for the first 1 1/2 miles. It really got me in a great frame of mind at the beginning of the race.
The finish area is just across from the beach
The not-so-highlights
The one-mile incline hill from mile 6 to 7. Not kidding - the whole mile stretch was uphill
It started up the road and then went to a couple switchbacks and then straight up again to the top. Ugh. Did I ever mention I HATE hills?! The worst part (other than climbing it), was that you could see it waiting in the distance as you were approaching that mile point. Talk about messing with your head. The continual gradual uphills from mile 7-10. It's kinda like going up the exit ramps on the Disney roads, except it just kept going like that for 3 miles.
Of course after you got up the hill, you had to go down. Some of them were pretty steep.
I was not impressed with the Expotique. I guess I'm used to race expos where I can shop. Not here. The tent in Union Square was for picking up your packet, getting a manicure and a massage. They did have some guest speakers throughout the weekend. If you wanted to buy race related apparel or other running gear, you had to go across the street to Niketown.
Now, I know Nike's the sponsor and they wouldn't want other vendors there, but their store wasn't built to handle several thousand people in it at one time. It was packed.
I also was not happy with the race merchandise. It really bugs me that folks think all race participants are 5'2" and 120 lbs (no offense to anyone who is 5'2" and 120lbs). But I only found one shirt in the race logo section that came in a 2XL. I'm glad i didn't buy it, since when I got my finisher's shirt I got a 2XL and it is skin tight on me.
Won't be wearing that shirt anytime soon.My niece finished in 2:30. She enjoyed the race, too, but wasn't happy with her time. She didn't like the huge crowds and how slow it was at the beginnng. (heck - it took me 22 minutes to get across the start line after the gun went off).
All in all I had a great time. We stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Union Square. It was great to be able to walk out the door at 6:15 and walk 1/2 block to the start area. It was good to know, psychologically at least, I can do the 1/2 without any problems. Now I just have to get ready for the full so i can successfully complete the Goofy in 2008!
Terri
