Marathon Redemption: San Francisco Marathon Recap

I think I summed up my feelings about marathon2.0 pretty thoroughly last week... I know the people of the internet machine are really concerned about this, so I want to make sure everyone knows...


I went with the Glycerine's.

Becka and I had a delicious dinner with ReneighRuns Saturday evening
at

Ristorante Umbria - super duper delicious.

Renee gave us some details about the race, including the exciting news that we did not need to spend a freezing hour waiting for a race to start - we could pretty much just show up right before our wave.
Stopped quickly at a giant Walgreens (fresh fruit? sushi? who knew?!), then back to our hotel to get our race stuff together....

I love personalized bibs.

We set our alarms for the luxuriously late time of 4:57am, and got ready in record fast time. Out the door and walking to the start line by 5:35 - our hotel was super close, and it was pretty chilly, so we were excited for a 10 minute walk to the corrals, and that we had real bathrooms without needing to stand in line!).



The goal, for me, was to ultimately run a comfortable pace, but not tied to any specific number - more than sticking a pace, I wanted my brain to not quit.

Miles 1-5: 10:55, 11:01, 12:12, 10:49, 11:19
The course starts mostly flat along the Embarcadero, through Fishermans Wharf, next to Ghiradelli Square, up the hill at Fort Mason, then through Crissy Field to the first part of the Golden Gate Bridge.



Miles 6-10: 13:30, 11:12, 12:17, 10:56, 11:27
Running on the bridge.... amazing. It's crowded, but it's so beautiful! The bridge is so tall. There's water everywhere (duh, I know). It's just great. You should totally try it. It was kind of congested, but not too bad, and we were running carefully anyway - weird slippery grates all over the place, and Renee warned us lots of people face plant. Ha. not us! I saw Paulette running back on the bridge on our way out - I love seeing people at races!

We found for REAL bathrooms at the Marin County side of the bridge, and - UNLIKE IN STUPID SEATTLE - we ran the end of the bridge, a quick turn around at a scenic vista point, and back across the bridge. No lame banked tunnels to navigate. {TAKE NOTE, RNR}.





Mile 10 ran through some trails overlooking the water, in Baker Beach. Beautiful.

Miles 11-15: 10:13, 12:11, 11:35, 11:59, 11:15
Mile 11-12 were really tough for me - I was worried that all this uphill nonsense was just going to wreck my legs, and I started being legit concerned that I wouldn't be able to finish. I strongly considered dropping at the end of first half, and looked at the marathon/half marathon split sadly when we went the other way.

These miles all ran through Golden Gate Park, which was LOVELY. It was lush, and green, and wildflowers everywhere, and... BUFFALO! I know, who knew, right!? It was really beautiful. I was just over it. I felt like there was sooooo much time in this park. Which is odd, for me, usually I dig that kind of stuff. Who knows.




I know, so pretty. Gently rolling hills - I think we ran most of most of them. Some we walked parts. I just focused on keeping my brain from stopping.

Miles 16-20: 11:28, 12:25, 10:45, 12:01, 11:38
At mile 17.5, we ran into REAL BATHROOMS. AGAIN! So we took advantage. Somewhere in here was an aid station with BEER. Delicious. I don't really drink beer, but it was the BEST.

16-18 were still in Golden Gate Park. Mile 19 we (finally!) exited the park, and headed out onto Haight!
This neighborhood was fascinating, and the residents seemed to dig the race running through their area - super fun.

Miles 21-26.47: 11:15, 11:16, 12:33, 11:34, 11:21, 12:22, 9:16
Miles 20-21 were mostly downhill, and STEEP downhill. It definitely seemed to agree with me - I don't know if it was just giddiness that I felt so good at this point, or if there's some sciency stuff about working different muscles or something, but whatever. it was rad.

At mile 23, Becka biofreezed up her knee - I didn't realize it was hurting her, seriously, before - I would have totally eased up on the downhills had I known :(.

Some more awesome locals were giving away PASTRIES. So delicious.

Miles 23-24 are not super scenic, kind of through an industrial area. Mile 25 we ran towards AT&T Park, and the tailgaters were everywhere cooking delicious smelling food. We walked a tiny bit outside of AT&T park until we hit mile 25, and ran it in.

In full disclosure, my official time is 5:10:xx. I'm not sure where my watch went wonky, because I don't pause in a race, but... whatever. I don't care. I finished and I finished happy.

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So, overall, SFM is a GREAT race. The course is really fantastic - I can't imagine why the park bothered me so much, but I'm positive that it's just my brain. Under almost any other circumstance I would have loved it.

The weather was perfect - I wore my arm sleeves the entire race, and never felt overheated at all. I just can't imagine better running weather.

IMO, the first half was dramatically harder than the second half. First half = the bridge and sights of SF. Second half = that park, and all the downhills/flats. Pick your poison, I guess. (Note, I plan on doing the Half it All Challenge ASAP).

My only real complaint, and it's certainly not a big one, was I would have liked more aid stations, and the aid stations seemed to have a tough time keeping cups filled and ready. There were 12 stations which is okay, just my personal preference, because I didn't want to carry my handheld.

And, obviously, I nailed the hell out of my goal.

The funnest part of racing is the not running parts

FIRST - the priority of the day is... SHOES


I've been wearing Saucony's for awhile - Triumph for longer runs, and Genesis for shorter/speed work.

Then I got the Brooks in Seattle, and I've been wearing those mostly for the last month - Glycerine's I wore on my 18 miler a few weeks ago, and the Pure Flow for almost everything else.

I'm a little in love with the Pure Flow, and they are, hands down, the most favorite thing I've put on my feet in forever.

BUUUUUUT. I haven't worn them for a run with any type of length - I think 7 or 8 miles is the max I've put on them at one time.

But they're purple, and match my outfit really well.

I wore the Saucony's for my 9 miles last weekend, and... boo. They're no longer my favorite, and are actually at the bottom of my shoe rotation now - I don't know that I'll wear them again.

WWYD? Chance it in the Pure Flow? Run with the Glycerine's?
These are the things that keep me up at night.
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I AM SO EXCITED to meet up with so many runners this weekend! Seriously. These races are like runner/blogger heaven.

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I was super, super, SUPER EXCITED to spend the weekend in San Francisco with BFF Becka. Sadly, a good friend of her's passed away this week.

I don't really know what to say, because, I'm pretty verbally awkward, and OBVIOUSLY I'd love to see B, but I completely get that her head is somewhere else and understand if she can't make the trip.

Words don't really seem adequate, so in place I texted her a ridiculous picture I saw on the internet machine.

Which is my way of saying, I'm sorry you're hurting, and hope you find the peace you need. And don't feel obligated to me in any way, I'm totally capable of running on my own or finding a new pace friend.

Boo.

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It kind of snuck up on me, but San Francisco Marathon is this weekend!

Did you know? A marathon is still 26+ miles?

And that you have to actually propel yourself on your feet through all of those miles?

Madness.

So, as kind of evidenced by an incredible lack of blogging lately, I'm feeling kind of undertrained and nervous. I haven't run a ton, because July has been pretty busy for me. Also because I'm lazy.

I don't know. I feel like the 5 weeks between Seattle and now was just an awkward amount of time to recover, maintain mileage, and taper, especially when you add in the week in Florida where I boycotted running through the swamp air. Poor planning on my part, but not really, since none of it could be changed. Well, except for the part where I'm lazy and didn't run. I guess that was in my control.

Anyway, needless to say, I don't really have goals for this race as far as finishing at a certain time (except for the 6 hour course limit. THAT is important).

What I'd REALLY like to do, is run a mentally strong race.

In Seattle, my brain shut down and I quit, well before my body gave up. I went in thinking that ANYTHING was possible with my body - who knows what the weather will be like, what if Jerk Shin is wonky, the hip that gave me troubles in Ragnar and PCRF, who knows. It didn't really occur to me that my mental game was going to be the first to give in. I never considered that an option.

But now that I know that it is, in fact, an option.... well, now I know. And hopefully I won't just quit.

So that's my goal - don't quit, and ignore my brain.

I know that the course is tough, and that I'm ill prepared for the hills - and yeah, I have a coach, but it's totally not her fault I sucked at following her carefully laid out plans.

A small PR wouldn't suck, either. But pretty much, if I run ANY of miles 22-26, I should nail that...

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Gab's Wish Trip, Part 1: Give Kids the World Village

Run yeterday, 5 easy miles, last .25 of each at 8:8:13-7:57, splits 10:17, 10:34, 10:11,10:10, 9:57. Surprise progression run? Left hamstring is a little wonky. That's new.


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As part of Gabby's Wish trip, we stayed at Give Kids the World Village. GKTW opened in 1989, and serves to provide a place to serve families with special needs on their wish trips.

Our flights to Orlando were super delayed - we didn't end up arriving in Orlando until almost 10pm. A GKTW greeter met us at the gate to help us collect our baggage and pick up our car rental. By the time we arrived at the House of Hearts (no, really) for check in, it was after 11. Gifts for everyone at check-in...


 
They had also arranged for food to be brought to our villa, and waived the normal 11:30pm visiting hours cut-off to let my in-laws come and see the girls for a few hours.



Accomodations
The village is set up to provide a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa to each wish family (I saw one with the same name on both sides of the duplex, so I'm guessing that's what they do for larger families).


Home :D



Hello, Mayor Clayton

Each villa has a full refrigerator, 2 burner stove, and dishwasher - plates, cups, coffee, coffee maker, microwave, all included.

The kids' bedroom - 2 twin beds, 2 dressers, and attached handicap accesible bathroom.

And a giant tub with jets. (warning, naked babies ahead...)




I know. It is REALLY EXCITING.

The second bathroom is standard and normal. Second bedroom has a dresser and king size bed.

They include a crib, an extra bed that folds up and I know there's a word for this but I cannot think of it, and a fold out couch. I think, all told, you can fit up to 7 people. We had some cousins stay over a few nights, and there was plenty of space.

They also aren't joking when they say to pack an extra suitcase. The Gift Fairy comes for a visit every.single.day.




The Grounds
During our planning, I was admittedly a little bummed that we weren't staying at a Disney resort. We've always stayed on Disney property, and I just love it. I kept seeing other people recommend leaving a day open to explore the Village, and kept thinking there's no WAY I'm taking a day out of the parks to hang out at a resort.

I was super, duper wrong.

I totally should have planned more time at GKTW.

I'm sure I'll forget something, but... on the 70 acre property... mini-golf, remote controlled boats, fishing, 2 pools, horseback riding, train rides, movies (in a theater), character greetings, arcade with pool tables, WII/PSsomething, and basketball, a nature trail, basketball courts, a "spa" to get your nails painted or a hand massage... There are also multiple planned activities every day - Real Life Candyland Game, cookout at the pool, Pirate and Princess Party, Halloween themed party, Christmas party, Mayor Clayton's Birthday... we didn't manage to hit any of them, and I wish we had (disclaimer, I planned on doing the Christmas party, since it ran until 9pm on Thusrday when we arrived, but then our flights were delayed).

And it's totally, totally runnable. You could probably loop through it for a good 1.5 miles? Maybe? I didn't try. But it's safe enough. The property is enclosed, with manned gates to let people in - you have to either swipe your meal card, or, if you're visiting, be buzzed in and announced to the villa you're visiting.

The layout was a little confusing for me at first, because I'm directionally lame that way, but once you realize everything is centered around the House of Hearts, it's super easy to navigate.








 

You can't hear it, but they're yeehaw'ing. You know. Because they're cowboys...

Eating All The Things
A stay at the village includes food. A lot of food.

Gingerbread House serves hot meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A continental breakfast opens a little earlier than the regular dining room, as well. And, there are these semi-creepy dolls hanging over your head in one of the rooms...




Katie's Kitchen serves Boston Market for lunch and dinner, either for eating at the picnic tables there, or take out to the pool, your villa, the car, whatever.

And, best of all, the Ice Cream Palace is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.



Ice Cream Palace also has unlimited sodas, and coffee, and express breakfast options earlier than Gingerbread House.


Castle of Miracles
Every family at GKTW attends an orientation, to review the amenities, learn how the Magic Pass works, get park tickets, etc. In our welcome packet was a star. The star is for the Wish kid to decorate, however she wants, and then bring to the Castle of Miracles for placement, where the Star Fairy will fly away and hang her star.

Decorating with a picture of herself :D



Cute, right?

But, dude.

The new Star Tower, where Gabby's star is - they ran out of space in the Castle.

 That's a LOT OF STARS.

I took some pictures of the star fairy and the whole ceremony, but I kind of don't want to spoil it for anyone who might stumble through here.

A few days later, you get a postcard with a barcode, and an invitation to come see your star in it's permanent location. This is also super, SUPER cute, and I'm not spoiling it.

But I might have cried. Just a little.

Vacation Hangover

So, if you're new to this game, we just returned (last night!) from a Make a Wish trip to Florida. Gabby (this kid here) was granted a wish, and wished to be friends with Cinderella in the giant castle.

I'm a little conflicted on how much to blog about our trip, vs how much would be incredibly boring, but I kind of don't want to forget things, and I kind of want to put some of the details out there for other Wish families looking for information.

But it's my blog, so I'll probably blog it in pieces, and you can skip the boring parts, eh?

After I sort through the thousands of pictures.

Here's a few to start...

REALLY peppy for 6:45am

Really, REALLY peppy

Gabby, you're laying on the floor. "I know. I'm tired of standing". Okay, then.

It's raining! THAT'S MY FAVORITE!

The quick and dirty recap: Limo service Thursday morning for our 10 minute drive to John Wayne airport, flight delays led to a 4 hour later arrival (boo) at Give Kids the World Village. A few hours of sleep, met up with my brother-in-law and his daughter, spent the early part of the day in Animal Kingdom, then dinner with Cinderella and Prince Charming at 1900 Park Fare, then closed down Magic Kingdom. Saturday, Universal Studios Islands of Adventures with my sister-in-law and mother-in-law. Early night in. Sunday, Downtown Disney and a quick run to the outlet mall, then the afternoon/evening exploring the Village. Monday: Breakfast at Akershus in EPCOT with the Princesses, then reserved viewing for Illuminations. Tuesday: Magic Kingdom. Wednesday: Breakfast at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary. Fly home. Today: Work.

Missing from that week? Running.

That was nice.