We're back from San Francisco...and it was a great time. Seriously, it was one of the best trips I had been on in a long time.
Friday evening, after Mom and Grandma had arrived at the hotel, we decided to load up and ride a trolley down to fisherman's wharf.
Cute, huh?
David had some amazing crab, and I have to say that I was pretty darn jealous...especially since I was trying to carb it up :)
David had some amazing crab, and I have to say that I was pretty darn jealous...especially since I was trying to carb it up :)Just kidding...I love carbs. A lot.
Saturday, David and his mom went to Alcatraz, while Grandma, Mom, and I opted to take a bus tour around town... I was trying to save my legs and a bus tour was just the ticket.
Saturday, David and his mom went to Alcatraz, while Grandma, Mom, and I opted to take a bus tour around town... I was trying to save my legs and a bus tour was just the ticket.Plus, I got to take this amazing picture at the bridge AND go see the Ghiradeli Chocolate Factory (because chocolate is a carb, right?).
Then I took Mom and Grandma over to Nike Town (where we did more than our share to boost the economy). Can you find my name on the wall? I'll give you a hint... I registered before I was married, so it's not my married name...
Then I freaked myself out by looking at the giant race course map and noticing that mile 6 to 7 was all uphill.
Then I took Mom and Grandma over to Nike Town (where we did more than our share to boost the economy). Can you find my name on the wall? I'll give you a hint... I registered before I was married, so it's not my married name...Then I freaked myself out by looking at the giant race course map and noticing that mile 6 to 7 was all uphill.Glorious. Just glorious.
We went out to dinner that night and I ate spaghetti with a side of steamed potatoes.
We went out to dinner that night and I ate spaghetti with a side of steamed potatoes. Ugh, I felt bloated and full...but I fell asleep dreaming that the race was already over and I had survived.
Imagine my surprise when I woke up to realize that I had not run it yet.
Booo!
Here's me, posing and waiting for the race to start.
And David, fully supporting me, like always.
The starting line was a madhouse...and pitch dark. 
Here I am, finally reaching the starting line about 17 minutes after the race started. I had to walk all the way to that point, so I still look happy and refreshed.
The faithful supporters loaded up on a school bus and headed off to support me at various stops along the way.
Here's mile 11, where the full and the half split. I seriously considered just taking the half path and claiming that I got confused.
Notice how fresh and happy I still look at mile 11? That only lasted about 2 more seconds...then I realized that I had about 15.2 more miles to run.
And there I go... already sweating through my clothes. The girl in blue was also from St. Louis...her name was Kelly and we chatted for about 15 miles. I also talked to a lady who had Swine Flu all last month and was still running. Yikes!
Here's the finish line... what a beautiful sight.
And here I come...running like my life depends on it.
I'm finished...back off, because I need a bagel.
And a free Tiffany's necklace (yes!).
And a hug.
Here's my "official" time... Four Hours, Thirty-Nine Minutes, and Thirty-Six Seconds.
And David, fully supporting me, like always.The starting line was a madhouse...and pitch dark. Here I am, finally reaching the starting line about 17 minutes after the race started. I had to walk all the way to that point, so I still look happy and refreshed.The faithful supporters loaded up on a school bus and headed off to support me at various stops along the way.Here's mile 11, where the full and the half split. I seriously considered just taking the half path and claiming that I got confused.Notice how fresh and happy I still look at mile 11? That only lasted about 2 more seconds...then I realized that I had about 15.2 more miles to run.And there I go... already sweating through my clothes. The girl in blue was also from St. Louis...her name was Kelly and we chatted for about 15 miles. I also talked to a lady who had Swine Flu all last month and was still running. Yikes!Here's the finish line... what a beautiful sight.And here I come...running like my life depends on it.I'm finished...back off, because I need a bagel.And a free Tiffany's necklace (yes!).And a hug.Here's my "official" time... Four Hours, Thirty-Nine Minutes, and Thirty-Six Seconds.You'll notice that I ran .32 miles extra while weaving in and out of walkers.
I'm so happy that it's over.
My darling finisher's shirt. I totally earned it :)
David thought this picture would be funny.
I'm so happy that it's over.My darling finisher's shirt. I totally earned it :)David thought this picture would be funny. I was willing to agree to anything to get to an ice bath.
Mom bought me these new shoes. They kind of look like slippers...but they were so comfortable. I may never wear anything else.
Mom bought me these new shoes. They kind of look like slippers...but they were so comfortable. I may never wear anything else. Never.
After the race, they changed the sign from "Run Like a Girl" to "Ran Like a Girl." Of course, I had to patronize Nike again :) They had finishers' apparel for purchase!!!
We had a nice dinner the night after the race... pizza that only required the trek up one giant hill. Good conversation and complete exhaustion :)
After the race, they changed the sign from "Run Like a Girl" to "Ran Like a Girl." Of course, I had to patronize Nike again :) They had finishers' apparel for purchase!!!
We had a nice dinner the night after the race... pizza that only required the trek up one giant hill. Good conversation and complete exhaustion :)
The next day, Mom and Grandma flew out early. David, Debra, and I had some time to kill before our flight, so we had a late breakfast at a cute diner. Then we headed to the airport...only to find that our flight was delayed. By 3 hours. Getting home after 1am was a little rough, especially since I get up at 5:30 for work. However, the return was made so much easier because Debra gave me her FIRST CLASS seat.
We're talking about heaven here, folks. I got some awesome food (ice cream!) and wine. David asked how many glasses I had...but I had no idea. They never let my glass get empty, so I maintain that I only had 1 glass. Alcohol welcomed me back with open arms.
My terror, though, was abated by finding my name on the wall of names at Nike town. 
Well, everyone was loving except for Maggie. I'm pretty sure she was suffering from Look-at-me-I'm-cute-too-itis. So she got some camera love too.
