...Race Day...

I've had some health concerns over the past month and a half which have kept me from adventuring. My doctor cleared me for the race, but I wasn't to push myself, get overheated, or get dehydrated. My regular running pace had gone from an easy 10 minute mile to a labored 13 minute mile. I was deeply concerned I wouldn't make it to the finish line. My stomach was a mess of knots that morning.

I had been raising money for the A21 Campaign, an organization that seeks to abolish modern day slavery in the 21st century, and so many friends donated to the cause. I had committed to wear silly race attire for each increment of money that I raised, so I pulled the silly socks and homemade tutu on as my final act in getting ready.

We had a quick breakfast at IHOP before finding a bus that would take us to the starting line. As I began to line up with 24,999 of my peers, Andy texted me encouraging words and found a place along the course to cheer me on. How sweet and kind and faithful! There are few who would wake up so early to show their support. (I can't tell you how excited I was to see Andy just a few miles in. I ran a bit faster just to get to him sooner.)

I was in the third wave of runners, so, though the race began at 6:30am, I didn't even cross the starting line until sometime after 7. Unlike Andy, I made no friends, but offered a few smiles here and there. I stopped along the way to take pictures, and walked up one obnoxious hill, but ran the majority of the race at an easy jog, smiling, laughing.

The morning was a mess of fog. Though it was intended that we'd be able to see the painted Ladies and the Golden Gate Bridge, you really could barely see the runners in front of you.

All along the course there was encouragement. Whether it was cheerleaders, a marching band, a drum line, or water and electrolytes, Luna bars, orange slices, etc, you never felt like you had been running that long. Then, of course, there was the chocolate mile, where they pass out, you guessed it, chocolate, to motivate you to the finish line. The entire event was so well organized!

After I crossed the finish line, I waited for my Tiffany necklace medal and then headed to the line to get my picture with the firefighters. I decided not to wait in line for a massage or food and flowers, as I really just wanted to go back to the hotel and have Andy hold me for a while. We waited in the line, chatting with people around us, and were soon headed back. As I took a shower, Andy got pizza from our favorite little pizzeria. After a good 40 minutes of yin yoga, we crawled into bed and fell asleep for a few hours. It was about noon.

...San Francisco, Day 1...

My fear of oversleeping woke me up at 3:05am, so I was already showering when the alarms started blaring at 3:15, 3:17, and 3:19. We were already packed, so we just needed to get ourselves, and Buddy, out the door. That proved a bit more challenging than expected, but we still managed to board our 6am flight before take off. Phew! Made it!

We had a layover in LAX, and arrived in SFO at 11am. One suggestion for when you come  visit SFO, take the shuttle to get to your hotel. It's $17 a person, but the other options, which are only a few dollars cheaper, take hours, literally hours.

By the time we arrived at our hotel, which is cozy (read tiny) but clean, we were exhausted and famished. Andy searched a place to eat (he's so good at finding great little nooks) and we walked up to a pizzeria in our area. It was tasty pizza, AND Andy and I both ate for under $10 - TOTAL! We'll be going back.

After lunch, we headed to the Nike Women's Marathon Expo-tique. Here are some pictures from our adventure.

Walking to the bus stop...I'm not sure I've trained for these hills.
8.0 on the treadmill incline doesn't seem sufficient now...

This is how close we are to the bay. So picturesque!

The start is at Union Square. Red are the steepest hills, yellow are your
basic hills and inclines, and green is supposed to be easy...we'll see...

After my free makeover. I need to remember to smile nicely.

My complimentary airbrush tattoo encouraging me to run like I have wings!

Also had my hair braided by the ladies of Paul Mitchell. I might go back
on Saturday and have them do it again for Race Day!

Because they offer so many free goodies (and I'm bringing home ALOT of free goodies), this is an expensive race to run. We wanted to make sure that I took advantage of everything they offer, and Andy lovingly and patiently carried my bags and took pictures while we walked to each activity. We spent our day at the Expo-tique!

(At one point he did say, "It would be so awesome if one of your girlfriends was running with you and could do all this stuff," but I think he sincerely meant that it would have been more fun for me to have a buddy, and not suggesting that all he wanted to do was get away from all the ladies. If you ever do this race, insist on a buddy, any buddy. If you weren't great friends to begin with, you will be by the time it's over.)


So the evening was all Andy's, and he wanted to watch the St. Louis Cardinals defeat the San Francisco Giants, so we walked to a sports bar, Jillian's, and waited 40 minutes for a table. In fact, they sat us at a huge table and asked us if it would be okay if others joined us. Soon, two older gentlemen came to our table, engulfed in a conversation about their online dating antics and the women they were meeting. At one point (I kid you not!) they were looking at a phone and giggling at the responses they were composing and receiving through text message! Did I mention these were grown men (at least in their fifties) and not teenage girls? It was fascinating!

It was a tense game. When that one guy on the other team hit the home run late in the game, the whole room erupted in cheers. I knew there was no stopping the Giants now...and we couldn't. They went on to win it in the 9th inning. The room went crazy, and Andy insisted we leave immediately. So quickly, in fact, that he left his phone on the table, and we had to go back to retrieve it. My poor, broken-hearted husband. I'm not sure he's over it yet.

When I wasn't looking, Andy snapped this.
Isn't he wonderful?

We have more fun for today! Can't wait to tell you all about it! Remember, I'm running on behalf of the A21 Campaign, and if you'd like to pledge to my cause, you can do so here!

Thank you for loving me so well everyone!

...a mile in her shoes...

I love discussing future goals. Andy does it to appease me.

This winter, when we were having our yearly chat about how and where we wanted to grow, he asked me if I had any ideas as to where I would like to volunteer. I immediately blurted out, “I think I want to get involved in the sex slave industry.” (I should write things down before I say them.) Thankfully, my husband, who completely understood my meaning, corrected my sentence and encouraged me to get started.

But where to start?

So I did a lot of reading and researching online. As I sifted through the statistics, I found them all in equal parts horrifying, heartbreaking, and rage-inducing.

I'll let you google the human trafficking statistics yourself.

The A21 Campaign was the first website to open my eyes to the issue of modern day slavery. Not only did they give me information, but they also provided me with ways to get involved.

Their goal is to abolish slavery in the 21^st century and they do this through prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships. You can read more about all these things here.

In an effort to help the A21 Campaign abolish slavery in my lifetime, and to make this upcoming half marathon a bit more fun, I'm choosing to put myself on the line and do some silly things to raise a few dollars. I've started a Crowdrise Fundraising campaign, which you can check out here.

If I raise:

$250: I'll wear silly socks

$500: I'll wear silly socks and a tutu

$1000: I'll wear all the above and jingle bells

$2500: I'll wear all the above and a silly hat/head piece

$5000: I'll wear all the above and wear chains

$10,000: I'll wear all the above and run the race in heels

There are lots of ways you can support me and my goal. You can:

Help me reach my fundraising goal by donating money. Even a few dollars can go a long way in providing a hope and a future.

Pass this blog or fundraising site on to your friends.

Be a running buddy for some longer runs.

If you live in the San Francisco area and are willing to get out of bed at 6am, you can cheer me on at the race.

Cheer me on from the comfort of your home by liking and commenting on my Facebook running post the day of the race, October 19. It will send real time cheers to keep me going!

Ultimately, I'd really love to see some spontaneous conversations regarding human trafficking entering our daily chat. I didn't really know it was such an issue until recently. And I think we can all agree that it shouldn't be happening.

Ready to donate? Click here.

...new beginnings...

Training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco began today. My feet hit the floor with nervous anticipation and my stomach fluttered. Was I sure I wanted to do this? Too late now. 

When I think about what I'm hoping to accomplish, it all seems a little bit bigger than me and what I'm able to do...and I'm scared.

...scared I'll fall...





...scared I'll get hurt...





...scared I'll fail...

I pinned this quote a long time ago, and came across it again yesterday as I scoured my Pinterest boards for projects that were awaiting my attention. It's a great little reminder, don't you think?

It's Monday. A new day, a new week, a new beginning. Go make it an amazing week!