nike women’s marathon | runningandthecity

Sunday we got up really early (WHY, oh WHY, is always everything so early???? I am from south america people!!) and we basically had to meet up with the LA chapter to cheer at mile 9.5 and then, as soon as the last TNT runner went by, we’d drive over to mile 25, to cheer there by the beach, and then off to the Finish line to make sure every single one of our NYC TNT runners were accounted for.
We set up to cheer at 7 am a@ mile 9.5 with coffee, some snacks, a couple of policemen, and lots of energy. I have to say, I had never worried to train my voice (and I do have lots of practice screaming at nyc drivers!) but after a couple of hours I would have loved some lemon green tea with honey (selfnote!!).

The fun stuff…

I saw Kara Goucher run by, very very closely followed by Joanie Benoit Samuelson, and I screamed at both (but got no pictures!). And then, guess who spotted me (how on earth did she? I had like 60 pounds of outfit on me), yeah, Jenn, who was doing wonderfully with her friend!

Police officers were letting cars go when it thinned out, but this guy had to sit there for over an hour, hilarious (to me at least!).
Poor woman had her bra snap off and we were trying to assist, which was not easy given the sweat, layers and stuff, but we were on a mission and got it done!
Crazy maniac… yeah me!

We then drove over to mile 25.3, right on the beach by the Dutch Windmill, though we got a bit lost on our way there??? (ooops). All that matters is that we made it, right?

After we checked in at the finish line, got everyone accounted for (every single one of them finished!!!), we headed back to the city. Traffic was insane though and we hadn’t eaten much yet. It was 3 pm and all I had was coffee, a banana, and some crackers, eeeek! After a fast lunch and a shower we scooted over to the victory party, just a few blocks down the street (Thank God it was close!!).
We cleaned up super fast-

I was beat after so I never made it to the post-party party (yes, lots of celebration has to be done) and I passed out as soon as I saw my bed, as we had to be up early Monday to catch the flight back.
The Good:

San Francisco, as a city, rocks. A close second to NYC.
On the other hand, SF hills trump hills in any other big city. I shall NOT forget this ever again.
All of our participants finished. Some had a bit of pain, some were really tired, but they all finished.
Coffee Bean cawfee tops Starbucks any day. Cako cupcakes rock.
I learned a lot. I have a few mental notes. But mostly, the weekend went perfectly.
I enjoyed some serious girl power this weekend, even from all the men everywhere, who were equally involved and/or supportive.
Running to cure cancer is really moving. I cried a lot of the weekend, got chills, and was really inspired to make a difference.
Running and travelling with a team to a race seems like a lot of fun. There’s a lot to be said about the power in numbers!

I might want to have a fireman give me one of these Tiffany necklaces next year. I might even run for it. The course looks pretty amazing (pfff the hills!!).

WNM11 (Nike Women’s Marathon) – Race Day Fun

We (two more Team in Training staffers, a bunch of coaches, and around 150 runners) left towards SanFran Friday early for the Nike Women’s Marathon. I had planned to do my long run on Friday afternoon, as soon as we landed, as there was going to be no time over the weekend for it. I was not the coordinator for this event so I was coming as support staff, but we still had assignments for the whole weekend. So, as we flew there early and spent most of the day on a plane, we had to eat first: it was 5 pm on my internal clock when I got some food!! So, right after lunch, we went to the expo for a little walk; there was no way I could have run right after the insane (and heavy) catch up food I had… The expo was a big tent in Union Square, right in the middle of town, and luckily very close to our hotel. Soon it was time to run before it got very dark and very late!! My legs were still stiff from the plane sitting, I was completely dehydrated, and still had an enormous pork slab sandwich, onion rings and french fries in my tummy: it was going to be a tough run. Oh, add San Francisco’s hills to the equation… If I had known what I was getting into, I probably would not have gone… but, as you know, there’s no better (and more efficient) way to enjoy a city than on a run, so I am glad I powered through my laziness. And though it was not my first time there, I saw many amazing things that renewed my love for this city. Nothing like a run to experience a place and also to reset your body! My plan was to run from our hotel in Union Square, by the bay, all the way to the Golden Bridge and back. The other option was to run through Golden Gate Park, which I love too… Ah, I wish I had had time for two runs! Here’s us running UP on Powell. Just TWO letters for “up” is a major understatement! By the time we got to the bridge, we had run 6 (very slow) miles and I was starting to feel it. Actually, I was feeling it since I left the hotel on those super steep streets! I wasn’t even sweating I was so dehydrated. Still, we couldn’t find anywhere to buy a drink until we got to around 9 miles, and I was running on fumes. Climbing back up the streets to Union Square was impossible, I had to walk them up. Even had to walk some of the downhills as they were so steep. I was so tired when I got to the hotel that I was dreaming of a fireman waiting in the lobby with a Tiffany necklace (or any kind of medal, or a botte of water, anything, please!). Tough, still amazing, run!! Early saturday we had a staff meeting, to go over logistics and stuff. I had a bit of time after that, so we walked by the expo again! And then Niketown, which was complete mayhem!! (I want all of these shirts —> christmas list!) True-dat! Do english-speakers even know what “barefoot” means??????????? Then I worked at the expo a bit. And guess who I ran into as I was leaving…! JensterNC! A couple of hours later, we had our TNT inspiration dinner… and though we had around 160 runners from NYC, if you counted all the other US chapters, there was 3700 TNT participants! We set up an enourmous pasta party and when our participants come in, all the staff, coaches, and mentors cheer them on. It is very lound. And really chill-inducing. You can’t not be moved, or cry. I dare you!
Loved this team’s shirt!
Then, we got super inspired. I am not sure a lot of people can say that they cry at their job every day and that that is good thing. I do. I might have to switch from contacts to glasses soon.John Bingham (the Penguin) was the MC and he was quite funny, and also super inspiring.

Then Kara talked. Yeah, Kara Goucher was there!!! She was amazing, and talked about the TNT runners were so inspiring to her. Soon we had to rest and get ready for some serious race day work: cheering! 😉