Nike Women’s Half Marathon 2013

We got up after a very short 4 hour “nap”…you can’t call that sleep.  The amount of traffic in San Fran at 5:45 am is amazing.  It was faster to park and walk the rest of the way then to drive.  We lost Joy and my Mom so Brittany and I were on our own.  We tried to call, but with so many people and all the music we couldn’t hear anything!

I thought they said they were in the front group, so Brittany and I ducked under a fence and joined that group.  Unfortunately, they weren’t in that group.  That group was the “black” group…aka, they run 5 minute miles.  We didn’t know that at the time.  Look how naive we are…..

When they set off the fireworks these ladies just started sprinting!  Brit and I did our best to keep up, but really?  5 minute miles?!?!  We didn’t stand a chance!  We walked past some amazing parts of San Francisco.  We walked all the way up the pier…

At the end of the pier started the big hill.  That was fun.  Check out that fog!  It was awesome!

Yep, that’s on the hill.  Super, duper fun.

My favorite part was all the funny signs people were holding along the route.  My favorite is the one below…You’re running better than CONGRESS!  Loved it!  Here’s a few fun ones…

So, apparently most people don’t take the time during a race to take pictures.  They must be concerned about their time or something….weirdoes. 

Look at all these people!  It was nuts!  (and amazingly fun!)

We are amazing!

The last mile was covered in these signs.  I had to take pictures!  that last mile FLEW by!

Seriously?!  How perfect is this for my mom!?

My favorite Pain is now, Tiffany & co is forever!

There it is!  The finish line is in sight!

WE DID IT!!!!

We were so excited!

It was freezing cold so they gave us these little foil things to keep warm.  Didn’t do much.

Look at all these people!  So, after going 13.1 or 26.2 all you want to do is STAND IN LINE right?  My legs were killing me and we just had to stand there.  Oh, and if you had to go to the bathroom you were out of luck.  Last bathrooms were like at mile 12.  Yep, they don’t tell you that.  We waited in the line at a supermarket along with 40 of our closest fellow marathon peoples.

This was such an amazing experience!  I can’t wait to do this again.  Mom, thank you so much for an incredible experience!!!  Love you!