It happened.  I did it. I ran SF.

I got everything ready on Saturday, and took a nice 2 mile shake out run. I was SO nervous, but knew that it was going to happen whether I was ready or not.
CL cooked me a yummy 'light' pasta dinner (it was SO good) and I set my alarm, and attempted to get some sleep.

 I woke up unusually bright-eyed and bushy tailed and we got ready and hit the road. We didn't hit an ounce of traffic and CL was able to drop me off about a block from my corral, so that was nice.

I was able to pee (TMI, I know) and get to my corral with no problems... and then I waited. And waited. And waited. 

The race 'started' at 6:30am and I didn't start until 7:28am. No joke. It took forever. By the time it was 'go' time, my back was hurting from standing around for an hour. 

  The first two miles were PACKED. It was borderline miserable. The first round of hills weren't bad. Inclines in the city are broken up at the intersections so I knew if I took it easy, there was recovery at each intersection and that seemed to work. It was incredibly foggy and misty, so it kept me cool (and wet) for most of the first 8 miles.

Around mile 6 I had to stop and use the bathroom, or there was no chance in hell I was going to finish. It added time to my already slow run, but I don't care. I ran my slowest, probably ever, but I wanted to run the whole thing and I knew I needed to conserve as much energy for the second hill. I didn't care how long it took as long as I finished.

I felt unusually good about my run until mile 10. I had good music, lots of people around being supportive, and it was cool out, so I was on cruise control. I knew I could run 10 miles, but that was the farthest I had gone in my training. Anything past that was uncharted to me! I also knew that past the big hill was downhill and flat and it was less than 3 miles, and I knew I could handle that!

Mile 10 was HELL. I've driven the hilly mile of the Presidio that we ran and its bad in a car, and now I know its bad on foot. I probably could have crawled faster then I "ran", but I kept going. Nike literally had a sign that said '1000 YARDS LEFT GO HILL SEEKER GO' to let us know we were at 'the hill'. Most people around me walked. It seemed to go on forever because of the fog and then at last  I saw it- the sign that said 'WHAT HILL? YOU MADE IT!' I'd never been so relieved.

The course would have been beautiful on a clear day- we ran past the Painted Ladies in Alamo Square, through Golden Gate Park, up the Presidio and down through Crissy Field onto Marina Green. The fog began to lift as I was approaching mile 12, so it was starting to become more clear out, which was nice! 

CL had texted me throughout the race (as did my Mom, & cousin Veronica!) and let me know he and Beckett were at the mile 13 marker, so I was getting excited to see them! Seeing them gave me that little extra boost I needed to finish.. I was tired and hungry by then!

Poor little fella! He was such a trooper!

I finally reached mile 13 and saw CL and have him a quick kiss! Then I turned the corner and saw my Uncle Garry and got a quick high five before making one last turn and hitting the finish line. I had made it.

at mile 13. CL snagged this before I ran over to him!

I ran a half marathon.

I was elated. And tired. And sore. And emotional. Very emotional. As soon as I crossed the finish line, I of course had to stop and take a selfie. I mean, why not? haha. Whole Foods passed out Nike Women's Half Marathon branded water bottles filled with cold water right after the finish line, which was awesome and much needed. Past that line, Whole Foods also passed out 'Finisher' bags with all sorts of yummy goodies including a banana that I most definitely ate.  Then the good part. Now, according to legend, I was supposed to be handed a famous blue Tiffany & Co. Box by a fireman in a Tuxedo, so imagine my disappointment when it was just a volunteer (an awesome volunteer- they really were great!). haha. None the less, I was so stoked to get that little blue box- after all I had earned it! (For the record there were suited up firemen, but the lines to take photos with them was LONG and yeah, Im good.)

Just an FYI the yellow and red are the hills...

They had flags set up so you could find family members so I posted up under the L-O flag so CL and everyone could find me. It was kind of nice to have some time alone to reflect and stretch. I was definitely hurting, but I also felt on top of the world.
Everyone came to find me and I was so happy to see them! CL, Beckett, my Uncle Garry,  and my cousin Claudia all got sweaty hugs! 

Claudie's next! She's running a half on November 1st!

   We took lots of photos before heading to a yummy brunch at Green's. It was SO good. Thanks Uncle G!

We headed home to shower (I was SO gross) and relax for a bit before heading to Harry's Hofbrau (my FAV) for a post race celebratory dinner. I've been wanting this for months! I ate every. single. thing. I wanted all the food, and Harry's doesn't disappoint! If you live in around San Jose and haven't been.. you are seriously missing out.

I would have taken a pic of my food, but I inhaled it before I even thought about it. 

CL took Monday off so that I could go to the spa. I had a gift card I had been saving since my birthday, and finally cashed it in for an hour long massage and a spa pedicure and it was amazing. 

 So that's that. I ran a half marathon and lived to tell about it 8 months after I had a baby. And it wasn't that bad. I'd probably run another half in a non-hilly, mild climate area, but no, not a full, so don't ask ;)

OH and a HUGE thank you to everyone for all their love, support, texts, comments, emails and calls over the last few days. I couldn't have done it without every single one of you! It was very much appreciated and it meant the world to me!

#WeRunSF Expotique

Friday before the race Beckett headed up to the city to check out the Nike Woman's Half Marathon Expotique in Union Square. I had already gotten my packet, so we didn't technically have to go, but I am so glad we did!

The tent took over all of Union Square. It was so cool to see so many women ready to race!

 Niketown prints all the runners names on their store window, so I was so excited to see my name up there. Something about seeing my name up there with 25,000 other runners made it so real and exciting!

SO. MANY. NAMES.

 The expotique was so fun. It was smaller then I imagined, but then again it was Nike event, so there wasn't any other sports vendors there. 

I got an airbrush tattoo, and my BMI checked. And no i'm not sharing the results ;)

 Snacked on a YUMMY cupcake from Whole Foods.

Played in the photo book with Beckett.

Made fun cheer posters.

Signed the inspiration wall.. which was later on the course!

 I'm so glad I went.I left totally inspired and fired up. Nike does a hell of a job getting everyone excited. The positive energy was contagious!

Stay tuned for my race recap!

Why I'm Running a Half Marathon

There is always a reason behind every decision, and the decision to run a half marathon was no different. Especially when you choose to run one 8 months after you have a baby. And, no, I haven't lost my mind!
I remember sitting on the couch looking at races when I signed up for the 10K talking to CL about how it would be a great way to get back in shape post baby. He agreed. He also liked that it wasn't a monthly gym membership, yoga, spin, or barre classes. (Although for the record, I love my yoga classes!)
When I started training for the 10K (that sounds so lame now, but yes, you have to train for 1 mile, 2 miles, a 5K and beyond) I was looking at my training app and it had me running 10 miles for conditioning. I was like, "Well if I have to run 10 miles, what is 3.1 more on top of that? I should just run a half marathon". And that's how it started.
I was literally in the movie theater with my friend Ashley when registration opened for the lottery for the Nike Women's Half Marathon. I called CL and had him register me, like it was no big deal. People try for YEARS to get into this race. I was safe, there was no way my number was going to get picked! 
Time went on, and I honestly didn't think about it. Then I got the email. My heart sank, my palms started sweating, and my bank account was $187 lighter. CRAP. I was running a half marathon.

So that's the how, but why did I choose running as my way to get back in shape? It's free. It's a mood booster. It gives you energy. It helps with self esteem. It burns a lot of calories AND boosts creativity. Plus I had a lot of motivation!

via

My Son. I want to show him that you can set any goal and reach it. My journey hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it. I also want to show him that a healthy lifestyle is attainable at any stage of life. 

via

To prove to myself that I was strong enough to do it. After running 10 miles (continuously) I never felt stronger, weaker, prouder and more tired then I had in my entire life (giving birth included!)

via

To prove to everyone else that I could do it. All the girls in junior high that bullied me. All the girls that never included me in high school. All the girls that I wasn't accepted by in college. And all the girls that think i'm invisible post college, you are all my motivation. I am a woman of worth, and I don't have to prove it to anyone anymore. I have a wonderful man that loves me, a beautiful baby boy, and a wonderful family. That's enough for me! 

via

To get healthy. Mentally and physically. Yeah losing weight is great (i've lost 4 pant sizes to date), but being mentally healthy is also a great perk of running. For the physical I had a huge motivator- I had gestational diabetes (surprise!) while I was pregnant with Beckett (For all you out there, being overweight is a factor, but skinny bitches get it too! But it was caught early, early, early in my pregnancy so we were able to be very proactive about it! My fasting was high, but everything else was normal. I did have to take insulin shots, though. IT WAS NOT THAT BAD.) Getting my health under control was top priority, so this was a great way to help lessen any later risks! As for mental health, dealing with the stresses of being a new mom, life, finances, being away from family, and having a very small circle of friends is very rough. But my runs everyday (well almost every day) allow me to clear my head. Postpartum depression is no joke, and exercise is a great way to run those demons away! (For the record, I was never diagnosed with PPD, but i'm pretty sure every new mom deals with some depression/ anxiety and I was no different)

via

To say I did it. Yeah, I know, not the greatest of motivators, but in a couple days i'll forever be able to say I ran a half marathon. And to me that's pretty impressive.

via

So, today Beckett and I are off the the Nike Women's Marathon Expotique to get pumped up for the race on Sunday I doubt he's as excited to go as I am, but he's coming anyways! He's part of my 'why' I run-what's yours?