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Well, it was that time of year again!

2011 marks my SEVENTH time doing the Nike Women’s Marathon. I did the full in 2005 and then the half in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. And here we are again! I can’t believe I’ve been running for 7 years.

Irving and I drove up to San Francisco late on Friday night and arrived into the city at 1am. We fell asleep right away and woke up Saturday bright and early, just in time to hit up the expo as it opened.

I have to say that after being at that expo 7 years in a row, the appeal has worn off. I’m not interested in the overpriced apparel, gimicky nike + promotions and hour long waits for free stuff. Nike has a captive, vulnerable audience and they’re not ashamed of taking your money and making it clear who their sponsors are. If you were a first timer, I’m sure it’s just as amazing as you’d think it would be. But for me, I think I finally got a little bored with it.

The best part? Seeing my friend Niki (who was running the full!)

And getting free Keurig Coffee and Tea from their truck across the street (not affiliated with Nike).

I grabbed my goodie bag and a few samples of Ghiradelli chocolate and left the crowds behind us in search of lunch.

We met up with Irving’s mom and grandmother, who were nice enough to trek into the city to see us. We had a great meal together and hung out for the afternoon.

After they left, we went in search of pre-race snacks and then hit the sack. We had an early wake up call the next morning! But since our hotel was LITERALLY right at the start line (we could see the corrals below us from the window!) we got to sleep in a bit longer! Score!

Oh, didn’t I tell you? I had company this year! Irving decided to walk the whole 13.1 miles with me! I was so excited! I had fun showing him the ropes where to check our bags, how to fuel before the start and how to get pumped for the race.

It was unseasonably warm this year! Didn’t even need a long sleeve at the start! (This was me in 2005… I had on two shirts and a trashbag to keep warm!

Anyways, before we knew it it was GO TIME! I told Irving to keep to the sides when we started or else we’d get trampled (since we were just walking it this year). But as soon as we started he took off running and it felt good.

The surge of energy lasted about .2 miles and then we began to walk, but at a brisk pace.  We held a steady 17 minute mile for almost all of it.
This picture is so funny because everything is in focus except for Irving. haha.

The miles were ticking by and we were chatting the day away. Irving grew up near San Francisco but we walked through parts he’d never seen before which was super fun.

I love San Francisco. If I do this race again, it is because you just can’t beat these views.

Oh, good morning Golden Gate Bridge! (There was ZERO fog!)

A little while later and we were at Mile 12! You know what that means? CHOCOLATE MILE!!!

Then we rounded the corner and headed to the finish! Here we come!

Crossed the finish line hand in hand! (Can’t wait for the Pro Pictures!) And got my Tiffany’s Necklace handed to me by a firefighter in a tux. Mmm Hmm! (Oh, Husband is with me, darn!) Jk! Kinda.

This was my 12th official half marathon (and 16th endurance race total). Whoop! Just Five more races needed towards my goal of completing 20 endurance races before I’m 30 goal!)

Wanna see THE NECKLACE?
 

Here she is! [FRONT]

[BACK]

Let me just add that to my collection of Tiffany’s Race Jewelry. This makes my heart happy. I’m so proud of these.

The finisher’s shirt was pretty rocking this year. It’s a lightweight dri-fit and I love the yellow color. I actually don’t think I have a yellow drifit despite my huge collection.

Official time: 3:45:51 (average pace of 17:14)

Another 13.1 under my belt. done and done.