Run Like A Woman

Had a wonderful time at the Nike Women’s Half marathon on Sunday and it had nothing to do with speed. I finished the race in 2:50—definitely not my fastest time, but with the NYC Marathon two weeks away, I wasn’t trying to be speedy.

Several of us SLO Runners drove to San Francisco for the event. SD and I went up on Friday and stayed in S. San Francisco, thinking It would be quieter and we could get some sleep. When I lived in Minneapolis, cars and voices were part of the night environment and I slept right through them, but now that I’m a country girl, I wake up at the slightest sound.

M.A. drove up with her husband and they camped in a mobile park at the beach, so SD and I were on our own Friday night. I went to the expo to get my race packet in order to avoid crowds on Saturday. It was plenty crowded when I got there, but no waiting at packet pick-up. I wandered around at the expo, and as I was starting to leave I heard them announce that Joan Benoit Samuelson and Kara Goucher were going to be on-stage in 15 minutes! SD and I headed over and waited. It was really exciting to see them, and afterwards I got an autographed picture of Joanie and Kara autographed my race bib.




Headed back to the expo on Saturday morning and hooked up with M.A. and her husband. Mine bailed—hanging around a race expo is not his idea of time well-spent in San Francisco. He preferred the Farmers Market and sight seeing. M.A. got her race packet and then we waited in line to try out the Nike Lunaglide shoe. We tried on the shoe and ran on the treadmill while being videotaped, the Nike rep analyzed our gait. It was good for me, because she told me that I supinate (I knew I did on my left foot.) But she said I also do on my right foot and that I should wear neutral cushioned shoes. I always wore stability shoes because I thought they kept my foot straight, but she said that could cause damage in the future. She recommended Vomero's and I bought a pair at Nike Town.

M.A. also bought a pair of shoes and then her husband had enough, so they left. Meanwhile, our runner friends arrived, including Bunny. They went to the expo then got lunch and we were going to see Joanie and Kara again, but they all had to go back to check in at their hotel so I went to see the elites by myself. This time I had my camera and a front row seat. And this time Adam Goucher was also there! He was standing off to the side being generally ignored, so I went up and asked if I could take my picture with him.



That night, we all went out to carbo-load at Il Fornaio and then I headed back to the hotel to obsess prepare for the race. I laid out everything I would need in the morning, pinned my race bib to my top and tied the chip to my shoelaces. After a hot bath, I set the alarm for 4:30 and was in bed by 9.

SD drove me to the hotel where my friends were staying and then we all walked to the start. It was really crowded, but we all managed to stay together. I even saw Danielle! It was the first time we met, after all these years. She's very nice and really cute. We all dropped off our gear bags, used the bathroom at Jack in the Box, then lined up in our respective corrals.

We were wrapped around Union Square and, fittingly enough, the starting line was in front of Tiffany's. I crossed the starting line with five of my running friends, then they took off and I slowed down because I wanted to run 12:30 mpm.

We ran through the Financial District, then turned down the Embarcadero, past Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square. Daylight emerged and the Golden Gate bridge was in the distance, partially covered by fog. We hit our first hill, a small one but I walked it anyway. My marathon is in two weeks and I was saving my legs for that.


The next hill was at Fort Mason; I've run up it before but not this time. Then down to the Marina district to run along the bay. I had my iPod on, and wore my water belt, so didn't stop at the aid stations. I think that saved me time and plan to do that at the marathon.

The scenery was familiar and I remembered running the route two years ago when I ran the marathon here. Just before the GG bridge, we turned and climbed a mother of a hill. I walked that one too, but ran up similar hills on my training runs. Then we ran through a neighborhood that I'm not familiar with. What I remember most about that was signs posted with reasons to run. I can't remember all the reasons, but one of them was the Tiffany necklace. That's why I was there!



Then we had a big downhill to get to the Great Highway (the beach). From the top we had a great view. Again, I remembered this from two years ago, but that day is was sunny and the ocean was deep blue. Today it was overcast and not as pretty; better weather to run in, though.

One of my goals was to run the entire race without stopping for a porta potty. Well, my bladder had other ideas and I started looking around for one that didn't have a line, no small feat in a race with 20,000 women! But you know, I like to think positive. As I was running down the Great Highway I saw a man carrying a "Jesus Loves You" sign. "Would Jesus find me a porta potty that didn't have a line?" I thought. Well, yes he did! As I was running through GG Park, I saw a solitary porta potty and headed in. There was a sign on the door that said "only", but I didn't read the top line. For all I know, it said, "For Dori Only." ;-)

Feeling much lighter, and with only two miles to go, I pressed on. SD wanted me to call him when I reached MP 12, so I did. Then I picked up the pace and ran without stopping. I looked for SD, but didn't see him, so just focused on the finish line. Crossed it and there were all the SF Firemen, in their Penguin suits, holding silver trays stacked with beribboned blue Tiffany boxes. What a lovely sight!


My sister Deni walked the half-marathon for the third year in a row. This time she had to race alone because her walking partner is pregnant and was too sick to train. Deni's time was 3:01, a HUGE PR for her!


I felt a little guilty running a half when there was a marathon going on. I wasn't even tired! I got some food, then regrouped with my friends and family. There are a few annoying things about that race, but really, it's a great race to run. The design for the silver Tiffany necklace changes every year and I really like this one. I haven't taken it off since I put it on! The finisher's shirt is nice, too.