Sunday October 18th

We did it. By Saturday night, I was a nervous wreck. I wanted to go out to my friend’s party but I understood that it would have taken a lot of energy out of me and I would have struggled in the race. I was in bed my 9 and woke up several times in the night.


We met with Coach Al at 6.15 for the pep talk and stood waiting for the start. Our pace group made the finish line at about 7:20. I realize that my pace at the beginning was very slow because my Nike watch was not calibrated properly. I was a couple of minutes per minute off unfortunately.
It all worked out in the end and I am glad I had the opportunity to participate in the fun event. I was exhausted and beaten up but right as rain by Monday night. I look to the ½ marathon in Oakland and will work towards improving my times over the coming months. GO Team!

Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=119083&id=558708185&l=c29d1d0abf

Wednesday October 14th

To donate go to: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf09/gasante

I was looking forward to decorating my T shirt, it was a longer than usual journey home because of the over-turned Safeway truck on the Bay Bridge S-Curve. I made it to Michaels but had left my wallet. I went back home, got my wallet and my shirt and tried again. I spent the evening covering up the smudges and will do some more on Friday when I have time to relax. I tried to visualize the route and the race and will keep doing that over the next few days. It is funny how now I am nervous and excited at the same time. Not because of the race itself because I know that if all else fails I will walk it but I am excited to see the celebration of life and the efforts of all these women (and brave men among 20,000 women) to run for the cause.

Tuesday October 13th

Today was t shirt decorating day. Sheree had come over the night before and put some beads as a good start for me. A few of us were very nervous about touching our shirts because we did not want to destroy them but it turned out to be a fun evening. I spent the next hour or so looking at my shirt until a very skilled Katie wrote my name for me in puff paint and I was ready to make a trip to Michaels to hook my shirt up with more bling the next day. There were a few emergencies with smudged glue and Katie had to perform emergency surgery to resuscitate each shirt.

I was ready to leave, picked up my bag and shirt ready to head out the door. I said my good byes and looked at my shirt...... My name written with silver puffed paint was now on my handbag :-(

I kept my cool, wordlessly handed my shirt over to Katie for surgery. She fixed it and me and the t-shirt made it home safely. I will continue my decorating Wednesday with my first stop being Michaels after work.

For some reason I could not sleep early enough and I know this is the time to rest. Managed to sleep around 12 but woke up again at 3am. I think I was finally feeling the stress, excitement or nervousness of Sunday.

Saturday October 10th

I had to drag myself out of bed when the alarm went off at 6. I had stayed out late for the breast cancer event and only had 4 hours sleep. When will I learn that I am too old for this sometimes? I blame it on the young lady in a pink dress, 2 sizes 2 small, full of alcohol and the skripper pole. She took to the pole as I was on my way out and I could not leave after that. Most of us stopped dancing to look. Smh!

I was only going to do 4 miles this time.


Today was the day to collect our packets with t shirts and logistics for race day. Some honorees spoke but everyone was freezing cold so I sat this one out. I tend to get emotional speaking out it too because I see the effort the runners but it so that me and people like me can live.

We had our instructions and I made it a point to pack everything I need before the day and make it to the t shirt decorating party.


Oh! When we got the shirts it became apparent that a medium would not work for me unless I intended to look like a skripper or wear it is a bra. I managed to get an extra large. I can say they either run small or I have expanded..... I am sticking with the fact that the run small.....

Sunday October 4th

I met with Cynthia at Lake Chabot and managed 10 miles. My body ached all day

Friday October 2nd

I ran Lake Merritt because I will be at the TAN conference on Saturday. I have to be in Stanford for 7 am and so could not make the final long training run with the team in Moraga.