Nike Marathon 06 report

[liksani]

I'm glad to say I'm still alive and all. Dragged my sister up and we stayed with my cousin on Saturday night at my cousin's place in SF so we didn't have to drive in on Sunday morning. Next year, we'll go up earlier for the expo tho so we can get more of the cool swag. We are suckers for free stuff.

I wished I saw my name on the wall of names, but oh wells, next year right?

It was interesting on Sunday because we left my cousin's house too late and then I got kind of lost trying to make my way towards the SBC Park parking lots. BUT my sister and I saw this guy outside his garage so we stopped to ask him for directions. And lo and behold, he was also bound to the marathon since he was running unofficially with one of his friends who was actually registered. So he gave us directions and we gave him a ride. We dropped him off closer to Union Square and then continued on to the parking lot... At which point we realized, it's 6:40! It's somewhat late, but these awesome (did I mention awesome) people with TNT came by and offered us rides since i guess we looked rather sad and forlorn.

We got to union square and checked our bags as people were totally cheering. Then ran off to get safety pins and finallly ended up starting maybe 10 minutes after gun time. Not too shabby.

It was absolutely beautiful over the first couple of miles as the sun was rising over the water and it was just calm and breath taking. The weather was good and cool for most of it. The hills were expected since I had done the run last year. The only annoying bit was trying to get through all the walkers at the beginning who tended to congregate in solid walls.

Saw a hilarious group of guys somewhere in the beginning middleish part of the course with cute little handmade signs saying "You're beautiful! We're lonely. Call us" with a number. This got a rousing laugh from most of the marathon/half marathoners . I think I even saw some people taking note of the number.

Felt strong and good going through Golden Gate Park. It was just so strange to see the bison? wandering around in the park in the mist since SF is a large city. At mile 16, I was still feeling pretty good and thinking I could keep on pace.

Then, at mile 18 I realized wow, this is kind of painful and slowed significantly. I always never like the stretch down the Great Highway and around Lake Merced since I know I have to run back all the way that I'm going. Additionally, there was just less cheering/beautiful scenery at this point. At this point my legs just felt kind of like rocks and my run was probably some shambling walk shuffle/run. All my miles around the lake consisted of me complaining bitterly inside my head and wondering why I make myself do such insane things. WHY OH WHY???

As I reached the Great Highway again, I picked up my pace (slightly) and continued onwards glad that I only had maybe 5ish miles left to go. Ended up drinking and/or eating too much stuff overall since it wasn't as comfortable to run anymore. But at this point I just wanted to drag myself in. Somehow I found a burst of energy a mile from the finish and sprinted (somewhat) in. Picked up my shiny shiny tiffany necklace and a shirt. then promptly found the medical staff for some ice and waited for my friend, my sister, and my friend's friend to finish.

So.. lessons I take away from this for next year:
* train more!!
* train on hills!
* run more than 18.5 miles as the longest run ever

Finished in 4:32. Felt exhausted, tired, deliriously happy.

So... who wants to do this run with me next year? I think the tiffany necklace/dri fit tshirt is the definite draw for me. I'm a sucker what can I say.

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on an amazing finish!! Sounds like it was a great time!!!!
What do the necklaces look like this year?

Glad you had a wonderful time!!!

[limewave]

Sounds like you had a great marathon! Congratulations!!!! And yeah, the 18 mile marker was where I started to stagger a little too.
I might just take you up and come out to SF to do it next year--if I can keep up with you.

[Offthegrid]

Great job! I definitely want to do a marathon someday, but probably a half would be the limit to what I could do next year.

[Shiraz]

Way to go!!!! Congratulations on your marathon. I have completed two fulls and many 1/2's. It is an amazing high and I can't wait to plan to finish another full. I think the SF would be the best! Three cheers for you

[colby]

4:32! SWEET!

Congrats, liksani. You did awesome. Darn that mile 18, but you fought past and made it to the end at super speed

[liksani]

Thanks you guys. I was hoping to do better but next year I'll be good and train like maaaad. (or so i say now) Anyhows, the necklace this year is a round circle. One side has a little woman running on it and there's a pattern running along the outside of the circle. Other side has Nike swoosh, SF 06, and tiffany & co.

[Bikingmomof3]

Awesome Race! Great report. Wish I had been there. Maybe next year?

[kaybee]

Congratulations liksani -- great time! And there's nothing better than taking home shiny hardware!

KB

[maillotpois]

Wow - congrats liksani!! That's a great marathon time!

I posted my Nike SF report under the "Race Reports" category "My Last Marathon", FYI. It was really fun to read your report of the same run. My "race" was a couple hours longer because I walked, but it was good, nonetheless. I also wrote about the bison in the mist - LOL! Some things are just pretty cool. I wish I'd seen those guys. Other friends told me about them.

How about the guy with the 3" x 3" card that just said "GO" on it? He was pretty funny.

[chickwhorips]

congrats! good run! way to keep going and finish, even if mile 18 was giving you the evil eye.

maybe next year i'll come down your way for it....

[Lise]

Great report! I'm with you, I think I *would* run 26.2 miles for a necklace and t-shirt! Love the guys with the "We're lonely" sign. Excellent idea. Congrats on your time--you did it an hour faster than I did. I would have loved to see the bison. Thanks for the report.