Appears courtesy of : Quick Fit
I have always wanted to run a Marathon – it’s on my bucket list.
I’ve also always wanted to run the Nike Women’s Marathon (NWM) – it too is on my bucket list.
Yesterday, I crossed off both!
My running buddy at work, Chrissy, was in training for the NWM, and she convinced me to look on Craigslist for people selling their bibs (I had applied for the race but wasn’t lucky enough to be selected for the 3rd year running).
I eventually found a girl giving her bib away at the last minute because of injury…and I was officially in!
I told Chrissy the good news and we then planned our race – I’d do the half (as my bib only covered half) while she went on to do the full marathon.
When I got home after picking up the injured girl’s packet, I was walking away and noticed the bib said “MARATHON” on it?! Did this mean I had to run the entire thing?? Now I was worried – would I try and push myself too far and run the marathon?
Everyone told me to just enjoy the run and turn at the half marathon signs – but if you know me I’m very competitive (to say the least). If my bib says marathon and I only run half, it would drive me crazy.
In any case, I decided I would run the half, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and work on overcoming my crazy competitiveness!
Morning of the race arrived and I was feeling great about running my 3rd half marathon.
I met Chrissy before (which was quite difficult considering roughly 25,000 women took part!). At 7am we took off and were both feeling great! It was a beautiful day with a cool San Francisco breeze.
Before we knew it we were approaching mile 10 – and Chrissy asked THE QUESTION…“So…are you doing the full?” After a little hesitation I responded…. “LET’S DO IT!”
I called my husband who was at different points throughout and said, “I am running the full!”. His words were “You’re crazy, good luck, and I’ll see you around mile 17!”.
After roughly 4 hours, 20 minutes – I DID IT! I completed my first MARATHON!
I still can’t believe it…my competitiveness got the better of me and I caved in. I am so glad it did though as I’m still on a high – it’s such an amazing feeling to complete a marathon. It was a tough course with plenty of hills as you can imagine in San Francisco.
As we crossed the finish line we received “The Little Blue Box” from firemen in tuxedo’s and every girl knows what “The Little Blue Box” is…. TIFFANY’S! You get a Tiffany’s Necklace when you cross the finish line.
Nike did a fantastic job with this event – which was created to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If anyone has the chance to take part in the future I highly recommend it – even if you end up going further than you planned!
What crazy last minute things have you done?
What is on your bucket list?
About Guest Contributor
Oh I am not a good last minute person. Nope, not me. My bucket list has lots of travel on it.
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Isn’t that something? It’s amazing all the different personalities out there. I’m kind of like that but my practical brain usually gets in the way.
What is funny is that I am so not a last mintue person ever! I am usually such a planner!
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Well then that’s a big congrats for living way outside the box then, even more amazing.
That’s awesome! Way to push yourself. I don’t know if I could do something that crazy last minute. But boy would it be awesome if I did!
My bucket list is to complete a triathlon. I just started swimming lessons to learn how to swim to get me one step closer to that dream.
That is awesome!! I love hearing about what people have on thier Bucket Lists!
I did a sprint tri a couple years ago and it was so fun but I am NOT a swimmer so I really had to practice! I want to do a full but I will have to practice my swimming big time!
Amy recently posted..I Love Lara Bars!
I totally couldn’t do a marathon last minute! Way to go!!!
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I’m still stunned at a minutes decision to say “yeah, i’ll do it”. I know people who went to San Fran to do the half and they said it was such a good experience…but with crazy hills. I hope to do this race one day! And the tiffany bling is well worth it!
It is such an awesome race. The half is so fun and the atmophere is amazing. You should totally do it and knowing Tiffanys is waiting for you really helps!!!
Amy recently posted..I Love Lara Bars!
LMAO – that is TOOO funny! I gotta hand it to you – way to go!
One bucket list item for me is go to Argentina, study spanish & dance tango…. so we have different speeds ;-)
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Thanks! I love hearing about what other people have on their list. My list is crazy! Running marathons to eating my way through Italy! haha! I think Argentina sounds amazing so I might have to add that! :)
Amy recently posted..I Love Lara Bars!
Wow, that’s AMAZING !! Talk about a last minute decision !! That race is definitely on my bucket list,, if not for the experience but for that little blue box !! :) Congrats !
It is such an amazing race. Nike does an amazing job. The half has so much energy and a great amtosphere. The full marathon dies at mile 13, not as much atmosphere but thoughts of the little blue box help keep those legs going for sure!
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