Meleah and Mary Helen were my San Fran tour guides on Oct. 17th

Lifelong friends, Mary Helen and Meleah, gave me a tour of the city from the perspective of native San Franciscans and Californians. It was so good to hang out with my friends and see some beautiful places like the Golden Gate bridge from several different views. Also I enjoyed a walk around Meleah's neighborhood called Noe Valley. We were escorted by Meleah and Ray's dog, Gumbo, who knew which neighborhood stores he could visit to get dog treats. Such a friendly neighborhood.
Meleah and her husband,Ray, also cooked a wonderful pasta dinner to help me start my carbo loading for the race. Good friends, Good food, Good wine (so I heard) and Good times. (See pictures of MH with me at bridge, Meleah with me at a beautiful park.)

KC to San Fran Race team

Picture of our race team mostly from Liberty, Missouri. Back row: Johnna (designed our awesome t-shirts), Sondra (hung out with and roomed with me in SF), Mary (sweet lady who always watches out for me), Sara, Lila, Mandy (my trainer, friend and neighbor). Front row: Cathy (daughter of Ken & Marylou Edmondson from Bolivar) and me.

KC Race Babe marathon shirt

I got a customized race shirt at Niketown and added my KC Race Babe name to the back. Because of my shirt, I met several people who were also from Kansas City during the race. This race was very non-competitive and just absolutely fun!

I finished the half marathon!

I finally made it to the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco on Oct. 19th. It was a race course with beautiful scenery like Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, The presido,Golden Gate bridge, Golden Gate Park and the pacific ocean. Slowly but surely, I finished. I sprinted the last 2 miles to get it over with. At the finish line I was presented a Tiffany & Company blue box containing the finisher neclkace. The necklace was presented by a San Fran Fire fighter dressed in a Tux. This is a picture of me and my cute fire fighter. So excited about meeting my goal and am ready to train for my next half marathon. I'd love to go back to the Nike Women's race next year and hope I can get some of my close friends to train and go with me. Thanks for all your prayers and support to get me to my goal.

Beach pictures of Ethan and Graison

Riu Palace in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The Muirs were so lucky to have the chance to go on vacation last week. We stayed at a beautiful all-inclusive resort with our friends the Karbowski's. Ethan was happy to share this fun place with his buddy, Graison. I had a terrific time hanging out with Jen. Rob and Kalen were terrific at letting the Mom's read and relax and taking most of their time to play with the boys. Those of you who know me know that taking a vacation from my wireless phone was a BIG deal and I passed the test with flying colors. As you can see in our family picture this was truly a beautiful place. What a wonderful opportunity!

One week before the BIG race!!!!

Oct. 19th is coming up quick. I just spent 5 days with Rob and Ethan and the Karbowski family in a resort in Mexico. I had the pleasure of working out on the beach. Whew! That is tough to run in the sand! My shoes are trashed with lots of sand. I decided that it was easier to go barefoot. Good thing I took my old shoes and not my "marathon shoes." Stay tuned for a few pictures from my vacation week. Keep praying for me and my friends as we travel to and from San Francisco to acheive our goals in the Nike Women's Marathon.