Random Shots from Nike Weekend

Cathy Cole marathon buddy and Mary Helen and I at Nike Expotique photo booth

Niketown Wall of Fame

The outside wall of the Niketown building was dedicated to all 20,000 mostly women and a few men in the Nike Women's Marathon. All the names of the registered racers were listed in alphabetical order on the pink and white wall. It was a wonderful feeling to see my name on the wall of fame. I think Niketown was my favorite part of the race experience. Nike treated all the ladies like queens. There were 2 and a half floors totally dedicated to Nike Marathon gear. At the Expotique the Nike team gave us manicures, foot massages, chair massages, ipod engraving, running gate analysis, photo booth, wine and cheese and perks from the Union Square stores. Also the day after the race they provided more post race parties and massages. Thanks, NIKE, you are awesome!

KC Divas kept me goin'!

I met lots of people from KC during the race because I put KC Race Babe on the back of my shirt. I met some KC Divas from Praire Village, KS during the marathon. These ladies had a wonderful pace and I kept them in my sights and tried to keep up with them until about Mile 11 or after when I was ready to get the 13.1 mile race overwith. I told Cathy that I had to get that race finished so I ran fast to the finish line and passed the KC Divas on my way to the finish. Does that mean I can be a DIVA too? That might be fun!

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.