Since this was my first Half Marathon, I went into the race with the mindset of just enjoying the experience of running through this historic city. Well, after the first couple of miles, my competitve fire was lit and I started pacing my run and set 2:00 as my goal. Needless to say, had I not stopped to snap some pictures at the turnaround point on the GG Bridge, I would've hit my goal! After getting off the bridge, the course started to get hilly. I found myself gaining strength up the hills as many of the runners decided to walk...I found that very motivating :) I finished strong with a nice kick at the finishline. As I saw the the full marathoners continue on, I vowed that the next time I run SF, it will be the 26.2!

Not stop for pictures, plan my race pace out prior to the event. Run the full marathon.

As I waited for my group to finish, I found a spot along the side of the finish line to snap pictures. As soon as the majority of the group fisined, we grabbed our medals, made our way throught the food line and grabbed our thermal warmers (the winds kicked in and I started to feel the cool SF weather settling into my muscles). A couple of the runners in our group finished their Ca. Dreamin' series with this run and collected their beautiful medal. We walked to the buses for a 40 min ride that would drop us off about 1/2 mile from the startline.


Not determining a race pace or a setting a finishing time, unfamiliar with the course, starting in the later waves.


This was my first half marathon and my first leg of the California Dreamin' series. Despite the huge number or runners, the event was very well organized. Since we stayed walking distance from the race, we avoided the stress of driving to the event. Once again, the historic landmarks made this a memorable first half Mary, not to mention running over the Golden Gate Bridge. I would definetly do this race again. In fact I am choosing this hilly, challenging course to be my first full marathon.