There are so many things I could say about this race but I will try to keep it kind of short. (hah - I just finished it - it's like a novel!)

My TNT group started out waiting in a tent. When it got close to starting time we broke off into our groups according to how fast we were. Most of us were in the 10-12 minute mile group. It was so exciting to be in a race this big. There were supposed to be 15,000 people, but when I looked at the results I think it was more like 11,000. Still - a much bigger race than I've ever been in before! I always hear you guys saying how long it can take to get to the start line - it took us 8.5 minutes of shuffling along to get to the mat. When we crossed the start line the announcer was cheering us all on and saying a few names if she saw them - I was so happy when I heard "Go Amy!" :) Especially since I missed my name at the end.

The first few miles were so crowded. Some lady next to us had a cowbell tied on her waist. I guess she wanted her friends to hear her coming, but I thought I was going to go nuts if I had to hear that the whole time! Luckily we lost her before mile 2 I think.

Mile 2 through about mile 6 went along the Embarcadero which winds along the water. We went by all the famous spots - Fisherman's Wharf, the Ferry Building, Alcatraz, Fog City Diner and then on up to the Presidio. This is also where we had the most beautiful view of the Golden Gate bridge. It had just a little bit of fog on the bottom - it was perfect. You could tell this was a fun race for most people since so many of them were stopping to take pictures! :) Oh - and I saw a sea lion poking its head out as we ran by! There was also a gospel choir along this route.

Somewhere in here was a TNT hero mile. About every 10 feet there was a poster with a different TNT chapter's hero's pictures. That was very moving and inspiring!

I was planning on trying to run the whole race, but I decided it was more fun to stay with my TNT group so I ended up doing 1 minute walk with them every 10 minutes for the first 30 minutes. After that my partner and I lost the rest of the group so we just ran from then on.

The first big hill came at the end of the Embarcadero - it was short but steep. My partner (Patty) wanted to walk but I was feeling so good I wanted to run. I decided to just run super slow while she power walked so we could stay together. After that the hills just kept coming and coming. I had driven the course the day before so I knew what to expect. Some hills we ran and a few we walked. I really think I could have run them all (veerrryyy slowly), but Patty wanted to walk some of the steepest ones. All along the run we had TNT coaches/honorees/friends cheering us on - it was incredible!

Of course the best part of the hills were the downhills. I was a little nervous because I heard that is where you can get hurt, but I went as fast as I could to make up time here. At the top of the hills were my favorite spectators. Four guys holding cardboard signs saying...
1. You're beautiful!
2. We're Lonely!
3. Call us!
4. (phone number)

There was also a classical group playing flutes and violins at the top. I thought horns would have been more appropriate after all that work though!

My favorite part of the course is as you're about to start the last big downhill section and you turn a corner and there is there Pacific Ocean below you. I couldn't wait to get there - we turned the corner and - nothing. The fog was so thick you couldn't even see one thing! All these poor people who hadn't seen the course yet didn't even know they were running right along the ocean! Oh well, this was probably around mile 8 or 9 and I still felt great. I felt like I could have gone a little faster now that we were getting to the end, but Patty didn't want to speed up so I stuck with her. It was nice just to know I was feeling good.

The last three miles I started to feel it a little bit. My left arch started to hurt which has never happened before. I hope it was just my old shoes and nothing serious. My lower back started to hurt a bit too, but nothing that would slow me down. I wanted to speed up the last two miles but Patty's hip was hurting so I stayed with her. Somewhere in here there was a bagpipe band.

At mile 12 I borrowed Patty's cell phone and called my friend to tell her we'd be there soon! Mile 12 1/2 was the Ghiradelli chocolate station - instead of handing out water they handed out those little chocolate squares. I took two, not to eat, but I just had to do it because it was so funny!

FINALLY - we came to the finish. A few hundred yards straight down to the end. I heard my brother call my name, but my other brother and friend were nowhere ot be seen. Oh well - I told Patty I had to sprint to the finish. She said she didn't want to so I took off. I only gained about 8 seconds on her, but I had to do it! I think I passed 5 people in that last little sprint.

So - that's it. My favorite race. I don't think I want to do any more races that don't have thousands of runners and tons of spectators. :)

Nothing!

Got my Tiffany's necklace and my shirt. Found my brother and waited for my other brother and my friend (who weren't there on time) Walked around a bit, checked in with TNT but nobody else was done since they were all doing the full marathon. Drank some Vitamin Water - ate some cookies.


Living in the flattest place on earth, wanting to stay with my friend


I LOVED this race - I would tell everyone to do it!!