Happy Friday!

I had a great time at the Sunset Run in the city last night. I made it in good time after work and the weather was quite decent. I was practically frozen at the last Sunset Run. I got an extra mile in before we started the run because I had to use the restroom and the nearest public one was half a mile away! So with the warm up, the 5 miles was pretty easy, even though, I did slow down towards the end. I got to meet some of the Students Run Oakland's staff and volunteers before the race, too. It felt really good knowing that 100% of the race entry fees going to this organization. After the run, I put my name on their volunteer list to see if I can involved in some way. This non-profit organization is right up my alley and would love to give my time in the near future.

The Fleet Feet SF Sunset Runs usually have a raffle at the end of the run. Last night, they were giving away 2 entries into the Nike Women's Marathon and 8 Nike+ Sportbands. They were giving away 2 entries to the marathon this time because the winner from the last run decided she didn't want to run it. Hello, give it to someone like me!!! Please! So, even though I've pretty much given up running the Nike Marathon, I was still hopeful and well, if I got the entry, I would have run it. But, no, they didn't call my name. Not once. They actually pulled out 6 names before they had any takers for the race entry. Can you believe it? No one wanted it!! Most of the people in the raffle were more interested in the Nike+ Sportband. I thought it was funny that they had such a hard time giving away the race entries. It's just not meant to be for me!

I plan to run 12 miles tomorrow morning with the Club Run SF... and the Race for the Cure 5k on Sunday. Our team name is "Boobies-r-US"! Aron is also running the 5k with her own team. :-)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sunset Run #2

I just signed up for another Sunset Run hosted by the Fleet Feet in San Francisco! The Sunset Run is a 5 mile social/non-competitive fun run benefiting local charities. This time, 100% of the proceeds will go to Students Run Oakland! What a great organization! I think I need to look into volunteering at SRO. Here's SRO's mission statement (that I got from their website):

Students Run Oakland (SRO) is a unique youth development program. Our mission is to improve the overall health of young people through structured physical fitness training, mentoring, and nutrition education. SRO uses the challenge of training for a marathon (26.2 miles) to help students develop long-term goals, improve their health, and overcome obstacles. SRO builds confidence, resiliency skills, and reinforces the values of commitment and hard work. Students can then draw on these values for achievement in academics and other areas throughout their lives.

Basically, the run starts in the Marina Green and go to Hopper's Hands at the base of the Golden Gate and back. The fee to run is $10 and you get a nice tech Nike shirt, too. The last Sunset Run benefited the LiveStrong Foundation (by Lance Armstrong). It was fun last time so I'm looking forward to it again. AND, this time, Fleet Feet is giving away TWO Nike Women's Marathon entries!!

I know I said I gave on that dream but... it doesn't hurt to see if I can get in, right? And on top of that, it's for a great charity!!

It's tomorrow night at 6:30pm, if anyone is interested!

TGIF!

The Sunset Run was quite an event on Thursday! Over 100 people showed up for the social run and apparnetly we raised about $1400 for the Live Strong Foundation. It was freezing in San Francisco that night. Very windy and chilly. Very typical summer evening in the city. Ha! And no, I didn't win the raffle for the Nike Women's Marathon. I was pretty bummed. But I did get a nice technical shirt with the Sunset Run design on the back from Nike. And they had free food and even Jamba Juice. I'm always happy with free food! Anyway, I'll have to find another way to get entrace into the marathon now... Anyone want to sell me their bib??

The run itself was great. I felt good and ran about 8:57 pace for the 5 mile run. The run started from the "monkey bars" at the start of the Marina greens (near Safeway) and ended at Hopper's Hands. The route was very flat so that probably had a lot to do with it. The only thing that sucked was the drive back home after I was all sweaty and icky from the run. Note to self: Need to move closer to San Francisco...

I was supposed to do an 8 miler on Wednesday but I got home and totally fell asleep. By the time I got up around 9pm, I had no desire to go run. Just wanted to eat at that point. This morning, I ran only 3 miles on the treadmill, just to make up for Wednesday. But, as Marathon Matt said on his email broadcast this week, "Literally, there is NOTHING more we can do these next few weeks to better prepare you for race day. The best thing you can do is 'maintain' your current level of fitness and focus on rest, recovery, and mental preparation for race day." I think I did a good job this morning, trying to "maintain."

12 miles tomorrow morning... Right before my bridal shower!!! I am so excited. About the bridal shower, that is.

Sunset Run on Thursday

Just signed up to do the 5 mile Sunset Run with SF Fleet Feet Sports this coming Thursday. The Sunset Run is a social run sponsored by Nike and FFS and 100% of the entry fee will be donated to the Lance Armstrong's Livestrong foundation. Registration fee is $10 and if you're in the SF area and interested you can sign up here, too! You also get a t-shirt for running, as well as (and most importantly for me) a chance to win a spot for the Nike Women's Marathon in October. This race has been sold out for months now and pretty much the only way in is via Team In Training. TNT is a great training group with a fantastic cause but I just don't have the desire to do fundraising... I was talking to another runner this morning from boot camp and she told me someone from her running group may not be running the Nike Marathon due to an injury. Oh that would be so awesome if I could take her spot!

Planning to do a 5 mile run after work today, with some hill training.