Nike Women's Marathon and Half Marathon in San Francisco!

I ran the half, and it was fun!!! A perfect day for running - cloudy and cool, and the hills didn't seem quite as bad to me this year (but I'm telling you - those are some serious hills). The girls of Team Awesome were amazing. Gillian ran the half just 3 weeks after finishing the Berlin Marathon. The Wonder Twins, Erin and Jess, kicked some FULL MARATHON butt. It was their first and they ran the whole thing together. It was so cute, my heart almost exploded.

The Tiffany Necklace was everything I'd hoped for, although the tux-ed out firefighter who served me mine left a little to be desired (sorry, but not so cute). I just went looking for pictures of it online because I'm too lazy to take my own, and I was a little perturbed at how many "extra" necklaces have shown up on ebay and craigslist. Not very sportswomanlike. Anyway, here are the pics I found:

P.S. You should definitely read Jess and Gillian's blog posts about the race. They are much more detailed and interesting than this.

Don't Worry

I still have some awesome running inspiration for ya. Check out this video made by BK's own Erin Sholl. Erin is training for the Nike Women's Marathon (yes, full marathon!) in San Francisco with Team in Training. That's her singing, and she even wrote the song! Awesome.

San Diego Recap, at last!

I love, love, LOVE marathons! I think cousin Melissa is feeling the love now too! She did SO well last Sunday. She and her running buddies were utterly adorable, taking their time, posing for pictures, but getting the job done - running a freakin' marathon!!

I told you they were cute. That's cousin Melissa, back right. Here they are making a pit stop...at a bar.

Almost 1 hour at mile 4? Who cares?? Let's take another picture!

I jumped in with Melissa at mile 18. And we ran into Coach Steve from Manhattan:

Of course we took a minute to pose for picture!

Finished at last!! Time for hugs!

It was a very exciting, inspiring day!

I also had the honor of running with Amanda for 6 miles! Talk about cute...She and bff Margaret got to finish their race together - chillin' and chatting the last 4 miles away. "Trying" is so overrated.

Congrats to all!

When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion. – Abe Lincoln

I'm easing into full fundraising and training mode.

TNT workouts have begun, and mentoring this season is going to be awesome because the participants I am mentoring are totally enthusiastic and awesome.

Just a reminder: I've got big summer plans to raise $10,000 for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. While I don't have a fundraising website yet, you can read more about my dad's and my family's story here, here, and here.

And finally a word from Christopher Reeve. Christopher Reeve was so brave and gave so much hope to millions, all in the face of such hardship and pain. I'm not big on famous people as heroes, but he's definitely one of mine. (you have to watch the whole clip - the best part is at the end)

Summer Plans

If you need to reach me anytime between May and November, you'll most likely find me running in the park.

I'm all signed up to mentor for Team in Training for the Nike Women's Half-Marathon in San Francisco, and I just applied to run the New York City Marathon again with Team Reeve. I don't have official confirmation about Team Reeve yet, but I think they'll take me back again this year. I know, I know, I'm a two-timing good cause whore...

Team in Training has a special place in my life, because they are the ones who got me into this long-distance running thing. And because I've met some of the best people in the world through this program. I won't be fundraising this year, but I'll be volunteering as a mentor for new participants.

Team Reeve, however, is my heart. Because it's for my dad. He was in a car accident in '94 that left him C-4 quadriplegic. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation has been such a ray of hope in our lives, and I'm honored beyond words to run in support of such a wonderful foundation and in honor of my pa. I have a personal goal of raising $10,000 for them!

Looks like the lazy days of summer won't be so lazy this year, but it's all good...

NEWS!!!

My little cousin, Melissa (she's in her 20's) has just signed up with Team in Training to train for and run the San Diego Marathon!!! I'm so proud! And so excited for her! There is nothing at all like your first marathon. She's in for the ride of her life! Yay Melissa! I can't wait to be able to talk with her about energy gels, chafing, hills, fuel belts, hydrating, aching, stretching, form, pace, gear, shoes, body glide...and all the joys of marathoning. Most of all, I can't wait to go out there and cheer her on. June 1. I'm booking my flight now.

I'm especially proud of Melissa for joining Team in Training, a fundraising arm of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Luis and I have trained with them as well, and Luis currently coaches for them here in BK. We know first hand that LLS is top notch organization that has accomplished so much in the field of blood cancers. Melissa is not only taking on the challenge of running a marathon, she is also taking on the challenge of raising $1750 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Go Melissa! You can make your own 100% tax-deductible, secure online donation here: http://www.active.com/donate/tntsdh/MelissaDavis. GO TEAM!!