marathon ~ I have never been a runner

In early January I made the verbal commitment to my best friends that I would participate in a silly marathon. At the time I didn't believe that I would follow through (we were drinking wine) and it was easier to agree to do it rather than argue about not doing it. The motive was clear. My best friends and I are all turning 30 this year. Training for and going through with the 26.2 miles was a small way for us to cling to and maybe even preserve our youth. So, I said I would do it, knowing that I would probably back out and make up some excuse for why I couldn't.

But then something happened...

Mid January I started "training." I have never been a runner. At my fittest (2001-2003 hah!) I ran 2-3 miles a couple times a week, always on the treadmill so that I could track my pace, calories and distance. I like to know where I am so I'll know how soon it'll be over. So anyway, I started training and guess what? ...training was FUN. I started slow, really slow. For the first 4 weeks my schedule went from 1.5 miles to 4 miles. By the end of February I was up to 9 miles! Un-be-leev-able! March was rough. We spent a week in Utah and a week in Austin, needless to say my running sched was put on hold. But by the beginning of April I was back and really going for it. I did 16 miles solo on 4/24 (amazing!). Last weekend Melissa and conquered our longest training run, T-W-E-N-T-Y miles, two zero, 20! wow

The marathon is less than 3 weeks away, I cant believe it! It is 19 days from today. I have 11 runs scheduled between now and then. And honestly, I am looking forward to each of them. Having great training partners has made all the difference. I have logged many mile with Anika and Melissa. Looking forward to a run really means I'm looking forward to seeing them.

I'm excited to accomplish this with my friends.
I'm proud for not making an excuse to quit.
I feel healthier and stronger than ever before.
I can't wait to see what I'll accomplish next.

a glimpse of my schedule. I plan and then I modify :D

Moeller Wedding

June 6, 2009
La Valencia Hotel
La Jolla, CA

Here comes the bride...

CHEERS!!!

The day couldn't have been more perfect

Mr. and Mrs. Moeller

Our wonderful Moms

Melissa looked GORGEOUS!

...and they lived happily ever after

Melissa's Wedding Rehearsal

June 5, 2009
La Jolla, CA

Moeller's Rehearsing

The obligatory photo with a stranger

Kirk has some kind words for the guests

The Aguilar's

The Little's

The Singer's

The Ashmore's

Whoa Liza!

Melissa'a last "single girl" night out!!!

Catalina ~ Bachelorette Booze Cruise

San Francisco 2009

May 8-10 2009

Vera's House in San Francisco

Lookin' good ladies :D

The view from Vera's office.

I'm on a bus!

I (heart) SF!

We had such an amazing girls weekend in the city. Blue bottle coffee, Vera's homemade brownies, a couple of cocktails and a lot of laughs.

The complete itinerary from Vera

Friday:
Took the 21 to Alamo Square
La Boulange – for breakfast
Blue Bottle Coffee
Gensler – Vera’s work
Palomino for Martinis
West Field Mall – H&M, food court
Came Home
Dinner Green Chili Kitchen
Saturday:
Ferry Building -> this was my fav
Wine Merchant
To the Cable Cars over to Fisherman’s Wharf
Lunch at Blue Mermaid/Argonaut Hotel
Ghiradelli Square
Home for naps
North Beach for dinner at Calzones
Columbus Café too busy went to Armada
Gino’s

Golden Boy Pizza
Sunday:
walk to the Haight
People’s Café

BART to SFO :(