Nike Women’s (Half) Marathon Eve

It’s Nike Women’s Marathon time!

When I entered the lottery for NWM11 MONTHS ago, I didn’t know a single runner in the area. Now, I’m running it with a dozen or two of my new friends, which I am incredibly excited about!

I met up with Alyssa and Erica on Friday to pick up our bibs. We wandered into the madness that was (is!) the Niketown store and while it was a little too crowded and club-like with the shrieking women fawning over overpriced merch and a DJ bumping hot club hits at 3PM, it was still fun to feel that race weekend energy.

The wall outside had everyone’s names on it which was awesome! Mine was twelve feet in the air so impossible to capture a picture, but luckily there was a slightly smaller version inside that I could photograph. There I am!

I may or may not have bought a drifit running jacket. But I NEEDED it!(Okay, I did. But still. RETAIL GUILT!)

After escaping Niketown with our sanities, Alyssa and Erica and I headed over to Yoppi inside the mall for froyo. This was NOT spontaneous. Rather, we had talked about froyo five days ago or something, and the time was finally here to indulge in a heaping bowl of red velvet and irish mint froyo covered with calorie-free toppings like brownie bites and cookie dough. (Surprised that I wasn’t hungry for dinner?)

Then we wandered back to the absolute madness that was (still is!) Union Square, where the Expotique was set up. Okay, so normally when you think of a race expo you think of a hotel ballroom or convention center filled with vendors selling lots of running gear, speakers, etc. etc. This was nothing like that. It’s basically a big tent and there were some vendors in there like Neutrogena and Pom Wonderful. Oh, and Gatorade. I was in the mood for a big race expo but that’s not the case here. And again, the pumping nightclub music. It was different, that’s for sure!

Alyssa and Erica picked up their half bibs and I picked up my full bib. So, when I registered for this lottery in the Spring, I intended to run the full marathon. Then I ended up switching to the full marathon for SFM, and had the momentarily crazy idea that in my first year as a runner I was going to run 3 full marathons in 5.5 months. Um, NO. After SFM, I was petty sure that I wouldn’t have the motivation to run the Nike full and I was right. Good thing I can just run the half with my friends and still get the necklace!

Fun times were captured in the photo booth as well.

I am really looking forward to this race for a few reasons:

1) FUN AND FRIENDS. Okay, running often involves these two things, but I am running alongside these two lovely ladies in Audrey Hepburn outfits (woohoo!), carrying a camera, and generally not getting stressed out about anything during the race. Secondly, I’m pretty sure 20+ people that I know are going to be running tomorrow so it’s a guarantee that I’ll get to see people that I love! What’s better than that?!

2) This race is close to my heart as my mom had leukemia twice. She ran this marathon with Team in Training right around the 5th year anniversary of her bone marrow transplant, which (correct me if I’m wrong, mom) was the first year of the Nike Women’s Marathon. Now it’s been what, 8 years and millions of dollars have been raised for this very important cause. I’m excited to participate but wish she was running with me too This picture below is when she ran Nike and dedicated each mile to someone different who was also fighting.

I’m off to get everything ready to go. Have a great Saturday night and good luck to everyone racing tomorrow!

Courtney

What are your weekend plans?

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