Many months ago (March) I signed up for the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Fransisco. After Angel Island and my Ankle Injury, I made the decision to NOT run in the marathon on October 22. I was worried I would not be ready, and I didn’t want to hurt myself before running SB9T at the end of November. Another aspect was I had considered swearing off road marathons altogether but that changed when I signed up for Las Vegas in December and began thinking again about Nike Women again, then things just quickly fell into place.
On Oct 21, in the morning I fly up to San Jose for a whopping $100
round trip airfare. Much better than driving 6-7 hour, and gas would
cost $80+ anyway. Then I race Oct 22 in the morning, am done by noon
and fly out that night. Part of the whole adventure is the 44 seat plane that flys between Orange County and San Jose.
I have never actually set foot (or car) in the city of San Fransisco, though I did see it across the bay from Angel Island. Plus, running with 15,000 others (mostly women) along with pedicure stations, chocolate (they have a chocolate mile) and a Tiffany finisher’s necklace just sounds too good to pass up 
A special added bonus is I get to hang out with Miki – yay!! I haven’t asked her yet but maybe she’ll run part of the race with me (probably the chocolate mile 
– but preferably toward the last 5-10 miles when I’m dying out.
In my training I’m only up to 13 miles currently and max of 5 on the road. I’m going to shoot for running about half of my weekly mileage on roads for the next 4 weeks. This race is going to be more of a long "training" run for me, and I figured I can do something like this to get me ready (and following get ready for SB9T & Vegas):
Week of 9/25: Long Run 13.1 mile (total miles 23)
Week of 10/2: Long Run 17 miles (total miles 33)
Week of 10/9: Long Run 20 miles (total miles 35)
Week of 10/16: Long run 26 mile marathon (total miles 35)
Week of 10/23: ("recovery" week) Long run 18K race (total miles 25-30)
Week of 10/30: Long run/walk 28 miles (total miles 45)
Week of 11/6: Long run 20 miles (total miles 35)
Week of 11/13: Long run 18K race (total miles 22)
Week of 11/20: Long run 35 mile race (total miles 40)
Week of 11/27: ("recovery" week) Long run 7 miles (total miles 22)
Week of 12/4: Long run 26 mile marathon (total miles 35)
Then starts the training for my first 50 miler on Feb 4!
If all things work out and I stay injury free, 2006 will the be the year of my first marathon (3 of them actually) and my first ultra (2 of them) and that will definitely be something to remember for years to come.
Happy Running,
Jessica
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Hey Jessica,
I found your blog a few weeks ago, and I really like it. Your writing is inspirational! I’m an aspiring ultrarunner but for now, I stick with marathons. I will also be running Nike. See you there!
The Nike Marathon should be pretty cool. Road marathons do not have to be sworn off just because you are a trail runner. People can do both. Really!
I’ve never run bandit before. groovy. (I know I know, bad thing for those who are frowning at the idea, but I’ll carry my own gear at least!)
maybe I’ll ask Todd to join so the transportation logistics are easier. it can be a nightmare up in the city. i forgot about the expo that you are forced to attend. we will have to do that on saturday when you arrive. i am thinking it would easiest to take the train for that unless you want to see more of the city. but you are supposed to stay off your feet so we might have to rent a wheelchair.
Hi Veronica! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the marathon
Rob – I can do both really? Ok I will!
Miki – you can rent wheelchairs? Sweet! And the train is fine by me I’ll see a least 26.2 miles of the city on Sunday morning anyway…
The Nike Women’s Marathon sounds so great! I plan to sign up for it next year–I want that Tiffany necklace. A. Maria ran it in 2005–her first marathon. Here’s the link if you want to read it: http://whyamirunning.blogspot.com/2005/10/crossing-linepart-one.html
I’ve had a few similar thoughts about the Portland Marathon this weekend. But I think it will be fun and the Nike Women’s Marathon sounds like a blast! ; )
I’ve had a few similar thoughts about the Portland Marathon this weekend. But I think it will be fun and the Nike Women’s Marathon sounds like a blast! : )
woo hoo!!!
A Chocolate Mile??!! Holy Crap!! Every marathon should have that–are there any women out there that are RD to enforce that?? Who do I write to?????
Lora – speaking of… I AM a race director. And we may not have a chocolate mile during our race (thats hard on the trail), I think we should have a chocolate aide station
Jessica, thats very cool your doing the marathon. While I am definitely not a fan of the roads, I have heard nothing but good things about this race. Besides, you get to run in one of the best cities in the country. OK, so I am an unabashed NorCal snob, but SF is still a great city no matter who you ask.
training for your first 50 miler – wow. impressive. howmuch will you bumb up your weekly milages?
hi jessica, sounds like a good plan!
i’d love to join you for the 1/2 marathon, but i’m in a saving mode right now… i’ll think of you on my long one tomorrow! good luck on the trails!
happy friday!