This Friday’s post is mostly a pictorial of the Few days I got to spend in San Francisco-one of my Favorite places on the planet! The annual US Half Marathon (which St. Jude partners with) took place last Sunday morning.

This was the Fourth 1/2 marathon I have run. I was grateful to have two of my amazing REAL marathon Friends and Fitness gurus accompany me on the race. They are a F-enomenal Force to be reckoned with and Formidable Funny runners who are Fearless about Facing the “Effing” difficult, hilly course. The good news about having them run alongside me is that they encourage and inspire me. The bad news about having them run alongside me is that they remind me how much better shape they are in and they yell at me when I Feel like stopping and walking during the last Few difficult miles ;). I am proud to say we ran (almost) the entire thing with a couple tiny little walk breaks at the very end on the last hill and through the water stops. We ran 8 minutes slower than last year-but at least we Finished!!! It was another spectacularly beautiful, memorable, wonderful run for an amazing cause.

Here are just some Favorite F-otos of my Fourth annual 1/2 marathon race and some associated pictures from time spent in San Francisco with my Friends and sister (Family):

A plethora of luggage for a matter of days-That’s how some of us rock and roll!

Picking up Bibs and numbers pre-race

Alleviating pre-race jitters by doing some retail therapy at a Favorite store 🙂

Pre-race dinner at one of my Former Frequent restaurant haunts-Caffe Sport in North Beach

Aquatic Park before dawn

And they are off…

running the GG Bridge -Exhilerating!!!

Shoes are always important!

Immediately post race. Finish time: 2:33 we think!

Somewhere along the race course

Beers and Bloodies for the Finishers (and Family member) at Sam’s in Tiburon

Celebrating end of race continues into next day!

Nice view from tower of hotel-The Westin Saint Francis

Love the Marina District

View from the top of California Street of the Oakland Bay Bridge

And yet another classic GG Bridge Pic!
I never grow tired of the scenes or the place. I could live there again in a San Francisco minute!

Back to grey, cold, blustery midwestern reality this week…Done with 1/2 marathon training and on to leisurely jogs, yoga or barre class for a bit.  Food, Feasts and Festivities ahead may dictate something physical at least.

Does anyone have any great pre-holiday fitness advice?  I’d love to hear all!!!