Where Are We the Week of October 27 - November 2

Sawyer Camp and The Alameda Ferry Landing at Harbor Bay are our sites for the weekend.

We can watch the fall colors as we move along Sawyer Camp Trail or take in the bay view from Alameda as we run or walk the path along the shoreline.

The course will include: 3 miles/30 minutes - Always! Every weekend.

18 miles for the CIM Marathon Trainees
55 minutes for the CIM Relay and Kaiser Half Marathon Group or
70 minutes for the advanced half marathoners

Go NY Marathon Runners and US 10K Women! This weekend on November 2.

Print your own training schedule from the link Start training for the CIM Relay or the Kaiser Half Marathon

Barbara B Going Strong at Nike Half

Hi, Stephanie -- Thanks for cheering me on! I am still just getting back up to speed, but this was a great race! I ran 1:53:03 (slower than last year's 1:51:41), but came in 18th of 851 in my age group, and 533 overall. Felt great.

Best,
Barbara

Karin A Reports on Nike Half...

Hi ladies,
THe race was wonderful... What a phenomenal day to run!! The excitement and spirit of all the women running was enough to carry you through the race...

I have to state that I probably should not have run the race, due to a stomach virus I picked up in Mexico the weekend before. I was on antibiotics all week and trying to rehydrate my body. However, I knew there would be several water and gatorade stations as well as the option to walk the race. I'm VERY happy that I participated. The race was very well organized.

I tried to pace myself as best I could, but slowed down quite a bit on the hills. However all in all I keep a similar rhythm throughout the race.

Besides the hundreds of spectators, the dj's and entertainment along the way, the scenery and the women running made this a beautiful race. I recommend this race to any women interested in running a half or full... The ending is just as great as the beggining with VERY good looking SF Firefighters dressed in their Tux holding a silver platter of Tiffany boxes :) gotta love it...

Karin

Leticia's Nike Story

Hi there,

Well my Nike half started off at a good pace. I kept reminding myself not to get caught up in the emotion of the event so I wouldn’t go too fast in the early part since I knew those hills were coming. Like Sarah I was really quite emotional during parts of the race, especially when I saw dedications to family members.

All was good as I was passing through the Marina and even through Lincoln blvd and el Camino Del mar. I had done most of those hills in our practice runs. But then I got to Clement Street . I guess I had forgotten about that stretch of the run. That part of the course turned out to be tough physically and mentally. I was so glad when we finally started going downhill! After racing down past the cliff house I felt great although my joints really started to hurt at this point.

I cannot say how great it was to see the WOW team near mile 11. At that point Yolanda and Mayra jumped in to run alongside me. Mayra kept my spirits up by telling me I was running strong. It really helped because I was in a lot of pain at this point. She stayed with me until we were almost out of the park at which point I knew I was near the END. I finished with a sprint to the end and felt great with my time. I had hoped to get under 10 minutes a mile, but ended up with an average of 10 min 10 second miles which overall I was still quite happy accounting for them hills…hahaha

I cannot wait until next year.

Leticia D

Sarah's story about Nike

Hi Everyone, Hope you allhad a great race!

The weather was certainly conducive to some great running...not too hot, not too cold! I feel little like a poser writing about my run, but I'm going to do it anyway. I used the race today as part of my training for the CIM in December. I ran 16 miles today and about 13.2 of them were on the actual course.

It was rough at thee beginning, I really had some doubts as to whether I really felt as though 16 miles was in the cards for me today. After a quick phone call to my husband for some encouragement, my motivation was restored and I continued on my way.

I was swept up in the movement of the crowd, which I believe helped me keep on pace so well today, even though I was not tecnically with my pace group. Today as a training run I was supposed to run the 16 miles 30 to 45 seconds slower than my planned marathon pace. I am happy to say that with the exception of the hills going up towards Baker Beach and the uphill in Seacliff, where I purposely slowed down and conserved energy, I had a pace consistent run, clocking about 13 of the 16 miles at or faster than pace. Alhough I had doubts about my run at the beginning,my confidence is restored that I might actually be able to hit my goal in December. The race was, per usual, packed and full of spirit. Since I was not an official runner, I tried to keep a low profile, and just enjoy observing everyone aroudn me. I must be at that "emotional" time of the month because there were many times during the race when tears came to my eyes while reading the back of people's shirts or thye posters that were displayed coming up the hill on Lincoln. Once again, the Nike was well orgainized, spirited, and FUN! Too bad it's so hard to get into! Let's try again next year!

Congrats to all of you who ran the race (legitimately or not!), I hope you had as satisfying of a run as I did. I am now off to enjoy a well deserved glass of wine, I hope you indulge in something as well! See you all soon, keep running! Sarah

Race Reports from San Jose Rock'n'Roll and Bridge to Bridge

From Jeanetta M:
"My goals for San Jose were to enjoy miles 8-13 and finish faster than last year. I met both goals, had plenty of energy left after the race was over, and feel pretty prepared for Nike. More interesting than the race itself was running into co-workers that I didn't know were participating in the event and wandering around downtown San Jose after the race looking for my car."

From Mayra M
"RUN WAS GOOD IN SAN JOSE, 2 MINUTES BETTER THAN LAST YEAR,WEATHER WAS GOOD."

From Susan S
"I was going for a PR..but, unfortunately, I did 3:17 as a walker...my back went out on me on the 8th mile and my feet started killing me for the first time ever!! But, it was a beautiful day, the bands were great...and it was fun."

From Karin B
"The Bridge to Bridge went well.. There were A LOT of people there and the start line was overwhelming, but once I got going it was a lot of fun. The day was beautiful and running through the Embarcadero along the bay was breathtaking! The only very challenging part was the uphill through Aquatic park to Fort Mason.... But all in all, it was a great event. I finished at 1:18.
Good race and would recommend it to anyone who loves to run!"

Run Around Lake Merritt on Weekdays at 6 or 6:30 AM

Hi Stephanie -

I hope all is well in your world. It sounds like WOW is doing great!

I seem to have fallen off the running wagon and I think it's time to get back on. I'm wondering if there's anyone in your group who would be up for running around lake merritt on a regular basis. I'd like to run at 6 or 6:30 in the morning as a way to start off my day. Is there anyway for you to ask the women in your group if they'd be interested in doing that? I think it would give me a bit of a jump start.

Thank you for your help,
Sarah

Where Are We This Week? October 6 - 12

Sports Basement, in the Presidio, has it all. We can workout in the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Marina and shop afterwards for any extra sports needs.

The course will include:
3 miles/30 minutes - Always! Every weekend.
60 minutes for the 5K/10K Trainees
12 miles for the CIM Marathon Trainees
We meet at the picnic tables in front of the store.

Next week (October 13) we start training officially for the CIM Relays AND The Kaiser Half Marathon on February 1, 2009. Need training schedules? Go to Start training for the CIM Relay or the Kaiser Half Marathon

Train for Kaiser - Tell Me What You Think

It's ready to be used. The Advanced 13.1 mile training schedule for you! Please look it over and let me now if you have any questions. Training for the Kaiser Half Marathon on February 1, 2009 starts on October 13. Just follow the link of the title. Go for it!

Great workout on Sunday at Harbor Bay in Alameda

I am always impressed at the strength and committment of the women who participate! Good job to all of you. Some of us walked and some of us ran. Here is a recap:

Sunday was Ann's first time and she fit right in. Glad to have you join us Ann. Keep on coming!

Jane and Sandy, so nice to have you run with us. I'm hoping I can talk you into doing Kaiser on February 1 because the more of us who train for one event, the better.

Jana and Yolande, thank you for marking the course.

Sharmaine, Ellen, Virginia, and Gini, you are solid and fun, and consistent. Great to see your smiling faces almost every week (sometimes twice).

Leti, you've got a good base to finish the Nike Half with finesse. We'll be out there cheering you on in two weeks!

As for me, well...I get a lot of benefit from sharing the time and exercise with each of you. As you work through the rest of the elements of your individual lives, I am delighted that you choose to share your time on a regular basis with The WOW Team. Ain't we got fun?