Fun fact about the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts: it’s where the “Come, let us dance like children of the night!” scene from So I Married an Axe Murderer (one of my favorite SF movies of all time) takes place.
The city was packed for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon yesterday, so El Hub, who was my one-man cheering section/ride home, ended up parking at the palace about five blocks away from the finish line at the Marina Green, which is this big park right next to the water where people often picnic and play on sunny days.
On the way back to the car, I really wanted to prance, jump and twirl through the palace’s central foyer like Mike Myers does in the movie, but my body had other plans. After running 13.1 miles, my legs were like, “Oh, hell no, hookah!” The best I could manage was an enthusiastic hobble. 🙂
I did take a few snapshots of the palace though. It was too beautiful to resist.
It’s one of my favorite places in all of San Francisco. I love the columns and the prehistoric-looking plants and the little trail around the pond. It’s a great place for pics, if you ever make it out this way. Sometimes I’ll see bridal parties there with professional videographers and photographers snapping pics.
Before I forget, the race was a blast! One of the most enjoyable runs I’ve ever done, despite my now aching legs and back.
The hills on the route were hard for me, not gonna lie, especially the ones near the beginning before I’d really warmed up, but the course was scenic and pretty, and I got to run through some of my favorite San Francisco neighborhoods.
Unlike the only other half marathon I’ve run, which was about a decade ago, I felt stronger and more focused this time. I didn’t feel like crying at any point, and nothing was chafed when I crossed the finish line with my NARS lipstick and Cle de Peau mascara still intact, huzzah!
Seriously, despite my aches and pains today (I’ll be doing an epsom salt bath tonight), this 39-year-old cat lady felt like she crushed it, which made opening the little blue Tiffany box they gave each of the competitors at the finish line that much sweeter. 🙂
Thank you, Team Neutrogena, for talking me into doing the race!
Congrats on crossing the finish line and still managing to look fabulous girl!
Hi Metta,
Thank you! I owe it all to NARS, Cle de Peau and five gallons of sweat (gives you that “glow”).
How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?
This Tiffany necklace is so cool!
It’s really cute and fun. The chain is long, too, which I like. I can just slip it over my head!
Did you end up going to Zumba?
I did not. I went for a 30 min walk earlier today and now my heel hurts so I thought Zumba was not the best idea. But it’s so aggravating!
Have you gone to the doc? What you have sounds similar to something that I had after my first half marathon, plantar fasciitis. No fun!
Yes, that’s exactly what I have too. I did see a doctor but just my family doc, I got some pain killers and a cortisone injection and some heel inserts for my shoes. But I think I might have to see a podiatrist. How did you treat yours?
I took a couple days off of work when it first started because I could barely wobble. I was literally hopping to get around. It took about a week to recover enough so that I could walk. I didn’t run for a couple months, and instead did things like yoga and spin. I think what helped out the most was not doing the same repetitive motion that got me there in the first place (running) for a while.
Sorry cut in to your conversation but a little insert on plantar fasciitis- streching the tendon below the foot helps in many cases. There are these kind of socks that you can sleep in that pulls the toes up and stretch the tendon. (can’t find the link right now) For me nothing helped until I started stretching that baby out like crazy.
Wow that is so pretty! I might be going to San Fran next month. I might have to stop there!
And I love the Tiffany necklace. What an awesome way to commemorate your run!
Hi Elena,
Hopefully you’ll get to visit, and that it’s sunny! The weather can be hit or miss in November. Sometimes it’s overcast and drizzly, and sometimes it’s really warm. So bring layers. 🙂
Will you be visiting for fun or for work?
Oh definitely for fun! I have never been so it is a sightseeing trip.
We usually fly to San Diego to see family but we think it is time to switch it up! It sounds just like Washington weather to me! I think I can pack for that!
Congratulations on rockin’ that race, Karen! I’ve heard that chocolate milk is the perfect post-workout snack. Maybe it works in the following days too? Any excuse for more chocolate, I say 🙂
Hi Alison,
They had a chocolate milk station at the finish line! It was right after the food/water station. I’ve heard that a lot of people like chocolate milk for post-workout recovery but I’ve never tried it so I ended up skipping. Instead, I waited until I got home so I could make Toll House chocolate chip cookies. Hey, I had to get my chocolate on!
How was your weekend?
Doing two, let alone one, marathons is amazing! You sound accomplished and happy. I really should consider doing this once in my life, but I’ve got another 16 years to catch up to your record, haha.
Hi Katie,
I did a half (13.1), not a full marathon. I don’t think I could handle a full one, LOL! But thank you for this. I’m really happy to have done the run.
Definitely put a half marathon on your life to-do list. You have to do it once! If you have the chance to run the Nike Women’s Half take it. It is amazing!
I bet that was a fun run! Did they have areas of the city cordoned off for it or did you have struggle through traffic/pedestrians? The NAES held up pretty good!
Nope, they had parts portioned off. In the major streets, they had police directing traffic!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the run, Karen! I’m a runner, too, but the farthest I’ve ever ran is about 7 miles–and man were my legs sore the next day! Someday, I will run in some sort of race. I’m slow, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
Hi Deanna,
If you can run 7 miles, then chances are you can run 8. I think the general rule is that if you can run 8, then you can do 13.1. And if you train/eat/sleep enough. I can say preparing properly makes all the difference.
Hopefully one day you’ll get to tell me that you’ve crossed doing a half off your life list. I look forward to it. 🙂
How long have you been running?
Way to go! So, I Married an Axe Murderer is mine and my hub’s favorite movie too. Mike Meyer’s playing his character’s dad is spot on my father-in-law minus the thick accent. “Go on, yoov stayed yer hour!”
Hi Stacey,
I have lost count of how many times I’ve watched it. It never gets old! Don’t you just love the dad’s lines?
“We have a piper down. I repeat, a piper is down.”
“Head. Pants. Now.”
LOL!
Congratulations on successfully completing the race! It’s a great achievement and you should feel wonderful!
Thank you, Leticia!
I feel really good about it. It was a wonderful experience.
Are you a runner, too?
I’m not a runner at all…! That’s why I recognize people like you who prepare hard for a marathon and then complete it :)! Great job!
Congratulations on your half marathon! That’s a very big deal! A big accomplishment! I wish I could still run those distances but after 30 years of running, can’t do one that long. Love the gift from Tiffany’s!
Congratulations, that’s amazing! You are tough!
It’s wonderful that you did this! If only I didn’t have a bum knee, I’d run a half marathon. The Tiffany necklace is beautiful.
I’m so proud of you Karen!!! Your training paid off and it seemed like you really enjoyed the experience. I have to say that your IG posts on race day inspired me to get my butt out of bed and do my little four mile walk. 🙂
Hey!
Congratulations!! I did the same run and LOVED it! So well organized =) We came from Canada so made it into a 5 day trip to explore the area as we’ve never been.
I have a knee injury and had to walk quite a bit of it.. makes me want to do it again next year when I’m better and see how much I can improve my time.
Enjoy your bling =)
Congrats again, Karen! You’re a champion! 😀
Woooooo!! Go Karen!!!
Yay! I’m so proud of you! You look fresh and fabulous after the race and I can’t imagine running 13.1 miles with HILLS. Great job! 🙂 The Tiffany necklace is the bomb and would pretty much be my main motivation for running a half marathon. HAHA! Also, the Palace of Fine Arts looks beautiful and I LOVE So I Married an Axe Murderer. We have a cat named Harriet and I’ll sometimes sing to her (hard hearted harbinger of haggis… beautiful, bemused, bellicose butcha!). 🙂
Way to go, Karen! I laughed out loud at the first paragraph, totally forgot how much I love that movie! And what a cool necklace/souvenir!
Congratulations, Karen, on both the half marathon and for looking fabulous at the end of it! It’s an achievement for me to just *walk* six miles, to just keep up walking 4 miles (about 10,000 steps for me) almost every day. Of course I am 20 years older than you, but it’s chronic illness, rather than age, that keeps me down. You keep on running, girl!
Congrats on the half marathon! You look super fab and happy!
You look amazing after a half marathon! Congratulations!! Love your enthusiasm!
Congratulations, Karen! What a great achievement!
That necklace is so cute.
That last hill was terrible, but the necklace made it all worthwhile. I am impressed that you went with makeup and it stayed. All I could handle was my little chapstick and a lot of gum.
First half-marathon down, and now the bug might have bitten me. Uh oh!
GET IT GURL! Congratulations!
Wow, congrats!
The Tiffany & Co. necklace is awesome – why don’t they give us such a necklace as a gift here in Austria?
I’d love it if they did. 🙂
Glad to hear the Cle de Peau mascara held up. That’s one hard wearing mascara. I love the Tiffany necklace you got. Wear it with pride. I’m not sure I could make it farther than a 10k. You’re awesome!
Congratulations Karen!! You did it and still looked pretty after all that running!!
Congratulations Karen-what a great accomplishment! 🙂
Thank you, Daya! I’m still hobbling around but I feel great!
Hope you’re having a nice Tuesday so far. Got anything interesting going on this week?
Congratulations Karen!
After all that running to have a Tiffany keepsake… oohh HELL YEAH!!!
I think I would probably want to plop down on sunny grassy area with a massive piece of chocolate cake…*drool*
By the way, love the San Fran Palace. I have just added it to my list of places to visit when I hit San Fran.
Have a good night!
Hugs from the Great up North!
Congrats on your accomplishment! No photos of firefighters in tuxedos with trays of tiffany boxes?