On the Red Carpet!

... not really, but I wish. At least I was close! The People's Choice Awards was last night and Doug and I got tickets from my dad for Christmas. YES! You can buy tickets to these things! Random and awesome.

Once we got inside Nokia, we grabbed a drink and hung out on the huge bay windows that overlooked the red carpet and celebs' entrance... you know, far away from us normal people!We saw Adrian Greer, Monica Potter, and some crazy lady with giant blonde hair who I have yet to be able to identify.

Our seats were pretty incredible - though far back, we were in the first deck, so even though we couldn't necessarily see faces clearly, we knew exactly what was happening on stage. There were two huge monitors on either side of the stage that allowed us to actually see faces and identify people - or, in some cases, we'd turn to each other and ask, "Who?" Apparently we're getting old.

It was neat seeing what all went into the production of such a show. Before the show even started, one of the production folks came out, explained that we'd hear a countdown after each commercial break and that when he raised one arm, we'd need to cheer and applaud as loud and as enthusiastically as possible. At Nokia, the balcony has the best shot of making it on TV, as their secondary cameras are rigged up top.

Hooray Big Bang Theory!

 I was, admittedly, a little star struck, even though I was super far away from the folks I love, but being under the same roof is pretty cool, especially when you've never gotten to do that before! Yes, people, it's possible to live in LA and not see celebrities everywhere (not to mention the suburbs like me). :)

All in all, probably one of THE most random adventures we've gotten to be a part of but it was pretty dang cool! Now I might just have to look into being a seat filler for more awards ceremonies in the future...

Have you ever attended a star-studded awards ceremony? Or been a seat filler somewhere?

Team in Training San Francisco Nike Women's Race Giveaway

You can have an impact on cancer.

Join Team In Training (TNT) and run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon (NWHM) in San Francisco on October 19, 2014. You'll be helpingthe Leukemia and Lymphoma society (LLS) fund research to advance life-saving blood cancer treatments.

When I ran Nike DC in its inaugural year last April, I was in sheer AWE at the number of runners that participated through TNT. I vowed that one year, I wanted to work with an organization like that, raise funds for an amazing cause, and still get to run in the process.

After some research and lots of exploring, I've learned a LOT about Team in  Training and the superbly incredible things they do. TNT is the flagship fundraising campaign for LLS, and the NWHM in San Francisco is always sold out. At its 25th anniversary last year, TNT has trained more than 600,000 participants and raised more than $1.4 billion (!!).

While I wish I could say this was my year to run with TNT, I've had to make the difficult decision to let the chance pass me by -- BUT! This means awesome things for you.

You can run with TNT instead!

Yep, you read that right. I am using this opportunity to give away a Nike San Francisco race entry. With TNT, in exchange for raising funds, you’ll train for four months with world-class trainers, have access to clinics on nutrition and injury prevention and race through San Francisco’s iconic landmarks.

Want to learn more about Team in Training? They do not only the Nike races, but races all over the country! Check out more here and help TNT harness the power of physical activity to find cures and improve the quality of life for patients with blood cancer. Join TNT as they take over San Francisco this October!

FAQ:

• The free registration for Team in Training is ONLY good for the NWM Half Marathon on October 19, 2014, in San Francisco
• This free registration gets you guaranteed entry to NWMSF, along with a complete training program
• You are still committed to fundraising through Team in Training - more information here about specific fundraising requirements
• This program is perfect for runners who want to participate in NWM, train with a team, and fundraise for a good cause. It's also a great option for those who didn't get in through the lottery this year to join such an incredible race!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Giveaway closes July 2, 2014 at 12:00 am PST. All entries will be accounted for and chosen via Rafflecopter. Winner will be emailed to confirm participation and information regarding registration code.

Have you ever trained/run  with TNT? For what race/event?

Road Trip!

I'm off on a little mini road-trip with this guy (not the puppy)...

The start of our last road trip, last summer!

 Doug and I are headed up to the Bay for a quick weekend away. Doug's never driven up the California coast, so we're turning it into a little touristy action fun as well. Suggestions on stops we should make?

Most importantly, looking forward to some wine-ing with this birthday girl! 

HP and me, my birthday weekend!

Looking forward to a fun weekend away, a short vacation and exploring the city some more with Doug. Baseball games to cross off two more stadiums (AT&T Park and O.co Coliseum), city touristing, and a good time out of the Southern California heat for a bit!

What are you up to this weekend?

On the Move ... Again!

No, no, I'm not cross-country bound again. Thankfully. I am, however, in the process of moving closer to work - holla!

Kid you not, this is, essentially, the view from my new digs. Just move me over a few blocks and a little lower on the hill (closer to the water). I'm really excited about this for several reasons (most of which you'll say duh, I would be too!)

• My commute is now 5 miles. Why is this exciting? Because my previous one was 52 miles (one-way) and some days, would take me upwards of 2 hours to do. Hooray Southern California traffic.
• If I'm smart and on the ball, I can take the student shuttle to campus (re: no driving my own car during the week? Win!)
• I look at that. Every morning. 
• With a 15 minute commute, now I'll get to actually get up and run, or gym, or do whatever I like before I head to work. Wait, you mean actually start running and training like a normal person again? Count me in!

Despite the long drive, I'm so very grateful for my parents for supporting the notion that I would hang with them for about six months. I had have some financial recovery to do, and I got a significant portion of that done with their gracious welcome back into their home - not every day a 28-year-old moves back in, let alone wants to. More on that later though, because I've been working hard to make that a reality and am super proud of how far I've come with my financial goals (and still have more to do).

But at any rate, I've been here since Monday, and despite travelling again this weekend, am looking forward to settling in a little bit more. Molly will be coming back with me on Sunday after my second trip to... 

Phoenix!

Yep, that's right... back in the desert state again. This weekend, I'm there for our mid-year sorority board meeting. While I wish we could have combined it with the shenanigans of last weekend, I'm more glad we didn't, even though it means two weekends on the road instead of laying on my couch. Such is life. This weekend will be a lot more relaxed, combine with a little adventure on Mill Ave, and I'm actually quite looking forward to it again. 

Here's to weekend adventures in the same city x 2. And moving closer to work! And looking at the harbor every morning. < content sigh >

What was your longest commute ever? 

Worst Blogger Ever Award

...goes to ME!

I win. Or lose, depending how you look at it. To say that life has certainly been overwhelming - in the best way possible - would be an understatement, but at least I am enjoying every bit of this crazy ride. It's absurd to think that I've been back in California for two months now (as of tomorrow!), and that I've been at the new job for about seven weeks (also as of tomorrow).

Orientation for new students at Marymount!

This past weekend, I was in Texas for a sorority board meeeting. I love these women and am so excited when I get to spend 40 glorious hours with them. I packed running shoes, and clothes, and set the alarm... and never made it to the hotel gym either morning. The first morning I was a little irritated and the second morning I didn't really care. And that's okay. I need to find my place again and maybe right now, I just need to settle into it. I'll find that place again! 

 Being back in the same city/area/time zone as the boyfriend is pretty also freaking fantastic. My Friday evenings are at high school football games, where he coaches, and reliving spending high school days cheering him on as he played! It's fun times - and quite the trip as well. Part of getting into this groove with running lately is also figuring out how to balance work, a commute, and a social life. It's trickier than I thought and makes me realize how much running in Georgia was my social life. And that was okay, and it worked -- but here I have more of a balancing act to do! I'll figure it out in time!

Friday night lights.

Running has certainly taken a backseat in this life - mostly to the fact that I'm spending three (yes, three) hours in the car each day on the commute to and from my job. While it's not ideal, and far from that, I'm doing some major financial recovery and that, my friends, is a definite perk. I'm saving lots, paying off the debt, and making some progress towards some financial goals (namely, having a savings account again). So, it's a pain, but there are benefits to come, for sure.


Training for RnRLV is technically under way, but the last two weeks have been a struggle to find that training regimen groove again. As of this week, I start what will be my normal work hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm. So I have mornings to still peel myself out of bed and go run, but have some recovery and down time afterwards. I don't have to peel myself out of bed at 5:30, but even 7 works! This makes me super excited - not to mention that I'll never drive during rush hour again. Woo!

Training update and plan to come on Wednesday. Because I'm back. And plan on actually blogging again - just you wait and see!

When you changed lifestyles (work, social life, etc.), how did you adjust your running? Tips?

Los Angeles Love

I think it's true - or I hope it's true - that you truly cannot appreciate the place you grew up until you've gone off, found other things, and then come back. I said for the longest time that I wasn't sure if or when I would end up back in Southern California, but just shy of a month here ... I have no complaints. Let's talk about why...

Orange County Fair fun last weekend!

Afternoon walks along the shore.

 We (well, they) said good-bye to two summer interns, and celebrated by taking them to lunch at a fancy-pants resort called Terranea. After lunch, we walked down to their private cove, enjoyed a perfect beachside California afternoon ... and I was welcomed back to the state with a fry of a sunburn. 

While sitting at the cove though, as we all scattered, I got to look around and remember what I love about this place. I've always missed the beach, but thought it was just the beach, and I could make up for that anywhere. Wrong. Texas rivers did some good, Georgia tried, but there is nothing like hearing the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Smelling the salt and the sand. And knowing that you're home.

Happy hour for the boss' birthday (and my first day at work) at Trump National Golf Club. Yep, that's right.

Wherever this kid is, I'm home.

Molly's had a slow adjustment to mom and dad's backyard. I think buying her a sandbox, converted into a pool, has certainly helped, but I know she's confused beyond belief while I've been temporarily living here in San Pedro. After work tonight I head back to Chino where I'll begin a few weeks (months, maybe) of a long commute. But I know she'll be happier when I'm around and I'll feel more settled, too, knowing I get to come home to her every day again. 

What's better than the beach?

Last weekend I also got to have a nice beach afternoon with my parents. I stayed front-up to fight off that already stinging sun burn, but had a great afternoon until the fog rolled in! So strange. Oh, West Coast.

I feel good. I'm happy. I'm home. I'm settling into work, slowly but surely. But things are good. This weekend, I'm hanging around, getting unpacked, and spending time with my fur-baby, the boyfriend, and getting comfortable. Can't wait!

What are you up to this weekend?

An Adventure Awaits

Campus sits on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Hello. <3

Well, friends, after lots of vague comments about traveling lately, I can finally share some exciting news...

I'm moving back to California!

I know Sandy's been waiting for this, but now it's finally true! I am really excited to get back to the left coast and to my home state.

So... whatcha doing over there?

I've accepted a new position at a college in the LA area. Fancy pants, right? So I'll be working with their student government, intramural programs, student organization, leadership development programs, and some parts of alternative spring break trips and orientation programs. A random mix of a lot of really awesome programs that you couldn't find into a combination position like this anywhere else! I am so stinking excited, it's not even funny! Being that the school is so close to downtown LA (25 miles or so), I'm in primo racing place - can you say finding a race in LA every weekend? Yeahhhh, me too. :) 

So when does this adventure start?
Ha! There's the fun part of this whole story. So my last day here at UGA is on Friday - yes, as in this Friday! And then we depart Saturday morning. Seriously. So Doug arrives on Thursday afternoon, after I'm done with Peachtree, and we'll be going to the Braves game to celebrate the Fourth and check out the firework spectacular (because you can't miss fireworks on the Fourth!). On Saturday morning, my POD gets picked up, and we hit the road for a four-and-a-half day across the country through ten states (unfortunately no new states) in the middle of summer. Woo!

First Georgia 5K and race!

Half that fun adds to the fact that while I get back to the LA area on July 10 or so, I'll be moving into a temporary apartment in their housing they're able to provide me for a few weeks on July 15. On July 17, I have first aid/CPR training all day and HR paperwork, and at midnight I hop on a flight to Pittsburgh for my sorority convention from July 18-21. I get home late in the day on the 21st, gave myself the 22nd to recuperate from, well, everything, and then start the new job officially on July 23! Can you say whirlwind month?

I am sad to be leaving Georgia in some regards - it's been a whole new place to live, that has definitely given me loads of new experiences. I really became a runner in Georgia - my first half marathon was here, as were the majority of races I've done in my life now. It's helped me become a little more confident in who I am and what I want out of my career and my life. And now it's time to move on to that!

I'll have some posts next week once we hit the road and share the I-40/former Route 66 adventure. Here comes the fun! 

Who wants to visit!? 

PS. Don't forget! Power Ice giveaway ends Wednesday, July 3, at midnight!

#RWRunStreak: Week 2 & Weekend Wrap Up

 

So, Summer Run Streak Week 1 is down and it feels pretty darn good. It's really motivating and fun to see the Twitter feed of all those participating - and using that as extra motivation when I need it most. This week was difficult - while I'm still enjoying running naked (sans-Garmin, if you're new to these parts) and running for the sake of running, it's tough to balance that with the thought that "I have to run today or I won't be streaking anymore!" It's going to take some fine-tuning the next few weeks as I try to manage that .

The Week 2 recap:

Monday, June 3 (8): 2.0 miles

By the time Monday evening rolled around, the last thing I wanted to go do was run - so I headed to the apartment gym, vowed that I'd only do a mile. I hopped and set the dreadmill to 9:40, just to push myself a little, and felt so decent (shocker!) that I kept on going and dropped the Mile 2 pace to a 9:31 (first 1/2), 9:13 (400 m) and 7:35 (400 m) pace. I was sweating buckets by the end. Success.

Tuesday, June 4 (9): 2.35 miles

I know part of my challenge has been getting up in the mornings - but especially on Tuesdays, I don't want to run in the evenings because of our Wednesday morning track workouts. Peeled myself out of bed and aimed to get in at least 2 miles - morning success! Beautiful morning temperature-wise and loved starting my day this way!

Wednesday, June 5 (10): 4.0 miles + 3.0 miles = 7 mile day! 
The first run of the day came along with my regular Wednesday track workout. Tough workout, but good. Surprisingly my legs weren't all that tired after work, and being that it was National Running Day, the ARR had a group run and cookout planned, even despite the thunderstorms schedule. 3 more miles on the day? Why not! 

ARR group runners.

Thursday, June 6 (11): 2.50 miles
Had to get in morning miles, as I was hopping on a plane after work to LA for the weekend - morning was cool which felt awesome, but per usual (thanks summertime), I was drenched in the humidity. A great way to start the day - hopefully I'll get more of these morning runs in again soon!

Friday, June 7 (12): 1.52 miles

I managed to convince Doug to come run with me! So we took a quick running tour of his neighborhood around the community loop. Intentionally did not get too far, as we spent the afternoon at Disneyland and were trying to save some energy and leg power for Saturday's 5K.

Saturday, June 8 (13): Ontario Mills 5K, 3.14 mi
My dad's first 5K! Doug and I went to run it as well, and in a last-minute decision, my uncle came and ran too! Fast, flat course, but after 10-11 hours on my legs at Disneyland the night before, it was a little hard. I PRed by 2 seconds, but know I could have given a lot more than that. Ah well, Disney was worth the sacrifice! :)

5K recap coming on Friday - though it's nothing to write home about, but it was a good race.

Saturday afternoon, Doug and I went to lunch with my grandparents and other uncle, to ensure I got some grandparent time in over my short visit home for the weekend. After that, it was finally relaxing for a bit and getting off to Cal State Fullerton and another wedding!

The wedding was absolutely beautiful - the aisle was through that canopied gazebo you see above there, and she had done nearly all the decorations herself. It got cool outside quite fast, but was a fun time. It was also odd only knowing Doug, and he himself only knowing about three or four other people there - a far cry from the Atlanta wedding we were just at in May!

Sunday, June 9 (14): 1.01 mi
Treadmill miles. Boo.

Looking forward to getting back in some outside runs this week - I need some morning sunshine boosts! There's been lots of rain lately, too, which has made for some new challenges. Moving on to week 3, and maintaining that first place status with Tina and Erica! Keep it up ladies!

How did you do on Week 2? Goals for Week 3?

Friday Fun

Hello from sunny California! Not that Georgia isn't sunny, but hello, then, from sunny, dry California! I'm out for the weekend for one of Doug's co-worker's weddings, but took the opportunity to get to one of my favorite places ever:

WOO! Doug and I are playing around here all day today - so excited! We had a pretty good tradition of going every Christmas, but haven't made it in a few years for one reason or another, so he threw out the idea of throwing in a Disney Day while I was out this weekend. Yes. Please.

Tomorrow morning, Doug, and I are running a 5K at Ontario Mills - fast, easy, flat. Better yet, my dad is joining us - at 53, my dad's running his first 5K ever! I am so so so excited he's doing this with us and am excited to be able to cheer him in. So proud. More on that on Monday - but send him some virtual love tomorrow!

After that, it's the wedding and all kinds of related fun, chilling with my parents on Sunday, and then a red-eye back to Atlanta and straight to work Monday morning. Sounds like a fun way to end the weekend, no?

What are your exciting weekend plans? 

Race Report: Surf City Marathon [The Race]

 Read all about the expo & the best surprise ever here!

I've struggled all week with where to start this post. Every time someone asks, "How was the marathon?," I don't really have an answer; I usually shrug and say, "It went. I'm alive!" It's not that I feel terrible about my performance - heck, I met my first two marathon goals - but I think that it's still semi-surreal that I actually did it. I've looked through the Facebook photo albums friends have created a few times, cried over the surprise photos, looked at the official Brightroom photos, and I've looked at the Google map tracker saying I finished... I think I'm just in shock still. Or in denial, but whatever.

It's long. It's my first marathon. Get over it. Just look at the pretty pictures if you want the summation of the adventure!

As if I could forget?

Race Day
Thankfully, I slept better than I had all week on Saturday night. Our alarm was set for 3:50 am, and despite waking up about 2:15 (darn hydration plan!), I slept the whole way through. I was wide awake by 3:40, laid in bed, stared at the ceiling, wondering how it was race day already. Once everyone was up and moving, it was real - this is it! Race morning! Out the door by 4:35, stopped at the institution known as Manna Donuts for coffee, bagels, and yes, donuts. Since Tina was planning on seeing me and Kasey off, and her hotel was on the way to the start line, instead of making her figure out the shuttle nonsense, we picked her up on the way - at her hotel by 5:20, and to parking (we found a lot where they didn't make us pay!?) and on the bus and at the start line just about 6 am. Kasey and I were off at 6:34 after the porto stop and a few photos. In hindsight, I think I'm really glad we didn't give ourselves too much time once we were at the start - I think that would have freaked me out more.

Early morning - almost go time!

At the start, we met up with my friend Michael. I met Michael at SDSU in grad school;  he was in the program a year ahead of me. He did his few years in student affairs, but left a few years ago and became a personal trainer (talk about life change) - in fact, he coached two of the Biggest Loser at-home winners (Jennifer and Mike)! He was running the marathon today too - considering I haven't seen him since somewhere near 2007, it was great to catch up over the course of the next five hours (literally).I had told Michael my two goals: a) finish standing upright and, despite being told to not have a time goal for your first marathon, b) finish sub-5, which I felt was a respectable first marathon effort. He told me that if I stuck with him, I'd sub-4:30. I pretty much laughed in his face: Ha! You, sir, are funny.


And then it was go time! 6:34 came faster than I could have imagined - and we were off! Kasey told me she'd need to pace herself and she'd do her own thing. I didn't like leaving her, but I knew that she really needed to do her own thing to ensure she felt okay the whole way through and would finish. Michael and I trucked forward.

I had planned (and agonized) with my parents about where exactly I wanted them, needed them, throughout the course - for mental motivation and then for extra snackage. Both my dad and Doug knew to text me and tell me where exactly they were so I could look ahead - it's times like these I find it vital to run with my phone! The plan was Mile 4, and therefore Mile 9ish (there's a figure-8 through the parks where the course almost meets up with itself again) and Mile 16ish and the finish.

The scenery in and around Huntington Beach is gorgeous, to say the least. The course had one true hill, at Mile 8, so I was already prepping to enjoy the flatness, the scenery and the few parks we'd get to run through from Miles 4-7, essentially, which were also the only residential areas of the race. Superb. I quickly forgot about my intervals (still debating if that was a good idea or not), and just ran to how I felt. I can safely say that, for the better part, ran through Mile 11, and felt great. My half split was just about 2:19, a safe time, and on par-ish with half marathon times from the fall plus some minutes to conserve myself. Mile 4, my mom, dad, and Doug were, just as planned. I still felt great at this point, but it was so exciting seeing them along the way!

Doug was just before the downhill leading into the latter half of Mile 8, who turned and signaled to my parents at the bottom of the hill! My mom had made posters for me and had a gigantic electronic bell! Just before Mile 9 or so, the half marathoners started showing up - I knew any minute I'd see Katy Beth flying down the road. The marathoners turn north just before Mile 10, and I must've missed the KB overlap by seconds. I was bummed I didn't see her, as that was about the point that I needed a little more camaraderie and motivation. Michael and I ... still trucked on. The marathon course double-backed twice basically up towards Bolsa Chica State Park - the first 'arm' going up PCH and the second going up the pedestrian walkway on the beach. Up until Mile 13 or so, we were decently ahead of the 4:40 pacers (unbelievable, in hindsight).

Doug and my parents had fought their way back towards the start (I'm told this was beyond chaotic), and Doug had jumped out of the car to get to me at Mile 16 in time for a half-peanut butter sandwich. I took half of that, held on to it for a few seconds, and handed it back. I couldn't even fathom eating anything, though in theory it had sounded like a great idea. I was just grateful he was there - I was starting to hurt for sure. He walked with us for a few minutes, met Michael and then it was tummy time - yeah... I got moving again! Miles 17 on were a mix of walking, jogging, and running short sprints to specific markers. I was hurting - my knee was holding up great, it was the ball of my foot that hurt most and my hips. (I run with poor form. I know this. So when I do pay attention and correct, my hips hate me!).

Mile 23 and smiling - not dead!

My major wall began at Mile 18...it was in the last stretch, that blasted 21-26 stretch, that I was fighting the mental fatigue, the thing that says "WTF am I doing?" and fighting to make sure I stayed ahead of the 4:55 and 5-hour pacers. They kept me moving, only because I didn't want them to finish first. Competitiveness, at its best. Jon (Tina's husband) was somewhere around the Mile 23 marker or so, snapped a few photos and biked on to the finish to meet up with everyone else! I knew at this point that Katy Beth was done, and Tina would be close. She called me a few times, and it was after the second call I realized she must be done! My turn - let's do this.

The half and full courses meeting up again for the last two, maybe two and a half miles. About Mile 25 1/2, Heather was running alongside me! She told me that Michael had texted her that we were both on par to finish at 11:45 am, and to keep an eye out for me - and she managed to find us! (The courses were still separated by a series of cones). She told me I was so close, I was almost there and I would make it. I had nothing left... I was gassed. (HP later said that when she saw me, she was not the Runner Megan she knew)... my races usually end with a great sprint to the finish, and here I was, only wanting to walk at Mile 26.1 Seriously. I had nothing left.

Finishing!

I jogged. I jogged into the finish, gave it all I got and still finished with a jog. There were my parents and Katy Beth and Doug and Jon. Further down the fence was Tina! And finally, that mat, that clock, the balloons... I did it! I gasped, grabbed Michael for a hug, and limped to my medal. To that surfboard, to the heat blankets, to the FOOD. And straight into the medic tent - my hips were on fire and I needed help as soon as I could, please and thank you. Michael found Doug for me, told him where I was so they all knew I was fine, just in the tent. Many thanks to my friend Lance in medic-land for helping me out! Oi!

I didn't get to say bye to Michael - he took off not long after. Michael, I know I said it before, but I owe you the biggest thank you for pushing me, encouraging me, distracting me, and getting me to my finish! It was fun catching up, but I'm so grateful I had somebody all along the way. And thanks for taking your worst marathon time ever for me.

Parents and me. :)

My dad came and found me in the tent, made sure I was okay, and let me know that everyone was behind the tent on the grass waiting for me. I started tingling - my face, my hands, and was told by a different medic that I needed calcium in me probably stat, and to take some Tums as soon as I got home (little did she know, HP and I don't travel without Tums). And then the photo flurry began! I did it! My mom was bawling for a hot second, so proud, so happy... I still had no tears. Mom and Dad soon headed off, and after some stretching (perks to dating a football coach), I was feeling a little more alive.

At this point, I hadn't even looked at my watch, but I knew the clock had read just about 5:03-something when I crossed. I knew, that if I in fact made it sub-5, it would be the squeak of all squeaking by. Heather, Katy Beth and Tina went towards the tents to see if they could figure out where Kasey was, and would at the same time check all their times. I was still laying on the grass when they broke the news...

4:58:42!

I started kicking, mostly in joy, but it probably looked like a temper tantrum. I'm not sure if it was tears or laughing or more of that surrealness, but I covered my face and started a mix of the two. I did it! I made my goal! I made both goals! Un-freaking-believable. After a quick breakdown, Doug and I made our way to the finish line and fence, as Kasey was going to be finishing any minute. Not a few minutes longer and she was there - with her sister at her side, Kase was about to finish! We did it! We did it! Katy Beth had another great sub-2, Tina PRd the half by almost 15 minutes, and HP too! Kasey and I finished standing upright! Incredible morning.

I can look at these photos over and over and still not believe that was me - after my longest run at 17 miles, after 9 days out with a chest cold, after the nerves and the antsy and the disbelief that I was doing this for the better part of 26 miles, 385 yards... I guess that is me. I'm a marathoner. I have a medal hanging from my bathroom mirror to prove it, I have a DailyMile record that says I ran 26.22 miles on Sunday, and a finishing time that proves that I did, in fact, cross that line.

We all did it! Katy Beth, Tina, and HP in their halfs and me and Kase in our full!

After Kasey was done, and after our personal photo shoot with Jon, we headed up and out of Huntington Beach for a little BJ's Brewery action (mmmm berry burst cider!) before making our way home for a flurry of showers, packing, and heading up to a friend's for the Super Bowl (we showed up after halftime, but thankfully during that power outage!). Doug and I dropped Heather off at the airport at 7, and my turn not even 12 hours later. Just like that, the weekend was over. After nine of months of anticipation, training, planning... marathon weekend was over.

I'm a marathoner!

And all I can think is... "What's next!?"

Have you ever ran a race that just felt unbelievably surreal? What made it feel 'real' to you in the end? 

Race Report: Surf City Marathon [The Expo]

On Thursday night, inbetween the constant paranoia of missing my 4:50 alarm, I had a dream. And yes, this is vital to you being able to enjoy this post. Read on. My dream goes as such: It is race morning. I am in my corral, ready to go, though somehow, not in the last corral. When, suddenly, a series of half a dozen tornadoes come ripping through Southern California (Megan note: this was obviously in the wake of the giant tornado that ripped through north Georgia earlier in the week), and so last minute (literally, last minute), they decided to move the race. Where to? Flagstaff, Arizona. Naturally. So we all take off - yes, as in start running to Flagstaff, a mere 500 miles away. Unbeknownst to me, my dearest friend Tina has been conspiring with my boyfriend for some time to surprise me at the finish line of my first full marathon. So here I am, running to Flagstaff, when I get a call from Tina who asks "Where are you? I'm in Chino (my hometown) and I heard the race got cancelled!" and I reply and say "I'm in Flagstaff, in the race!" Not much longer, (at some point), I'm sitting on a bench in Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, and eventually find my way to downtown Flag, where the finish line is... not moments after my parents, boyfriend, Tina and her husband apparently drove from Southern California. We all made it at the same time. Obviously.

Ah, dreams. If only I had known... but that's for later down the road. I'll hold you in anticipation. Katy Beth, Heather, Kasey and I have been planning this for months, to all come together and run Surf City - Kasey and I for the full, KB and HP for the half.  I got in early Friday morning to Ontario, Heather was flying in that afternoon, Kasey arrived Thursday night, and Katy Beth would be driving in from Vegas that evening. Such a great collection of places, love it! Friday night we took my parents out for a thanks-for-letting-us-crash-the-house and happy-birthday-mom dinner to PF Changs. Delicious! Sadly... I forgot the photos.

Views from the top!

Saturday morning my mom convinced us to all go for a walk with my aunt near our home on a beautiful rolling course with some pretty extraordinary views. Since I was prepping for a two-mile shake out run anyway, I figured a few miles' walk would be alright, just to take it easy.

Birthday lady and me.

Me, HP and Kasey on a gorgeous morning walk!

So glad I did that - Katy Beth stayed behind in bed, but oh man, girl. You missed out! Happy birthday to my mom and a great way to kick off the weekend. After Starbucks, showers, and discussion of the day's plans, we were off! ... to breakfast. Many thanks to the powers of Yelp (and not knowing all the places that have popped up in my own city), we found the most adorable breakfast place, The Avocado House, and happily gorged on last carbo-loading efforts of pancakes, omelettes, fruit and country potatoes. Fantastic.

Can you say delicious?

After a stop at Dick's for some last minute race gear, we were finally off to the expo - Katy Beth was particularly antsy. She had ordered a Team Sparkle skirt that hadn't arrived to Vegas by the time she left - lucky for us (her, that is), they are based locally in California and were literally on our way to the expo. Such luck - they left her skirt on the porch! Now that's customer service.

Finally, it was expo time. This is where my nerves really started kicking in - it was real. It's here. I'm picking up my packet to run a marathon. Holy ----. Eeep! Thankfully, I'm easily distracted by photos and all the fun and buzz around an expo that it's easy to forget the nerves for a little while. So we stopped as soon as we hit the entrance for a few photos:

Last attempt at calming my nerves.

Do you see that girl waving in the window of that last picture? Do you remember my dream? That my friends, in the black shirt, is my dearest, bestest Tina. Is your jaw on the floor yet? Mine was. And then the tears just started to pour. Ugly crying. In the middle of the expo entryway. Flattering, surely.

Unbelievable surprise. THEY ALL KNEW. Except me. Tina had been working with Heather for months, who in turn told Kasey, and they eventually filled in Katy Beth and my parents on Friday night. Tina and her husband, Jon, drove in from Phoenix on Saturday morning and had beenwaiting at the expo for nearly an hour for us to get there! Un-freaking-believable. As she says, "I was only 5 hours away! Did you not think I wouldn't be here for your first marathon?!" Well, no. Apparently I just have really scary creepy intuition (which explains why, when I told the other girls my dream, they weren't all that phased by it... and that confused me). .

After lots more tears, it was time for pick up. This ish got real. And we got nervous.

And that was that - bib in hand, lucky number 3609, shirt in hand... it's expo and shopping time! I got a little carried away, admittedly. I got myself two more race things, on top of the race shirt: another race shirt and the finisher's jacket. Hey! You only get one first marathon, right? Make it count. Love my new swag! The expo itself was really well organized, though busy, but not surprising since were there at 3 in the afternoon the day before the race. Tons of vendors, free samples, and all kinds of good stuff. And the best part were the photo opportunities! They know just how to cater to me!

ALL of us!

And then it was beach time... I said all day I wanted a jumping beach photo, since we wouldn't have legs after the race on Sunday to do it, and that I'd have to find a poor schmuck to take the four of us' photo 19 times over until it worked. Well, lucky for us, Jon became our schmuck (thank you Jon!) and got a great shot not long into our photo shoot. Such a fantastic afternoon! 

We headed home, invited Jon and Tina up for dinner (they were staying near the race), and had our pre-race carb runner's fest. Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and an intended movie night with Spirit of the Marathon, that we all kind of forgot about and then ran out of time for. Great friends, boyfriend, laughs, drinks, and food... aaaaah the food.

And just like that... Saturday night. Early alarm clocks (3:50 am). Dear God, just let me sleep...

Race day is coming! Stay tuned!