Many of you may be considering new challenges to put your physical fitness to the test. If you're interested in doing the Nike Women's Marathon San Francisco, here is a review of the 2013 race by a mystery guest blogger (guess who). Please note that logistics and details will vary from year to year so do check the latest information the year that you plan to run.
In an nutshell, the first half of the marathon course is a BEAUTIFUL (and I mean gorgeous!) scenic stretch that takes you along the Embarcadero, through hilly Presidio, Lincoln Park, and the ever lush Golden Gate Park. The second half is a bit lack luster in comparison in terms of both excitement, scenery, and race supporters. It's an out-and-back along the Great Highway to Lake Merced. If doing anything less than 26.2 miles is beneath you, then do the full marathon but the heart and soul of the race is really in the first 13.1. You get the same Tiffany necklace, a t-shirt, and 95% of the race supporter love!!
Are you wondering if this race is for you? In my opinion, it's not for serious, no frills runners. The race was undoubtedly planned to be high-energy fun and packed with amenities (and peddling Nike & partner product) rather than well-structured, competitive racing conditions. BUT I assume most of you run for fun, health, inspiration, (feel-y good qualities). If that is the case, this race is HIGHLY recommended (Especially, the half-marathon which gives you all the goods. The full is just an extra badge of honor.).
Here are all the reasons why I am looking forward to next year! The first half of the Nike Women's Marathon course is truly an adrenaline rush. Kudos to Nike for getting the below basics and luxuries right.
Some of you might be thinking, SF is too challenging for me… all those hills! EEK! It's really not that bad.
In an nutshell, the first half of the marathon course is a BEAUTIFUL (and I mean gorgeous!) scenic stretch that takes you along the Embarcadero, through hilly Presidio, Lincoln Park, and the ever lush Golden Gate Park. The second half is a bit lack luster in comparison in terms of both excitement, scenery, and race supporters. It's an out-and-back along the Great Highway to Lake Merced. If doing anything less than 26.2 miles is beneath you, then do the full marathon but the heart and soul of the race is really in the first 13.1. You get the same Tiffany necklace, a t-shirt, and 95% of the race supporter love!!
Are you wondering if this race is for you? In my opinion, it's not for serious, no frills runners. The race was undoubtedly planned to be high-energy fun and packed with amenities (and peddling Nike & partner product) rather than well-structured, competitive racing conditions. BUT I assume most of you run for fun, health, inspiration, (feel-y good qualities). If that is the case, this race is HIGHLY recommended (Especially, the half-marathon which gives you all the goods. The full is just an extra badge of honor.).
Here are all the reasons why I am looking forward to next year! The first half of the Nike Women's Marathon course is truly an adrenaline rush. Kudos to Nike for getting the below basics and luxuries right.
- Water, NUUN, nourishment, and aide stations at just the right intervals throughout the race.
- Post-race goodies distribution was a pleasure. Snacks and hydration were easy-peasy to pick up. Finishers were quickly ushered to their finisher shirts and Tiffany necklaces (the latter presented by hunky firemen).
- Other luxuries on route were organic chocolate bits, sunscreen for those who forgot to protect their hide, hand and face wipes after a orange slice food station. This last one was a thoughtful execution detail that made me happy. (I hate sticky fingers! Super distracting during a race.)
- Did I mention the course is stunning? (mostly).
Some of you might be thinking, SF is too challenging for me… all those hills! EEK! It's really not that bad.
As Nike would want me to say, you are goddesses of victory and can totally conquer those hills!! There are a couple of inclines; one is similar to Harlem hill which turns a corner and BAM! you are hit with more hill of similar distance and incline (~2 miles of this hill?). If you've built a decent base (e.g. have a history of finishing Grete's Gallop or similar races without dying) and have a race strategy, the hill will be behind you in no time. Plus, there are so many people cheering at those tough junctures, your mind will wander to the burly man cheering in drag and shaking his pom poms. Remember, it's a marathon- not a sprint. The day before the race, Roy helped me figured out the points along the course where i should conserve energy and where I should kick the pace up a notch. Review the race course ahead of time. The plan served me well for the first half and then due to inexperience and lack of focus, I let Roy's advice go out the window (Sorry, babe. I'm a bad disciple. :( ). For the benefit of Roy's readers, I tracked the race using MapMyRun. You can reference it as a guide for your training. However, please be warned that the GPS tracking on my phone was a bit spotty in areas. Overall, the elevation gain and course is correct. You can easily find the trouble areas marked by jagged spikes.
The race will kick off in Downtown San Francisco at Union Square and head through the financial district past the famous TransAmerica building. It will then proceed along the San Francisco Bay past Fisherman’s Wharf, Aquatic Park, Ghirardelli Square, Fort Mason and Marina Green while revealing breathtaking views of Alcatraz and The Golden Gate Bridge. The course then weaves through the Presidio and Sea Cliff districts, out to the Great Highway, through Golden Gate Park and south around Lake Merced, finishing just north of the Great Highway along the Pacific Ocean. Credit: http://runinfinity.com/race/nike-womens-marathon
For those of you who are curious, a few race quibbles might be: Walking through a lavish product showcase packed with people to find the race number pick-up, starting amidst runners of mixed ability at the Start corrals, snaking through a crowded park to get out of the finish area.
Here is a detailed account of the race by one of the editors at FitSugar.http://www.fitsugar.com/Nike-Women-Half-Marathon-San-Francisco-Review-32288331
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