Golden Gate Marin Headlands 1/2 Marathon

It is amazing for me to be able to write that I have completed a half marathon.  It is something that I never thought I would be able to do, but now I have!  The whole experience was wonderful.  Nessa and I drove down on Friday afternoon and met up with Bethany and her family, and Mark & Tanya.  We all stayed at the same hotel and it was an amazing hotel.  I have never seen one like it.  The downstairs was all open and had a huge koi pond and waterfalls.  In the evening they had crackers and cheese for the adults and popcorn from an old fashioned popcorn machine for the kids.  The free breakfast that was included was a full on breakfast buffet, with omelets cooked to order, french toast, bacon, sausage, eggs, fruit, pastries, muffins, etc.  I should have taken a picture of Austin's plate, it was loaded so high, it was comical!

On Friday night we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and into the city, to have a carb filled dinner at the Olive Garden, and we got to do a little shopping too.  It was fun to go out to dinner with such a big group of us.  They put us in the noisy room, way in the back, of course, but we can be a noisy group so it worked out quite well.  The kids loved the bread sticks.  Especially Austin.  He even stuffed some in his jacket pocket and they were not found until Sunday!  At least they were found before I did the wash!

Saturday morning we were off bright and early after our delicious breakfast.  I have never been to the Marin Headlands before and I loved finding out how beautiful it is there.  The boys got to stay at the beach with my wonderful cousins Dera and Miriam, while I did the race.  It was fun to have them wave me off at the start!

The first part of the course was crazy uphill.  This is the view from on of the topmost points.  We started down at that parking lot. 

I am so glad I did my training at a higher elevation, on hills with a stroller, it really helped.  The first 7.5 miles I was able to run so much more than what I thought I would be able to.  After that my knee started acting up so I had to walk it from there.  

I had a goal to complete it 3hrs 15 min, which is a 15 minute mile pace, and I completed it in 3hrs, 23 min!  I did have a little extra motivation urging me on.  On Thurs night Austin prayed that "his mommy and Aunties would not come in last at the race".  I couldn't let him down!

1047

SARAH DANENHAUER

Half Marathon

OFFICIAL TIME OFFICIAL PLACE of 235 TOTAL finishers. 7.23% of 137 FEMALE finishers. 8.76% of 15 F3539 finishers.

  

I would have been able to make it in 3:15 but it was more important to me to have the boys with me at the end.  They met me on the beach (which is the last leg of the course) and when he saw me Austin came running up to me, so happy and excited (and that may have made me cry just a little).  Then he ran ahead while I walked with Danny and then at the end carried him across the finish while holding Austin's hand.  After it was over Austin told me "You weren't the winner and won't get a medal but you are a winner to me, and I got you a medal.", and then he handed me a perfectly whole sand dollar (that definitely had me crying a little).  That sand dollar means so much more to me than any old medal!

I am so glad this was the course I ended up on for my first half-marathon.  The scenery was so beautiful.  We started at Rodeo Beach, Fort Baker, and there is so much to see and explore there.  I will definitely be going back when I have to time to hike the trails, with my camera, and the boys!

 My shoes got just a little bit muddy!

Tanya navigating a muddy and picturesque section of the trail

The Golden Gate Bridge

 Tanya, Me and Nessa at the 7.5 mile station

 One of the places I would love to stop and explore

Danny and Austin in their cliff side nest

 Me and my sisters after the race!

All my family that participated!  And this picture doesn't even show all the support "Staff" that was with us!