Ok, so it's been a LONG time since I posted. I conquered Big Sur, returned and jumped into my mommy duties. The end of school is around the corner and the schedules with work, sports, etc are hectic. I finally had some down time today and will try to get through it as best I can without boring you all out there. I warn you, there are a lot of pictures and I didn't even post them all! So I will try to give you all a recap as quickly as I can.
We arrived on Thursday and it was go go go. Hubs and I decided to try to get as much sightseeing in as we could before and after the race. We have never been to California and we really wanted to do as much as we could. California is an amazing state with so much beauty.
 |
| ON OUR WAY! |
 |
| I normally have crazy, curly hair but I decided that I wanted a different look, so I went with straight hair to Cali. :-) |
 |
| Um, yes, even in California I found a 7-11. :-) |
 |
| The Redwood Trees are magnificent!!!! |
 |
| This trip was powered by something bigger then myself and this view left me breathless! |
 |
| These are our amazing friends who opened their home to us so we could stay with them. They also took us to Lake Tahoe - I will never forget this trip. The beauty is everywhere around you. I've never seen such natural beauty everywhere I turn. |
 |
| We found a heart and we borrowed it for a picture! |
 |
| Time to leave and go to packet pick up!!!! |
 |
The energy at the expo was amazing.
There were also so many Boston jackets - made me feel incredible to walk among such great runners and I felt so lucky!!!
We found our names on the wall. VERY COOL!
Hubs registered for the 5K to be there with me at the end of the race. <3 |
 |
| After packet pick up, we went out for more sightseeing! |
 |
| One kiss and off to dinner then to rest at our hotel for the night. |
 |
| I took many, many, many layers of clothing and I was so glad I did. The race start was in the low 50's and people were freezing. I was warm and cozy!! hehehehe |
 |
| BUS PICK UP - 3:30am |
 |
| I'm so nervous and excited here! What a crazy feeling! |
 |
| And we are here, race start! |
 |
| The day dawned as we awaited the race start - the energy is crazy!!!! |
 |
The race began and along I went soaking it all in.
This was my first picture and as you can see, I have dropped most layers of clothing. |
 |
| This is going on to mile 10 and what will be the longest climb! BRING IT! |
 |
| DONE!! What a feeling of joy and accomplishment! |
 |
The famous bridge - you can already hear the piano player and that's when my happy tears flowed.
There was something happy in knowing that I had made it to this famous crossing and there was
a feeling of gratitude that I am healthy and could take part in such an event. |
 |
| There are no words to express the beauty - it's even prettier in person! |
 |
At this mile, volunteers mentioned that I had to make it to mile 22 by a certain time or you are taken away in a bus.
Things got real here for me. As luck, or bad luck would have it, Mother Nature paid me a visit the night before.
Most women know what this second day means - a lot of bathroom visits and time had ticked away. I stopped for some incredible pictures but I made my way fast to mile 22. No way I was coming back on a bus! |
 |
| Made it - SO CLOSE TO THE FINISH! |
 |
| This is my favorite mile marker! It made me laugh hysterically. Then again, I might have been a bit delirious as well. |
There is no way to briefly recap BIG SUR. It's just too...... BIG! hahaha It was breathtaking, incredible, difficult, challenging, and wonderful. The first few miles wound through trees and opened up into a postcard picture of the ocean on your left and mountains ahead of you. The wind felt like a constant pressure against your chest reminding you of how small you are. The beauty masked the hardship of miles at your feet. It seemed that the miles flowed as quickly as the wind did. I've never had a long run feel like this. It was magical. Miles 22 -26 were hard. The rolling hills and skewed streets challenged very tired legs but something in this race remains strong throughout the winds, the hills, the mountains, the streets, and that is the human spirit. Big Sur has earned its reputation as one of the "must do" marathons not only because of its beauty, but also because of the feeling you feel when running it. I will never forget it.
 |
We left to Yosemite after the race and went to see the famous Sequoias - yes, I did a trail hike after the race.
I was slow, slow slow and only did the .8 mile trail but it was worth it! |
 |
| Good night to a most spectacular day! |
 |
| Good morning Yosemite - more beauty to take in! |
 |
| The day after the race we were out and about looking at more beautiful sights! |
 |
| On to Napa on our last day before heading home. |
 |
| This is a funny picture. Too many tastings! |
 |
| Back home and tired! We caught the red eye and I remember feeling so ready to hug my children! |
As the sun said good bye to the sky, I said good bye to California. Thank you Big Sir for Big Sur. I still can't believe I won an entry into this race but I am so grateful. What a gift it was! A new challenge for myself and a lesson. There is no physical challenge (good one, Mother Nature), no wind, no amount of hills or skewed streets or miles that can stop you if you wish to move forward and in that strength, you find the time to appreciate the beauty around you, the time to be grateful that you can do things like this and the certainty that life really is a gift to be cherished, but most of all to be lived!
I'm sure there are those that have done many marathons - GOOD FOR YOU! Keep it going! I know I will!
And for those that read wondering if they could ever do this, it's so simple... Of course YOU CAN! You just have to want it and then work for it! A few years ago, one block was all I could run and now I have Big Sur behind me and who knows what awaits in the future!
What's a race recap without finish line pics?!?! Here are my fav!
 |
| BIG SUR FINISHER!!!!! |
