“My hubby and I ran the full marathon. It was our first time running the San Fran Marathon, and our 3rd marathon we have run side by side. A little about us…3 years ago we were both nearing 300 lbs. Through a lot of hard work and a major lifestyle overhaul, we have maintained healthy weights for the past 2 years – he in the 175-185 range, and me in the 150′s. Running has become a central part of our lives, which is still hard to believe. We never dreamed of being healthy, or athletes, or marathon runners, and at times it still seems a bit unreal. I should mention that we have 3 kids, from 3 years to 8. They are with us on every run. Our 8 year old rides her bike along side us, even on the 24 miler training runs. My husband pushed the 2 youngest kids in an Ironman double jogger stroller….on every run. Running is a family affair for us. The kids have all run a few kids races, and our 8 year old has finished a few 5k’s as well.My husband finished the California Dreaming series on Sunday, and I could not be more proud of him! It means the world to me to have him by my side, not only through this whole process of getting healthy, but for the 3 marathons we have finished. Stride for stride, we are by each others side. As I said on our blog, we are a team. He wouldn’t have started running without me, and I couldn’t have finished 3 marathons without him.
As for SFM, it was extremely painful for me. I had a calf cramp at 2 am Sunday morning. You know the painful, never ending, wont release, leaves behind a sore muscle for days kind of cramp?? One of those. On Marathon morning. So I started off in a lot of pain, on top of this being a difficult course. So much goes on mentally during a marathon, You find strength you didn’t know you had, endurance you’ve never found before, inspiration from those around you….to say it was ‘Worth the Hurt’ is an understatement. SFM is the kind of course that redefines you. It took us 30 minutes longer than any other marathon. This wasn’t necessarily due to the hills, probably more my leg pain. It wasn’t the time we wanted, but it was an amazing experience non the less. Is it difficult? Extremely. Are there insane hills? Yes. Will you hurt? Yes. You will also come across the finish line with a redefined self image of what you are capable of, what you can overcome, and how hard and far you can push yourself. It’s one of those courses.
Thank you for an amazing experience, and an amazingly beautiful and challenging marathon! Thank you, again for putting on such a great Expo and Marathon. There are no words to express what being able to finish such a challenging marathon means to my hubby and me.”
-Elizabeth and Brian L, Concord, CA
“I started running in the fall of 2008. Mainly because it was hard. Mainly because it was challenging. Mainly because it was something I couldn’t do. I started feeling stronger around that time because I was working out with a trainer although running was never easy. I signed up for a 5k in October. I ran it. I signed up for another 5k on Thanksgiving. I ran that one too. My father was there to witness me run that race. He was proud. This I could tell. My dad passed away in January 2009 from cardiac arrest. Most of my family on my father’s side are unhealthy. To break the cycle and to be a positive force in my family’s lives I continued to run this time however it was going to be bigger. Since my father passed away I have run 3 half marathons. I don’t run fast but I do run. Maybe people are intimidated with running however I believe it’s a mind game. Sure I want to stop sometimes however I remember my purpose and I push through it. During the 2010 San Francisco run I wore a shirt that read “I run for my life and in memory of my Dad”. An older gentleman ran up beside me and said “Your Dad would be proud”. This meant the world to me. I pushed through 13.1 miles that day which was also my 32nd birthday. I run because it makes me strong, gives me a sense of community, and is a tribute to my father. I am a runner!”
-Jessica W, Dallas, TX
“I am a 33 year old female that started running in February of 2009. I ran my first marathon on December 6th, 2009, the CIM and finished in 4:03:20 a 9:22 average pace. I was very happy with my results, considering I had picked up running as a new hobby in February of that year. My next marathon was the San Francisco Marathon. I had a goal which I was working towards and that goal was qualifying for the Boston Marathon, which would require me to finish in 3:40 which would mean running over 23 minutes faster than I ran my first marathon, about 1 minute faster per mile. I didn’t dream that I would be able to do that in this marathon, considering it is a very difficult course, with many uphills. The CIM is known to be one of the fastest marathon courses with consistent subtle downhills. I finished the SF Marathon in 3:38:56. I not only achieved a PR for myself but managed to qualify for the Boston Marathon. My average pace was 8:22. Needless to say I am ecstatic about this accomplishment and had a runners high for a couple of days after the marathon.
Thank you for giving individuals as myself the opportunity to achieve such miraculous, life changing results and partake in a beautiful and memorable course.”
-Roxana P, Davis, CA
