My weekend in San Fransisco (10/23/2007)

So I was in San Francisco this last weekend, and it was amazing. I've been there countless times before, growing up in the bay area...but this weekend was special. As you know, my BFF Carissa ran a marathon. She did amazing. Her time was 4:22:37 and her miles were 10:01. The weather was perfect, a nice cool sunny 77 degrees. There were about 20,000 women running the Nike Womens Marathon, (with a few men thrown in there as well) and Team In Training raised 18.5 million dollars to help the Lukemia & Lymphoma Society. There were people from every state, and there were 11 countries represented as well. Even a couple from Alberta Canada ran with their 2 kids in jogging strollers! Talk about inspiring. It took almost a half hour for everyone to cross the starting line.

Carissa's mom and I were able to see her off at the starting line, and then to welcome her across the finish line 26.2 miles later! I KNOW we walked at least half of it, which is giving me the inspiration to do it with her next year. I might be doubting myself right now as I'm writing this, but I know I can do it, because you can do anything you put your heart into!

I can't wait to sign up, hopefully I'll be able to...this year the 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) sold out in 10 hours! I need to save, save, save, save my money so that I can stay in the St.Francis Hotel on Powell Street right across from Union Square, and rent a car to drive down there! And of course, have lots of shopping money, because I was in heaven!!! I was surronded by Louis Vuitton, Cole Haan, Macy's, Tiffany's, Saks 5th Ave, Gucci and LOT'S MORE!

We got to ride a cable car, 2 blocks...that was fun. I want to ride it all the way from the turn-around and back again next time. I want to walk into Tiffany's and buy the necklace that I have wanted forever! I want to just blow thousands of dollars on ME!

Julie and I drove down Haight St, stopped on the corner of Haight & Ashbury, took pictures of course, so watch for those soon! After the marathon, we were on our way back to the car on Lincoln way...we definitly needed a cab, so we called the number for one we saw pass us buy, and while Julie was on hold, I FLAGGED ONE DOWN!!!!!!!!! That was one of the highlights that day, but certianly the best one!

We walked around and went into some shops on Haight street, the goodwill was fun! I was estatic to fine a REAL Dooney & Burke purse at a store called Wasteland (vintage/consignment store) and I got it for only $19.53!!! SCORE!!

On Fisherman's Wharf, we watched the sea lions of course, took some pictures. Sat on Forest Gumps Bench. Some guy scared the living daylights out of me by jumping towards me from behind some branches, while everyone around him laughed. (I was the "tourist" that wasn't paying attention to my surroundings so I was the easy target to scare!)

Got some wonderful chocolate from Girardehlli Square! Love their chocolates! We made our way back to the car and to the Moscone Center for dinner and some dancing! That was so much fun, Carissa & I had a blast!!!

I can't wait to go back and run the marathon myself!!!!