San Diego Recap

I wanted to share (and document) the rest of our San Diego trip. It really was a blast and I am still on a high about the marathon!

We arrived in San Diego on Friday afternoon. Our hotel was right on the bay and within walking distance of almost everything that we needed. After we got checked in we went hunting for our first delicious meal and we succeeded in filling ourselves up at Tin Fish - fish taco's to die for and yummy fish and chips. Crystal and I then made our way to the Expo to pick up our race packet including our race number and everything needed for race day. At that point it was all official! We walked the expo for a few hours and signed the HUGE Team In Training board and picked up cheering signs for the guys. The expo was a little overwhelming with all of the vendors and gadgets and stuff for running. A little overboard, but fun to see all of the things that go into this hobby. Friday night we ate at a place called Confidential and it was so very cool. Tapas style, after being educated is small servings meant to be shared, so the food comes out one dish at a time to be shared with everyone. I was a little hesitant about 'small portions' and if Justin would actually be full, but we all walked about stuffed AGAIN! Saturday morning, the Alabama group gathered in the lobby at 6:30 for a light and casual run to get us prepared for the marathon on Sunday. It was beautiful and refreshing to running in humidity free air with cool temperatures again! We then pulled the guys out of bed to eat a late and light breakfast before we went to the Victory and Inspiration Lunch.

The Victory Celebration/Pasta Lunch was amazing...It is a special lunch only for TNT participants (and their guest) to recognize and honor everyone for being a part of this organization. Walking into the ball room was like a pep-rally, coaches and supports all dressed in purple and green and yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs. It was awesome and very fun. We were served pasta - stashing those carbs to get us through 26 miles. We had several speakers who talked about everything from our total fundraising, race tips and most important a father who lost his 10 year old daughter to Leukemia! Not a dry eye in the room after he was done speaking and we were then sent on our way....inspired! Remembering that running a marathon is nothing compared to going through chemo.

Saturday afternoon we took a water Taxi over to Coronado Island and sat at The Hotel Del Coronado and enjoyed drinks and lots of laughs. It is so much fun to enjoy each others company and get to visit with friends. Mike, Justin's good friend who lives in San Diego was able to join us and he was an AWESOME help while we were there. Gave perfect recommendations of everything we needed. Not to mention he has an awesome view from the top of his condo that we got to enjoy on Saturday night! Very cool.

Sunday - see previous post!

Monday was our reward day, we rented a car and headed to Temecula Valley along with two other couples and our coach Colean to visit wineries for the day. What more can I say, a day full of wine tastings in beautiful California! It was nothing compared to Napa, but it was lots of fun. Tuesday was our last day and we slept late and ate a late lunch before it was time to pack up and head to the airport.

This trip was really amazing. It was a trip where I achieved a life long goal and felt the power of setting and obtaining a goal - it really was a dream come true. I am thankful to God for the health, strength, endurance and safety to be able to do this. Thank you again to all of you who supported me in this opportunity. It was also the longest that we've ever been away from Collier (Thanks to Grammie and Pops he was in REALLY good hands). Which gave Justin and I a great time to enjoy each other. And as much fun as we had, I was very ready to get back to my little man and see him. I missed him bunches.