No, I didn't sign up for another half. I wanted to cheer my friend on as he finished the US half marathon in SF and I was worried that I was going to be late! :) Still, I had to run almost a half mile from the parking garage at Fisherman's Wharf to the finish between Aquatic Park and the Fort Mason hill - wearing jeans and a heavy hooded sweatshirt, carrying an umbrella, and with my purse flopping around. I was not as aerodynamic as I could have been. But I did have on my Pegasus shoes so the running wasn't too bad. This was my first time I had done any kind of running since Nike and I remember thinking, oh yeah, running is kind of fun!
But anyway, I did get there in time and I was super excited to be a spectator because I had recently acquired my very own cowbell! Seriously - everyone should get one. I bought mine at one of those costume type of places. I think Saturn gave them out at the RnR SJ expo.
The finish line was just to the right of the bottom of the Fort Mason hill so I made my way up the hill to a spot where the runners were coming around the bend and I just started ringing that bell. For about 20-30 minutes :) It was really fun! Sometimes I would yell out supporting things, otherwise, I just stood there smiling and ringing the bell and it seemed to be really welcomed. A lot of them said thanks, or just smiled, one was all, "yeah, bring on the cowbell!" I know I love hearing it so I'm glad these runners did, too.
Plus, you couldn't really hear the finish line music from where I was (which was probably less than 100m away) so I think people appreciated hearing something that told them they were almost there.
I finally found my friend so I ran with him toward the finish banging the cowbell in his face - heehee. Once we got to the bottom of the hill and the finish line was in sight, I decided to bark at him in my loudest, deepest voice, "RUUUUUNNNNN! RUUUUUNNNNNNNN!" I think people around us laughed... or so I tell myself so I don't feel embarrassed for acting like such a dork.
Here's me with NL and his wife, RL, at the finish - congrats NL!
As you can see, NL and RL have a fun surprise on the way. RL was really popular at the race as a lot of runners loved her sign for NL which read, "Go NL Go, That's my baby daddy"
NL and RL are awesome friends that cheered me on at the Nike marathon last year. RL even took pics and video clips! RL also joined me for the Bay to Breakers 12K this year (1 of 2 race reports that still need to be posted.)
All in all, I had a lot of fun spectating and hope to do it again soon.
16 comments:
Glad you enjoyed spectating: It's a good way to enjoy a race but not have to run it!
I love my cowbell from the RnRSJ, too! haha. I thought about the race and was happy to see that the weather had cleared up on Sunday morning. I really need to go spectate a race one of these days! RL's sign is hilarious and sooo cute.
Wanna come cheer for me at the CIM?? ;-)
RL's sign is super cute - I love it! Way to be an awesome/fun spectator.
Awwwwhhhh you're a great cheerleader ;D ;D You need to come cheer me on someday LOL
Ha! You're awesome Audrey!! Thanks again for coming and cheering Neeraj on! I need to get my own cowbell... clapping for a few hours straight can get tiring :)
Hooray for cowbell! You sound like an awesome spectator. I am also TOTALLY silly at the finish line and usually just think I'm being annoying enough that people want to finish just so I'll stop yelling at them. Congrats to your friend on the race and congratulations to you on your half mile "run"-- running with an umbrella and purse is hard work!
Oh my gosh! I just bust out laughing imagining the whole scene! You are such an awesome friend. This whole post just made my day. And Renu's sign was PRICELESS!
you're a nice friend :) it's always exciting to have someone cheering for you at the finish.
LOL! The visual of you banging the cowbell in his face is FUNNY!
I'm sure all the runners appreciated that - I love cowbells :)
I've only been a spectator a few times, but I will DEFINITELY get a cowbell for the next time. That's a great idea! MORE COWBELL!!!!
(P.S. I like your blog!)
I love having a cowbell. Yelling can wear you out but you can always ring the bell!
You are so right... being a spectator is so much fun. After my last race, I felt good enough to go back and cheer on a bunch of other finishers. It honestly gave me goosebumps as I watched them approach the finish line and know they were going to make it.
Best of luck with your running.
It's actually kinda of fun spectating sometimes. Watching people and knowing you can run like that too.
Always gotta bring the cowbells.
ps. Like the Chicago race shirt by the way. My hometown.
I had to smile when you were describing running to the finish. I am never as aerodynamic as I should be either!
Sounds like you were a great support for everyone. I like the sign your friend's wife made too.
so fun!!! i love spectating :) its fun to be obnoxious with the cowbell!
Glad you had fun! I totally want a cowbell now :)
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