Brandie's Santa Cruz Half Marathon Report

Submitted by Brandie Garcia @BrandieCakez

Santa Cruz Half Marathon, Sunday April 7th, 2013

I’m woken up by my boyfriend Mike bright and early at 5 am and the first thing he does is kiss me and say “Happy Birthday-Eve,” roll over and cuddle him for “just FIVE MORE minutes,” like I begged of him until he pushed me out of bed and urged me to get a move on it. I hadn’t had a chance to get to packet pick up before the race, so we had to head to Santa Cruz early in order to make sure I had enough time to get my packet. Happy Birthday Eve to MEEEEE

Color Run San Francisco race report

Submitted by Brandie Garcia @BrandieCakez

Saturday morning and I'm waiting for Emily and Christina to get to my house by 8:15 so we can leave for the city for our run at Candle Stick Park. It's 8:18 and Christina shows up and tells me that Em just woke up. So we hop in the car and drive over to the next town to pick her up.

Both girls have an injury that Doctor's orders prevent them from running, but allow them to walk. I agree to walk the race with them; initially, Christina was my personal #run3rd dedication going into this 5k. Christina had gone to pick up our packets and shirts and she made sure that I got one of my favorite colors (teal or orange) as my color.

We were finally the next wave of people to go and the announcers helped to drown out the comments. The thing that I love the most about color runs is that they're just FUN. The events coordinators do such an amazing job. While you're in line waiting to go, the people commentating throw out goodies to the racers from wristbands, to frisbys, to drawstring backpacks, shorts, shirts, and sweatshirts—I'm telling you all the swag they sell they're throwing out for free! I got a wrist band from Emily before the race began, I thought that was really nice of her to pass off something she caught to me. It brightened my mood.

Brandie's Princess Half race report

Submitted by Brandie Garcia @BrandieCakez

Reflections on the Princess Half 
and Getting my Coast to Coast

Travel: I woke up Friday morning at 4 am which gave me just enough time to clean up my mess from packing the night before. Got my puppy Koda up, walked, fed and some extra one-on-one cuddle time before I left. I’ve always maintained that if I ever were to become homeless, I’d leave the Bay Area. Why? Well, because the cold here is bone chilling! I’d much rather take negative degree temps in Colorado than anything under 50 degrees at home. Needless to say I was leaving home looking slightly like an Eskimo and I had shoes and socks on (this is a big deal because being a California girl I am for the most part in flip flops or bare foot). My best friend Keira and her mom came to pick me up. I said goodbye to my 90 year old grandparents who wished me luck and told me they knew I could win!