Be ready cause there is serious photo overload.  Might have to break this into two posts 1) before and 2) the race

We’ve been planning this for weeks.  The ladies running it have been in training mode for months.  At the beginning of January I started tagging along on their long runs with me on my bike.  I couldn’t run because of my hip but I could ride and it didn’t hurt at all.  After the second one, they all had decided I needed to come along and cheer them on.  After I got all the details sorted out and the hubby was ok with it, then we officially started planning.

The week before we had our planning meeting, fix our logos and make  one more sparkle skirt meeting.  This is most of us.  One more was on vacation in New Orleans.

The work table and yes I was made to bring my sewing machine lol

Our logos (again) ready to go.

So Saturday morning we loaded up and set out for Jacksonville.  I think we packed enough stuff 🙂  We were laughing on how much we were bringing for just a weekend and this was just my van, nevermind what what in the other 3 cars.

Everyone was set, gas tank was full and we set off.  We all packed our lunch so we could keep on trucking down the road.  The girls wanted to get to the expo and not be rushed.  She is laughing at me because I was taking pictures of her eating and my sandwich.

We made really good time and got to the expo in Jacksonville around 2:00 pm.  It was rainy, cold and windy.  Great!!!! (a whole lot of sarcasm in that one).  I got pics of everyone picking up their packets, race goodies and even got in a shot or two myself.

   

We actually got to meet the “Donna” who is a 3 time cancer survivor and ran the marathon with everyone.  One of my friends got her two books (both signed) and we got pictures with her. 

So we shopped a little bit, each of us got a little something.  Bondi bands, stickers, magnets, key chains, compression socks (that was me) or whatever we wanted.  I got a pair of the Runningskirts.com pink compression socks.  That was one of the booths I wanted to stop at in the expo.  While talking with this great girl, I noticed she has calves like mine and was wearing the socks.  Based on the pics on their website, I didn’t know if they would fit me.  Well they do and I love them!!  See happy feet!!!  I wore them home on Monday for the car ride and have for a run and bike ride.  Seriously they are awesome!

After everyone got settled in their rooms, we met to chat about dinner and race day.

Dinner was decided (most of them got pasta from Olive Garden and a couple of us got Longhorn) and then we set out to get food and meet up at our hotel for dinner.  There was plenty of tables and space for us to have a picnic in the lobby.

Here I am 🙂

Then we had a big surprise.  It was one of our friends birthday, so we secretly planned a whole surprise for her.  I got a cookie cake and a starbucks gift card.  Another friend got her a cute pink running shirt and card.  She was so surprised and felt loved.  Mission accomplished 🙂

The birthday girl!! Not only was it her birthday, it was her first marathon.  So proud of you!!!!

After visiting for a little while we all went back to our rooms.  Then gathered up for our flat mama’s.  It’s a thing in our running group (MRTT) you lay out your entire outfit and take a picture of it.

We were even missing two of them.  One sent us a pic of her’s and the other completely forgot.  And here is how you get high enough to take that shot.  lol

Me and my roommate met up with Florida MRTT girls in the lobby before heading to bed.  We had logos, headbands and other fun goodies for them.

One thing I forgot. . .

 

Stay tuned, race day post will come . . .