Beijing Day 2: Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City

On Monday morning, we were wide awake at 4:00 am. Despite our best attempts to sleep in while on vacation, each and every morning in China, we would wake up long before the sun rose. Even on days when we went to sleep after midnight:)

Jane and Hong met us at 9 am to begin our day with a trip to Tian'anmen Square, which lies in the center of Beijing, just south of the Forbidden City. We entered through the Qianmen Gate, formerly the front gate (Zhengyangmen) to the Inner City of ancient Beijing. Although a relatively quiet day, we noted the heavy security both in police and military presence, and in screening and bag check points we were required to pass through in order to enter.

Qianmen Gate

Tian'anmen Square is surrounded by the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall to the south, the Great Hall of the People to the west, the National Museum of China to the east, and The Forbidden City to the north. In its center stands the Monument of the People's Heroes.

To enter the Forbidden City, we passed through Tien'anmen Gate, built during the Ming Dynasty, the location where common people could stand to listen as proclamations were issued to the whole nation. The iconic photo of Mao Zedong, first chairmen of the Chinese Communist Party, has hung above the central gate since his death in 1976.

Tien'anmen Gate - Gate of Heavenly Peace

The Forbidden City, once the home of 24 emperors - fourteen of the Ming Dynasty and ten of the Qing Dynasty - is surrounded by a city wall and a moat. It is full of symbolic detail that clearly reflects the majesty of Imperial power. With Jane's guidance, we noted that almost all the roofs were yellow glazed tiles, the color of the Emperor. Group of three (representing Heaven), six (representing Earth) and nine (representing the Emperor) were also found throughout. And the Dragon and Phoenix, symbols only used for the Emperor and Empress respectively, were seen again and again.

We spent a number of hours exploring Forbidden City's outer and inner courts, and the Palace Museum, filled with bronzeware, paintings, ceramics, timepieces, porcelain and jade and Palace artifacts.

And taking countless pictures, of course:)

Beijing Day 1: Travel Day

We're already back! Its hard to believe how quickly the week passed, and just how much we managed to pack into our once-in-a-lifetime trip to Beijing.

The photo above is of Mark and I toasting to our journey just after boarding UA 889 from SFO to PEK. We certainly enjoyed the Business Class experience - the seats were both comfy and roomy, the food and wine were enjoyable, and the service was lovely (although more so on our return trip home). Sadly, we still found it difficult to sleep much on the 12 and a half hour flight, even after only getting 2 hours of sleep the night before our departure (thanks to a delayed flight home from Los Angeles on Friday night, getting me in to begin packing just after midnight!). Traveling over the Pacific Ocean, it was strange to have the sun shine continuously as we transitioned from Saturday to Sunday.

We arrived in Beijing at around 3:30pm, and were met at the airport by our local tour guide, Jane, and driver, Hong. Although we knew we would be provided with transportation between the airport and hotel, what we didn't know is that these two would also be our personal guides throughout the trip! What a difference they made.

After settling into our hotel room, we adventured out into downtown Beijing to find some dinner. Quickly, we learned the value of our Mandarin phrasebook. After waiting nearly 20 minutes to be approached by the waitstaff, we soon realized that there were only two that knew a few select English phrases - the majority seems worried to even stop at our table for fear of having to communicate.

We managed to order our first dinner, which included Beijing's famous 北京烤鴨 (Roast Duck).

Carving the duck in front of our table.

Served with thin steamed pancakes, sliced cucumber and scallions, and sweet noodle sauce (similar to Hoisen sauce).

Learning the proper way to assemble our meal.

Attempting to follow suit.

Chinese beer, which along with hot tea, flows more freely than water.

Love Is...

...returning from a weekend away to wonderful aromas filling our home.

I was only at home for one day between my business trip last week and leaving for Chicago this past Saturday morning for an additional four days away. I tried to make up for it after my first trip with a little present for my hubby - the cookbook stand that he's been wanting for for some time now.

Mark appreciated the gesture, and to test it out, randomly opened one of our cookbooks to a Salmon and Dill Quiche recipe. He noticed how excited I was about the recipe, which is why it was baking in the oven I got back late on Tuesday night. That, along with a delicious Ham and Cheese Feullete.

What a yummy, yummy dinner. Thank you, honey!

Thank You

Together, we raised $2,796.20 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, helping the Nike Women's Marathon raise over $18 million for this organization!

Conquering the Marathon

Its been almost a week now since I completed the Nike Women's Marathon. The experience was worlds different from my first marathon. Last year, I was on the course participating on my own, but had so many friends and family come out to line the streets of Chicago and cheer for me. That support carried me a long way, and I knew I was going to miss having it this time around.

Instead, in San Francisco, I knew that I'd be running the course as part of a group. Not only would my local Redwood Wine Country chapter be present, but Team In Training as a whole would make up nearly 1/4 of the event's 20,000 participants! There would be a sea of purple on the course - along with TNT coaches, captains and mentors - and I could only hope that they would step in and help Mark cheer me along to a successful finish.

Through Team In Training, we were provided with hotel rooms in San Francisco's Union Square for the nights both before and after the event. It was a huge relief to not have to worry about driving an hour into the city, finding parking, and making my way to the start line by 7 am.

Even so, by 4:50 am on Sunday morning my roommate, Stephi, and I were awake, getting dressed, and eating our pre-race mini peanut butter and jelly bagel sandwiches, making sure we were in the lobby for our team's 5:30 am designated meeting time. After a little pep talk, we hopped on a shuttle bus to the start line, and by just after 6am, were shivering as we worked our way through the pre-race routine of porta potty stops (2, just to make sure), hydration attempts, and gear check. My sleeveless singlet and shorts were doing little to keep me warm in the 50 deg air, and I wished I had remembered the trick of wearing a trash bag - with holes cut out for my head and arms - to keep me warm.

Audrey, Melinda and Lindsey at the Start Line

By 6:45am, I was huddled at the start line with my running buddies Melinda and Lindsey, with whom I intended to run the beginning of the race. They convinced me to start with them in the 9:00-9:59 min/mile pace group, and although I was a little nervous about the fast pace, I conceded. I had trained with these two all season long, and thus knew that I would not keep up with them for the entire event. Even so, I was determined to try to run with a group for as long as possible - it would help to keep me motivated.

At 7:00am, with the sun not quite up yet, the start horn sounded, and we were off! It was challenging for the three of us to try to stay together as we weaved through the start crowds. By mile 2 we had started to warm up, and daylight was breaking. We were keeping a steady and comfortable pace and the pre-race hydration had worked - no need to break with the large crowds at water stops 1 and 2! After much deliberation, I had also decided to wear the fuel belt that I trained with. Good decision, because I never actually needed the water stops (again, so different from last year!)

Somewhere around mile 5, I looked to my left and saw my inspiration. Sarah Reinersten was on the course, running! For those of you who don't know the story, I met this amazing woman - the first woman above-the-knee amputee to complete an Ironman Triathlon - at a conference earlier this year, and she is the reason I ever started to consider running another marathon. Her words to me were The marathon is waiting for you...Run Strong!

I couldn't believe she was there. I wish I had been able to think to say more then "Sarah!" and wave hello. Seeing her carried me up and over the hills between miles 6 and 10. I was on top of the world!

First view of the Pacific Ocean, just after mile 10.

As we entered Golden Gate Park, I was already feeling the miles. I started to focus on seeing Mark at mile 14, but was getting worried because Lindsey and Melinda seemed to be picking up the pace. I could feel myself struggling to keep up, and at mile 12 after another set of hills, finally dropped back and yelled ahead "You guys go - I'm going to slow down".

Quickly, my senses came to me. Was I really going to start walking at mile 12? I knew I could keep up with them for longer. If I didn't I would be on my own for the remaining half of the race. I sped up and caught back up with them. "Just kidding - I'm still with you guys," I said. Another good decision.

Just after mile 14, I looked up ahead and saw Mark! Lifting my arms over my head, I started waving, and he saw me, posing the camera to take an action photo. "I'll see you up ahead, what' your pace?" he yelled (once he realized that I wasn't slowing down to greet him - I couldn't! I had just made up my mind to keep running with the group). I had no idea.

At mile 14, Lindsey and Melina going strong - Audrey, a little tired:)

We continued through the park and onto the Great Highway, where we saw Mentor Jenn, cheering and clapping for us. She had just finished the half-marathon, and was already out on the course to support the other runners. We started to look for Lindsey's family, and around mile 16, we saw them. Lindsey's Mom, who ran the race last year, joined us on the course and kept us company for the next two miles!

Mile 18 was going to be a big one. Mentor Joel had told us at the pasta party the night before that he was going to run with whoever got to mile 18 first. We kept talking about how great it was going to be to have his support, and there he was up ahead! I was faltering, and was falling behind the group. One last little burst of speed caught me up to where Lindsey and Melinda had started to run with Joel, and I waved hello, and let them know I was dropping back. This time I really meant it.

Mile 18 is where I began my run/walk marathon. My body hurt, and I was out of breath from having run the first 18 miles so quickly. I had to slow down, but also knew that there were still 8 miles ahead of me. Mark sent me a text message to see where I was - I think he feared that he might not make it to the next point on time. I called him back to reassure him - I was slowing down, and it would be a while before I got to 21. "Don't worry," he said, "you're doing great! Take your time - I'll be here when you get here. I'm so proud of you honey!"

And my slow circle around Lake Merced began. At times, I think I walked more than I ran. This part of the course I knew would be tough. I was so thankful when I got to 21, and saw Mark again. This time, he got a hug, and I grabbed his hand and asked him to walk with me for a bit. It was so great to have the company for a few minutes before starting up again!

Meeting Mark at mile 21.

At this point, I was taking little swigs of GU (I had emptied 5 packets into that little bottle on the front of my belt) every 2 miles, praying for bursts of energy. During one of my swigs, a photographer started taking photos as he closed in on me. He jogged beside me and introduced himself as a photographer for the San Francisco Examiner, gathering my name and asking what I was doing. No photo in that paper, but still pretty cool!

Somewhere around mile 24, I realized that even with slowing down, I might still make my goal or a 4:30 marathon. I couldn't believe it! A race photographer must have caught me as I re-committed myself and ABSOLUTELY knew that I was going to finish!!!

Pumped!

The last 2.2 miles were where I most appreciated having my name on my shirt. Hearing "Go Audrey! You Can Do It!", and "Keep Smiling, Audrey, You're Almost There!" was wonderful. I had also received the same type of encouragement all along the course in text messages from Melissa. The TNT support along the course was amazing, and mentors and coaches from all over the country made sure to ask me how I was doing.

At mile 26, I finally saw Coach Kathleen, who started to run beside me, and then pointed ahead where Coach Renie and Mentor Joel were waiting to run me to the finish line. I was thrilled to see them, and couldn't help but smile as Joel yelled "Alright!! There she is"! Joel lifted his arms up, and pointed to me, getting the crowd to cheer me on. At they ran on either side of me, they thanked me for the great job I had done, and reminded me of all work and effort I had put in. My heart started to race as I realized the enormity of the moment. "I Did It," I said. And then I yelled, "I actually DID IT"!!! I was pumped up, and just before the finish line, they patted me on the back and dropped back, saying "This is your moment - enjoy every minute of it"!

Crossing the final timing mat!!!

I was elated as I crossed the finish line - officially in 4:26:34! I had even beat my goal!!! The emotions were overwhelming, and the feeling of accomplishment was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I couldn't keep the tears from falling as I picked up my finisher's medal, and shirt.

And although I was smiling, the tears kept falling - I felt amazing, and so incredibly proud of myself. Finally, I had experienced the amazing feeling of completing a marathon that I had been told about, but missed out on in my experience last year!

I DID IT. I CONQUERED THE MARATHON!

I hope I never lose the memory of how I felt last Sunday. My eyes still well up with tears when I think about it.

It was amazing. Incredible. I LOVED IT.

Run Like a Girl

Its the official motto of the Nike Women's Marathon.

Which is why rather than a pre-event Fitness Expo, we get an "Expotique", complete with complementary maincures,

foot massages,
and back massages.

Yep, its good to be a girl!

That's my name on the wall outside of Niketown:)

We're Finally Booked!

I bet you've all forgotten about that trip to China we won. How can I blame you? I shared the story seven months ago, and you haven't heard a peep about it since. The truth is, we just solidified our hotel reservations today:)

We finally decided on November 22nd through 29th (yes, that's right - over Thanksgiving) in order to minimize the number of classes that Mark would have to miss as a result of the travel. If you recall, most of the summer was not an option due to blackout dates surrounding the Olympics.

So far, we have our flights booked, our hotel confirmed, and an itinerary of guided tours determined (including a trip to the Badaling portion of the Great Wall of China, pictured above). The major remaining items to complete include obtaining our tourist visas and getting the necessary immunizations for the trip.

So there you have it, folks! The excitement is starting to build.....

Beijing, Here We Come!!!