You know the song right? Well if I was Maria, and singing along with the Von Trapp children, I’d put San Francisco and Running on the list of a few of my favourite things. So I was pleasantly shocked last week when the powers from above combined them and now I’m planning a trip to California for the Nike Women’s Marathon • San Francisco.

I know, I know, more Cali-love but long story short – I entered my name in a random draw to run and figured I’d have a slim-to-nothing chance of getting in. I unsuccessfully tried to get in the New York Marathon three years in a row and figured this one would be even harder. The Nike Women’s Running series has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while now and when I saw that it’s the 10th anniversary, I decided to put my name on the list and VOILA, i’m in! (Glad I didn’t sign up for the full marathon because i’d be seriously freaking right now). 21 km is doable, nothing to stress about and an easy recovery which will allow me to enjoy the rest of the holiday. I am a ‘little’ worried about the hills and may not love my two loves when combined but I will give it my all and enjoy the view… not to mention the Tiffany’s necklace handed out by men in tuxedos as motivation to get to the finish line.

Halifax is a great city for hill training – and after running a 12 km trail race in Wentworth over the weekend, I am reminded that practice won’t hurt!

As for my vacation plans –This will be my third time to California and second time to San Francisco. I’ve already walked the city and saw a lot but I didn’t get to vist Alcatraz and the SFMOMA. When we were in San Francisco, David was 8 months-old so it will be nice to have a bit more freedom to hop on a trolly and stay out later than 7pm. The other plan is to leave the city and drive to Yosemite and then come up the Pacific Coast. Not too sure on the details but it will be fun and something to look forward to. xo-meg

​David and I at the top of Lombard Street, 2009