homage to butter and and eggs...

I feel like this mound of butter after eating for 4 days straight in portland. All it's missing is a huge mound of bacon, too.

As if walking isn't enough

Inspired by a fellow friend starting their training journey, I thought it would be more fun to go walking with her. Kim is training for a half marathon in Florida in late February and has not made time to train but is still determined to finish the race. So, we met today to try out walking legs out on one of the prettiest trails in SF.

We started in the parking lot across from Beach Chalet at Ocean Beach, walked up the hill towards the Cliff House, down the path through the Sutro Baths, up the stairs to the Coastal trail out towards Land's End and back. 6 miles and 2 hours later, we stretched and were done with a full day ahead of us...it was only 10am!

Though the scenery and company was great, something seemed unfinished. I felt like I needed to RUN. So I headed to Kezar Stadium and ran the track for 2 miles just to get it out of my system. The flat, level course seemed a breeze compared with the hilly uneven pavement of the coastal trail. For an added challenge, I did interval training spurts to play with my speed, running hard for the straight aways and jogging comfortably around the corners. In a short period of time, its a great way to get an impactful workout.

I was supposed to run 10 miles today, but ran 2 and walked 6. When I say 'supposed' to I mean in terms of my mental preparation calendar for the Kaiser Half Marathon coming up on Superbowl Sunday. The whole point in keeping up with the this running this is to improve my time. So, I want to stay on top my training, but am slacking. Clay thinks we will run 10 during the week which is doable just difficult after work. I must hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and kick this damn cold in the butt if that is going to happen this coming week!

Blackie's Pasture

8 miles. Well that was the goal anyway. Needless to say, it didn't happen. After 6 miles, I was spent, had no drive and was unmotivated. The day was beautiful but for whatever reason just didn't have it in me.

Afterwards, we picked up lunch in Sausalito and ate by the Ferry pick up. The solo guitar playing dude was playing sad love songs for his late dog who had passed on New Year's eve. Tourists were out in flocks enjoying the day, click happy with their digital cameras. We sat woofed on the benches people watching.

Then we visited Stephanie, Clay's roommate, and her bf Toby on his boat in Sausalito. Was cozy and quaint, right on the water. I couldn't imagine sleeping there during a rainstorm, but on a gorgeous day like today it all seemed worth it. During our visit we learned that 'nappy rash' is actually auzie for diaper rash, not a rash you get while napping. And, vegimite is some sort of black, caviar/peanut butter looking spread auzie's put on bread for snacks. (I thought it sounded like some sort of insect). Was an enlightening afternoon.

That evening, Harmonique celebrated 2008 with out annual 'Holiday Dinner' hosted by Pat and Jerry. Many cocktails and 3 courses laters, we passes stockings full of presents and packages like it was a replay of Christmas! Surprisingly, one of mine included a new iPhone!!! Nice way to end the 'year' and weekend.

The 'Race' Continues

The conversation in my head goes something like this...

"So we finished (yay!).
Could we have done better? Definitely.
Maybe we should try again......."

I'm not vowing to do another marathon (yet) or anything but I do have a little bug in my ear to do another race. It's that feeling of knowing you can do better and desire to make that notion a reality.

Looking ahead: Superbowl Sunday HALF Marathon. Seems doable.

We ran 6 miles last weekend and I was sore until Wednesday. WTF? It seems to me if I have a marathon under my belt that just shouldn't happen, but I guess you take 3 weeks off and pick anything back up and it takes adjustment. Dammit. Here we go again......