Monday, November 24, 2008

Good Times & Great Running in San Francisco


Beth and I headed to San Francisco on Saturday morning for a weekend of partying and running. Obviously the two don't go very well together but we had a great time. Beth was throwing and engagement party for one her best friends from high school, Blythe.

We got to that airport Saturday morning around 10:30 and were stuck! The airport was fogged in and no southwest flights had been allowed to take off or land all morning. Luckily we already checked in online the day before so we didn't have to deal with that mega line. The flights were so backed and the gate area was so packed that they weren't even letting any body to the gates. So thousands of people were in the "security line" at a complete stand still for hours.

Our flight was supposed to leave at 1130am but it was no doubt delayed, but only by 90 minute while most of the other flights were canceled or delayed up to 4 hours. After standing in line for an hour and a half and not moving they called our flight and we went to the front of the line and were on the plane to SF in less than 30 minutes. We were so stoked to be on the plane.

Saturday night was killer. Blythe and Zandy cooked us an awesome dinner of Turkey burgers, sweet potato fries, and a mixed green salad with avocado and tomatoes...(check v02 maxxed for the recipe) and we opened a couple bottles of wine before we set out to the party. The bar, The Wine Jar, for the party was literally right around the corner and the party was super fun. There was plenty to drink and a lot good people.

Our awesome hosts. Bythe and Zandy.


good wine. Educated Guess.


Beth going big!


me and the lil' monster


Sunday morning was rough... for Beth. I woke up feeling like a million bucks, but poor little beth was shelled! She could not move or get out of bed. I thought for sure out planned 18 mile run through the city was not going to happen, and was kind of stoked about it. But Beth rallied like never before. After some Excedrin and a big breakfast Beth told me she was ready to go. I was shocked but I agreed to head out.

The run turned out being awesome. Beth nailed all of her paces and I felt great the whole time. It was the longest run of my life in terms of duration. 2:18 and about equal in length to my longest run... 18.17 miles... with quite a bit of climbing (sorry lucho). The route that Beth created was amazing. We started in the city, then hit golden gate park to ocean beach, then up to El Camino Delmar and the California Coastal Trail, out and back over the golden gate bridge, and then along Crissy Fields to the Marina. The best run of my life hands down. It was exacty what I was talking about in my last post. I was running for the sake of running. Sure I was helping hit her paces but we were just out there exploring the city and the time and miles flew by. I'm so stoked Beth got herself together and made me go on this run.

The route.


The rest of the day was spent relaxing and watching the Chargers totally blow any chance at making the playoffs this year. I am glad it's over... no more stressing on sundays... ok not really I'm pissed! First the Padres and now the Charger have both had horrible seasons. Being a San Diego sports fan is not easy.

I was up pretty early this morning to get in one more run before we had to head to the airport. I met up with JP who was in town for some eating and good times. We headed up Fillmore and down to the bay and then out to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was good route and then we ran back up Fillmore which was super steep. I was really surprised with how my legs felt after yesterdays effort.

this morning's run. Check the last climb.


Now I am back home and tired. Time for Monday night Football and some of Beth's home cooking.

8 comments:

Luke said...

one week too early...i think we are going to hit up SF this weekend after thanks. i miss that place. looks like ya had a blast!

beth said...

thanks for digging me out of the hole. i owe you!

runninggunner said...

Sounds like a killer weekend. Very impressed at getting in the miles after what looks like a bit of wine the night before.

SF is awesome. One of my best runs ever was in the early am there.

Dan said...

Cool trip and amazing run. Too bad the Chargers don't have half the commitment of you or Beth, they'd be on to the Superbowl.

FatDad said...

Good looking weekend. I've only spent one day in SF but it was pretty rad. Thats actually where this profile pic was taken: my first and only visit to In-n-Out! FatDad going animal style!

Matt said...

Keepin' it real with the running and the partying. Nice job. Good luck in Topanga!

Benson said...

Nice job you two.
Taking it all in.
Literally "all in"

Sarah said...

I'm so glad you did the route you did - def best possible 'running tour' of SF and I was thinking of you guys when I was in GG Park that morning for our XC race and thought "wow, they got perfect running weather!"

Glad you had such an awesome weekend, too!!