Sat. 22
I was completely zoned out that day. I was so nervous about the marathon that I couldn’t focus on anything except on my fears that something might just go wrong. Will my right ankle hurt? Will my left Achilles hurt? I haven’t run beyond 13 miles since I sprained my ankle over 10 weeks ago. I ran 8 miles on the 16th and it wasn’t a problem but my ankle did hurt a little. I was scared and for the whole day I could not think straight.
NC and I decided to crash at CB’s place, which was closer to the city. So at 6pm he came over and we dropped off my car at the finish line so I can drive us back to his car, at the start line, when we’re done. But I was so out of it that I forgot to take out the remote control to CB’s house. Luckily his housemate was home to let us in. By 7:30pm we both finished half a pound of pasta each, carbo loading for the next day. I laid out my gear for the next morning knowing I’d be too nervous to remember to bring the things I needed, then we tried to sleep by 10pm.
Sunday 23, Marathon Day
At 3am my anxiety woke me up and I couldn’t go back to sleep. I pretty much tossed and turned until 4:30am when NC and I both got up to eat breakfast. Two slices of toast with peanut butter, orange juice and coffee for me.
We got to Union Square at 6:30am where the race began. The 4 blocks surrounding Union Square and the side streets leading to it were filled with 19,000 runners and 150 registered male runners (so I heard). NC was proud to be one of them. At 6:30 am the sky was still dark and the streets were filled with women in T-shirts/tank tops and shorts, a great place to be for a guy. Though it was early in the morning, I didn’t feel cold at all, the number of people there and my nervousness helped warm me up. Finally at 7:15 we crossed the start line amongst the 10-12min/mile runners.
Along the way the streets were filled with cheering squads from family members, friends, members of Team In Training, there was even a high school cheerleading team and DJ’s to play us some beats. From Union square we headed towards Embarcadero to Golden Gate, through Presidio then to Cliff house, down Great American highway through Golden Gate Park then Up towards Lake Merced at mile 19th. That’s when we hit our last hill and I said screw it, I’m not going to kill my body over this. I walked up the hill then ran around lake Merced, my running pace slowed down to about 12:50min/mi making each mile longer than I’ve ever experienced by 23 mile I was so beat I had to walk and finally I ran the last 2 miles. If there wasn’t a crowd lining the last half mile of the run I probably would have walked my way back, but the cheers were very encouraging and I managed to pull whatever will power I had left and finished at 5 hours 1 min and 8 sec. Though cheering squads were great, my biggest motivator was NC, who kept pace with me till 19th mile when it was time to fend for ourselves. Along the whole way we kept encouraging eachother, no matter how much in pain I was I'd tell him "I feel great, ankle doesn't hurt"
Once I passed the finish line NC spotted me and we both desperately searched for a place to sit. We were hurting. I've never felt more pain in my knees, my back, my ankle, my feet, even my arms. After whining for 30 min we hopped on the shuttle back to his car BECAUSE stupid me forgot to bring the KEYS to my car which we parked by the park the night before! It was a good thing we took the shuttle though because I passed out the moment I sat down. But I owe NC a good meal for driving me back to the park to pick up my car. It may not seem like a big deal, but after running all morning and you're body is hurting, every second away from you bed is a big deal.
After fighting city traffic I made it home by 3:40pm and forced a quick shower and I crashed in bed. BUT I couldn’t sleep. A few minutes into falling asleep I would get nightmares that I’m still running, then I’d freak out. These nightmares continued to reoccur for the whole 3 hours that I tried to sleep. I guess when you spend 5 hours watching your world bob up and down from running, it can become a nightmare. By 7pm I was hungry and I wrapped up the night with more pasta, a few episodes of 24, courtesy of Mikey and a Haagen Daza from Tine.
I had planned on calling in sick and resting on Monday. But ‘common, how could I have forgotten who I worked for. Jack ass.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Nike Ad
My BUTT is Big
AND ROUND LIKE THE LETTER C
AND 26.2 miles
HAVE MADE IT ROUNDER
BUT NOT SMALLER
AND THAT'S JUST FINE.
IT'S A SPACE HEATER FOR MY SIDE OF THE BED
IT'S MY AMBASSADOR
TO THOSE WHO WALK BEHIND ME
IT'S A BORDER COLLIE
THAT HERDS SKINNY WOMEN
AWAY FROMT HE BEST DEALS
AT CLOTHING SALES.
MY BUTT IS BIG
AND THAT'S JUST FINE
AND THOSE WHO MIGHT SCORN IT
ARE INVITED TO KISS IT
JUST DO IT.
AND ROUND LIKE THE LETTER C
AND 26.2 miles
HAVE MADE IT ROUNDER
BUT NOT SMALLER
AND THAT'S JUST FINE.
IT'S A SPACE HEATER FOR MY SIDE OF THE BED
IT'S MY AMBASSADOR
TO THOSE WHO WALK BEHIND ME
IT'S A BORDER COLLIE
THAT HERDS SKINNY WOMEN
AWAY FROMT HE BEST DEALS
AT CLOTHING SALES.
MY BUTT IS BIG
AND THAT'S JUST FINE
AND THOSE WHO MIGHT SCORN IT
ARE INVITED TO KISS IT
JUST DO IT.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Wedding at Waikiki
Here's another blog that took forever to compose.
But let's start from the beginning of the trip when CB and I were bussed over to Thrify Car rental to pick up the Cadillac STS he reserved over the internet. I waited outside with other eager tourists watching rental cars pull up, loaded with suit cases then taking off. The crowd was thinning and soon I was the only one there. I looked into the building knowing they must have screwed up our reservation. CB stepped out to tell me they didn't have the car he wanted but they'll drive it over from another location in about 10 min. "They were going to offer me anything on the lot, but I said 'NO' I want that car [pointing to the picture of a gray sedan]" So we sat down on the Thrify bench surrounded by several rental cars and enjoyed the start of our vacation. In less than 10min. CB jumped up and smiled, there it is. I stood up slightly confused "this is it? are you sure?" He smiled excitedly "yah!" He signed some papers, then proceeded to pop the trunk with the Chrysler emblem shining clearly in front of me. "babe, this isn't a Cadillac" I burst out laughing at how he could've made such a mistake, even with the car in front of him. Apparently when he made the reservation online, the page only provided a picture with no vehicle description.
We strolled around during the day then drove out of Waikiki to find a non-tourist place to eat. CB wanted to go to Safeway to pick up some salmon lomi then a bottle of Kettle one and some mixers. I started passing out on the way home and crashed at 9pm. What a waste, but hey, it's me. I can't stay awake for the life of me. At 1 am CB couldn't stop stirring around the room then he dragged my ass out for a walk. We got to check out the homeless of Waikiki and lots of very skinny prostitutes.
Day 2
You really get to know someone when you travel together. I was the navigator to Manoa falls in
the morning, then an hour drive North to "the shrimp shack" for lunch.
Apparently CB doesn't like my navigating skills. I'm not sure how else to navigate for someone who doesn't listen.
The shrimp was fresh, and the sauce was really good. But if it weren't for the hype in the tourist books, I wouldn't have driven so far for a few pieces of shrimp. We swung by the Macadamian Outlet and sampled a variety of flavoured macadamians.. yummy!!
Then the drive home again. grr.. I wanted to catapult the driver off the island.
We were going to be late catching the bus for Germaine's Luau. Sure enough, everyone was waiting for us in the bus, I hate that feeling of walking all the way to the back of the bus with all eyes staring.
Germaines Luau at night.
It was my first Luau so I was excited, plus I love watching Polynesian dancing. We sat across a couple and the guy's mom. The mom was in her 50's and she was so wasted since the start of the show. She was dancing in her seat and she kept reaching across to talk to us. In the end when they left she came over to give us hugs and kisses, blessing us through the alcohol in her breath.
Ocean's Club at night. Nothing spectacular. I was tired, the crowd was young. It looked like I stepped into The Element Party on Waikiki.
Day 3
Morning Cruise. We had initially planned for a sunset cruise, but with the strong winds and high waves, the surfers were the only one's enjoying the weather.
We hopped onto a bus at 7am that took us out to Ko'Olina harbor. We saw lots of dolphins and the captain stopped the boat as the dolphins swam up to check us out.
Then I saw flying fishes! These tropical fishes jump out of the water and literally fly for a good 5-10 seconds! Then we snorkeled. I saw a puffer fish but no turtles, I was really hoping to catch a glimpse of those big turles. We got back at 2ish and it was the fist time we laid down on the beach to rest.
Rehearsal dinner at Sam Choys.
Cleared the bottle of Kettle One with some other wedding guests at night. Then passed out.
Day 4
We drove to The Original Pancake House for breakfast from the recommendation of a local. At 10am there was a line outside the door that looked about 30 people long and the waiting list had atleast 10 tables ahead of us, but we were seated in 15 minutes. Our target was their banana macadamian nut pancake. CB ordered 3 of them, I ordered 2 cocconut pancakes and we shared an omlette. The waitress repeated our order "you want an omlette and FIVE pancakes?"
We cleared our plates and the omlette. The waitress was impressed. On our way out I glanced at the waiting list and noticed they've already serverd 20 tables since we sat down. Fast service and fast eaters!
At 11:30 am we were picked up to go jet skiing. We were greeted by a local who had a few missing teeth in the front in addition to a few chipped one's. He stepped out of the boat with duck tape wrapped around his right big toe. He explained he had a deep cut in his toe that extended to the balls of his foot from surfing. He had superglued it then used the tape to hold it together. That's just nasty. It didn't make me feel too safe riding with him.
Wedding at Ko'Olina JW Marriot. Lovely place. They had an open bar after the reception and I had one of the best Pina Colada's ever. For dinner I sat across one of the bridesmaid's and her daughter. The 4 year old is so cute. Her eyes beamed when they poured "champagne" into her glass and she was so excited to cheer with us like an adult
.
Passed out on the way home. Go figure. And that was the end of my trip.
But let's start from the beginning of the trip when CB and I were bussed over to Thrify Car rental to pick up the Cadillac STS he reserved over the internet. I waited outside with other eager tourists watching rental cars pull up, loaded with suit cases then taking off. The crowd was thinning and soon I was the only one there. I looked into the building knowing they must have screwed up our reservation. CB stepped out to tell me they didn't have the car he wanted but they'll drive it over from another location in about 10 min. "They were going to offer me anything on the lot, but I said 'NO' I want that car [pointing to the picture of a gray sedan]" So we sat down on the Thrify bench surrounded by several rental cars and enjoyed the start of our vacation. In less than 10min. CB jumped up and smiled, there it is. I stood up slightly confused "this is it? are you sure?" He smiled excitedly "yah!" He signed some papers, then proceeded to pop the trunk with the Chrysler emblem shining clearly in front of me. "babe, this isn't a Cadillac" I burst out laughing at how he could've made such a mistake, even with the car in front of him. Apparently when he made the reservation online, the page only provided a picture with no vehicle description.
We strolled around during the day then drove out of Waikiki to find a non-tourist place to eat. CB wanted to go to Safeway to pick up some salmon lomi then a bottle of Kettle one and some mixers. I started passing out on the way home and crashed at 9pm. What a waste, but hey, it's me. I can't stay awake for the life of me. At 1 am CB couldn't stop stirring around the room then he dragged my ass out for a walk. We got to check out the homeless of Waikiki and lots of very skinny prostitutes.
Day 2
You really get to know someone when you travel together. I was the navigator to Manoa falls in
the morning, then an hour drive North to "the shrimp shack" for lunch.
Apparently CB doesn't like my navigating skills. I'm not sure how else to navigate for someone who doesn't listen.
The shrimp was fresh, and the sauce was really good. But if it weren't for the hype in the tourist books, I wouldn't have driven so far for a few pieces of shrimp. We swung by the Macadamian Outlet and sampled a variety of flavoured macadamians.. yummy!!
Then the drive home again. grr.. I wanted to catapult the driver off the island.
We were going to be late catching the bus for Germaine's Luau. Sure enough, everyone was waiting for us in the bus, I hate that feeling of walking all the way to the back of the bus with all eyes staring.
Germaines Luau at night.
It was my first Luau so I was excited, plus I love watching Polynesian dancing. We sat across a couple and the guy's mom. The mom was in her 50's and she was so wasted since the start of the show. She was dancing in her seat and she kept reaching across to talk to us. In the end when they left she came over to give us hugs and kisses, blessing us through the alcohol in her breath.
Ocean's Club at night. Nothing spectacular. I was tired, the crowd was young. It looked like I stepped into The Element Party on Waikiki.
Day 3
Morning Cruise. We had initially planned for a sunset cruise, but with the strong winds and high waves, the surfers were the only one's enjoying the weather.
We hopped onto a bus at 7am that took us out to Ko'Olina harbor. We saw lots of dolphins and the captain stopped the boat as the dolphins swam up to check us out.
Then I saw flying fishes! These tropical fishes jump out of the water and literally fly for a good 5-10 seconds! Then we snorkeled. I saw a puffer fish but no turtles, I was really hoping to catch a glimpse of those big turles. We got back at 2ish and it was the fist time we laid down on the beach to rest.
Rehearsal dinner at Sam Choys.
Cleared the bottle of Kettle One with some other wedding guests at night. Then passed out.
Day 4
We drove to The Original Pancake House for breakfast from the recommendation of a local. At 10am there was a line outside the door that looked about 30 people long and the waiting list had atleast 10 tables ahead of us, but we were seated in 15 minutes. Our target was their banana macadamian nut pancake. CB ordered 3 of them, I ordered 2 cocconut pancakes and we shared an omlette. The waitress repeated our order "you want an omlette and FIVE pancakes?"
We cleared our plates and the omlette. The waitress was impressed. On our way out I glanced at the waiting list and noticed they've already serverd 20 tables since we sat down. Fast service and fast eaters!
At 11:30 am we were picked up to go jet skiing. We were greeted by a local who had a few missing teeth in the front in addition to a few chipped one's. He stepped out of the boat with duck tape wrapped around his right big toe. He explained he had a deep cut in his toe that extended to the balls of his foot from surfing. He had superglued it then used the tape to hold it together. That's just nasty. It didn't make me feel too safe riding with him.
Wedding at Ko'Olina JW Marriot. Lovely place. They had an open bar after the reception and I had one of the best Pina Colada's ever. For dinner I sat across one of the bridesmaid's and her daughter. The 4 year old is so cute. Her eyes beamed when they poured "champagne" into her glass and she was so excited to cheer with us like an adult
.
Passed out on the way home. Go figure. And that was the end of my trip.
Pismo Beach
This is ridiculous. It's taking me forever to post a few blogs because I want to get pictures up. This one here has been since Sept. 8!! Screw it.. I'm just going to post it and put up the pictures later or maybe never.
Labor day weekend was spent at Pismo beach w/ CB NN and K, it's located half way between SF and LA. We spent our first two nights at Sea Venture Inn www.seaventure.com, a quaint little resort right on the beach. The King size bed had a feather mattress and 9 fluffy goose down pillows and a really fluffy down comforter. You completely sink into it. The 9 fluffy pillows made a nice display on the bed, but I seriously wonder about the functionality of them. It covers 1/3 of the bed then took up space on the floor when I placed them there to clear up some sleeping room. Our balcony over looked the ocean and included a hot tub too! The hot tub was like a blown up insta-tub, looks like something you can get at Costco and set up in your own back yard. Not a bad idea. You just fill it with water and turn on the jets. It'll heat up the water in a few hours! We spent our two days laying around the beach and relaxing. We had the option of riding dune buggies, ATVs or horse back riding but sometimes it's nice to just do nothing. We took a stroll and checked out the highly recommended restaurant "Splash", best known for their clam chowder. Then walked the family filled beach and watched surfers displaying their talent or lack of. We later found a clam the size of a palm. Maybe it was a geoduck (pronounced: gooey duck) but it was huge! That thing can be a clam steak! Anyhow, we gave it to an 8 year old boy who was clam digging with his grandma.
Then we went to Solvang,
a Danish Village about 30 minutes away from Pismo beach. The village offers European collectible and a Danish bakery on every corner. Surprisingly each bakery was packed with people including myself. I walked out with a box of Danish cookies and a box of pastries meant for breakfast the following day. http://www.solvangusa.com
There's a Casino 5 minutes from Solvang called Chumash and that's where we spent the night. I didn't spend much time at the tables since I suck at gambling. I also concluded that being a lousy gambler in combination with being poor as hell means I should probably gamble with someone else's money. Which I did, and lost. oops. So I retreated to my room and proceeded with the only remaining entertainment I could find in a Casino Hotel. I reached for MJ and my Danish cookies, passed out in a bed of cookie crumbs and the TV on.
Labor day weekend was spent at Pismo beach w/ CB NN and K, it's located half way between SF and LA. We spent our first two nights at Sea Venture Inn www.seaventure.com, a quaint little resort right on the beach. The King size bed had a feather mattress and 9 fluffy goose down pillows and a really fluffy down comforter. You completely sink into it. The 9 fluffy pillows made a nice display on the bed, but I seriously wonder about the functionality of them. It covers 1/3 of the bed then took up space on the floor when I placed them there to clear up some sleeping room. Our balcony over looked the ocean and included a hot tub too! The hot tub was like a blown up insta-tub, looks like something you can get at Costco and set up in your own back yard. Not a bad idea. You just fill it with water and turn on the jets. It'll heat up the water in a few hours! We spent our two days laying around the beach and relaxing. We had the option of riding dune buggies, ATVs or horse back riding but sometimes it's nice to just do nothing. We took a stroll and checked out the highly recommended restaurant "Splash", best known for their clam chowder. Then walked the family filled beach and watched surfers displaying their talent or lack of. We later found a clam the size of a palm. Maybe it was a geoduck (pronounced: gooey duck) but it was huge! That thing can be a clam steak! Anyhow, we gave it to an 8 year old boy who was clam digging with his grandma.
Then we went to Solvang,
a Danish Village about 30 minutes away from Pismo beach. The village offers European collectible and a Danish bakery on every corner. Surprisingly each bakery was packed with people including myself. I walked out with a box of Danish cookies and a box of pastries meant for breakfast the following day. http://www.solvangusa.com
There's a Casino 5 minutes from Solvang called Chumash and that's where we spent the night. I didn't spend much time at the tables since I suck at gambling. I also concluded that being a lousy gambler in combination with being poor as hell means I should probably gamble with someone else's money. Which I did, and lost. oops. So I retreated to my room and proceeded with the only remaining entertainment I could find in a Casino Hotel. I reached for MJ and my Danish cookies, passed out in a bed of cookie crumbs and the TV on.
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