Unbelievable

I almost wept when I read this. Take a look..............

Run Bitch Run

It's a good Friday

Your life is worth living

Live it to the fullest!

Giants - 10, Milwaukee - 6!!!

Keith and I were lucky enough to enjoy the San Francisco Giants' season-opener at AT&T Park today, along with over 47,000 other people. After hot temperatures yesterday, we woke up this morning to RAIN. The game being rained out was a threat for the majority of the morning. We decided to head up to the ballpark since the radio was saying the rain was subsiding in San Francisco. We already had tickets so we would have to figure out what to do with them anyway. To our surprise, it cleared up and the game went on as scheduled, all without a drop of rain. We sat in the bleachers which was a lot of fun. Do you know that people buy bleacher seats because they're the least expensive and that way they can spend all their money on beer? I swear. Lots of beer flowing in them bleachers.

Best boot-ay in all of baseball, right here (Aaron Rowand):

While others enjoy beer and hot dogs at the ballpark, I enjoy many (any) other options. Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl:

Kettle Corn:

And then there was this fried piece of dough. Half sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. The other half sprinkled with powdered sugar then topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

Sweet Jesus!

This picture was taken less than five minutes later. Please notice the empty plate!

Sully Sullenberger (the pilot that landed his plane on the Hudson), threw out the first pitch. Taylor Hicks sang The National Anthem.

It was a great game and a wonderful day spent with my husband. I think I ate too much junk though. Oh yeah, I also indulged in some peanuts. Gotta have those when you go to the ballgame, right? I'll be running this day off for weeks!

Until later.............

THAT'S what friends are for!

When Christy found out I was going to be running a hilly 18-20 miles by myself today, she volunteered to join me for a chunk of it. That's what friends do for each other. ;)

This was my first time on the top of Mission Peak today, by myself:

The devil herself, Mount Diablo, in the distance. I'll be doing my marathon there on the 19th.

My second time on the top of Mission Peak today, with Christy this time:

The final climbing portion to the peak:

What would the run have been without momma and baby cow striking a pose for me?

I arrived at the Stanford Avenue parking lot this morning at 8:15 to make my trek up to the top of Mission Peak. It was a beautiful morning. Sunny, clear, 51 degrees. I climbed the 2,100+ feet to the top in 1:15. I ran back down to the parking lot where Christy was there waiting for me. I quickly refilled my water bottles, made a potty stop and the two of us took off up the mountain together. I'd never made this trip twice in one day but I knew the elevation gain and loss was something I needed to do to feel good about my upcoming marathon with almost 8,000 feet of gain (and loss). It had warmed up significantly by this time. We took a little different route to the top this time. It was not as direct and it had a lot more climbing. I don't know how long this took us but I know I was moving slower this trip up. After we got to the top, we headed down the other side and went behind the peak to a water pump and I dipped my head under it and got my entire body wet. It felt sooooo good! Just one more climb and then it was downhill, almost the entire way to the parking lot. I thought it had really warmed up and when I got back to my car I understood why. It was 83 degrees!!!

My total distance for today was 17 miles. Total elevation gain was more than 4,500 feet. No knee pain at all. That's a good thing.

I feel like I'm ready for Diablo in two weeks. ;)

Until later.............

Lake Chabot - Castro Valley

Boomer and I took Christy to Lake Chabot today to run the nine mile inner loop around the lake. It was a gorgeous day - clear as could be. A bit chilly for most of the run because it is covered by trees. You can see how flat the water was.

We stopped at the marina and I ordered up a hamburger patty for Boomer. I enjoyed a bag of corn nuts while we soaked in some sun.

I have just had one of the best running weeks I've had in quite some time. Our weather was great the entire week. It helped that I wasn't scheduled to work too much. I can feel myself getting stronger on the hills. I enjoyed four different parks, with two friends. My little dog ran over 35 miles this week! He hasn't put in that kind of mileage in months. (I guess he deserved that hamburger, huh?)

I need to put in a long run Monday (18-20 miles) in order to feel confident about my marathon in two weeks. It has to be hilly too. Doesn't that sound like something to look forward to? A long, hilly run (alone). Blah!

Until later.............

Flag Hill

I took Jana and her two doggies to Sunol again today. We hiked up to the top of Flag Hill. It's 1.25 miles up with about 1000 feet of climb.

Izzie, Boomer, Jana, Me and Spike

Hi Izzie
We're heading down, behind the barn and then back on the trail you can see going up the mountain

I wonder what this tree once looked like

Sea of wildflowers

Trouble makers!

These darn cows had our exit on the Indian Joe Trail blocked. They were protecting the little baby in the middle. Boomer herded them around the bend and when we turned it, we realized he herded them right into a corner. OOPS! With a little coaxing, we were able to get them to come on the left side of us so we could get out that gate. It was scary for a minute. Jana declared at that moment, she doesn't like cows!

Izzie and Spike, oh my gosh! Those dogs can run like there's no tomorrow. I thought Boomer was fast. These dogs run across a hill full charge, they're just a streak. And when they want to pass you on a single track, THEY WILL. Boomer's so nice, he'll just hang back until he sees an opening. LOL The Labs found a couple of nice ponds to swim in which thrilled them and allowed them to cool off a bit. Boomer dipped his toes, barely.

Fun was had by all on the little five mile loop. No squirrels were killed but many got their exercise today. I do mean MANY!

Until later............

Hump day hill work

If you ever have to do hill work, Mission Peak is a great venue! This is yet one more place that is less than 20 minutes from my front door. Boomer was a bit slower today than usual, this being the third straight day I have taken him out to a park to run around in the mountains. Everybody now, "Poor Boomer....."

I am registered to do a marathon in 2.5 weeks with this Elevation. Yes, that reads 7,950 feet. Do you think I'm scared? That would be an understatement!!!! I have no doubt I can do it, I just hope I can do it in A DAY. Thank God there is also a 50-mile event being held and they have a 15 hour time limit so I know the RD's will be around for that long. LOL

Until later.............