Marathon Weekly Update

Its not just about the running

I have recently been scolded for not writing about my life in my blog - only my running. Well, running has become a large part of my life. If I'm not running I'm planning for a run, icing after a run, taping for a run, massaging my lower legs while swearing about running, etc... If you catch my drift I have become LAME!

In an amazing turn of events the last two weeks I have done much more than run. It all started on March 30th when I flew to San Antonio for a college visit to Trinity. I have known the Director of Admissions there for almost 10 years. She and I both started in admissions the same year - me at College of Santa Fe and her at Trinity. When I think of our various escapades and shenanigans throughout those three years I am amazed that we have both become directors. I have met most of her staff over the years and they are a fun bunch. They wined and dined the 25 counselors that were there, and of course I made sure they paid special attention to me. We tricked the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid into thinking that one of the Admissions Counselors took me to a strip club on Trinity's dime as a little April Fool's joke. I also got the opportunity to see a friend of mine from Cranbrook who moved to San Antonio two years ago. We drank margaritas along the riverwalk in the sunshine and caught up.

From San Antonio I headed on to Tampa, FL to Libby's house. We did some socializing that evening and then turned in so we could face the next day. All I can say about our 6 mile run the next day is HOT! After cleaning up and repacking we jumped in the car and headed to Miami through the Everglades. We crashed with a friend of Libby's who then took us to Fort Lauderdale Port in the early AM.

I geared myself up for five hour boat ride. I took my Bonine, picked the perfect spot on the boat, and concentrated on not vomiting. It actually wasn't bad, although I did sleep for most of the ride. We arrived in Freeport and made quick friends with a couple from Naples who were staying at our hotel. The 4 days in the Bahamas were spent mostly with sleep, lounging, sunning, eating, and drinking. It was one of the most restful vacations I have had in ages. I won't spend too much time regaling you with stories about the beach bonfire with too many Bahama Mamas or the $100 dinner tab that someone else picked up - suffice to say that we had fun. The trip home on the boat was not a good one for me. Even though I took my medicine I was lying down concentrating on the stars to keep my stomach from rolling around. It took determination but there was no vomiting.

I headed home on Friday, April 7th in time to get up and run my 14 miles on Saturday. Last week was eventful as well. My friend Trish came into town early in the week and we had a great time exploring. We took a run in Golden Gate Park and stopped to meander in the Japanese Tea Garden. It was almost magical walking the winding paths dotted with sun streaking through the blooming cherry blossoms. There were plenty of people enjoying the area, but the calm of the gardens inspired a quiet reverence in us all. Trish and I also got the opportunity to try out a restaurant that I have been dying to go to. It was a big hit and a place that I will definitely visit again. O'Reilly's Holy Grail is and Irish restaurant that serves all of the good food that you wish you could find in Ireland - nothing fried or mushy.

On Thursday I went to a party with a bunch of artists. Everyone worked with paint, ceramics, or glass. It was fun to chat with other creative folks and stand in awe of the full moon. Saturday after my 7 mile run I made a connection with one of the runners in my group. I have had the feeling that Elizabeth and I would be friends if we just had more time to hang out. She was shopping for shoes at Sports Basement when I wandered in to buy more Gu. I offered her a ride home and I think it the first step to us becoming closer. I hope I don't sound like a stalker.

That night I gussied myself up to go to a fundraising party for one of the COBs. I arrived at Dalva Bar in the Mission and when I walked through the door it was as if the record had scratched and there was dead silence. There were about 10 people sitting at the bar who all turned around to stare at me. I didn't see anyone I knew, nor did I recognize the woman holding the party. I skidaddled from there pretty quickly and went to join some friends who were hanging out at a bar in the Richmond. We drank pitchers of Budweiser and played dice for hours at a bar call Hockey Haven. It reminded me of hanging out at Mt. Chalet without all the smoke.

On Sunday I joined Stef and Kollin for Easter dinner and the Giants game. I have now learned most of the players names and am feeling much more savvy about baseball. I think this past two weeks have been my most non-lame ones in a long time. I'm going to try to keep it up, but I don't know if I can handle it.

posted by Heidi @ 8:09 PM