Saturday, May 26, 2012


The Adventure of the Bay to Breakers and the Girl in the Red Bug
It was a crazy week before my trip to the Bay-to-Breakers. My job has not offered me much work-life balance as of late, therefore my training and preparation for the run was almost non-existence, which I was completely bummed about. I really had wanted to go into the run prepared and feeling ready. But, regardless, the adventure was an absolute blast and I loved being able to share it with my most cherished friends.
Friday morning was a busy morning, with last minute preparations for the trip and organizing the house. After the last minuted items were checked off the list, off I went to the airport...in which I promptly took the wrong exit. Fortunately, I had left the house in plenty of time, and the Friday traffic was kind to me. I finally made it to the airport, after taking another wrong turn and the ramp to the airport being closed. Since I had been going at warp speed for the three days prior to my trip, I completely forgot to check-in and print my boarding pass for my flight, so yes, I was almost the last person to board the plane and I had a lovely middle seat, on a packed flight. But, nonetheless, it was a good time to relax with a cup of coffee and to get a little blogging done.




                This is me, with no time to train...yes, I was afraid! Lol!

Once I arrived in San Francisco, my friend Michelle picked me up at the airport and off we went, to the Ferry Building, to meet my friend Cathy for lunch. Cathy had been one of my roommates in college, and we had not seen each other for years. What a special treat it was to be able to reconnect and visit with her for the afternoon. The weather was absolutely perfect, really perfect doesn’t even describe it. We were able to sit outside, while having lunch, with a beautiful view of the Bay. A wonderful way to start my Bay-to-Breakers adventure.



Friday evening, we met more friends from high school; Roel and Pat. It was so nice to catch up with them and to meet Roel’s wife, Jenn and Pat’s finance, Tane. We had a wonderful dinner, at a Vietnamese restuarant, The Slanted Door. All the hype about the restuarant was true, the food and the service, were absolutely OUTSTANDING! If you ever get an opportunity to eat at the Slanted Door, I highly recommend it. We had had great conversation, great laughs and great food, it was a perfect evening!


                           Pat, Tane, Michelle, Jenn, Darla, Roel, Cindy, Karen and Me
Saturday, was a relaxing day, several of our group were still arriving in the City, at various times throughout the day. While we were waiting for the rest of our group, Chris and Michelle, took an exercise class called the Dailey Method, while Darla and I headed back to the Ferry Building for breakfast and a walk around the Farmer’s Market. The afternoon, we walked to the Bay-to-Breakers Expo, located at the Civic Center. I have to say, I was somewhat disappointed in the Expo. I thought there would be a ton of vendors and lots of products available for purchase, but it was relatively small and I was not overly impressed with the vendors. After the Expo, we headed back to the apartment, for a light dinner and conversation. One of the things that I love most about our get together’s is the flexibility to do things as a group, or to do things as a smaller group; there is something for everyone’s individual wants or needs. Several of the Breaker Babes (not sure where I came up with the name, but I think I will go with it!) ventured out into the City that evening. Darla and I opted to stay in, with an early appointment with Mr. Sandman.


                                                   Darla and I

Sunday morning was the big day...the Bay-to-Breakers. Off we went to the start line. As we were making our way, the first corrals, with the elite runners, we off and running. We were in Corral D, so we had little time to make our way through the crowd. The streets were filled with participants and spectators. There were people in costumes, people with no clothes at all. It was 100% San Francisco; eclectic, funky and wildly crazy and I loved absolutely every minute of it! I didn’t do much running, but I felt OK with it. I loved being with my friends and watching all the “sights.” I was able to take pictures, throughout the run, and really just take everything in. After the run, we went up to a restuarant called the Cliff House, which had a beautiful view of the ocean. What a wonderful way to end the run. Back to the apartment we went..some napped, some sat in the hot tub, another perfect day!


Karen, Jill, Michelle and Darla...my besties!



                                                    So many people!


Darla and me

Here we are at mile 4

This was our view as we came off the hile to complete the run...Spectacular

                                             Yay! We did it!
                             Chris, Karen, Kelly, Becky, Jill, Darla, Michelle, Yvonne
Monday, was my last day in the City. Michelle, Becky and I, hopped on the F Line and went to Fisherman’s Wharf. We had a wonderful breakfast and talked and laughed...and laughed...and laughed! We walked around the Wharf, took some last minute photos and then Michelle took me back to the airport. I was sad to have my trip come to an end, and by Tuesday mid-day, it seemed like my trip to San Francisco, and the adventure of the Bay-to-Breakers, was a long ago, distant memory.
I am thankful for the time I had with my wonderful, lifelong friends, and I am already looking forward to our second annual Bay-to-Breakers adventure.
What adventure have you had lately?
Until the next time...The Girl in the Red Bug!

Sunday, May 6, 2012


The Adventure of the Life’s Surprises and the Girl in the Red Bug
I was watching Morning Joe, on MSNBC, the other morning and the question was posed, “What about life has surprised you?” This got me thinking...what has surprised me...my response? What hasn’t surprised me!? A vague, general response no doubt. So, here are some things that have surprised me, specifically, about life.
Surprise 1 - Age is just a number? I can remember getting so frustrated, at times, with my Nan, when I was in my teens and 20’s. She dressed hip and happening, drove a snappy sports car and she loved hanging out with me and my friends (horror, especially for a teenager!). What has surprised my at 47, I GET IT!!! She didn’t feel in her mind, or heart, the age she was. Although, my body has aged, certain parts have shifted, or in some sad instances are actually drifting...my mind, my heart, my spirit are still that of that teenager I once was. I don’t feel 47, and honestly, I don’t even know what that means!! How is one supposed to feel or act at 47?
Surprise 2 - You do get better with age? Along this crazy journey we call life, I believe I am getting better with age. I am more accepting of who I am and my likes and dislikes.  I am very clear on who and what is important to me and that is where I chose to spend my time and energy. My view...if it doesn’t add value to my life, or those lives around me, why put energy there?
Surprise 3 - You can find a passion at any age? I am happy to say that I have found a new passion, running. Who would have thought?!? I love going for runs; I love participating in runs; I love having a cupcake after my runs (oh wait! That shouldn’t be here!) Truly, the spirit and energy at the runs is infectious, it makes me want to keep training, keep participating in runs, and keep getting better.
Surprise 4 - Life CAN turn on a dime? I always knew this to be a true statement, but until I actually experienced it. I don’t think I understood how true the statement really is. Of course, I had a bit of life’s experiences under my belt; a divorce, my grandparents passing less than a year apart from each other, moving, being down-sized at jobs;  but those life’s events were anticipated like a slow burn that you know will ignite, regardless of how hard your try to distinguish it. The anticipation of something doesn’t make it any less painful, but if we are honest with ourselves, it’s typically not a huge surprise. So, when did I learn that life can turn on a dime? When my dad passed away. He and I had talked the week before, he had told of falling and not being able to get up. Of course, we joked about it in our typical sarcastic, make fun of you kind of fashion. The following weekend, was when he was admitted to the emergency room. Even knowing that he was in the emergency room, I really didn’t think it was a huge deal - two days later, my dad was gone. Surprise! Life CAN (and does) turn on a dime!
Surprise 5 - Everything in life is a surprise! If you are a Type A,  or a bit of a control-freak like me, that surprise made you break out in a cold sweat. We want to control and plan everything...and when what we plan doesn’t come to fruition, it can lead to...well, let’s just say problems. But, I learned many years ago, God’s plan for me is greater and trumps all my plans. All that time of me trying to fit the square peg, in the round hole - wasted time and energy. Every little detailed plan I had about what I thought my life was going to be, is not even close to what my life is today. And...I am ok, actually, better than ok with that. I am blessed and thankful for this crazy journey called life! I love the surprises...the good, the bad, and yes, even sometimes the ugly! Embrace the surprises!
Until the next time...the Girl in the Red Bug