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!