So I am going to blog about quite an extreme weekend full of day and night adventure:
Friday, July 23rd: The day started off relatively normal, and would be the most chill day out of the next 3. I spent most of the day cleaning up the house, going to Costco to restock on supplies and get food to cook for my parents while I would be too tired/busy in the next few days. There were 3 birthdays this weekend! Blast you parents! This is what happens when you conceive a child around the same times. July births are from December (Christmas) conception, as November ones are from February (Valentines) conception. Curse you parents.
Alan asked if I wanted to come over to his place for some wine and board games around 1 pm with a few friends. I thought it would be a good way to stay chill on the drinking and have fun. Then around 8pm I’m asked by Louis to go out for drinks and laser tag.
Whenever these things happen between my friends or social events, I pick the one that came first as I already told that group YES. While in certain special situations I’ll change that policy, it works for the most part pretty well. I mean, don’t people plan important events early?
My gf and I go to Alan’s get together and find out that it is a couples night! Ahhh! These can either be fine or turn out horrible. One of the dates became too drunk, hit her knee,spilled wine on a new seat and fell asleep on her new love interest’s bed (all by accident, I’m sure…). The rest of us spent the night playing Trivial Pursuit, drinking, and watching a little TV. I got to catch up with 2 friends, hurray! Got to sleep a little before the next morning.
Saturday, July 24th: Garlic Festival in the morning! We were able to get there before traffic began to build up on 101. I felt bad not inviting more people to go, but I was not the one that planned it out in the first place… but was stuck with that job the NIGHT BEFORE. Anyway, the Shrimp Scampi and crab garlic fries were awesome, but the free garlic ice cream took the show on that hot day. While I understand why people would complain about the price, I don’t think it’s justified as parking is free and most of the appeal is seeing all the sites at a festival. Music, free food, interesting boutiques, and beer made it worthwhile.
Go with people that will make the most out of a situation and won’t complain when out of their comfort zone or when things aren’t “perfect”. I got 3 free garlic ice creams!
After sleeping and burping garlic most of the day, I got ready for Alan’s birthday party at Saddle Rack and then Christine’s Birthday that night. Saddle Rack had a high cover, but was such a cute place to hang out in a very western atmosphere. There was a mechanical bull, and a live band for square dancing!
Christine’s party was a bit more normal as it was at Pearl, a club in downtown SJ. It was nice to see her friends that I know and chat for a little bit, but the point of the night was drinking and dancing later, both of which I could not do. My friend Louis went there for his birthday too and just wanted to hang out. I honestly felt like that night was pulled away from Christine because of so many people had other issues there. Poor Christine, I’ll get her a drink the next time I see her.
This night truly symbolizes a difference in my friend groups. Saddle Rack vs. Pearl… I think I am getting old… but the mid 20’s is supposed to be when men shine!
Insert melodramatic voice
Sunday, July 25th: I awoke from a restless slumber, aggravated by only enjoying 3 hours of sleep. Quickly annoyance evaporated as I remembered the reason, the need, and the desire for me to be awake this early. The San Francisco Half Marathon would start shortly. I used what little time I had to consume as much food as possible and check to see if everything was in order as I had been training for the last 6 weeks for this day.
There were no markers, no indications, and no help on how far I had gone or had to go as I reached the end of the Golden Gate Bridge and began to run across it again. The winds cut to the bone as a mix of mist and sweat covered my body. There was finally a 9 mile marker, symbolizing an end to this journey, but that the path there would be long. Unexpectedly after that sign the path began to slope upwards, adding gravity to the obstacles I had to overcome.
As I rounded the corner to the Finish, I realized too late how close it was and how much more I could give. I saw a timer stating “3:02” as the official time and my heart sake. Completing a half marathon requires one to run all 13.1 miles in 3 hours! I crossed the line crushed and hoping for an answer. It was quickly given to me as that time represented the first wave and in my weary state I had not came to this conclusion. Sadly my time was over what I wanted by 10 minutes, and I vowed to come back and show this trail everything I had.
What I learned: Dress for the race conditions, not what you are most comfortable in running! Get a watch or better yet, a mobile GPS! Get more sleep before a half marathon! Walk uphills if tired!
SF marathon ill get under 2 hours next time!
The rest of the day was spent relaxing with my awesome gf and I can say it was a great day all and all.
Let’s do it again!
Going to start posting more often as I have so many subjects to write on right now.
