Just checking in with myself as I’m on a plane coming home from NY. Inflight wifi has changed my life. Better or worse, not sure.

I was in Phoenix and Boston last week. Maybe writing down where I am will help me feel a bit more grounded.

Let’s see, last time I blogged I decided to target a 10k a trail run on April 13th. Since I’m not running at all these days I’m going to revisit that idea.

I did get out for what we’ll kindly refer to as a walk/jog in Phoenix. The loop took me through the Biltmore Mansions and I must say those were some sad looking mansions. Mostly unoccupied and big. I did enjoy the 70 degree temperatures as the sun was setting.

I was only in Boston for 36 hours so no running there. Plus the snow on the ground would have slowed me down anyway.

NY this week was run-free as well. No time and not near the park. I know, weak excuses.

I’m in DC next week and should have time to explore. I haven’t run there yet and will be staying in Georgetown so I’m looking forward to getting outside.

My new goal is the China Camp Trail Run put on by Inside Racing on May 25th. That’s 8 weeks away. There’s a nice selection of a 5k, 10k or half marathon so depending on how week my training has been I can adjust.

I just went to find a training plan online – this one looks nice and simple. And check it out, tomorrow is a rest day. How convenient.

WordPress sent me a lovely “year in review” summary of my blog for 2012. The colors were fabulous, the graphics fun. The data was a little depressing – I only posted 13 times in 2012. I planned to write more, but failed.

Now it’s March 2013. Seriously, who stole January and February? I want them back. Now please.

I was thinking that if I wrote once a week it would give me time to reflect back and plan ahead and maybe, just maybe, that would reduce this spin I’m in just a little.

Since once a week hasn’t happened, how about once a month? Well that ship has sailed – hello March.

I’m going to look back anyway…you’re welcome to come along for the ride. Reflection can be fun!

January – the first two weeks were spent in Maui. That was awesome. My favorite things: the acai bowl at Choice Health in Lahaina; swimming in Napili Bay and floating around with the turtles; running along the ocean in the early morning through the warm soft air; Hana with its amazing bamboo forest, rainbow eucalyptus trees, black sand beach filled with frolicking pit bull puppies, banana nut bread at the fun roadside shacks, breathtaking waterfalls.

 

Then it was off to Chicago – too cold to go for a run outside but the hotel gym had a view of the lake and an amazing indoor swimming pool. All good.

The last week and half of January is a blur and then I succumbed to the plague. It took 2 weeks to recover and I was thankful it didn’t drag on longer. Sounds like most of you have battled various forms of that fun and I wish you well.

That brings me halfway into February and looking back at the calendar there were some highlights. Maybe I am making time for fun but losing my memory so I forget fun has happened?

After recovering from the ick Bert and I spent a fun 2 days with my mom and her ADORABLE puppy. Sissy is the sweetest dog ever. She is the physical embodiment of love. If anyone is having a dark day, go find a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and let them love you to death.

Later that week we went to the SAP Open and watched a doubles match. It was early rounds and the arena was pretty empty but we tried something new. Indian Wells spoiled us for tennis watching.

Valentine weekend was filled with food (http://eatmau.com/ tasty Vietnamese), hiking Purisima canyon, cycling to the beach on a rare warm SF morning, dining with a good friend at her house, riding Now Voyager, running on trails.

The next weekend we went to Pt. Reyes which is always heaven. L.O.V.E. that place.

And then to NY for 3 days for work. I squeezed in a quick run through Central Park – watching the city dogs playing together in the park makes me smile every time.

See, this is fun. I thought February was a wash but I was wrong.

We’re 7 days into March. I had dinner with a good friend I haven’t seen in a long time and it was great to catch up with her. And then she came in 6th at Escape from Alcatraz! Go Charisa! http://charisawernick.com/

I did not race Escape. I deferred last year and again this year. Perhaps 2014 will work out.

Last Saturday Bert and I tackled some Half Moon Bay hills on our bikes. It’s so humbling to do a route you used to be strong on. Alas, fitness starts somewhere, I’m just not sure where.

And that brings me to the title. I’ve been thinking about triathlon – I love it but haven’t been doing it. Mostly because my work schedule does not play nice with cross training in three sports.

I’ve been reading Scott Dunlap’s blog http://www.atrailrunnersblog.com/ for a few years now and it seems to me those trail runners are always having fun. Working hard, yes, but finding humor in the process. That or Scott has a way of making people smile when he’s taking their picture.

I’m going public with my plan to try trail running. Scott is a fan of this race organizer http://www.insidetrail.com/ and they have lots of distances to choose from. So I’m going to start small and do the 10k distance on April 13th – the Woodside Ramble. I like the name. http://www.insidetrail.com/ai1ec_event/woodside-ramble-trail-run-spring/ You heard it here first.

Zinger and Now Voyager say hi – as does Jinx the tabby cat at the barn who likes to hang around horses

 

 

I thought October would be busy. I thought I knew what busy felt like. I was wrong.

Several programs got added into an already packed 5 week stretch and that was all she wrote. The good news is everything went really well. And I didn’t get sick.

I visited Chicago, Atlanta (twice), DC, NY, Boston and Newport Beach.

I ran along a river in Boston…

A lake in Chicago…

Another lake in Peidmont Park in Atlanta…

And the ocean in OC…

In New York Bert and I celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss at Restaurant Marc Forgione (of Iron Chef fame) and they decorated our decadent bread pudding dessert…

Now I’m working on getting back to the basics of my life. Exploring SF with Bert on meandering walks through our city. Eating well. Making time for swim/bike/run. Reconnecting with family and friends. Cuddling with Zinger and playing with Now Voyager.

This weekend I met Sissy, my mom and Tony’s new addition. She too precious for words…

Life is good, especially when I have time to live it.

June 26th was my most recent post. Nearly 3 months ago.

And what did I do in those three months?

Work. I worked a lot. And then some more. Dreamforce was a smashing success so the work paid off but still. I’m tired.

Fun stuff? I did some of that too.

July 21 I swam my way from Alcatraz to shore. Thanks to my friend Rachel and the Water World Swim team for making it both possible and fun.

August Bert and I spent a week in Maui. Exactly the downtime I needed to prepare for the final Dreamforce push.

September has been a sustained work sprint and it seemed fitting to celebrate the end with a sprint triathlon.

I read all your blogs and Facebook updates and live vicariously through your triathlon adventures but I’ve missed actually racing.

See Jane Run puts on a nice little sprint on an easy course and it was just the ticket.

October holds a crazy work travel schedule so there may be long periods of silence again. But there is a 10k Pumpkin Run in Half Moon Bay October 14th and my friend Clair, who is training for a marathon, expressed interest in participating. I see pumpkin pie in my future!

And then there’s cycling with Bert. We’ve managed to get out most weekends throughout the summer which has been super fun. And riding Now Voyager, also helps keep me smiley.

Zinger is well and life is good. Hope yours is too.

I ran home from work yesterday. I’m trying to recall the last time I did that and I’m pretty sure it was about a year ago. My how time flies.

When I was in London recently I noticed all the people running with backpacks and I asked Angelina what was the deal. She said they’re all running home from work. So you can say I was inspired to give it another try.

I wanted to be streamlined though so I left all my clothes, laptop, purse at work and ran home unencumbered by backpack. It was a beautiful evening. Sun shining (love these long days!), warm, light breeze.

The SF Giants were getting ready to battle the LA Dodgers and my run loops around the ballpark. I entertained myself by not running into people clad in orange and black in a dizzying array of costumes. I did get a little energy lift from all the excitement of the fans.

I’m slowly reincorporating bits of training back into my schedule. A bike ride on the weekends, a spin class here, a run there. Planning to take a dip in the Bay on Sunday. Regaining fitness is a slow and humbling process.

Since my last post on May 4th in Chicago I’ve been on the road. A lot.

DC.

Back to Chicago (because you can never go to Chi-town enough)

New York.

London. (Hi Angelina!)

Toronto.

I’m home now for 6 weeks and looking forward to getting back to some sort of regular training routine. I managed a decent start to that plan by running twice while in Toronto last week.

Toronto in June is a far cry from Toronto in December. I know, stating the obvious. It was lovely to run in the sun along the shores of Lake Ontario.

On day two I ran through a beautiful rain shower. Beautiful for the dark clouds contrasting with blue skies and the glittering sunlight on the water. I love the high of running. Can’t I just do it all the time and skip everything else. Eating. Working. Sleeping.

This weekend Bert and I did a nice bike ride in Half Moon Bay. And on Sunday I went for my now favorite run in Purisima Canyon. My legs were truly tired in spin class today but that’s what I want. Tired legs. And a heart that is getting stronger every day. In muscle and in happiness.

Big Kahuna is in September. I had to forgo Alcatraz this weekend but maybe if I stay on track I can dream about 70.3.

I was in Chicago last week. Oh look, I’m here again. Chicago is a cool town.

Traveling for work makes the days a blur so I’d be hard pressed to tell you what I’ve been up to.

Work. Lots of that.

Stress.

Moments of fun and celebration of a job well done sprinkled in and around to keep thing bearable. Thank god for some of my colleagues!

I miss running. You know I’ve been busy when I can’t carve out 60 minutes for a run while on the road. I did get out to the lakeshore in Chicago last week but missed my chance in DC the next day.

Haven’t pulled it off in Chicago this week but we’re here through the weekend visiting friends who know the pretty paths in their town outside of Chicago. I remain hopeful.

Now Voyager and Zinger are being spoiled by good friends for which I am eternally grateful and thankful.

Balance. I need a new mantra.

That’s me lately when it comes to training for Alcatraz.

I seriously don’t know how I did it last year and if I’m honest I know I was under-trained for that race too. Reality is that I don’t have time anymore to train for three disciplines.

I’m going to think this through by writing this post. I hope I don’t bore anyone.

Swimming. I’ve been in the Bay 2x this year and in the pool once. I signed up for an Alcatraz crossing on May 12th so I’ll know then how I’ll fare on the swim. I feel relatively confident that I can finish the swim.

Cycling. I’m getting to spin class 2x a week and riding my bike on the weekends about 1x a month for 20 miles. I can gut out the hilly 18 mile course but I’ll get passed by a lot of people.

Running. I was running 5 miles 1x a week but then took an unscheduled 5 week break. I ran 3 miles last week at lunch and couldn’t walk down my stairs very well the next day. My quads were quite cross with me. This is the piece of the day that truly scares me.

Alcatraz is in 8 weeks. Can I realistically train enough to have fun in the race? On good days I say yes, but I’m also traveling 5 of the next 6 weeks. What say you?

Our painted lady got a makeover recently.

It looked like this for many years. And we felt it was quite nice.

Then after much research into the matter Bert decided it was possible for our home to be stunning. He worked his magic and now it looks like this…

She has lovely touches of gold-leaf throughout. And dramatic red doors and windows. I’m just giddy every time I come home. I’m so lucky to be married to an artist.

I flew to Dallas this morning and seated in my row was a genuine cowboy. Big guy with a handlebar mustache and a baseball cap that said something about a Houston Rodeo.

When we landed he pulled down my bag from the overhead bin. No one does that on flights. I passed him later in the terminal as he was greeting his son. I’m guessing the son part but by the big bear hug I’m pretty sure I’m right. Made me smile.

The cab driver was nice. From Jamaica with that lovely sing song voice.

The front desk woman at the W was very sweet. As was the concierge who wanted to make sure I didn’t go for a run on the trail after dark. Even the bartender who make me a very fine latte was sweet.

Then we went to a place that you all simply must visit when you are next in Dallas (or Ft. Worth). Tillman’s Roadhouse in the Bishop Arts neighborhood.

First off, who knew that Dallas had a neighborhood that is the virtual twin of the Rockridge district of Oakland/Berkeley? Adorable.

The decor was funky cool. I love the juxtaposition of the carved wooden heads with the sparkly chandeliers.

The menu is fancy comfort food. The ribs and mac and cheese were delish.

And the finale…s’mores. Homemade marshmallows, graham crackers and rich chocolate. We had fun toasting the marshmallows!

It’s been a good day.