I'm Yours San Francisco

It is easy to enjoy running midday errands in a place like this. I had to venture out along the Embarcadero today and it got me thinking of the many gifts San Francisco has offered me. I’m perhaps most grateful for how it’s opened me to realize creative passions and taught me the spirit of acceptance. This place values and protects diversity, some would say to a fault. But wouldn't you rather have it like this than no tolerance at all?

Nothing here is cookie cutter. Okay, with the exception of all of the Starbucks and Walgreens. But there is so much vitality and unabashed glory here to make up for it. Yeah, life is good here. San Francisco, I’m yours as long as you’ll have me.

St. Patrick's Day Run

In honor of St. Patrick's Day I did my best to pass as many Irish Pubs as I could tonight. Being that I live near the 'Irish Mile' it was not too hard. Here is the list in the order I passed them:
Ireland's 32 on Geary
O'Keeffe's on Geary
Plough & the Stars on Clement
Bitter End on Clement
Pig & Whistle on Geary
Edinburgh Castle on Geary

Needless to say each was busy tonight

12 miles of Sun and Surf

I have not posted a map (gmap) of my running route in quite some time. This is a 12 mile route starting from Ocean Beach. This is a great route for a sunny day (yesterday) as it takes you along the coast and through Golden Gate Park. The only kicker of this route is there are a lot of stairs. There are quite a few along the Coastal Trail by Land's End, then again going from Lincoln Blvd up into the Presidio.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3543913

The City By the Bay

San Francisco has always been a place of amazement for me.

It’s astonishing how much wonder and power can be held in such a small area. Some of the most radiant people in the world live here. There are stories on every street corner and in the corner of every apartment. We live in a combination of history and future. This city is electric.

People complain about the trash, and the homeless, and the crime, and the rents, and the public transportation or whatever — I certainly have. But cities are supposed to be messy, chaotic things. After a bike ride to Ocean Beach, or cresting the hill past Alamo Square on the 21-Hayes, or stumbling upon a hidden stairway, it will suddenly strike me that I live in the most beautiful place full of the most beautiful people in the world, and it’s worth all the money and heartbreak and temptation I can stand.

613 Miles

These shoes have 613 miles on them. I always find it tough to know when I should retire my shoes. Nike says shoes last anywhere between 400-600 miles before the cushioning starts to breakdown and the shoe becomes less effective. It could be just a scam to get you to buy more shoes. Lucky for me I have not purchased a pair of running shoes in a few years. (thanks Nike!)

I am lite and efficient runner so I tend to think my shoes last a bit longer, maybe I am wrong. I wish there was a better gauge. Some visual reading showing you how much cushioning and support you have. Sort of like the power reading on a battery.

Some runners can get a good idea by the tread wear. Me, not so much. The bottom of my shoes are not unevenly worn. Others start to notice pain in their knees or hips. Again, me, not so much. The link in the title of this post has some pretty good guidelines. No matter what I will just keep running.

Marathon Heavy Medal

Look what came in the mail. I ran two Rock-n-Roll Marathons in one year and I get this, a Silver Note. Pretty cool. If you run multiple marathons you get a special medal. I don't know if I will shoot for three in one year but maybe.