beachcombing

Santa Rosa Marathon6am marathon start – back that an hour in Sebastopol where I picked up Carolyn.  She slept in an all-female teepee commune (Airbnb).  Makes Motel 6 sound a bit more sexy, huh? (actually kinda jealous — HA!)

Overcast cool morning – couldn’t ask for better running weather in August.  FAAANNNTASTIC!

Started in Corral 2, race paced quick.  Hadn’t run with Carolyn since our NM desert trail run last March.  Good conversation, felt super relaxed.  Generally I’m a solo runner, even in training – much appreciated sharing the day.  I’d get a little fast, Carolyn would pull back the reins.  sub-9 pace for 10 miles.  Thanks friend.   Not looking for a fast 10K, but a steady sub-4 marathon finish.

Mike from Southern Cal joined our pack; finished the Half three-four minutes under 2 hours.  Nice flat course, few rolling hills, cloud cover protection from August summer rays.

Unfortunately, started puking at mile 13, then again at 15.  Slowed, couldn’t hold with my running pals – but kept pushing, didn’t quit.  Sick again at 18.  Popped a pill at mile 21 (brought one along, just in case).

Stomach settled before mile 23 (big thanks Zofran).  Slogged next 2 miles.  Saw Carolyn just after the 25 mile-marker.  She finished 3:59+, then walked back to pace me – WOW, thanks pal 🙂

Marathon 68 done.  Marathon run streak continues at 33 months consecutive.

My first 26.2 since being diagnosed – and I had a GREAT 15 miles.  Getting stronger, really good day.

 

Santa Rosa Marathon  28 August 2016

K R Haga

Net Time  04:39:31.003

 

Event:  Full Marathon

Race No:  1516

 

Country Representing:  United States

Wave:  Full Marathon Start 6:00 AM

 

With yesterday’s 50 States Award Presentation, not a lotta time for pre-marathon adventuring.

[however] 6pm return flight home.  Plenty o’ hours to get our California on 🙂

Quick stop at the Charles Schultz Museum.  Always been a Peanuts fan.  Received a plush Snoopy as a one-year-old from my Grandmother.  Memory tugs at the heart.  Started the drive back to San Fran early – destination: Golden Gate Park (a close 30 minutes from the airport).  Bridge ride-over, pulled off along the ocean.  Walked beachside past Seal Rocks, up to Cliff House.

Palm trees, sand & blue ocean water – ah, yes…California.

 

 

Pilgrim MonumentLate Monday a.m. start – didn’t wake ‘til 8 (slowly settling into lazy vacation life).  Yogurt, handful of nuts.  Day’s first stop: the Pilgrim Monument.

— The Pilgrim Monument was built between 1907 and 1910 to commemorate the first landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims in Provincetown on November 21, 1620.

— The Pilgrim Monument is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States. The granite came from Stonington, Maine, and each stone is the thickness of the wall.

Toured the tired lighthouse museum.  Hasn’t really changed over the years but I go every visit – LOVE history, LOVE our American story.  Climbed 116 steps to the Monument top & took in its ocean view.  Stunning.  Best way to start a Monday morning 🙂

Walked Commercial thru P-town’s West End; met up with a local kayaker just past the Causeway. Paddled to the tip of the Cape three years ago.  This trip toured Provincetown’s extensive water estuaries.  Launched 2 hours before high tide, meandered thru tall field grasses…like something from the African Queen.  Water fowl, fish, green crab & [salty, edible] pickle grass.  Beached on a sand bar & enjoyed a short swim while waiting for the tide to come in.

One final dinner, one last evening show – then sadly, vacation time came to a close.

Tuesday morning ferry, another beautiful sunshiny day — AND 4 hours playtime before my airport return home.  BOSTON!  Day choice: Public Garden and a local cemetery.  [Honestly] it’s the history that interests me, not crypts & dead bodies.  Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere – these early revolutionaries & signers of the Declaration fill our school books.

WOW, whatta summer!  Visited both coasts of Canada, family vacationed in St. Louis, road-tripped thru Yellowstone, pony-trekked the Tetons…then ended ‘heat’ season, celebrating the big 5-0 on scenic Cape Cod.   #noregretlife

 

 

Folks that know me well, know I’ve never been one to celebrate my birthday.  Nice dinner, lotta cards, phone call from family – sweet & simple.  For the big 5-0 however, wanted to share time with friends back East – in particular, my friend Stephen on the Cape.

Beach.

 

Thursday nite flight, connection in Chicago – no direct flights available.  Big FAN of Southwest (in general) – but this was just not their night.  Delay after delay (waiting for an incoming flight), followed by plane repairs…then a new flight crew, unfortunately [for me] they hit their hours while waiting on the ground.  Arrived in Manchester at 415am.

Quick nap, shower & a diner breakfast – off to Boston, I’ve got a ferry to catch 🙂

Left all my travel woes behind in Boston Harbor.  Open ocean, smooth sailing ahead – next stop: Provincetown.  Haven’t been back in 3 years – LOVE LOVE this place.  Lazy summer tourist town, isolated by geography – located literally on the tip of Cape Cod.

B&B check-in, short jot down Commercial to get a lay of the land, will-call ticket pickup & a plate of steamers.  FAAANNNTASTIC!

Beach.

 

Herring Cove, all day Saturday.  Arrived early, stayed to high tide…and I’ve got the sunburn to prove it.  LOL>

Last day of my 40’s – tomorrow a new decade, a chapter not yet written.

 

 

Cape Cod Holiday 2016