A Perfect Surprise

I spent a long week on the East Coast this past week at a conference. To make it even more difficult, I was not able to return home until Sunday, which meant that I was not going to see Chris, which of course made me very sad.

When I opened the mail box when I returned home, it was empty. How on earth could I not have received any mail over the course of an entire week? I thought maybe I had so much mail spewing out of the box that the mailman had deposited on my doorstep.

When I reached my doorstep, I discovered there was nothing there. Now, I had been expecting a package, so this too was odd.

Then, the deadbolt on my door was unlocked, and I always lock it when I leave.

He must be here! Yet, when I went in the house and called out his name, there was pure silence. I was so confused!

I was not confused for long, as suddenly the person I longed to see most was standing in front of me. The perfect surprise.

While Chris had to spend a portion of the day studying (the life of a graduate student), we did find time to make our way out to Marshall for our new favorite barbecued oysters. We had both been dreaming of them since we discovered them a few weeks ago, and we were not disappointed.

After downing 26 oysters, we made our way home to enjoy the premiere of one of our favorite television shows - the Amazing Race.

As many of you know, Chris and I applied to be on the Amazing Race last spring and were saddened when we weren't chosen. We think we are perfect for the race, and that we would win!

While I was excited the new season had begun, it was also a bit hard to watch. As we watched the teams race around the world, we couldn't help but compare ourselves to some of the teams and claim that we would have been better. Alas, it was not meant to be.

Regardless, I was thankful to have spent the day with Chris, even though we were not racing around the world. Besides, we always create our own adventures.

Cheers!

I love celebrity spotting, so you can imagine my joy when I spotted John Ratzenberger in my Washington DC hotel lobby this morning.

Hubert Keller yesterday and Cliff Clavin today. What a treat.

Hubert Keller

A few years ago on the way to a conference I spotted Thomas Keller in the Oakland Airport.

Today, headed to the very same conference, I spotted Hubert Keller at the San Francisco Airport. I semi-freaked out and missed Chris, and I knew he would have enjoyed seeing him as well, as we have spotted many a famous chef together.

Now if I would only cross paths with Anthony Bourdain. That would really make my day.

The Hamptons

I had never been to the Hampton's until last weekend, when I found myself in Southampton with Chris and his family for his brother's wedding.

It was an eventful weekend, full of celebration and joy. I met multiple members of Chris' family that I had not previously met, which was a lot of fun. I also met many lifelong friends of the family, which was also an honor.

I even found a bit of time to go for a run, which was a great opportunity to view the beautiful homes and beaches of Southampton. I understand why New Yorkers and others summer there - it was beautiful.

I was sure I would spot some celebrity while out and about, but sadly I saw none.

All and all, it was a wonderful weekend of celebration. Congratulations Drew and Kim.

The Dipsea Trail

We were embarrassed to realize a few weeks ago that after living in Marin for over a year, we had never set foot on the Dipsea Trail.

Friday night after work, we set out for a quick hike of the first portion of the trail. Had we been on the Amazing Race, I fear we would have been eliminated.

First, we had difficulty locating the start of the famous Dipsea Steps. Who knew you basically had to climb up someones driveway to the start? With directions from a kind man we started off on the right track and climbed up up up the stairs.

Of course once we reached the top of the stairs, we got lost. Really lost. We turned when we apparently should have gone straight. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time looking at all the beautiful homes on Mt. Tam. Finding ourselves on Panoramic, we stumbled upon Mountain Home Inn, where we asked for directions for the quickest way back to Mill Valley, as the sun was starting to set.

We must have been meant to get lost, as on our way back home we ran into an old colleague of mine that I had not see in years. It was a real treat.

A great adventure and a great day, even if we would have been eliminated.

Barefoot Ted

Everyone I know seems to be reading "Born to Run." Yesterday I had three separate conversations with people reading the book, including the guy who comes to our office and does ergonomic checks.

I had brought my Vibram FiveFingers into the office to show a colleague who's also reading the book and randomly, my friend Dana sent me information about an upcoming Barefoot Running Clinic hosted by none other than the author of "Born to Run," Christoper McDougall, and Barefoot Ted McDonald, the inspiration of my purchase of the Vibram FiveFingers. Of course it's on September 12th and I cannot go, as I will be out of town. (Everything seems to be on September 12th this year.) If anyone is interested in the clinic, you will find the information here.

I'm disappointed I won't have the opportunity to meet Christopher McDougall and Barefoot Ted, but I know it will be a great weekend, nonetheless. Chris and I are headed to his brother's wedding.

Ironman Canada

Monday Night, leaving the office, I received the following text from my friend Yi: "Canada slots open - sign up!!"

What? Ironman Canada always sells out on site! Really?

I was on my way to a spin class, so when I arrived at the gym I very quickly pulled up the registration page on my iPhone and discovered that indeed, general entry spots for 2010 were available.

I immediately wondered if I should I sign up? I have wanted to do Ironman Canada, I just wasn't planning on doing it next year.

Class was starting and I decided to think about it while spinning. If it sold out while I was in class, well then it just wasn't meant to be.

When I got out of class I discovered that there were spots still available. I wondered if I should sign up. Anyone who knows me well knows the answer.

Born to Run

Chris was given the book, "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen" by Christopher McDougall as a parting gift from a colleague when he left work this spring to start law school.

He read it while in France this summer and told me I had to read it. I started reading it right after Ironman France and I could not put it down.

If you have any interest in running, it is a must read.

I found the book absolutely fascinating. So fascinating, in fact, that I decided to incorporate barefoot running into my training plan, which sounds horrible, but really isn't if you invest in a pair of Vibram Five-Fingers. You look like a freak wearing these aquasox like shoes, but I just had to try them after reading the book.

The good news is that I am not the only freak - one of my crew mates and her partner also swear by them. She wears them to crew practice and has informed me that her partner, a marathoner, even wears them to work. While I would never hear the end of it if I wore them to work, the shoes really do make you realize the strengths and weaknesses in your running gait.

This book even has me drinking chia seeds. Yes, chia, as in Chia Pet.

I don't know if its the chia seeds or the inspiration of the book, but I have taken 6+ minutes off of my 5 mile run time. I'll take it!