The Time I got to Run with The Big Leagues

running running running

I cannot stress to you how nervous I was the next day. It started like the day before; we woke up, took showers, got dressed, headed down stairs and grabbed breakfast.

I also took a few minutes to research our running guest, Sarah Hall. It did not assuage my anxiety.

Anybeach, California

More importantly, I wondered if we would find enough time to visit the happiest place on earth, Disneyland? It seemed to me that no trip to California would be complete with out a stop there.

As we were waiting for Tracy to pick us up, we spotted Sara Hall around the hotel. I’m a terribly shy person and did not flag her down; we’d meet soon enough.

Beach houses; aren't they pretty?

Finally our ride was there, and Sara came bounding out of the hotel looking pleased and excited to meet us. Rachel had little stars in her eyes; it was cute.

We headed off to Newport Pier, talking about where we came from, the chilly differences between Alaska and California, and the recently completed 5k by Sara in November.  During her training she usually goes out for 6 days a week, then has an “off” day in which she can do as she pleases. She was pleased to run with me that day.

It was so warm out. Warm being like, 65.

We met up with some more ASICS crew, most who we had met the day before but a few who were new.

I couldn’t get up my nerve to start the fun run, even though Sara had said everything to put me at ease. Finally I just let it out, “Someone has to start. It’s not going to be me!”

Sara started jogging in place, and before I knew it we were off! Everyone around me was talking it up, looking at all the pretty houses on the left, the sandy beach and ocean on the right. I just tried to keep my breathing even and go for as long as possible before I had to stop to walk.

The Map of our Fun Run

I didn’t really know what the distance was, if I guessed it would have been just over or just under a mile. It seemed to go by really quickly, quicker than any first mile of any race I’ve ever completed, but that is probably attributed to being surrounded by so many people. According to google maps, it was just about 2 miles. That kind of blows my mind.

ASICS shoes- they sparkle!

This was the first time I ever ran with anyone else for fun, and it was with Sara Hall! How cool is that? It definitely made me a fan of the concept. Now I’m hoping to get my mileage up so on Wednesday during the summer I can go run with the Anchorage Running Club after work… once the snow goes away.

Once I got to my breaking point, since I was pacing, I would run two light posts, then walk one light post. Half way through our run we past through an elementary school that was right on the beach. Can you imagine your playground being the beach? How cool would your life be? How removed from reality would you end up being? It looked pretty awesome! Who wouldn’t want to play basketball on the beach during recess?

Every body! Look like you're going real fast!

We finally got to the other pier, walked up, around, and back down. Rachel and I let the actual runner’s head back the other pier, and hung out at Huntington beach, walking up and down the boardwalk. It was completely dead, but was fascinating. It had a sleepy old beach town feel, but felt ridiculously expensive at the same time.  There were yachts floating in the harbor, a Ferris Wheel with only a mother and daughter on it. Their dog was barking below.  The arcades were empty, but pumping music out to the streets.

I seriously could not get over how everywhere we went there was background music. That’s not to say the stores up here don’t place music, but it’s not common to hear it outside in the public.

Sara Hall and some dude. :p Sorry, dude.

We grabbed lunch at a Restaurant that had a very… intense ocean theme. It looked weather worn and people worn. We sat near the back, and could hear all the commotion in the kitchen, which was pretty entertaining, if a little unprofessional.

This would have been a great time to ask questions of Sara and her training schedule. I even tweeted you guys for help. We chatted about life, and engagement stories, work and altitude training. After lunch had ended and we were getting ready to part ways, Tony stopped us and asked if I was a fan of the Biggest Loser.

Walking down one of the pier's

Um, yeah.

Well, he had been up at the ranch that week and Tracy asked him to pick me up a lil’ somethin somethin’. Like a hat and water bottle signed by Dolvett. You know, this guy.

Dolvett Quince

As if the day couldn’t be any more surreal, signed swag by Mr. Hard Work and Dedication himself. He even threw in the sharpie used to sign it with!

Rachel and I headed back to the hotel, and even though it was barely 1pm, I was wiped out. We lounged on our beds for a minute or two before looking at one another. We knew what the other was thinking.

DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!!!

We’re going to Disneyland!