One Monday Evening

These phone cameras are not bad. At our favorite hangout, The Wine Bar on Polk and Pacific.

The conversation as I remember it with my very good friend Jessica at our favorite hangout, The Wine Bar on Polk St. That really is the name of the place, creative no?

Jess: Ok you are bad.
Me: It's only our third glass and we'll still be home by 9, besides it's our day off from workouts.
Jess: Yeah ok that's true.
Me: So Jess...umm how about taking over for me as aid station captain for the Northface event? I'm really thinking seriously about running it now especially since I had a great race at Skyline to the Sea 50k.
Jess: Well maybe, I can't really run with my knee being what it is. Not even the shorter distances. Even if it's magically better tomorrow I still need time to train.
Me: Yeah you shouldn't, not if it hurts on the hills. It will be hilly. Wouldn't an aid station volunteer be fun? You can see Sammy and I as we come through.
Jess: Okay I'll do it!
Me: Seriously?! It will be fun.
Jess: Yeah I'll even wear a running skirt and get more of the girls from the tri-club to come along.
Me: Sweet, wait is that just the wine talking?!
Jess: Nah I'm still sober.
Me: Right, right. Well ok then, I'll sign up for the 50-miler.
Jess: Yeah do it!

So there you have it. I committed to what should be my last race of the season, the Northface 50-miler in the first week of December. I'm happy to say that Jess was still happy to do it even when the wine wore off the next day. It's the weekend right after the Quad Dipsea so it will probably be slower going but fun. I wanted to experience a Northface organized event. I've heard mixed reviews but the schwag is supposed to be good. My friend Samantha is training with them now and she likes it so far. It's like Ultra 101 and your final test is the event. Anyway I'll just you know take it easy, hang back and enjoy the scenery. The event doesn't sell out, so I'll wait until the last day before the race fee goes up, it's Nov.6 I think. Not hard to remember since it's the day before my birthday.

About Firetrails 50 tomorrow. Yeah I'm ready and excited. I haven't had much time to think about it because I had this deadline today that took most of my time this week - just sent the files and now I'm relaxing with you guys while cradling yet another cup of coffee. I don't know what it is about this client, the deadlines are always fast, the project organization a bit jumbled and the work furious. Been up late the whole week but I have managed to get some sleep. Not the best of circumstances being short on sleep before a big race and I'm sure it will affect me somehow but it is what it is. I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here. I'm more bothered that the week was so hectic I only managed to run twice since Monday. I have this urge now to put on my running shoes and run a few miles but it really is time to prepare, eat and rest for the race. It's a good thing it's only a 50 and not a 100. Oh I know 50 is still a long way to go. I'll see about getting some sleep tonight even though traditionally I don't get much the night before an event.

See you all on the other side of another race, may you all have a nice weekend with amazing weather, good company and great food.