Saturday, October 31, 2009

A Wave From California

New Places
First off, I have been traveling this past week and have had zero time to blog or read anyone elses blogs, so hopefully I can catch up over the weekend. Thanks to Tall Mom for letting me know I won a giveaway on her blog. Woo-hoo. Some hand warmers just in time for winter.

Prior to this week, I have never been west of Colorado. But a business trip to California changed all of that, and I got to spend 4 days in San Diego.

I loved seeing all the palm trees, but I could have done without the crazy traffic.


view from my hotel room...it was too cold to swim. for me anyway

While there, I had a nice 5.5 mile run my first morning there, and another 4 mile run the next day. There was a great path to run near the hotel. It was a bike path between the sidewalk and the street and was wide enough for a golf cart. There was a curb that was 6 inches high and 18 inches wide that separated the bike path from the motorist traffic. That helped give a sense of security having that extra curb there.

the bike path i ran on...it was nice and wide, with curbs on both sides...

California people didn’t seem as friendly as I’d imagined. I mean, the people around the hotel were nice enough, but that’s their job. And my co-workers from California are all nice. But during my runs, I usually try to wave to people I pass, and during both of my runs I barely got a wave in return.

The first day I passed a walker, a biker, and another runner, and none of them waved or said hello back to me. Even when I found a YMCA membership card on the ground and ran it inside to the front desk of the YMCA, the worker there didn’t even say thank you. Not the best impression from an outsider, but I’m from the Midwest where everyone is friendly. The second day wasn’t much better, I passed 7 walkers and a biker, none of them waved back, and I passed 3 runners, and two of them waved. At least a couple of the runners were nice enough to wave. Maybe everyone was still half asleep. These were some early morning runs in the near-dark.

New Shoes


About a week ago I received some Brooks Glycerin 8’s in the mail to test out. This business trip was my chance to take them out for a spin. They are great shoes, and are set to hit the market early in 2010 I think. They have Brooks’ new DNA technology that allows the sole of the shoe to mold to the specific weight and impact of the person wearing them and change to provide the right amount of support.

They were very comfortable right out of the box and had a super ride and feel. These might be replacing my Asics Kayano’s as my regular running shoes.

The Worlds Largest Running Store

So we’re driving to the place in San Diego for my work meetings and literally a block from the office, we pass a sign that says “The World’s Largest Running Store.” So of course I had to check it out. It was a Road Runner Sports clearance store, and it was pretty cool.

I had them fit me for shoes, even though I don't really need any. The process was really cool, very high tech. They had a glass floor hooked up to a computer that when you walked over it told you what part of the foot was having pressure put on it, and they video taped my feet on a treadmill to determine pronation. Turns out I have a high arch with a slight under pronation and need a motion control shoe. It was fun. I picked up some shoe inserts and some Chafe Free gel.


I didn't get to enjoy California as I had hoped. Didn't get to the beach, or go to In and Out Burger, or the San Diego Zoo, etc. We stayed way too busy with work. So, now I need to plan a family vacation so we can do all the fun stuff next time. We had a 3 hour delay in Denver on the way home (I guess they got 18 inches of snow the day before), and I was relieved to get home in time to go trick or treating with the kids. Happy Halloween everyone.

11 comments:

ShirleyPerly said...

San Diego is one of my favorite places!!

I used to live in the area many years back and go back usually once a year at least. I'm surprised you didn't get many friendly waves back but I rarely run early mornings so maybe things are different. Being a cyclist now, I now understand why most serious cyclists don't do or say anything. It's simply a safety issue (it only takes a split second of distraction to go down).

Hope you have a chance to visit again and have more time to enjoy the area.

Jo Lynn said...

Sorry your first experience with California wasn't filled with fun, friendly people.
You should have come up north, we're more easy going than southern California peeps. ;)

Rookie on the Run said...

Wow!! You were here and I didn't even know! Next time, you HAVE to get to the zoo... the free pass offer still stands.

When I first started running, I spent a lot of time running along the coastal area of North San Diego County. People there were friendly and said "Hi". I think the closer to Down Town you are, people become less friendly.

Yesterday, however, I was running close to my home, passed a runner and I said HI. She glanced at me and didn't even so much as smile. I was so irritated! Grrrr...

Come back, stay in the north county coastal area (Carlsbad is good), and I bet you'll like the people better. :)

Unknown said...

I really enjoy San Diego; one of my favorite places to visit. I hope you can get back wtih teh family and explore it some time.

Aka Alice said...

Look at all of us SoCal peeps checking in! You were at the Town and Country weren't you? I think I recognize the roof.

I'd have waved if I'd run past you, cuz I say "hi" to everyone, but you're right some people don't. It also depends on where you're running. On Friars, where I think you were (the curb), you might have been running past tourists or business dudes like yourself.

If you get out here again, run at the beach. Lots of friendly peeps there :-)

Shannon said...

San Diego.....I want to live there one day. I've been to many places and that is top 2 best places ever!

Love New Kicks!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

JoLynn is right! Everyone seemed really friendly in SF, and she was just awesome! Hope you get another chance to visit with the family!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

It is such a bummer when people are RUDE or just dont pay attention.. I always Wave and am very sad when the gesture is not returned.

Package will go in the mail next week

Aron said...

next time come up to northern cali :) maybe we are friendlier up here!! hehe

Lindsay said...

i love san diego! boo that you couldn't run over to in and out real quick. love that place :)

we are definitely friendly here in the south east too! you are welcome anytime.

Christina said...

I love getting new shoes and enjoy the store Road Runner Sports. It does sound like the store you went to was on steroids and my store is just a normal store.