PasoHalf13

Rick and I had planned on this one for almost a year. It's close enough to do in a single day, but would be more fun as a drive down on Saturday, relax, have dinner, get rested before the 8am race. Alas, I have been having on-going trouble getting my left hip to accept longer runs lately. Pending a bone scan, I have layed off all but the shortest and easiest runs. That meant no half marathon for me, and I had no interest in jumping in on the 5K either. I was iffy as to whether I'd go at all, but Ferrell was committed, and I was caught up enough with work that I figured... what the heck. I could bike it, take some pix, and we'd just make a morning of it and be back home by 2pm. So, that was the plan. And a good plan!

We hit the road at 5:15am after Rick picked me up on Freedom Blvd.

Oops. Almost hit "flame out" before finding this tiny gas station at 5:30am in San Lucas,

Outside got colder as we drove south along the Salinas Valley. Ferrell stressed out. "dang - why didn't I at least bring a wind breaker?"

I'd spent the night at the observatory, and alarm clocked myself awake at 4:30am. Usually that's the middle of my sleep cycle, such as it is.

The event was a local fundraiser for schools, and students were manning the check in table. Looks like a very hungry gal inhaling a twinkie between race registrants?

Now we're official.

Ferrell Futzes with his timing chip, trying to wedgie it into his shoelaces, while I huddle in the 39F wind. Soon the good times will roll... right? Soon?