Couldn't ask for a better day yesterday. Early EARLY morning bike ride with John Downing. Dark at 7:00am when we met at the courthouse to begin our ride. It started to lighten up a bit when we got on the creek trail but there was NOBODY out there with us. Had the trail to ourselves. Did our usual ride down the trail then off into Coyote Hills. The sun was just now starting to climb up behind Mission peak. Stopped in the middle of the tules and took a rare sunrise bike ride pic. No Heart attack hill this morning since I was on a schedule. Cruised out to the "bus stop" and took a break. ZERO wind, calm waters and total quiet. I mean so quiet that we could hear the traffic on the dumbarton bridge. So quiet that a flock of birds taking flight sounds like a car driving by on a road. So quiet that a great blue herron let us get within about 10 feet of him, which is oh so rare. Check out the video by clicking here.
Home by 9:30, showered dressed and off to root Barb and Marie on in the Dirty Girl Mud Run held at the Alameda Fairgrounds. 6000 girls getting wet and muddy on a 5k obstacle course that wove its way around the fairgrounds. All in the name of breast cancer research.
When Barb said there would be 6000 women participating I was skeptical, but when we got to the fairgrounds I realized this was a big deal. The girls checked in and made there was to the starting gate. They had set it up so people started in "waves" every 15 minutes. Our girls went off at 11:15. Down a long stretch then back towards us where they climbed some huge inflated pyramid thing.
I guess it was "photo op" time because all the girls were climbing up then sitting and letting people take pics.
Then the girls were off and around back to the first mud pool that they had to walk or crawl through (or I guess some girls just walk around if they want). Then they disappeared doing the rest of the course. Ron and I got a brewski, Talked to old St. Leonard's dad Lance Vivet who we met there (his wife Terri was running), and waited for our girls to bring it on home.
The last two obstacles before the finish line were a rope ladder climb and a final (low crawl) mud pit. Then the finish. Normally it would be hugs all around, but these girls were MUDDY! The plan was to have the girls shower at the shower tent then hang around for the music and atmosphere. Did I mention that it was about one of the MOST beautiful days of the year?! 80 degrees on late October day. I LOVE CALIFORNIA!!!
Anyway, the shower line was a mile long, so we just headed back to Marie and Ron's (three blocks) so the girls could get a real shower. We were all starving so then it was off to Main Street Pleasanton for lunch at Boci Bistro. Grilled Artichoke, steamed mussels, steak sandwich , shared cheesecake and lemonchello tartufo for dessert! WOW! Another cool thing during lunch was that we both got calls from our kids! Kate (and Parker) did a quick "tango" call with us, and young Dr. Ron called Marie and Ron. We talked about how nice it is that our kids call US while we are living the dream.
So far, this is a pretty great day, Bike ride, Mud Run 80 degree weather, fantastic lunch. Can life get any better?! Yes!!
A leisurely ride back to Marie and Ron's and just in time for the start of World Series Game 3!! When the Giants went up 2-0 I knew it was going to be a good night! Grilled hot dogs with kraut during the 7th inning stretch, then watched Lincicum and Romo come in, to close the Tigers down! I'm happy for those boys. WOOHOO!!!
A handful of halloween candy (go to this Marie's house, they give the best!) and it was time for us to go home, but what a great day it was!! Started off with peaceful, rare, sunrise ride. Mid-day surrounded by 6000 wet and muddy and wet women, great food, great friends, Giants win and all is well in the world!! I slept great last night too!
Check out the videos here
Check out the pictures here
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