Week-end at The Running Bob

Thank god for work or else I’ll never get any rest! Our week-end started with wine and goat cheese at the local wine bar which lead to watching a dvd by the fire place on Friday night. Because the dog rises with the sun, somewhere around 5:30 a.m., we too must wake otherwise he continues to sit in the hallway and bark. After reading the newspaper, breakfast and stretching, we met the running group for our Saturday run which was a bit challenging with the first mile all uphill and steep – real steep.

One of the couples was having a pancake breakfast after the run which we gladly accepted the invitation, one because it is PANCAKES, and two, the breakfast would be a social outlet as we are new to the area. As we were driving to their home, a man waving a “RETIREMENT SALE” enticed us to stop along the way and see if there any deals on couches. After a half-hour smooth sales pitch by Scott and $1,800 dollars later, we were the proud owners of a much needed couch and love seat, yet to be delivered. Feeling the need to spend money, Home Depot was on the route home where I purchased supplies to hang a bird feed and bird house. Instead of pancakes, we drove home to sit to work in the yard then sit on our front porch to read the paper and sleep.

Sunday morning arrived, the dog barked, we rose. Missing out on pancakes the day before, Karen broke out her secret buckwheat pancake recipe along with Turkey bacon. Although an usual breakfast on our long run day, nonetheless, I was happy to indulge a bit and delay the run until 10 a.m. It was just a 10 mile run but the route I made had plenty of rolling hills, scenery and interesting views of architecture as we passed a golf community and ran through the university as well as run along the urban trails. I can’t imagine the San Francisco Marathon could be anymore hilly then this route.

After cleaning the house and ourselves, I mentioned that we should stop by World Market to resupply our wine and check out the bargains to which the wife happily obliged. “Why don’t we go to the golf range, too? Might as well as break out the sticks and practice before your dad visits in the summer.”

Talk about pressure to perform, her father is a retired golf-pro. In years past, I would rather do anything else than golf but with one quick lesson from the in-law, I’m knocking the snot out of the ball and beginning to enjoy the game again. Who know? I may even go play a round this week-end if the weather holds out.

Although I only wrote about the highlights, there was not a moment wasted this past week-end. In the end, I felt accomplished, yet exhausted.

-- The Running Bob