‎When you’ve worked hard and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. No, you reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.
Michelle Obama

Running away.

I’m trying to decide how many times I’ve run away.

Does it count when you ask for help?

Does it matter if you’ve been kicked out — but only a little — but you take the opportunity to flee?

Is it real if you have somewhere to run to?

Depending on your response, I’ve either run away three times — or not at all.

I’m only just now thinking of this, because I’ve always wanted to flee, to recreate myself, to found a new life. 

But it never works out how you think.

Typically, when you go away, you’re burdened with the same old.

You’re the same person, no matter what.

But now I’m in a new place. And I’m not the same.

I’m not running. I’m catching my breath.

Today, I resolved to stop and take some pictures. :)

Stats

Bike: 12.71 miles

Time: 1:07:51

Avg Moving Speed: 12.1 mph

Max Speed: 19.3 mph

It looks like I set a PR for a mile! :03:56 (av speed of 15.2). 

The pace of the ride was quite varied. In addition to some fast miles, we also rode 3 total miles over 6 minutes. This was just the nature of the route. We rode just under 2 miles to get to the American River Trail, spent 7 on the trail, and it was another 4 miles home. That’s 6 miles on the road, with lots of traffic stops. I’m not above “coasting through” a light, but I always slow to ensure the coast is clear, down to the point where I’m basically balancing in a stop.

Conditions

It is gorgeous out. Hot (88°), sunny, very light breeze. We entered the trail in a new spot, and I got to seem some interesting sights, including:

  • A homeless community or two. I’m talking full-on communities of a dozen or so people each that we could see. (I felt safe with Lucus, but I would NOT go this way alone.)
  • Some very beautiful birds, including herons and yellow-billed magpies. Oh…and Lucus nearly ran down some morning doves. That wasn’t awesome.
  • A party on the river. People were sunbathing, listening to music and basically all-out partying. I’m not gonna lie…it looked pretty cool. Cooler than me, anyway.
And I nearly hurt myself. Oy. My shoelace wrapped itself around my pedal, and I didn’t notice until I couldn’t rotate the pedal any further. I’m proud that I didn’t a) Fall or b) Cause harm to another biker. It was a little touch-and-go, but I stayed calm.

All in all, this was a great ride.

Bad Brigitte!

How did I let 4 days go by without an update? Bad, bad Brigitte!

Day 44

Walk: 33:10

Day 45

Run: 28:22 

2.25 mi

This needs a bit of explanation. Thursday was the first really warm day this Spring. It was in the upper 70s and sunny. Contrary to everything I know about myself, I thought this would make a GREAT time to go for a run.

But here’s the thing. The sun is my kryptonite. I overheat like a carburetor. It doesn’t even need to be that hot. So, true to form, I wilted. I had to walk a bit. I think my total run distance was closer to 1.75. bleh

Day 46

I had the best of intentions on Friday, but I didn’t manage my time well. Lucus came home from work a bit early, so we could beat the weekend crowd on our way to Santa Rosa, where we had tickets to see Mike Birbiglia. I also had a meeting with a potential new client! All told, Lucus and I got caught in traffic and barely had time to eat dinner. 

Long story short: My 20 just didn’t happen.

Day 47

After spending the night in Santa Rosa, we drove to Sonoma to meet the California branch of my family. I was nervous heading over there, but we has a great time. We ended up staying 5 hours! 

By the time we got back to Sac, I was wiped. We spent most of those 5 hours socializing in the sun, and it was in the mid-80s. I tried to nap a bit, failed, and basically Lucus and I ended up heating up some leftovers for dinner and watching a movie. 

I don’t regret it, though. I had a great time with my California cousins (first cousins twice removed, I think) — and there was no way I was heading back into the heat once I got home. 

Day 42

So. About these new shoes. OMG I WALK LIKE A GIANT.

Please allow me to elaborate.

For my entire life, I’ve been teased for walking on my toes. I spent years trying — and failing — to “walk like a normal person.” Heel - toe. 

Never before tonight have I actually felt my heel hit the ground.

But these shoes! And my long stride! OWWW. My heels hurt SO HARD.

I’ve been wearing minimalist and barefoot shoes for years. My ankles and calves are stronger, and I no longer suffer shin splints. But I simply wasn’t prepared for the sensation of taking an evening stroll wearing a truly barefoot shoe. 

It’s like re-learning how to walk.

Stats:

Walk: 29:45 

Day 41

This has been an absolutely perfect day. First, Lucus and I hit up the farmers’ market. Wow. This thing must’ve been larger than the Green City market in Chicago, and it was CHEAP!

I saw on Yelp that some people complain about the prices. It’s one of the many things I’ve noticed people around here take for granted. Good prices on local — and quite often organic — produce. This is definitely a subject for another post (or maybe my main site), but we keep getting all these incredulous looks from locals when we tell them we just got here from Chicago. Why’d you move here, they want to know? On one level, I get it. San Francisco is so close, and oh-so trendy. But, you know what. We can bike and run and go to cheap farmers’ markets here. It’s not a perfect place, obviously, but it has a lot to offer. Plus…shhh…don’t tell anyone…I think San Francisco is over-rated.

But that’s a topic for another day.

After the farmers’ market, Lucus and I went to our happy place. Get your mind out of the gutter! I’m talkin’ bout REI. I love me some REI. We went to buy a bike rack, but of course walked out with much more. Including some new shoes for me! They’re barefoot trail shoes, and I love them! I started wearing barefoot-style shoes 3 years ago, and I’ve been steadily progressing as my legs get stronger. I can’t stand wearing a stiff sole now.

After we got back from the store, we loaded up the bikes on our new rack and hit the trail!

I don’t think Sacto natives know how good they have it with this trail. The lakeshore trail in Chicago is stunning — and incredibly dangerous for cyclists. Pedestrians and sun-bathers regularly cross Chicago’s lakefont path without looking for cyclist, runners or even other pedestrians first. It’s why I only rode on it once when I lived there; the scenery wasn’t worth the risk of a collision. We preferred to drive out of the city to get to other trails. The American River Trail in Sacramento is stunning (I’ll stop to take pictures next time) and safe. People actually know to walk on the left! No kidding!

Alrighty, no more proselytizing about bike paths. :) I’m off to have a beer and whip up some curtains for my office.

Stats

Bike: 11.33 mi

Time: 54:24

Avg Moving Speed: 12.5 mph

Max Speed: 18.0 mph

Elevation Gain: 67 ft

It was a perfect day to bike. Sunny, breezy, 70°.