This morning I again volunteered to work an aid station for our track club's marathon training program, passing out water and Gookinaid with two highly inspirational runners. Our station was near the Visitor's Center within the Mission Bay recreational complex. This time I planned ahead and wore running attire to go for a quick one (as in time, not pace) once we were done.
If you've ever vacationed in San Diego, chances are you stopped by Mission Bay. Its parks, beaches and waterfronts are beautiful yearround and today was no exception. (The bay's water quality is another story....) I could not help smiling at everyone as I took in the fit and the fortunate -- young families, lovers, tourists, senior citizens and plenty of rowers and runners -- all enjoying what we here sometimes take for granted: perfect spring-like weather. The recent rains had left the grassy earth beneath my feet spongy and forgiving -- perfect for someone heading into a trail run in a few weeks. I even did a few laps around big tree roots for practice since my path was otherwise obstacle-free.
I was running about four hours later and 30 degrees warmer than usual for me, and my effort reflected it. Still, if it weren't for the need to return home and meet up with a friend, I could have kept going...around Fiesta Island....SeaWorld...over the bridges to Crown Point...and back through Pacific Beach until I hit Mission Bay Drive again. Yeah, it was that fun of a run.
17 comments:
Sounds wonderful. I visited San Diego once - in 1984. And we did go to that park. And the zoo. And Sea World. I think I'm overdue for another visit!
Yes, I am guilty of taking our California weather forgranted. Today is so awesome. I am enjoying it because I know the rain will be back - probably right in the middle of one of the baseball games.
Glad that you got to enjoy the spongy forgiving ground.
you had a typo found by your awesome daughter and you fixed it!!!!!!!
Hey Anne, it was great to see you today. Thanks for being there for us. Coach Paul was running with us as we passed Tecolote Shores on the way back, and he commented "not only do we have this great weather to be thankful for, but the bay doesn't smell either!".
Oh yeah, I wish Dallas has something like Mission Bay. I stayed at the Hilton 2 years ago when I ran RNR, and the running trail was right outside my back door. It made me itch to go run every time I saw someone run by, which was all the time!
sounds great! Such a beautiful area though I've never run it..
Hey Anne -- We'll be staying in Pacific Beach in August for Mekaela's wedding, from the 13th till the 20th. Hope we can get together! I'll let you know more details later.
Oh maaaaan... I was there today, just to get in a run. I saw all the groups and wondered what was going on. Dang. We could have met if I would have known! And wasn't today was just absolutely gorgeous at the bay? I took it all in. :)
Green grass, warm wind blowing, Sounds so inviting to run in.
I'm so jealous right now.
Thanks for the palm trees in the sun fix. We're a solid sheet of glaring white ice here and the temperature hasn't broke freezing for...I can't remember.
weekends like this are what make me sooooooo grateful i moved back to california...it feels like sunshine can carry you through hours and hours of blissful running :)
Well I'm completely disatisfied now with 50* weather and snow whilist you have GREEN grass and trees that look alive.
I LOVE the picture. Sounds wonderful.
Sounds so wonderful to run there . . . When I was in San Diego in June for the marathon, my sister and I saw a prostitue pick up a guy in a wheelchair on Pacific Beach. Then we ate at a local fish restaurant. It was cool.
Running is divine sometimes, isn't it?
So is San Diego!
Mission Bay is gorgeous! I've always wanted to run around there. Sounds like you had a great time!
It is a really nice place to run. So many other like minded people out there. I ran there the time I was supposed to meet Terry, but didn't. I love that one of the bathrooms is known as the Runner's Bathroom. We are spoiled with the weather, aren't we?
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