Weekend Update Using the Bandage Removal Approach

This morning's entry is brought to you by 49 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature for all seasons (summer not included).

In my excitement to write about baseball and bears yesterday, I forgot to mention what I did this weekend. Because reading somebody's description of his or her weekend can sometimes be like removing a bandage, I will make this as quick and painless as possible.

On Sunday, I was in San Francisco, rooting on M as she ran the half marathon in the Nike Women's Marathon. The race started at Union Square and finished at Ocean Beach. 23,000 runners and walkers participated and raised more than 18 million dollars for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

While M ran, I made my way across the city by bus to see her cross the finish line. An hour of waiting and riding MUNI got me as far as 42nd and Geary. I walked the rest of the way, following the race course past the Cliff House and down the Great Highway to Ocean Beach. M finished faster than she expected and posted a time under 2 hours and 20 minutes.

On Saturday, we were in San Francisco to pick up M's registration packet and visit the race expo. With the weather so spectacular (as it would be on Sunday, too), we made a day of it in the city. We got back just in time to watch Boston beat Cleveland in Game 6.

On Friday, I went to the grand opening of REI in Marina. The store is part of a brand new shopping center on the edge of town, near Highway 1, called The Dunes. Despite the neat name, it looks like every other edge-of-town big box complex in California. REI was the most unique store in the bunch.

After enjoying a complimentary breakfast and exploring the crowded store, I headed south on Highway 1 to Garrapata State Park, where I hiked to Doud Peak. Photos and a trip report are forthcoming.

See, that was quick, wasn't it? Barely stings.