This is a great way to spend a Sunday morning...
I did the Bridge to Bridge Run/Walk in San Francisco. Trust me, it was a lot more walk than it was run. It was a 7K or 12K course that started at the Bay Bridge and ended in the Presido at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The proceeds went to one of my favorite causes, the Special Olympics of Northern California.
Wow, there were a lot of people. These runners take things so seriously. They stretched, warmed up, and were sweating before they even started. I'm guessing they could tell I wasn't one of them when I showed up at start line with my Starbucks Venti Coffee with cream.
Because I pre-registered, the organizers knew the Bobness would be there and arranged for my own personal security detail. This fine SFPD officer is putting away the autograph I signed for him so he can focus all his attention on my safety.
The course was along the Bay, with the first part of the race down the Embarcadero past the piers and Fisherman's Wharf. I made a quick stop at Hooters looking for a little bit of the ol' In-N-Out. As usual, I didn't get any.
7 K's and 66 minutes later, I crossed the finish line to a throng of well wishers and adoring fans. Actually, it was all of the serious runners who had finished waaaay ahead of me. Still, it was cool crossing the finish line under the big digital clock just like the Boston Marathon. I could have almost been mistaken for an athlete. They had doctors on hand for me, thankfully not needed.
One of the local radio stations greeted me with live music. As you can see, they held the entire front row for me and my closest runner/walker pals.
There was a feast fit for kings at the finish line. Heaven knows a bunch of serious runners are looking for a Polish Sausage, Hot Dog, or Chicken Sandwich right after running a 12K.
Apparently we all were racing for Michelob Ultra. Had I only known, I would have moved along a lot faster to get my share while it was still cold. It's not my brand, but beggars can't be choosers.
It was a great morning, great weather, and a great cause.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Bridge to Bridge
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28 comments:
Congratulations!
I would have been there at the end waiting for you - beer and polish sausage in hand...
showing up at the start with your coffee & cream just proves what i always thought about you ....
your priorities are in order :)
hi bob
I am not sure if I have heard you refer to yourself as "the Bobness" before. Perhaps I haven't been paying attention.
Sounds like a lovely walk and a good cause.
Bob, you're a hoot. Rob was watching the Red Sox while reading your Hooter/In-N-Out paragraph. He was laughing too hard to comment. I assume that's good.
I always laugh when I go to Walmart to buy cat food because Hooters is just across the way. Why? Because it's a family place.
So glad you participated in the run/walk. Great cause, great exercise. I've walked the Embarcadero many times on a Friday night with my dear friend Vilma on our way to the pier to eat at a fine establishment. Yes, we walked for fun then took the cable car back to BART. So yes, I recognize every photo! We worked at a law firm in Embarcadero 2 and Friday nights were always a joy and a wonderful relief. I know San Francisco well and appreciate the fact you would walk that distance for charity rather than food (like us!).
Love you and thanks for allowing me to "lift" with no guilt!
XO
I love that you would have run faster for the beer. I would have as well. But not for Michelob. Would have to be one of the little local places here, like Sea Dogs or something. Beer...is it too early for one?
The Special Olympics are a great cause.
BTW: I don't know if you know this or not, but they always need golf coaches. And working with those guys is the most fun you'll ever have.
Karen
Thanks Penelope/Karen. I became indirectly involved with the state Summer Games in NH about 6 years ago. Their spirit, achievement and pure joy of competing is truly awe inspiring.
As great a feat as Michael Phelps pulled off this summer, I often think the accomplishments of these amazing individuals to overcome their obstacles and succeed makes them all the more inspiring.
Where the hell's the response to my comment? Okay, I'm not commenting here from now on. Blottie is on vacation. Good luck with that.
;)
Blottie... Sorry hun, I was sending some love Cecile's way over at the Cafe. I'll come up with something witty and reply here soon.
Okay, change of heart. Just read your comment over at the Cafe. I'm listening to Lee Ann and thinking of your words. You're a good man my dear friend. We love you equally. You know that, don't you. We're going to go through lots of tough times, aren't we? I know. But we have one another, so we'll be fine.
Love you.
I know. I read it while you where writing and I'm crying. While you writing I was writing. I'm sorry for being so self absorbed. I need to change. What you wrote to Cece is so beautiful. I started to cry. She's struggling, but I know she'll find her way. She selected the perfect song, didn't she. I know.
I love you.
Something interesting. Listening to Lee Ann reminds me how lovely it is to hold a brush and paint.
Then hop to it missy, get those brushes flying and bring more peace to your life. From someone who can't draw a straight line, you've got a gift to be able to express your joy in art.
Keep smiling Blottie... just bob
I agree--great cause, and this post made me giggle. I would definitely show up coffee and cream in hand. In fact, this summer when I was doing lots of exercise-walking, I always started out with a cup of coffee in a to-go container!
I loved looking at the photos.
Hey! Well, I'm about to start my day and am organized and ready to go, but everyone's sleeping, so I have a few minutes to screw around!
I'll give you a quote from the Holy Grail (Your Personal Guide To The Future ~ Leo), Page 14, Paragraph 2:
"Like all fire signs, Leos are highly competitive which can impact your relationship with friends. You like to believe that you are your friends' closest confidant and, if that position is jeopardized by someone else, you may feel hurt and threatened."
Hummmmmmmmmmm, so I'm a fire sign. No wonder I'm always hot. I thought it was just menopause. Competitive. Yup. Have told you all that before. Worried about being someone's closest friend? Not so much. But I do feel hurt and threatened when a better friend comes along!!!
And thanks sweetie. I'm about to get the old paint brushes out and relax in the South of France. You know I've been planning this for over a month. Hey, life is hectic here at Rose Cottage. But I swear to God, I got a fire in my ass when Lee Ann sang those beautiful words. It was a comfort to be reminded I express myself in paint. And I'm lucky.
Have a beautiful day and thanks for taking such beautiful care of the Cafe and all of us.
Love you,
Blottie XO
The "author" is Suzanne. I'm so proud to be called an author! I posted twice because Blogger indicated I hadn't posted once. Goes without saying...clean this joint up!
XO
That's hilarious. Can't believe the Hooters girls couldn't give The Bobness a little sump'm sump'm for the road. It's for the Special Olympics, Bitches.
Happyhoursue,
That's too funny to read at 7:42 in the morning!
GOOD ON YOU MAN, the city has so many cool events like that!
Way to go Bob. That does sound like a good way to spend a Sunday. Glad you had a fun time.
You little rascal you! You discovered my covert affair with Hunter!!! Go back and read how we met. Yup, good old IV. One of the best "Meet and Greets" of all time. Who knew a vegetarian would connect with a hunter. We still laugh. It's our inside joke. That was one of IV's best posts. He was lazy that day and we all benefited. Or is that benefitted? Ahhhhhhhhhh, who cares, we won.
Hi honey!!! The debate is about to begin! It's taking too long. I want it right now.
I'm glad to see you had your own security detail! I get autograph seekers all the time. Maybe I should do that too.
That's so cool!! I hope one day to be in good enough shape to run/walk a marathon!!!
Next year, if you and I are still in CA, lets all get together and walk. I'm just up the coast, IV is just down the coast, RC in probably a few miles up the street. We'd have a blast. Twenty eight miles to gab! Yey!!! Too fun. Then dinner and drinks. Hopefully on your expense account. Wouldn't that be too much fun?
Oh Blottie... it's not a marathon. The 7K is only about 4.5 miles and the 12K is about 7.5 miles. It's an idea worth considering.
HEY!
I think I'm back...sort of. I'm actually in the Chicago area right now visiting my BFF. I had no idea you did this bridge to bridge thing. How cool is that?
You should have emailed me. I would have tried to get the family out and we could have met up with you....
Anyway, what is it about Hooter's? Those stockings they wear are sooooo 80s!!! Okay, so there's the big boobs and everything...alright.
Hope you are doing well!
XOXOXO
RC
See....I would have silently drifted to the back of the starting line and slipped down the alley right before the gun shot off signaling the beginning of the race. 17 minutes later I would have sulked out of the darkness emerging RIGHT behind the beer stand claiming I got extra beer for finishing the race first.
THAT, “my friend”, is a serious runner.
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