Sorry, guys….I know you’ve been anxiously awaiting the next installment of my journal but I’ve been SLAMMED – Joey began the 1st grade, Carmen has me working on retention compliance, and I’ve barely had any sleep! Don’t want to keep you in the dark for too long though. Here’s last week in a nutshell:

Tuesday, August 9: Hit the Nike Running club…usual late arrival. Thought we went for 6 miles but realized we only covered 5 upon returning to NikeTown. Got it done and felt great…that’s all that matters.

Thursday, August 11: Tried a new route today: Ran down 107th avenue from my house to Fontainebleau Blvd. and back. Lot’s of smoke blown on my face and a few inconsiderate drivers, but other than that, felt good and covered 6 miles.

Saturday, August 13: BRIDGEWORK! That’s what our run was all about this morning. This year the Nike people decided to make the course flatter for us out of towners. Thanks! But it is Frisco, and we will come across a few cable car hills, so bridgework is imperative if we plan to finish this baby.

Today’s course: 4 miles from Hobie Beach out to Sunday’s on the Bay and back. 8 miles up and down the bridge (OUCH…I can still feel it in my legs) and ending with a refreshing 2 miles to the Seaquarium and back.

“The bridge is your friend”, Coach Gus kept reminding us. I was just not feeling it today. I felt like Sam and Frodo climbing up Mount Doom. I had a mean looking grimace, sweat bullets poured down my face and my legs felt like anchors. I felt like a slug, but it was sheer determination that kept me going. Usually I’m laughing, smiling, happy to be alive, handing out “good mornings” and “great jobs” but today all I could think about was sitting down and taking a mammoth sized bite of a warm and tasty Lox and Bagel….ahhhh. Finally, it was over…the ring was destroyed and I embarked on a ship with the Elves, happily sailing to bagel bliss…