Training runs and an Escape

I've been having a great time exploring trails in the southern Bay Area.  There are so many!  I keep finding new parks, other green spaces with trails, different views.  I'm amazed at how many miles of trails exist around here.

My latest discovery is Rancho San Antonio.  Kip and I climbed up to Black Mountain last Saturday.  Checking out Mountain View on the way back down:

Sunday was something different.  We like puzzle games but haven't experienced many versions outside urban racing (or video adventure games like Myst or Tex Murphy).  When we heard about "Escape From the Walled City" we were intrigued.  Not the least because it was held inside AT&T Park with a couple thousand people.

I'm always interested in seeing sports stadiums, and as much as I like watching sports, finding other reasons to visit the parks is even better (and usually cheaper).

A picturesque park on the water:

The field was easily large enough to handle the big crowd and we had plenty of room.  The organizers did an awesome job putting this together, with good communication, top-quality solving materials, and interesting puzzles.

A couple of the volunteers and play actors:

Getting ready for the start:

Obligatory selfie:

The game itself was a blast.  We solved 3 out of 4 of the puzzles and had some good ideas on the last one but ran out of time.  It was great fun running around the field, into the stands, back and forth trying to figure things out.  They even encouraged us to "Run!"  They are doing the same game in LA and NYC this year, I highly recommend trying it.

Yesterday I used one of Kip's training ideas and did a long run around the south end of the Bay, taking the Dumbarton Bridge to cross the water.  It is a most excellent route.  And I'm so happy that I'm finally able to train "for real" after so many stops and starts last year.

The marshes near highway 101:

Pipeline just south of the bridge:

A fun little obstacle:

View of railroad tracks from the bridge:

Nice bike path along the bridge:

Not sure what this is but it was interesting enough for a photo:

Spring has started - there actually are faint seasons here, you just have to pay attention to see the signs:

An odd ghost town in the middle of nowhere:

Not sure who had the bright idea to build a town in the middle of the marshes:

View back toward Fremont:

Tugboats in Alviso:

A thick palm tree along the bike path near highway 237:

A big plane taking off from Moffett Field, that was cool (and loud):

Buds a-blooming on the Google campus:

Fun weekend and a nice couple runs!

Coyote Hills trail race

John and I did some volunteering at a trail race last weekend - Brazen Racing's Coyote Hills.  Great weather, fun crew, super organization, and all-around good experience.

Half marathoners getting ready to start:

And they're off - Kip is in the crowd here somewhere:

We helped unbag some of the 1400 finishers medals - that was quite a task.  Neat medals though:

John captured an overhead view of the 10K start:

The next three pictures are courtesy of Jason Lehrbaum who was snapping shots of runners on the course.  Thanks Jason!

Kip's first lap, looking fast:

Kip's second lap, still smiling!

John on volunteer duty at the last turn before the finish line:

Runners nearing the end of the race:

Almost caught Kip as he was dashing toward the finish:

Go Kip...

Best costume:

Fun day at Coyote Hills!

CA races and training (and dogs)

Some of our wanderings around the Bay Area lately... we're having a good time exploring and visiting Kip.

Terraloco puts on some interesting events that we'll do whenever possible.  The latest was the Mission Artscape, running around the Mission District to find murals and answer questions about them.  It was a blast, and I even managed to edge out John and Kip for the win for once.

Pre-race photo with all the participants:

The following day we did our first BAOC orienteering event in the woods, and it turned out to be a doozy.  We ran around Tilden Park above Berkeley, encountering steep hillsides, slippery eucalyptus leaves, deep woods, open fields, amazing views, and a bit of poison oak.  I wasn't sure what I'd gotten myself into, but at least my nav was decent until I got sloppy near the end.  For me it wasn't so much racing as figuring out how to get up, down, and sideways on the steep slopes, but John and I both had a good time out there.  An interesting introduction to orienteering around these parts.

Last weekend we happened upon a Pet Expo, the highlight being a costume contest.  The cuteness level of this blog takes a sharp upward turn with these puppies.

An adorable clown, with a guitar-toting "rocker" looking on:

Mr Pimp won 2nd place, he was very cool about the whole thing:

And our winner the Minion - most hysterical when he waddled around, this pooch was totally into the role:

OK, back to pretty scenery and our less-adorable mugs...

We drove north of San Francisco to go roaming around Mount Tam.  The roads driving in were completely socked in with fog.  Happily, the top of the mountain rose above the clouds.  Love the view of the "white sea" with Mount Diablo in the distance:

Top of Tam:

Kip hanging around, being a rebel:

We didn't find a way into the fire tower, but we sure enjoyed the snack break and the views:

Looking south where the city is supposed to be:

A few fun trails and a nice long downhill run later, one last stint with the camera.  Muir Woods is awesome, after all.  Love the big trees.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.

John considering some trail work:

It has been a fun January in CA so far!

Welcoming 2015 in San Francisco

Taking advantage of one of Kip's days off and the nice weather and the fact that the Bay Area has so much to see... time for a day wandering around in the city.

Yoda looks perturbed at the intrusion:

John beat Kip to the podium:

Big trees and a pretty bike path:

A bit hazy but the GGB is slightly visible in the background:

Trying to figure out why this piece of pavement is roped off (besides the brief appearance of a John Beard there):

Good idea,..

Alcatraz across the way.  We also watched people swimming in the chilly water, not something any of us could see ourselves doing.

Playing some older games at the Musee Mechanique, what a blast from the past:

Kip getting zapped by Uncle Fester in an oddly disturbing game:

A consolation prize for missing the Big Dig challenge in Las Vegas...

USS Pampanito:

John working the ropes:

Love the seals!  For a bunch of creatures mostly just lying around, they were pretty entertaining:

Happy (early) Birthday Kip!

Matching sweatshirts:

A stroll up Lombard Street (a bit of a tourist madhouse):

And finally... not sure what this is but something compelled me to share it:

Happy New Year y'all!