Anticipation vs. Realization

As I sit here reading my teammates posts, it's 11 p.m. PDT. I've packed my bag, set up my clothes for tomorrow morning, prepped my iPhone "map" directions to SFO (and will use my Garmin Quest GPS in my rental car) to pick up 1Mile (Doug) and Susie and wonder if I'll recognize Susie ( she'll probably recognize me?) because I do know Doug from Portland (the Nike "Super-User's" Summit). He's easy - he has the largest calves you'll ever see!!! LOL I bet they're implants.

It's been a wonderful week here in the most beautiful city I've been to. I can live here. Biking and running seem to be everyone's most popular pastimes. Matter of fact, GGPRunner (Kerry) and I had a most gratifying conversation with a 55 year old cyclist about his riding and his bike at a park we stopped at along Hwy 1. (Kerry, please correct me if I got this wrong) She was a gracious and most entertaining host. "Alice's Restaurant" was very fulfilling and I want that Porsche! LOL

Texas/Dan, don't worry about dialogue/conversation. Kerry and I hit it off immediately as if we were brother and sister who hadn't seen each other in a long time. If this is the way with everyone else, we should get along just great! As for myself, I have 35 years of stories to tell! LOL Most of my teammates could be my children. This is a good thing since it keeps me feeling young. I think the running will be secondary to the socialization.

Going to sleep tonight will be like a kid trying to get some sleep the night before Christmas. Let's see which will trump the other. I'm betting on realization.

Alex

Meet the GNIKE GNOME

Hello Folks, this is Gary the GNIKE GNOME reporting here. I will be the embedded reporter for Team Waiting for Runs. I am thrilled at this oppurtunity to get some more traveling in. The weather here in Colorado has been lets say inconsistant. Snow, Sun, Snow, Sun, go away winter! I want to do some more traveling! So when 1Miletogo approached me and suggested that I travel to Sunny California, I accepted right away! Here I am in the mountains of Colorado, look at all that snow. I just want sun!

So, I will be reporting for the team on this 199 mile adventure, boy do I love to travel. I hope to have the oppurtunity to snatch a picture at great photo locations! Maybe I will be able to get a picture with Dean and maybe some ladies on the beach....Anyway, I have checked with one of my cousins working for Travelocity, and he said that the weather should be great for running! We are looking at highs in the 60's and lows in the 40's. Ahh, a Colorado Gnome couldn't ask for more.

Anyway, I am now in the midst of helping 1Mile pack, and boy does he need it, between you and me, he is scattered everywhere. So, I tried on my running attire and glasses, boy am I ready! See you all soon, and I will be enjoying spending time in both vans and witnessing the sites and spectacles of van life for 36 hours!

Man, 1Mile is bad about this sizing thing. I look like I'm drowning. Oh well, I do look pretty dang cool!

Over and out...

The GNIKE GNOME

van conversation

so, what do you talk about with 4 other people in a van that you have never really "met" and have no "real" history with? As I wait to board my plane I ponder this and instead of coming up with real topics of conversation, I find myself doing what I often find myself doing ....considering the worst. What would make for the worst possible dialogues in a mildly stinky van? How do these sound...
So, do you guys like to run? Or how about discussing what people usually say they hate about me, would that make for comforable conversation? Or maybe talking about an exotic rash the last people who used this rental had? How about insisting on total silence to prepare our minds and spirit? Perhaps its best if I spent my plane rides coming up with something better :) almost time to run!