Week 6: Pushing Limits, Fighting Pain, and Closing in on Race Day Two weeks to go until the half marathon. No turning back now. Today was a big one—17 kilometers, the usual route from Crown Point to De Anza Cove, looping through Mission Bay, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach before ending at our now-sacred finish line: Yipao Coffee. The weather was on our side, cool and perfect for a long run. I had my usual compression gear, this time adding compression socks to help with the lingering heel pain. Meanwhile, Michelle was cruising—until 12K, when a sharp stomach pain hit just below her right rib cage. She slowed down, took deep breaths, and fought through it. No stopping. No turning back. Despite the setbacks, we clocked a 6:52/km pace—an improvement from our last long run. Progress. Endurance. One step closer to race day. And as always, the reward: a Colombian cappuccino for me, an iced oat milk latte for Michelle. The countdown is on. 13.1 miles is waiting. Week 5: The Sun, The S...
This past holiday season, Michelle and I decided to break away from the familiar. Instead of the usual family gatherings in Bay Area, we packed our bags for New Zealand—a land of rugged beauty, epic adventures, and just enough unpredictability to keep us on our toes. Little did we know, this trip would push us out of our comfort zones and into the heart of an unforgettable adventure. The Start of Something Big We left San Diego with excitement buzzing in the air, cruising up to Los Angeles for a late-night flight. Parking was smooth- thankfully, I’d planned ahead- and soon we were boarding a 12-hour journey to the land of the long white cloud. As we flew across the Pacific, I kept imagining the landscapes ahead: towering mountains, roaring waterfalls, and surreal geothermal pools. Michelle, ever the planner, was busy double-checking our packed itinerary. We touched down in Auckland mid-morning, and the adventure began right away. After grabbing a rental car and stocking up on snacks, w...