Week 7: The Last Long Run—No Wind, No Worries, Just Will The sunrise painted the sky at 6:30am, but we didn’t rush. We savored the quiet morning before stepping into our final training run—12 kilometers, a route that’s become muscle memory: Crown Point to De Anza Cove, Mission Bay, SeaWorld, and back. It was still, almost too still. No sea breeze, no cooling wind. Just the soft rhythm of our feet and the hum of anticipation. I felt flat-footed today—each step heavier than the last—wrapped in my usual gear like a well-padded veteran. Meanwhile, Michelle moved effortlessly, light on her feet, gliding like the breeze we didn’t have. We wrapped it up at Yipao Coffee, our ritual celebration—cappuccino for me, iced oat milk latte for her. Next week is the big one. The San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon. No more countdowns. Just the start line ahead. Week 6: Pushing Limits, Fighting Pain, and Closing in on Race Day Two weeks to go until the half marathon. No turning back no...
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...