Week 2: 15K of Pure Determination (Ending with Espresso, of Course!) Today was a big one—15 km officially in the books. The plan? A slow and steady run from Crown Point to SeaWorld, down to Mission Beach, up to Pacific Beach, and back, finishing at Elixir Espresso Bar. The goal? Beat the heat, survive the distance, and break in my brand-new Asics Nova Blast 5s. With knee, back, and calf supports strapped on-basically one compression sleeve away from looking like a cyborg- We hit the pavement just as the sun began to rise. The first few kilometers? Great. The shoes felt amazing, the weather was perfect, and my pace was solid. For a brief moment, I actually thought, This is like running on clouds! Then reality set in. The final stretch back to Crown Point was pure willpower. My support gear was holding everything together, but my legs were filing a formal complaint. As the finish line came into view, only one thought kept me going: Cappuccino. And just like that—15 km, conquer...
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...