Hobo Lolo

Race Day: Embracing the Challenge, and Pushing Limits Today was the big one—the San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon. We stood at the starting line at 6:30 AM, under heavy skies and cooler air. No blazing sun today, just a thick layer of cloud cover—a welcome gift for runners like us. This wasn’t unfamiliar ground. We’ve run these paths over and over—Crown Point, De Anza Cove, Mission Bay, Pacific Beach. We knew every twist and turn. But that didn’t make it easier. Michelle almost didn’t start. Her back pain had lingered all week, stubborn and unpredictable. But she showed up, like always. Quietly determined. By mile 3, she was locked in. By mile 6, she was flying. But then came mile 10—the farthest we had ever trained for. That’s where things started to change. Breaths became heavier. Footsteps, slower. At mile 12, we hit the wall—hard. Every stride turned into a battle of will over body. And yet, somehow, we kept moving. Michelle crossed the finish at 2:28. I followed just a minut...

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...