Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Monday, October 18, 2004
…fun to live.
There was an event, “Relevo por la vida” (Relay for life) from the FANLYC foundation (http://www.fanlyc.org/).The event consisted in a 24 hour race, from the Saturday 16 at 7:00am to the Sunday 17 at 7:00am.
I had in mind to show up for one lap that Saturday at 5:30pm, after the sun was down. But right at that time, a great storm started, and lasted up to 7:40pm. At that time, I was no longer thinking about the race, but rather my stomach.
About 5 minutes later, my mobile phone rang; it was my sister inviting me for a family dinner. Timing could not have been any better. So we went to this place called Don Pascual, and had a funny evening. We laughed so bad, that there was a moment my sister stated that her tummy hurt from it.
After dinner, we went to her apartment, and I gave her a hand installing the TV on the wall.
I arrived home by 11:30pm, and I was thinking about the race. Is not big deal, but I had promised myself to go for one lap.After thinking for another couple of minutes, I determined that I was not going to wake up at 5am, to go run 1 (3.5km) lap.And since the place is so close to my house, I decided to go right away. But of course, I had a cup of coffee before leaving.
At around 00:30 I was jogging, and feeling so good. The trail on this park has many uphill and downhill’s that makes the jogging a bit more challenging than my usual flat terrain jogging. Twenty three minutes later, I had finished the lap. And I had such a big smile on my face. I felt so happy that I kept my promise to myself.
As I was drinking my water, I saw one of the kids smile at me, probably because I had my happy boy smile as well, and it did it. Right away I thought about doing a second lap. I went to my car to take some money out (there is a $5.00 donation per lap), and registered for a second lap.
Leslie was at the counter and asked how many laps? (apart from being a happy boy, I was sweated as if I had just taken a shower with my clothes on). I said only one!, I have just arrived. I planed for one, but feel like another one.
As I finished that lap, the previous process repeated. I think that running on a purpose (seeing the kid smile, knowing you are helping, and running with the name of a kid on a band on my wrist) gave me so much motivation, that I didn’t really feel that tired, so I went for a third one… and a forth one.
By then I thought, this is it. I already had plenty of fun, and I am starting to get some pain on my knees. I’ll just hang around for a while now… Well, Leslie offered me some food, some “Sancocho”, and it was great. I felt pleased, and after about twenty minutes… I was jogging again…. Obviously each lap I did it slower than the previous one, and on this last one, I barely hear the heart monitor complain.
This time, on the arrival line, I congratulated the girls that where checking the times, and left, happy.
As I was driving home, I was thinking… o boy, I won’t be able to walk for a week, I have never jog so much in my life (my “record” was 2 laps). So I arrived home, and as I was taking a shower… ARGGGGGGG IT HURTS!!!, apparently the rubbing of the t-shirt fabric had peeled off the skin on my tits. I would have never guessed this as a side effect for long runs, maybe next time I’ll put some band-aid on them to protect them, before running.
My life is a comedy… fun to live.
I had in mind to show up for one lap that Saturday at 5:30pm, after the sun was down. But right at that time, a great storm started, and lasted up to 7:40pm. At that time, I was no longer thinking about the race, but rather my stomach.
About 5 minutes later, my mobile phone rang; it was my sister inviting me for a family dinner. Timing could not have been any better. So we went to this place called Don Pascual, and had a funny evening. We laughed so bad, that there was a moment my sister stated that her tummy hurt from it.
After dinner, we went to her apartment, and I gave her a hand installing the TV on the wall.
I arrived home by 11:30pm, and I was thinking about the race. Is not big deal, but I had promised myself to go for one lap.After thinking for another couple of minutes, I determined that I was not going to wake up at 5am, to go run 1 (3.5km) lap.And since the place is so close to my house, I decided to go right away. But of course, I had a cup of coffee before leaving.
At around 00:30 I was jogging, and feeling so good. The trail on this park has many uphill and downhill’s that makes the jogging a bit more challenging than my usual flat terrain jogging. Twenty three minutes later, I had finished the lap. And I had such a big smile on my face. I felt so happy that I kept my promise to myself.
As I was drinking my water, I saw one of the kids smile at me, probably because I had my happy boy smile as well, and it did it. Right away I thought about doing a second lap. I went to my car to take some money out (there is a $5.00 donation per lap), and registered for a second lap.
Leslie was at the counter and asked how many laps? (apart from being a happy boy, I was sweated as if I had just taken a shower with my clothes on). I said only one!, I have just arrived. I planed for one, but feel like another one.
As I finished that lap, the previous process repeated. I think that running on a purpose (seeing the kid smile, knowing you are helping, and running with the name of a kid on a band on my wrist) gave me so much motivation, that I didn’t really feel that tired, so I went for a third one… and a forth one.
By then I thought, this is it. I already had plenty of fun, and I am starting to get some pain on my knees. I’ll just hang around for a while now… Well, Leslie offered me some food, some “Sancocho”, and it was great. I felt pleased, and after about twenty minutes… I was jogging again…. Obviously each lap I did it slower than the previous one, and on this last one, I barely hear the heart monitor complain.
This time, on the arrival line, I congratulated the girls that where checking the times, and left, happy.
As I was driving home, I was thinking… o boy, I won’t be able to walk for a week, I have never jog so much in my life (my “record” was 2 laps). So I arrived home, and as I was taking a shower… ARGGGGGGG IT HURTS!!!, apparently the rubbing of the t-shirt fabric had peeled off the skin on my tits. I would have never guessed this as a side effect for long runs, maybe next time I’ll put some band-aid on them to protect them, before running.
My life is a comedy… fun to live.
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Beautifull planet.
Last weekend, I was at the beach Rio Mar, taking a “surfing” class. On that day, the instructor had us use Long-board’s, wich are 9 feet long and easier to get on.
Later, during the week, the possibility of acquiring an used surfing board came up. But I have to travel all the way to Santa Catalina (in Santiago) to get it. Also the regular boards are much cheaper (and portable) than the long-boards.
So I was kind of inclined for the regular surf board. Nevertheless, I arranged to meet a pal at the beach, and try his regular surf board, and learn how much different the board is.
But that was actually a secondary objective. More desirable for me, was to just go to the beach, walk on the sand during the night, see the sunrise and swim.
On Saturday I arrived home at around 7pm, and was quite tired from all the bike ridding, by the time I had lunch and had everything else setup, it was 9pm. And I decided not to drive to the beach. It seemed wiser to sleep at home.
Nevertheless, I setup the alarm clock for 3am. I definitely was going to try seeing that sunrise.
The next morning, as the alarm clock beeped, I had second thoughts. These plans of waking up so early do not seem that wise when you actually try to follow them.
By 3:30am, I was driving on my way first to the supermarket (quick shopping) and then to Nikos (for breakfast). I was surprised to learn that at 3:30 am, the restaurant was so full. I had to wait in line like 10 minutes (witch seemed like an eternity, one because I was really hungry, and second, cause I really wanted to get going).
By 4:10, I was finally on my way…There was 0 traffic, and even when I didn’t do the route much faster than usual, time flew.A few kilometers before Coronado, I already started to notice a beautiful moon on my left. It had a very bright object next to it, probably a planet. A few minutes later, I went by Coronado, and exclamated, “I am already here!”. I had almost arrived to El Palmar. I was going to have the chance to take a few pictures of the sunrise at the beach.
I got to my friends house street, but as it was 5:30am, I didn’t got into the backyard area. I didn’t want to wake them up.Quickly I got of my vehicle, opened the trunk, took the tripod out, and ran for the beach.
I had the chance to take one picture with the moon (although digital cameras are rather noisy under such low light conditions), and then a lot of pictures of the sunrise. I felt so happy. The sunrise was just beautiful, and seeing it while hearing the sound of the waves was plain heaven in earth.
Waking up at 3:00am, was worth it. I am glad I followed the original plan.
The best way to describe the moment, I think, is to post a few shots.
The moon...
I could't see what I was shooting at, so I left the moon out of the composition.
Then, later during the day, I tried the surfing twice, and all I can say is I goofed big time. I guess I am not ready for a regular surf board. On the other hand, swimming was good (after I got rid of the surf board).
Later, during the week, the possibility of acquiring an used surfing board came up. But I have to travel all the way to Santa Catalina (in Santiago) to get it. Also the regular boards are much cheaper (and portable) than the long-boards.
So I was kind of inclined for the regular surf board. Nevertheless, I arranged to meet a pal at the beach, and try his regular surf board, and learn how much different the board is.
But that was actually a secondary objective. More desirable for me, was to just go to the beach, walk on the sand during the night, see the sunrise and swim.
On Saturday I arrived home at around 7pm, and was quite tired from all the bike ridding, by the time I had lunch and had everything else setup, it was 9pm. And I decided not to drive to the beach. It seemed wiser to sleep at home.
Nevertheless, I setup the alarm clock for 3am. I definitely was going to try seeing that sunrise.
The next morning, as the alarm clock beeped, I had second thoughts. These plans of waking up so early do not seem that wise when you actually try to follow them.
By 3:30am, I was driving on my way first to the supermarket (quick shopping) and then to Nikos (for breakfast). I was surprised to learn that at 3:30 am, the restaurant was so full. I had to wait in line like 10 minutes (witch seemed like an eternity, one because I was really hungry, and second, cause I really wanted to get going).
By 4:10, I was finally on my way…There was 0 traffic, and even when I didn’t do the route much faster than usual, time flew.A few kilometers before Coronado, I already started to notice a beautiful moon on my left. It had a very bright object next to it, probably a planet. A few minutes later, I went by Coronado, and exclamated, “I am already here!”. I had almost arrived to El Palmar. I was going to have the chance to take a few pictures of the sunrise at the beach.
I got to my friends house street, but as it was 5:30am, I didn’t got into the backyard area. I didn’t want to wake them up.Quickly I got of my vehicle, opened the trunk, took the tripod out, and ran for the beach.
I had the chance to take one picture with the moon (although digital cameras are rather noisy under such low light conditions), and then a lot of pictures of the sunrise. I felt so happy. The sunrise was just beautiful, and seeing it while hearing the sound of the waves was plain heaven in earth.
Waking up at 3:00am, was worth it. I am glad I followed the original plan.
The best way to describe the moment, I think, is to post a few shots.
The moon...
I could't see what I was shooting at, so I left the moon out of the composition.
Then, later during the day, I tried the surfing twice, and all I can say is I goofed big time. I guess I am not ready for a regular surf board. On the other hand, swimming was good (after I got rid of the surf board).
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