There have also been a couple of times where I’ve been really struggling. Out of breath, sore, wanting to walk, and then some little kid on his/her bike will ride by with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen, stick their hand out and call for a high-five! If that doesn’t motivate you I don’t know what will.

So a big thanks to everyone I’ve seen, given a head nod, given a hello, etc. Your acts of kindness mean more than you know!

It takes over Laguna Lake Park September 18 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event features several athletic events, from a 1-mile children’s run, to a 10K run, to a 100K bike ride and just about everything in between. And it doesn’t stop there. There’s an outdoor wellness expo, live music, a beer and wine garden… the list goes on. It all benefits the Wellness Center and Livestrong.

Click here to go to the Challenge’s web site, and click here for more information on the Challenge, including a podcast with the event’s race director Samantha Pruit!

The Running Group with Jordan

Today I did something not many people will ever get to say they did. I ran with Jordan Hasay. Well, okay, it was more like I ran behind Jordan and then got lapped by Jordan, but it was still a lot of fun and a great experience!

She joined the Living the Run running group for its weekly trip down the Bob Jones Trail in Avila Beach. The group is made up of runners with a variety of skill levels and paces, so me being the slow poke that I am I was actually pretty nervous to even step foot on the trail alongside her. (Especially when she told me she runs 7:30-minute miles on a SLOW, EASY day!!) But, my nervousness quickly disappeared when I realized how sweet and humble she is. She told us all about what it’s like to run track and cross country at the University of Oregon, where she is about to start her sophomore year, including her training schedule (she only gets a day off every two weeks!) and diet plan (high protein). She also answered about a gazillion other questions about what it’s like to be one of the fastest  young women in the world!

I stayed in the back with a friend of mine and her dog running about a 12-minute mile (I told you I’m slow!) while Jordan ran ahead with the faster group, running about a 10-minute mile.  I ran about 4.5 miles and they ran a little more than 5, so it worked out well because we all finished around the same time. We also had some people on bikes “cruising” the course.

The Home Stretch

The whole run felt really great and we all had a blast! Definitely something I hope we can do again one day. So, a huge thank you to Jordan for coming out and spending some time with us on the trail. Best of luck in your upcoming season, we’ll all be rooting for you!

]]> http://www.centralcoastoutdooradventures.com/?feed=rss2&p=1136 http://www.centralcoastoutdooradventures.com/?p=1132 http://www.centralcoastoutdooradventures.com/?p=1132#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:28:10 +0000 admin http://www.centralcoastoutdooradventures.com/?p=1132 … I go in the ocean without a wetsuit on! This week was probably the best time ever to have Monday and Tuesday as my days off. I’ve been waiting all summer for the mercury to rise high enough to warrant a beach trip and I finally got my chances the last two days. My roomie is working the overnight shift this week (which means she’s off at 7:30 a.m.) so we headed to Avila Monday afternoon. It took me a few attempts to actually get in the ocean all the way (I usually get brave, put my feet in, and then run out immediately because it’s freezing!) but eventually I was splashing around, having a ball.

The only downside of 90-degree weather at the beach, is the scalding hot sand! We had to throw a towel down and pour water on our feet just to make it back to the street!

Avila Beach Monday

On Tuesday I did the same thing. Didn’t get in the water this time, but was still able to enjoy the beautiful weather with good friends. I capped off the trip with a visit to Avila Valley Barn for some more fresh fruit and a small scoop of their homemade strawberry ice cream. Yum! Does life get any better than this?

Blanket of Clouds over Shell Beach

I’m coming out of a 2-week laziness groove and decided to hit the hills to rejuvenate my outdoor activity level! (Those bouts of laziness can be dangerous!) I’ve been running on Saturdays for the past few weeks, but have still felt a bit sluggish and unmotivated. My boyfriend always says that when it comes to exercise, you have to just do it! Schedule it and make it a priority! So with his voice echoing through my head, I hiked Avila Ridge with a friend this morning, and it was just what I needed. The course was challenging but doable, the views were breathtaking and the conversation was perfect

I’ve hiked the route once before and was pleasantly surprised to see the course wasn’t as tough the second time around. Progress!

Still it wasn’t just a much-needed physical boost, it was also a mental boost. The last few weeks have been a bit stressful, and as one of my friends likes to say, “There’s nothing like climbing a mountain to clear your head.” As challenging as it was, it was also very peaceful, and I’m convinced the girl who came down the mountain is now a bit more centered than the one who went up.

It’s funny how the great outdoors can do that for you. I’m already looking forward to my next outing

I did my last interview of the day by a solar panel test site in the middle of a large field, with a dirt road as the only access point. I got out of the car and heard a loud hissing sound. I started looking around trying to figure out where the sound was coming from, only to find that the front left tire of the KSBY car was going flat! and fast!! Time was already ticking away (we work on a daily deadline) so a tow truck would have nearly made it impossible to get the story in on time. Luckily, my interview showed up just a few minutes later and one of them changed the tire, while I interviewed the other. Thank goodness!

With that crisis averted, some nearby ranchers came out to help guide us back to the highway without having to go over the pot-holed dirt roads. They lead us through an open field full of free range cattle! I’m driving along, very slowly, when a few of them step in the middle of the road, face me, and the chicken game began! I didn’t want to move because I was afraid I would scare them, or they would charge me or something (looking back on it my car was bigger than them!) but one of the ranchers eventually came around front and got them to move.

Needless to say, it was an interesting day. Just goes to show you anything can happen in a day’s work!

Aerosmith Takes the Stage

As much as I love covering the fair for work, I absolutely love going just for fun! Last year, I blogged about seeing Boyz II Men at the Santa Barbara County Fair, and seeing Kelly Clarkson, Journey and KISS at the Mid-State Fair. Both super fun! This year, I continued the tradition and saw Aerosmith rock the stage on Monday. I’m not a die-hard Aerosmith fan, but I’ve always liked their music and thought of how cool it would be to see them in person (my mom has officially decided I should have been born in the 70’s!). When I heard they were coming to the Central Coast, on my day off, I knew it was fate!

Steven Tyler

Now, this is going to sound pretty nerdy, but I definitely made an Aerosmith playlist for the ride to Paso Robles. We got to the fair a couple of hours before the concert so we could browse all the expo exhibits, play a few games and eat some fried food! They took the stage just before 9 p.m. and opened with “Love in an Elevator.” They played for about 1:45 and covered most of my favorites. We’re talking “Sweet Emotion,” “Dream On,” “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing,” “Walk This Way,” “Cryin’,” etc. I was a bit disappointed they didn’t play “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” but overall it was an absolute blast! The guys can still rock it! Below is a video of them singing “Walk This Way,” please excuse the camera work!

The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival’s 2010 season runs through August 14th at River Oaks Park in Paso Robles. Ticket prices range from $13 for kids to $20 for adults. I’ve never done it, but it looks like a lot of fun! Below is a video preview, please let me know if you head out there, I’d love to post some reader reviews!

I was browsing the good ol’ internet and came across yet another great resource for finding family activities and summer fun across the Central Coast. It’s called Central Coast Kids, and it offers everything from outdoor recreation sports, to indoor activities and shopping hot spots. Could be worth a look if you’re looking for more ways to get out and enjoy the Central Coast together!

Sophia helped by JHH, courtesy of JHH

Here is a story we were not able to bring you on Saturday, July 10, but I wanted to share it with all of you anyways! Jack’s Helping Hand (JHH) held its annual fundraiser at the Santa Margarita Ranch that day, and it saw the biggest turnout yet! More than 650 people were on hand, and the event raised more than $130,000.

Mariachi Band, Courtesy of JHH

Jim Settle, volunteer auctioneer for live auction

There was a barbecue buffet, live music and a live auction. JHH has been helping special needs children on the Central Coast since 2004, it offers everything from specialized equipment, transportation to out-of-town specialists, innovative treatments and therapies, to toys and other devices to help these children live happier and fuller lives. Congratulations on such a successful event! To learn more about the organization click here.