san diego scrapbook

My mom has taken over semi-regular triathlon blogging for the most part, but I couldn’t help but throw a little blog-o-rific scrapbook up of my recent stint in my old stompin’ grounds. (Sorry, mom!)

When I left, I wrote about all the things I’d miss. And guess what? They haven’t budged. The stark truth that life goes on when you leave is something only drifters really get. It’s less about feeling important and more about feeling small.

I got to spend 10 days visiting a place that makes up a significant part of my definition of “home”—which is less a pretty cross-stitch and more a messy, colorful collage. Here were the best parts.

Hospitality

So many generous hosts and places to stay.

I jokingly referred to my time as couch-hopping, but the truth is, it was more king-sized suite hopping. I am so lucky to have dear friends who warmly welcomed me into their homes. Who cooked for me and let me come and go as I pleased. One of my favorites was R&B’s guest suite, which featured a suitcase rack and the cutest framed sign by the bed with the guest wifi network and password. I also got to borrow a truck and a Specialized Venge in my size. Spoiled.

The Button wedding love-fest

K&P’s wedding was a one-stop shop for catching up with friends.

The impetus for my visit—Keith and Payton’s wedding—was a beautiful sunset-drenched evening in the botanical gardens. Mexican buffet, VG’s donuts, friends, San Diego beer…who could ask for more?

Playing

Me giving a fist-pump on the descent to Santa Ysabel. (Photo by Topher Riley.)

The group heading out of Escondido. (Photo by Christine Gould.)

One of my favorite riding partners.

Training husbands.

It almost feels wrong to call what I did “training.” Every damn second I spent swimming, riding, and running my old routes you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. A nice little crew came out to ride out to Dudley’s Bakery with me, and though the 65-mile ride left me absolutely trashed, I loved every second of sun, climbing, and conversation, but most importantly, achieved a nice cycling tan baseline. I also did a few Masters swim sessions with my favorite coach in the world—massive thanks to the Encinitas Y for the free week pass!

Chasing wifi

Plenty of coffee to be had.

The mobile office was in full swing as I visited old haunts like North County’s Lofty Coffee and tried some new standouts like Dark Horse, Coffee & Tea Collective, and Heartworks downtown. I had a productive week logging QT with co-workers and other industry people.

Om time

Reunion!

Some of my favorite instructors ever live and teach in North County, and I managed to sneak two classes in while I was there. An hour of U2 yoga and a (sweaty) dinner afterward with three of my favorite Yoga Teacher Training classmates was one of the unexpected highlights.

North Park

San Diego beer, I miss you. (At Modern Times tasting room in North Park.)

I spent my last few days in SD in North Park running in Balboa Park, hitting up dog parks, drinking good beer, and eating at some interesting new restaurants (try Plumeria and Kindred—drink: the Great Barrier Reefer; eat: Deli Battle and the Memphis BBQ Jackfruit.)

Just, Cali

Stop it.

OK, that’s enough now.

Whether it was wandering solo with the sand between my toes, running and riding along the coast, eating dinner on a bench overlooking Moonlight with a dear friend, or taking in a spontaneous Easter service on the sand, being near this familiar and yet untamed stretch of ocean calmed everything in me that is still in turmoil.