My Crazy Lunch Runs

I feel very blessed by people that the Universe sends my way.  They usually come in the right time too.  For example, 6 years ago, when I was incredibly sick working at my 1^st legal job, the Universe sent me a person who introduced me to Gerson Therapy which included daily fresh vegetable juicing, among other things.  He just happened to work in the same building and kept seeing me looking progressively horrible.  He told me about the benefits of juicing and even offered to pick up the Veggie Feast juice from Lazy Acres (our local health food store) every day because he was doing it for himself and his coworkers anyway.  That act of kindness practically saved my life. 

I have lots of other similar examples, so-called “synchronicity”, and the most recent one is a “crazy lunch run”.  I’ve been working in the office world for about 8 years and, almost always, 1-hour lunch break was allowed.   But it never crossed my mind I could do anything really crazy/fun besides walking home for some home-made lunch, racing to a dental appt, or meeting a friend for a lunch date somewhere.  I thought walking during lunch was my only option to get some exercise and fresh air between my shifts.  Guess what, I was wrong!  

So, 2 weeks ago, my very health-oriented coworker told me that we get additional 15-mins if we exercise during lunch, which makes it more realistic to hit the gym and then have time to shower.  But I don’t like gyms, unless they have outdoors area.  That coworker, who is in amazing shape, also invited me and another girl to join her for a very tough run she sometimes does and I agreed.  Geez, I had no clue what “tough” really meant!  J 

getting hydrated and setting my iPhone
Nike app before the  run  :)

First time I went on this run, we had a deadline at the office and I was feeling extremely stressed out, despite all the breathing techniques and affirmations.  I almost canceled our run date but I’m so glad I didn’t!  We ran from our downtown office, up the steep hill to the Rivera (beautiful), along the APS road (even more beautiful), smelled roses and did pushups in the Mission rose garden (insanely beautiful).  Then I ran down Laguna street to finally take a shower at my place and raced back to work.  All that in 1.15 hour - it was enough time!  I felt brand spanking new afterwards.  The deadline was still there but everything was put in perspective.  I was calm, happy, focused, productive. 

So, if you are local, puh-lease! – do yourself a favor and join me on this run.  I love company.  But if your lunch break is not an hour, and you still wanna do it either after work or on weekends, here is the route: