Saturday, May 26, 2007

A rather bad idea......

Ever had one of those "it sounded like a good idea at the time" moments? I got up Saturday morning to join a running group. The run started at 7 and was about 5K from my apartment. So, I left at 6:20 to jog to the meeting spot. After a few wrong turns, I arrived at exactly 7 after running at least 4 miles. Had a nice easy 10K with a relatively nice group of 6-7 people. Then, of course, I had to run home. So, I put in about 13-14 miles by the time I got back. This was not yet the bad decision........

I had been wanting to go out to Manly Beach. It's on the North Shore and supposed to be a nice area. So, I ate some breakfast and walked down to the Ferry terminal to ride the ferry. What an awesome deal.....about $5.50 US for a 30 minute boat ride through the harbor. The tourists are paying $30 for a similar ride around the harbor. Anyhow, the bad idea was this....I thought it might be cool to run back from the beach. Google Maps said it was about 15K (9.3 miles) but my plan was to hang at the beach, stroll 4-5K along the shore park, then jog an easy 11K home. Well, after hanging at the beach for a bit, I was ready to get going (I wanted to go the the Fish Market in the downtown area) and it closed at 4. So I started the jog back. Shortly I realized that my legs were kinda dead from the long run in the morning. I shuffled along for a few miles until I got to the "Spit" bridge that I had to cross. It is not NEAR as pedestrian friendly as the Harbor Bridge. I had to jog at least a mile out of the way to get to the people-accessible portion. Then I realized that North Sydney is rather hilly....think Hogpen hillclimb steep in some places. To make a long story short.....I made it back, there was some walking involved, and I had a BIG sub right after I got back. And the really silly part was that I had a bus pass in my pocket and could have hopped on one at one of a dozen places along the way. I had to have lost 5 pounds today!

Having said all that....it really was a fun day!
Pictures on the ferry and at the beach: http://picasaweb.google.com/jbickelhaupt/ManlyBeach?authkey=SDAQGJk_I6g

4 comments:

Caro said...

and you didn't use the bus pass because...???
See, this is why I'm fat and lazy- much easier, if not as healthy!

Unknown said...

As your "head coach" please allow me to analyze a few of your more deep issues...never mind too many to go into! Hogpen like in Auzzie land shocks me, especially near the city!

Good that you lost 5 pounds, you've been looking kind of fat and saving money for the bus was brilliant too since Coke never gives you any money these days (nor perdiem)!

Mate, you are looney :) We are home from the honeymoon and need to lose 5 pounds myself. Wow, great chips and salsa in Cabo! How's the vegimite?

We misss you brother...

Courtney said...

Hey Jim...the pics are amazing...what an adventure! And here I was sore from working out at the gym :) I left a voicemail for Delane for her birthday! I know you both will have a fabulous summer there...keep posting pics and stories! miss you!

Dave said...

This sums up all that is crazy and fun about you man. You give us something to tease, gasp, and admire at every turn.