Friday, January 28, 2011

Fool on the (Potrero) Hill: Mindfulness and mindlessness

After Start up Waffles I went to MacWorld to look for a Developer Advocate but I was parked in a two hour spot and it was more than enough time to see what I needed to see plus go to the Whole foods. 
Went to a Starbucks in Potreo Hill to do some work. I think they are onto me with the big giant cups and ordering a tall but as I get free refills not an issue. 

After I was done I went back to my car and I could not find it. Normally if I park in an unusual place, I take a picture of the intersection but for whatever reason I failed to do this. So I walked up and down the hills with my laptop and could not find the Marcusmobile. 

Was it towed? Stolen? Walked up and down the steep hills with my laptop. 

Was considering leaving my laptop bag with a store but it could get stolen or the people would think I am some sort of anarchist. 

Realized that getting angry/upset would not make the Marcusmobile re-appear. Turns out I was under a bridge, when I found the car, it was across the street from the Russian Gospel church which I thought was unusual. 

Reading this I realize this is not nearly as interesting to read. I doubt it will be adopted into a screenplay or even a bad casual video game. 


posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 5:16 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Travel anxiety dream

One of my least popular blog entries is 1) Star Wars 2) Dreams.
Luckily for my quarter dozen readers they were no Stormtroopers in my dream.

I dreamt that I was being driven to the airport. Due to traffic, the people driving me goofing off and then getting lost I was running late for my flight but it turned out that they took me to the wrong airport. 
Then I remembered that I had rented a car which I left at where I was and that I had the key. I knew that returning the car late would result in far more charges. 

I then realized I was dreaming and none of this mattered. I am sure you are all sleeping. 

posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 11:58 AM 0 comments

100 Miles in the first 25 days of 2011 (7 Reasons)

I reached one of my ongoing goals of running 100 miles in a month.
Since I started running again in 2007 I wanted to run 100 miles in a month but obviously fell short.

Previously, the most I had ever run in a month was 93.46 in January 2008. (I ran more when I was on the Oxon Hill Cross Country Team but amazingly, I did not have an iPod)

Here are the reasons that this month I was able to run 7% more in about 20% less time. 
1) Being part of a training group. Having scheduled runs makes a huge difference
2) The weather has been fantastic. I will probably be paying more for Strawberries but it has been really sunny and dry. 
Running in the rain makes you a tough guy but I am a wimp. 
3) I have been taking a stretching/Yoga class at the JCC. The instructors are top notch. 
4) Foam Rolling
5) The pool at my complex is non-heated and Ice Baths are good. 
6) Not drinking in January and February (running with a hangover sucks)
7) Eating the right foods prior to a run. I love Salvadorian food and Ike's but both items made for horrible pre-run meals.

Today will be a rest day and will probably finish this month with around 115 miles. 

--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

Current Open Positions

Tech Meetup on 2/8/2011

posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 9:49 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 24, 2011

92 Miles + Outlaw Country + Kickball

For the 2nd time since I started tracking miles I have gone over 90 miles. The most I have ever run in a month was 93 miles in January of 2009. 
Most likely I will go over that and I may push it to reach my monthly goal of 100 miles in 1 month (or will do it Wednesday)

Circumstances have been favorable to reach my goal including
-great non rainy weather
-not drinking (I typically take a break from drinking in January and February) which means that I am far more likely to run
-training for a race. 

On another note, I am trying to listen to other parts of the Sirius XM channels so I picked out Outlaw Country which had me listen to a song called Faster Horses. 

Was the start of the new Kickball season and playing in the Marina is a nice change. We are playing on lighted fields that are not full of holes and vagrants. 
Turns out quite a few of those on the team are fans of country music. I have always wanted to become a country music star but the small detail of a lack of musical talent would get in the way. 

posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 11:45 PM 0 comments

Saturday, January 22, 2011

12.5 miles and 5 poodles

Many of you may or may not know that my favorite type of dog is a standard poodle. 
The reason is that when I was in short pants (but hopefully not that day...) a standard poodle came to our house, ran in and became our dog, until I was a senior in High School.

Since then, whenever I see a standard it reminds me of Noel (the dog's name). 

Today during a long run, I saw a total of five, including one that was painted pink. I am sure the poodle did not choose to be painted Pink. I like it when dogs are allowed to be dogs, which means no painting or coats UNLESS they are in really cold weather or working as police dogs. 

Ran a total of 12.5 miles which is the longest run that was not a race. That gave me 34 miles for the week and 82 miles for the month. My goal is 100 miles for the month of January which means, 18 miles in the next week. 

Started early because I wanted to run longer and I am not a fan of running over the bridge when it is full of tourists walking four across. 

posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 5:47 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 20, 2011

70 Miles + Stretching + Moma

Ran 3.5 miles to put me at 70 miles with 11 days to go. Tomorrow is a rest day and Saturday is a long early run.
When I run over the Golden Gate Bridge I like to get it over prior to the tourist as it takes a bit of energy to yell at them. But if my life was an Eagles song, Saturday, it would be the Long Run.

The Eagles are a perfect example of why a band should stay broken up. The only two bands that broke up and stayed broken up were of course, The Beatles and Pink Floyd (they did make a couple of Roger Water less albums) 
It was a big deal when they got together but now they play after Hockey games. 

One of the things that I say that for the most part is true is that the vast majority of conversations is not about you but today at the JCC was an exception. I have been taking a stretching/yoga class the last few months and it has helped. Turns out they are making some changes to the class and the instructor was discussing me with the other instructor. The main reason I go to the JCC is due to their great classes. 

The Metreon is sadder than an abandoned East German amusement park. The Moma was fun : )


posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 10:50 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

100 Miles

Two of my ongoing goals is to run 1000 miles in a year and 100 miles in a month. 
Since 2007 I have run up to 840 miles in a year (2008) and as much as 93 miles in a month. 

This month I have decided this will be the month that I make it to 100 miles. Days with 31 days are a little bit easier than those with 30 Days.

So far I am up to 66.7 miles with twelve days left and that includes a long run on Saturday (of 11 to 12 miles) 
Today I ran just over 5 and tomorrow I will run 3.5 just to get me to 70 miles for the month. 

Mostly running around my complex or either the Marina Green/Presidio/Embarcadaro or Golden Gate Park. 

I think this will be the most I have run since 1988 (when I did not even have music!) 

posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 10:54 PM 0 comments

Sunday, January 16, 2011

10 Miles and other things... (An Atheist goes to TWO services)

Since 2005, In January and February I have taken off from drinking. Combine that with the fact that I run on most Saturday Mornings and going to a movie is out of the question (loud people/too crowded) I decided to go to the Late Service on Friday even though I am not a believer. 
Turned out it was a combination service with the 3rd Baptist Church. Some of those people invited me to their service and like the time I had to deliver Chinese food I had no excuse at the ready so I agreed. 

Saturday Morning I got started running early as I ran from the Start of Golden Gate Park to the end of the Pan Opposite of Fredle and back and then some on Ocean Beach. 
Then did a bit of an ice bath in the Pacific Ocean. I saw a black standard poodle which is a good omen but I am not sure if it was a good omen for the good run or the future. 

One thing that I have no idea is what time to turn up to a party/social gathering. I am a very punctual person and as a general rule I always budget more than enough time to get somewhere so I am not pressed (which makes me grouchy) Walking around Polk street to the party where I know most of the people through the dogs. The party included a bonus dog (Corgi) 
Despite being a bit tired and having to do a mission I had a good time. 

Sunday morning I figured out where the 3rd Baptist Church was and of course, I budgeted way more than enough time. I found a parking spot and then walked around Alamo Square. Was happy with the lack of lightning striking me down or trap doors. They were welcoming and they talked quite a bit about some things that needed to be done which was good. 

Then went to Memphis Minnies for lunch. You see quite a bit of turnover in the food business but I think Memphis Minnies will be around. 

Watching the New England Patriots lose is always enjoyable. I remember during their non Super Bowl winning perfect regular season they were going for it on 4th down when they were blowing out their opponent. 

The King's Speech was a good movie. I enjoyed it more than Black Swan (which was also good but I doubt I would ever want to see it again....)  


posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 9:52 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 13, 2011

I could be in a credit card commercial

When someone "sells out" it is considered a bad/negative thing but the writer of the Greatest Blog will happily sell out and advertise. 
Yesterday prior to Alphabar I was trying to sell people on the idea of going to Naan and Curry as it is part of the Mileage Plus Dining Program (where you get bonus miles) 

Since I have started using miles I have been able to go Australia (2x), New Zealand, Belgium, Italy, New Orleans, Memphis and a few trips to Maryland. 
The droogs from pub quiz/kickball picked another place that was also part of the program so when I strolled up I asked if I could put the dinner on the card and have everyone pay me cash. Everyone assumed (correctly) that my motivation was rooted in greed for points rather than lack of cash. 

posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 11:41 AM 0 comments

Sunday, January 09, 2011

A comical debacle

So far 2011 has been a series of comical debacles and fiascos. 
Tried to go to Le Colonial as part of the drinks portion of a friends birthday but I could not get in and my cell phone was dying. 
They were not charging a cover but they were not letting people in (and I am not a huge fan of clubs) so my motivation was not that high.

I can totally understand them not letting me in if they had one those mind reading machines as I am taking two months off from drinking (and therefore would not spend any money) 
I could have simply gone home but I may have needed to drive a friend in my complex home (that had gotten inside) so I had to borrow someone else's cell phone but they ended up not needing a ride. 
Sort of reminded me of a bad unused Seinfeld Script. Quite a few episodes could not happen because of cell phones unless someone forgot to charge their cell phone (me)

Ran this morning. Even though it was chilly, I was able to run in shorts. 

Glad the Packers won. 

posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 10:54 PM 0 comments

Sunday, January 02, 2011

10K and someone stuck on the divider

On New Years day I went to Palo Alto to run the 10K. Good way to start the year.
Ran it one minute faster than 2010. At this point, I should win when I am 70. 

Went over the the distance from Daly City to Upper Marlboro.

Had lunch at Plutos where once again, I was the first customer of the year. 

Later went for a walk where I saw someone that somehow got their small car stuck on one of those dividers. I thought they would have to call for a tow but I was able to push them off. 

posted by Marcus Ronaldi at 3:24 PM 0 comments