Run408

I've been getting alot of questions about race timing out here on the West Coast. One of the hardest adjustments I've had to make since I've made the move is the fact that I now have my weekends off. I've been accostomed to getting up every Saturday and Sunday morning for 9 months out of the year and running around like a lunatic for a couple of hours trying to keep crazy runners and disorganized race directors in line.

I didnt think I would miss it this much. Truth be told. I have had opportunities in the past to relocate for different job opportunities but I've "passed" because race timing was such an integral part of my life. And it's not about the money. Don't get me wrong, the money is nice, and I would love to have that cash flow back in my life, but what I really miss is the running community and the culture.

I had been with Run The Day since the early days. When I started working for Tim, it was basically me and him timing all of the events, and now, we're the best in the area - and growing. And I've grown with the company. The fact of the matter is that I was pretty damn good at what I did. So naturally, there's a part of me that says that I should be doing this kind of stuff out here - that I am just wasting my talents. But more than anything, I miss the runners, I miss the events, I miss the adrenaline shot that I get right before I fire the gun at the start line. I miss the runners who would make it a point to stop by the tent and give me and my crew a pat on the back for doing a good job.

The fact of the matter is that even if I wanted to try and get something going out here, I'm pulling 70 hours a week on average at my real job and what most people do not see with respect to timing, is the amount of time during the week that timing sucks up, replying to emails, on the phone with race directors, getting bibs prepared for packet pickups.... I really do not have the bandwidth at this point to take on that kind of responsibility. Granted, I wouldnt be timing every weekend - I'd be lucky to pick up a handful of races at this point- but my time right now needs to be focused on my real job, because that's what pays the bills and that's what brought me out here in the first place.

I've talked to a few timers about hooking up with them but so far nothing has really progressed any further than a couple of conversations.

The challenge is that the San Jose running community is not the Philadelphia running community. There's no "Run408" similar to "Run215." San Jose reminds me alot of Wilmington, DE. Both are considered cities in the sense that they both have big tall buildings, but neither possess that city vibe like Philly, or New York. I haven't found the equivalent of the Fish Town Beer Runners, or a store like Philly Runner which has become the defacto "hub" of the Philly running scene. I would imagine that San Francisco probably has a decent running scene, but SF is also an hour away from where I live, so not necessarily convenient in terms of travel.

And most importantly, there's no Pickle Run out here.... and that's the saddest fact of all.

West Coast Recap, Volume I, Episode 1

So I am here in California. Probably old news by now, as it was fairly well known that I was leaving to come out here with the Family.

So it's been five months and now, I present to you, my recap, which will take place over progressive blog posts.

Firstly, I am apparently  as "East Coast" as it gets. I've been told this numerous times, by numerous people (including the President of our company).

Two Saturdays ago, on a group ride, our group got honked at repeatedly by a motorist. Granted, we were probably hogging up a *bit* of the road, but the level of honking was over the top. For some reason, I am the only a$$clown out of 25 riders who decided to let the driver know that her incessant honking was none appreciated and truth be told I did use some colorful language. As I explained to one of the other riders (who is a Bay Area native) on the East Coast, b*tch would have a water bottle thrown into her car. 

So, yes people are generally more polite out here then back home, which is refreshing. I just haven't caught up yet.

There's a couple of things I miss, of course some more than others.

I miss my family, clearly. 

I miss my running club. I haven't found "that group" out here yet. I have found several running "groups" on meetup.com but there are really just a collection of strangers or people with loose acquaintances that run together.

I miss a good cheesesteak. I have tried a few local places that bill themselves as having "authentic" cheesesteaks  - one is owned by what appears to be some Philly natives. The whole place is decked out with pics of the city, Philly sports memorabilia, etc - but the steak? Meh. It was the bread. Supposedly, there's a place in San Francisco - Jake's Steaks - that's supposed to be the real deal, and they have all of the Eagles games during the season, with a big following of Philly natives in attendance. I'll be checking that joint out in the weeks to come, even though it's a solid hour drive. I miss my peoples.