golden gate...into old age and decrepitude

So, I thought I'd be all hot shit and racewalk a half marathon the week before I turned forty just to show the world that India has not totally kicked my ass and turned me into a lame, out-of-shape, depressed middle-aged lady. So I went this morning to the Golden Gate Headlands half marathon, only to discover that India has totally kicked my ass and turned me into a lame, out-of-shape, depressed middle-aged lady.

Here is the event-name-appropriate view on the way to the race:


Did I mention that maybe I should have paid attention to the fact that this was not an ordinary, flat-streets-of-a-city type race, but rather a steep, rocky trail run with 2,200 ft of elevation change?



The vistas were admittedly lovely, when you could see them through the tears of pain and despair:


I did finish and all, but it took 3 1/2 freakin' hours (about an hour longer than it took me to do the Seattle Half Marathon just four months ago).

Anyhoo. Not my finest moment, but I did use it to justify eating a burrito afterwards. Speaking of food, someone please tell me why I thought paying $10 for three pints of gorgeous organic strawberries at the farmer's market on Thursday was a good idea.
Because it turns out that when you pay $10 for three pints of strawberries, you later realize that OHMYGOD I HAVE TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO USE UP THREE PINTS OF STRAWBERRIES WITHIN TWO DAYS OR ELSE I HAVE WASTED $10 AND I HAVE A MORTGAGE NOW FOR CHRISSAKE WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING? So, I am in the process of making vegan strawberry ice cream and a strawberry banana cake based on this vegan muffin recipe. Because eating a boatload of ice cream and baked goods is sure to assist me on the road to an improved self-image.

In better news, I was uninvited to a meeting Monday morning that would have required arriving at work at 7:30 a.m. on a day where I have calls scheduled until 10:45 at night. Sometimes it's good not to be a big shot.