ordinary people doing the extraordinary

On Saturday a group of 21 bright, shining people met for the first training walk of 2013! It is always so happy to see friendly faces and reconnect after the winter non-walking months. Happy to be up, out and ready to hit the pavement. 2 new walkers and 2 husbands joined in the F.U.N!

We started our walk by heading up toward the Golden Gate Bridge and onto the Coastal Trail. One section of the trail has a "CLOSED" sign which we pretended not to see which resulted in a slight detour when we arrived at the parking lot and were fenced in!! 

Once we re-routed around the closed section of trail (which had a massive wash out over the winter) we found our way back to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, one of my favorite hidden gems in San Francisco.

Meandering through the Presidio is always so great! You never know what you will see through the eucalyptus trees. This is the Wood Line sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy which follows near by the Lover's Lane pathway. When it was installed a year or so ago the logs were dark. Now after a winter they are silver grey and fade into the forest. You can walk down along the line which we will have to do at some point this year because it is somewhat meditative to follow the wavy line.

We headed out of the Presidio and down to the Palace of Fine Arts which is looking really lovely! 

And, as we were heading back Crissy Field we found the resident swan family. (Trivia of the day: a baby swan is a Cygnet!) It was a really amazing first walk of the season! Brush the cobwebs out of the brain, take in the cool, fresh ocean air and make connections with our fellow walkers, new and returning.

THIS WEEK'S MAP QUOTES 

Just because the road ahead is long, is no reason to slow down. Just because there is much work to be done, is no reason to get discouraged. It is a reason to get started, to grow, to find new ways, to reach within yourself and discover strength, commitment, and determination. The road ahead is long and difficult, but it’s filled with opportunity. Start what needs starting. Finish what needs finishing. Get on the road. Stay on the road. Don’t give up. Ralph Marston

You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestation of your own blessings. Elizabeth Gilbert

WEEKLY INSPIRATION: EVERYDAY HEROES

I like to use this definition of hero: an ordinary person doing something extraordinary. By actual definition, heroes are individuals who consistently and continually sacrifice their own needs in the interest of others. Yes, the people participating in the Immediate Impact Breast Cancer Walk are Everyday Heroes. 

Everyday Heroes features extraordinary portraits by award-winning photographer, Paul Mobley, which are accompanied by first-person narratives written by author, Katrina Fried. This collaboration provides readers with a unique view into the journeys of these heroes and their causes. These are the stories of regular people who've made an exceptional impact on those in need, often at great personal or financial sacrifice.

UPCOMING TRAINING WALKS

RSVP here: http://groupspaces.com/InOurLifetime/calendar/ 

Saturday 6/22: 10 Miles - 7:30 am

Saturday 6/29: 12 Miles - 7:00 am

Saturday 7/13: 10 Miles - 7:30 am

Sunday 7/14: 10 Miles - 7:30 am