Saturday's 12-mile training walk

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Saturday's 12-mile route

Since we have been on vacation for the last two weeks, it had been three weeks since my last training walk. Although we did a fair amount of walking while we were in New York and Boston, it sure felt good to hit the hills and streets of San Francisco again!

The route that we walked is one of my favorites, which we fondly call "The Divisadero Butt Burner". Divisadero Street runs from the North part of the city down about half way through San Francisco. It eventually becomes Castro street, which is right in my neighborhood. We take Castro all the way to 24th street in Noe Valley, then loop back (this time, via Church Street to Steiner, and eventually back to Divisadero.

The route worked out particularly well for me yesterday. Dick had considered coming out for the walk the day before, but when I tried to wake him up at 6:00 Saturday morning, he decided that he wanted more sleep. Once I met my team at the Warming Hut at 7:00 and saw the map route, I realized it would be perfect for Dick to meet up with us at our halfway lunch point (the Whole Foods on 24th Street) since it is only a few blocks from our home. I called Dick along the way, told him the plan and route, and he was able to meet us at Whole Foods at 9:30 and walk the 2nd half of the walk with us! Yay!

For some reason, I didn't take any photos from the walk yesterday. I'm on some odd kick of not taking many photos these days. Strange.

It was GREAT to be back with the team and out walking again!

I missed today's walk (Sunday) with the team, as we celebrated Dick's birthday with a bunch of friends out on the Bay today. (more on that soon!)


Saturday's Stats


Saturday's elevation graph!

Dick's Birthday on the Bay!

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Dick's (Big) Birthday was Friday. To celebrate, we took a great Catamaran out on the Bay with a great bunch of friends!

It was such a fun time. The weather was certainly chilly, but it was pretty clear. We even saw a rainbow up high in the sky! We also saw some dolphins (or "gay sharks" as Miguel called them!) swimming nearby! What a treat!

Thanks to everyone who were able to come and help us celebrate today. We really enjoyed spending the day with all of you.

I didn't think I took many photos, but apparently, I did! Here are some of the highlights:


Manly men, Blane, Dean and Jose helping to unfurl the sail


Blane, practicing yoga, while securing the sail


Dean, Jose, Blane and Dick, with Alcatraz in the background


Bro and David


pretty view of the SF skyline


group shot outside




Beautiful rainbow that magically appeared! thanks to Shoko for this photo!


The Golden Gate Bride, as it can only be seen from the Bay


Sailing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge


on the other side of the bridge


gorgeous shot by Blane!


Dick, steering the boat!


Thanks to Miguel, for this great close-up of Dick!


Aditya, Steve and Dick

update

Miguel took a whole bunch of fantastic photos today. Here are a couple of my favorites. Thanks, Miguel!!

Monday Night's Figure Drawing Session

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Last night was my first figure drawing session in four weeks. I was afraid that I might be a little rusty, given the amount of time I'd been away. Lucky for me, we had my favorite model, Emily, last night. I like her for so many reasons - first, she's very nice and funny. From artistic stance, she does great poses, and for some reason, of all of the models that we've had so far, she is the most natural for me to draw. I'm always happy to see her. I'm hoping that I may have learned a thing or two from all of the wonderful art that we saw and studies while on vacation. :)

We warmed up with a series of 2-minute poses, going into 7 minutes, 10 minutes and 20 minutes.

Here are some of the drawings that I think were the strongest from last night.


10 minute
I think this one is actually my favorite of the night. I was able to get in just a little bit of detail into the face without actually having to draw the face. Finally, I think my hands are getting better!


10 minute


20 minute
Usually, the poses where the model is laying down are usually harder for me. This is one of the better ones that I've done of a reclining model so far.


20 minute
The last drawing of the night. I'm not sure if I got the proportions between the upper torso and the length of the legs correct, but I like the look as a whole.


7 minute
I added this one at the last minute, so it's out of order. I like the simplicity of it. Seven minutes isn't very much time get in too much detail, and sometimes that works better for me.

Monday's drawing session

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Another week, another figure drawing session on Monday night! :)

Monday night's session was a challenge. As I've mentioned before, some models are just more difficult for me to draw, and this was one of them. It's no reflection on the model, of course, just me. Whether it's her body type, or the type of poses, sometimes it's just more hard to capture.

Miguel felt the same way. During our warm-ups, we kept looking at each other and whispering, "this is hard!".

My drawings seemed to improve a bit as the night went on. I think I'm starting to get a slightly better handle on faces, and the hands continue to come slightly easier.

Here are the better pieces from the evening. Not great, but certainly not the worst.


7-minutes
clearly, I got the proportion of the head wrong on this one. Ironically, that's where I start!


7-minutes


10-minutes
I kind of like this one. Was was also able to start drawing in her hair, which is shaved and spiked.


20 minutes
Happy with the detail in this one


15 minutes
Last one of the night. We had a long pose - maybe 35 minutes or so. I did a 20 minute drawing (not shown) from one angle, then swapped spots in the room for this one

Immediate Impact Walk: Day 2

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Map of Day 2

Day Two of the Immediate Impact Breast Cancer Walk was another 20-miles filled with love, laughter, and adventure! Today was "hill" day as we went up and down many hills, stairs, and muddy trails in Golden Gate Park, Inner Sunset, West Portal, Sutro Forest, the Castro, Noe Valley, Bernal Heights, Potrero Hill and China Basin. The day started off cool and foggy for the first 10 miles (when we were slipping and sliding down some seriously muddy trails!), but warmed up considerably for the last ten miles when the sun came out to shine on us.

We started off the day where we finished yesterday - at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park. We met at 6:45, with a 7:00am departure. Linda read an inspirational poem, we had a moment of silence, and Carol led us in a series of stretches.


Day Two starts!

We walked around Stow Lake, onto John F Kennedy Drive, then walked through the AIDS Memorial Grove. We came out onto Lincoln Way, up to Parnassus and had our first RRR Station at UCSF Student Union.


Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park

We walked through the Inner Sunset, then West Portal. We passed by a Starbucks where a few walkers (including Carol!) needed a quick coffee stop!


Carol - ordering her Starbucks drink

We continued our way into the depths of Sutro Forest and onto the Historic Trail. We were warned that it would be muddy, and we brought our sense of adventure with us! Luckily, everyone made it through without any major slips, but we all came out the other side with very muddy shoes!


Muddy shoes!

We had our lunch at the Randall Museum Lawn, where we were met by a sea of friends and family cheering us on!

I have to say, that this was by far, my most favorite lunch break of any walk I've ever taken. It was SO amazing to turn the corner to a crowd of people cheering us on, and realizing that we knew everyone! Lizelle made amazing signs, and passed them around. We had friends, family, and fellow Warming Hut Hottie teammates welcoming us to our lunch break. So many of them brought us homemade food, and everyone gave us lots of hugs. I was completely re-energized just walking through!

Of course, the best part for me was seeing my husband, waiting for me, holding a (very funny) sign for me (that Lizelle had made), and wearing deeleeboppers. It was one of my most favorite moments in our relationship, and meant so much to me. I love him so much.


Hottie Husband!


This makes me so happy!


Warming Hut Hottie Teammates cheering us on!


GO Hotties!


This was our view at lunch!


Dick, keeping me company during lunch today


My friend, Blane, came out to cheer us on, too!! Go, Team Trina!


Hiking down Corona Heights Trail

We continued on after lunch by hiking down the Corona Heights Trail, and into the Castro. My friend, and painting instructor, Dean, happened to drive by and give us a shout out while we were walking! "Hi, Dean!" (said all the Hotties!).

We walked up and down many, many hills in Castro, Noe Valley and Bernal.

up, Up, UP!


An amazing mosaic on the front porch of a house in Bernal


Linda Eastman shared her special homemade muffins with me during our last RRR Station! Mmmmmm....

Blane lives in Bernal, and came back out to join us! He walked with us around Bernal and up to Bernal Heights Trail.


Yay, Blane!


Group Shot!

By now, we were running a little late, and were booking it to make it to the finish line in time. We skipped our last RRR Station, and made it just in time!


Day Two complete, 40 miles down, 15 more to go!

Crossing the finish line was also very exciting! Again, there were so many family and friends cheering us on - what a wonderful way to end the day!

Many, many thanks to my Mom, Dad, and Sis who came out to meet us at the finish line today!!


Chow Family!


My parents neighbors, Bonnie and Stephanie also came out! Thank you!!

Tomorrow morning, we meet at 6:45 to complete our last day.

40 miles down, 15 more to go!!


Today's stats


Today's elevation graph