Kenny Landes | Graphic Design | Web Development | San Francisco

Overachievers beware! This post may cause slight discomfort because it may force you to reconsider the limit of your abilities. In my case, I stepped on the limit of my ability, resulting in a march fracture. It is my first official running injury. Though it is a serious thing, deep in my heart, I know I am now officially a jock. It only took 42 years!

According to Wikipedia, a march fracture also known as fatigue fracture or stress fracture of metatarsal bone is the fracture of the distal third of one of the metatarsals occurring because of recurrent over stress. It is more common in soldiers, but also occurs in hikers, organists, and even those, like hospital doctors, whose duties entail much standing. It mostly occurs in the second metatarsal of the right foot. It is a common cause of foot pain, especially when people suddenly increase their activities. I am thrilled to learn this information, aren’t you?

So as a result of this ingenious discovery, I am now sentenced to the punishment commonly known as “the boot.” The latest apparent evolution of medieval-style devices of torture, the boot is made by a company known as Össur, which specializes in orthopedics and prosthetics. Fortunately, I do not need the latter. My boot, specifically, is known as the Equalizer Air Walker. According to Össur, “Among the many foot and ankle supports that Össur offers is the Equalizer Air Walker — a comfortable alternative to a traditional cast. The Equalizer Air Walker is a simple, adjustable walking boot that combines functionality and superior fit into a comfortable product. You can rely on Össur‘s foot and ankle products to assist in the rehabilitation of sprains, fractures and trauma injuries.” I would describe it as being more like wearing an astronaut boot in full gravity.

So I am going to just go along with this. What other choice do I have? I start a new job on Tuesday, so I will have the opportunity to really make a dramatic first impression. Fortunately, I know my new place of employment will embrace my, boot and all, and make me feel welcome. I could have had a lot worse injury. For instance, a clean break of the metatarsal would have resulted in surgery, a cast, and a long rehabilitation. I expect to be out running again in just 3 — 6 weeks. That’s not so bad.

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During my recent trip to Mexico, I read a wonderful book called Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It was a great story with interesting characters, all apparently true-to-life, centered around a tribe in Mexico’s Copper Canyon known as the Tarahumara. They are a fascinating culture that has retreated away from modern society after a history of conquest following the arrival of the Spanish in the New World. A big part of their culture has always been about running, and they are possibly the best runners in the world. Amazingly, they run in the barest of sandals, which only protect their feet from the jagged rocks they run on where they live. The book, in addition to telling the story of their history and culture,  was really about the current barefoot running phenomenon.

An avid runner myself, I gobbled it right up. As soon as I got home, I got on the waiting list at my local running store for a pair of Vibram FiveFingers shoes. They are barefoot-style running shoes, a foot glove, really, complete with separate toes. The idea is that the foot, as it has evolved over millennia, is all we really need to run. All the extra supportive heals and arches promoted by athletic shoe companies for the past 30 years have not led to a reduction in injury. If anything, there have actually been more injuries among people wearing “running shoes” than back in the day when we just ran in ordinary flat shoes.

As anyone who really knows me is already aware, I have a tendency to overdo it with new ideas. I enthusiastically went out and started running in my new “barefoot” shoes. It really is a great experience I would have to recommend. However, I pushed myself too hard, too fast. I forgot that as a result of wearing very well-structured running shoes these past few years, my feet and lower legs have atrophied and lost the ability to run au naturel. So I got my first bona fide running injury after just a few times out. I have not been able to run in any shoes for the past week. It’s a total drag. I am limping around town like an 80-year-old man. It’s horrible, embarrassing and a bit humbling. I just hope my feet will heal and forgive me for my enthusiasm to try something now in time for me to run the San Francisco Marathon at the end of July.

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There are many interesting and unexpected sights in San Francisco. In fact, the local economy practically depends on starry-eyed visitors coming from around the world to gawk at and photograph our local sights and frights. Our spectacular geography, famous fog, historic and modern architecture, and neighborhood freak shows create a gestalt only approachable in a few other places on the planet. In short, when you come to San Francisco, you get a feeling you’re not in Kansas anymore.

It’s really true. After a while, you walk past the guys in leather chaps…and little else. You practically don’t even see the fancy pet outfits. Perfectly coiffed, exquisitely outfitted elderly twins fade into the background around Union Square. You don’t even question the obvious fact that Speaker Pelosi, Senator Feinstein and Mayor Newsom are entirely too conservative. Basically, it takes something breathtaking and unexpected to grab your attention and make you say, “Holy cow!” And this brings me to my point.

I tell people about this all the time, but they never believe me: There are real live buffalo in San Francisco! Okay, technically, they are the same American Bison, commonly called American Buffalo, that have long been sacred creatures to Native Americans. Growing up in the Midwest, I don’t recall ever seeing one anywhere. Sadly, they no longer freely roam the Great Plains as they did for thousands of years. Whenever I am on the west end of Golden Gate Park, I always take a moment to stop and see these majestic animals. I rarely get a photo clear enough to post, but this time I got lucky.

According to Wikipedia, Bison have been kept in Golden Gate Park since 1891, when a small herd was purchased by the park commission. At the time, the animal’s population in North America had dwindled to an all-time low and San Francisco made a successful effort to breed them in captivity. In 1899, the paddock in the western section of the park was created. The animals today are cared for by staff from the San Francisco Zoo.

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This past week in San Diego, I got the chance to spend a day at the beach. I used to do this a lot when I was a teenager, after my family moved from Kansas City to San Diego. However, the past 10 years have been very busy, productive years. The ways of my past have been forced to take a back seat to the ambitions of the present and hopes for the future.

Living in San Francisco, warm weather is in short supply. We have spectacular beaches that are usually too cold for fun-in-the-sun. Even when the air is warm, the water remains very cold.

When I go home to San Diego, it is mostly to visit family and catch up with friends. So this time I decided to just take a day out for me. I always enjoyed going to Torrey Pines State Beach when I lived in San Diego. The steep cliffs create a sense of distance and seclusion from civilization. Once again, I was not disappointed. The weather was spectacular. It was not too crowded, and the ocean water was a refreshing 74 degrees, making for good swimming.

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Sam’s Chowder House, Half Moon Bay, California

Today started off much like any other lazy weekend day does; and then it got even better!!! After a good night’s rest, my partner and I woke up early (for us) and decided to go for a little drive. Heading out, we decided to go to the Vacaville Outlets, near Sacramento, not so much to shop as to take a long drive with a destination in mind.

I decided to take a little detour. Instead of taking the most direct, predictable route over the Bay Bridge and through the teeth-gnashing East Bay traffic, I decided to head north over the Golden Gate Bridge around the northern end of San Pablo Bay south of Sonoma and Napa Valleys. It was a beautiful day for a drive, so I decided we may as well enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Along the way, we decided to stop in Tiburon for breakfast. I’d been there a few weeks ago with another friend and made a mental note to return again soon with Jim because I knew he’d love it. We both agreed the village around the ferry landing had a New England quaintness to it that is unexpected on the West Coast—like Provincetown without so many tourists. We walked around the village for a while, then stopped at Dave & Mike’s for breakfast. The portions were large, the food was delicious, the price was good enough, and the service was excellent.

Tummies full, we headed back to US-101 North to California-37 East. This road passes along the northern edge of San Pablo Bay, the large inland body of water just north of the more-famous San Francisco Bay. The North Bay, as locals call it, is a rural escape from the more urban East Bay, South Bay, Peninsula, and San Francisco. Along the way we passed vineyards, certified-organic farms, pastures full of happily grazing animals, and wide-open wetlands. As we approached Vallejo, we passed Six Flags—Marine World before finally heading north toward Sacramento on Interstate 80. Our detour was now complete, though we continued to enjoy the scenic drive through the East Bay hills and Sacramento River delta.

When we arrived in Vacaville, which roughly translates to “Cow Town”, we enjoyed sunny warm weather. It was about 80 degrees with a light refreshing breeze. Summers in San Francisco can be on the cold side, so we were delighted to walk around comfortably in shorts and t-shirts. We got a couple things for starters…a t-shirt here, a belt there, but nothing really struck our fancy. Jim’s not big on outlets, but we were content to just enjoy the heat and do some window shopping. Having finished surveying one side of the street that divides the Vacaville Premium Outlets, we drove across to the parking lot on the other side of the street to check out the rest. That’s when we discovered our favorite stores: Cole Haan, Restoration Hardware, Calvin Klein and Burberry.

Wow, did we make out like bandits! Actually, I just picked up a wallet and a pair of pajama bottoms. Jim really did make out like a bandit, though. He has needed a nice briefcase or attache for the past year. We’ve looked and looked, but not found anything that didn’t cost at least $1000 that we liked. Today we found the perfect Cole Haan $1000 leather bag for less than half price. Say no more: SOLD! We agreed that alone made the trip worth the drive. Then we stumbled into the Calvin Klein store where he picked up a brand new suit for less than $300. We’ve been looking at similar suits for him in the $700 – $1000 range, so this was another deal too good to pass up. Ecstatic by now, we stumbled into Restoration Hardware, followed by Burberry. We surveyed all the loot, making mental notes to return again soon for more amazing deals.

Satisfied and retail-therapy-satiated to the max, we got in the car and headed back toward San Francisco. We passed a bunch of chain restaurants, but nothing looked very good. We decided to head through the East Bay traffic juggernaut toward Hayward to cross the San Mateo Bridge heading toward Half Moon Bay. It was the most unlikely decision of the day, but it was such a nice day we decided to go for it. Coming through Berkeley, traffic was bad-as-usual, but manageable. Once we passed the Bay Bridge turn-off, we headed down Interstate 880 at full speed.

Soon we were crossing the 8-mile-wide San Mateo Bridge over San Francisco Bay, then heading over the Peninsula hills to the San Mateo County coast. We turned north on California’s famous Highway 1 toward San Francisco, stopping at Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay. We have passed by here hundreds of times, but it’s always crowded with a full parking lot. Today was no different, except we pulled into a space right out front, got seated right away, ordered the best seafood chowder we’ve ever tasted, then finished off our appetites with lobster rolls and swordfish. Tummies replenished again, we continued north on Highway 1 back to San Francisco.

Before we got home, we had virtually circled the entire Bay Area, passing through eight of its nine counties: Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, San Mateo and San Francisco. The only area we missed was Santa Clara County, home of Silicon Valley and the city of San Jose. All along the way, we passed through California’s rolling hills, over its faults, through its cities, across its rural stretches, past its rivers, along its coasts, over its bays, and through its valleys taking in one breathtaking scenic view after another. I always feel so lucky to live here in the Bay Area. It is simply the most amazing metropolitan area I have ever seen. Where else can you have all the experiences we had in one day?

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