Things have not gone as I would have liked. Job's seem to be very hard to come by. One would think that it wouldn't be that hard to find even a minimum wage job but it is not as easy as it sounds. I have put out scores of online applications and resumes and have yet to get even an acknowledgement. It has been very discouraging. However, I have not given up hope!
I did run the St George Marathon in October but fell well short of my goal to qualify for the Boston marathon in 2013. I was only able to do 4:29:03 at St George partly because of the temperature which had reached 82 degrees by the time I finished. Still, I think the best I could have done would have been about a 4:05 finish. I will need a 3:55 to qualify for Boston in 2013, but probably more like a 3:45 to be assured of an actual entry based on the new system of faster runners getting early signup preference. I am planning on trying to qualify again in February while running either Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, CA on Feb 5th 2012, or the Sedona Marathon in Sedona, AZ on Feb 4th 2012. Surf City is a flatter and faster course and close to home but is rather boring. The Sedona Marathon has 1100 feet of vertical ascent with spectacular views and is an out and back course. It would probably be easier to qualify at Surf City but the scenic panorama view offered on the Sedona course is very tempting. Decision, decisions, decisions. I probably won't make a decision until after Christmas. Of course the cost of both marathons goes up by waiting that long to decide but I really want to know that I can have a reasonable chance of qualifying at Sedona as opposed to Surf City. You can check out both marathons using the links below.
Surf City Marathon: http://www.runsurfcity.com/Default.asp
Sedona Marathon: http://www.sedonamarathon.com/index.html
Ok, enough on running. I have not actually ridden my bike in over three months. It is time to get back in the saddle and hit the pavement, not literally of course! The cooler weather will make it easier to do mid morning rides, of which I should have plenty of time, until I find that elusive job. I plan on starting by riding 20 miles three days a week with a longer ride of 40 - 60 miles once a week, added after the first two weeks of riding. This really isn't that difficult for someone who is close to marathon shape already. The hardest part is actually getting used to sitting in the saddle for that long of a time. It takes time to adjust to being in the saddle for long periods. That will come with time.
I am really looking forward to this holiday season and the fall and winter weather. Being in sunny Southern California the winters are quite nice. Other than the occasional rain and some bothersome wind at times, it is generally quite nice this time of the year. Definitely better than the snow and freezing weather of the northern regions of the US.
If any of you know of any employment opportunities I would appreciate you steering me in the right direction. I have no problem with minimum wage although I would prefer to have most weekends off.
Till next time,
Cheers,
Russ
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