Ever since I was born on Halloween, I've enjoyed a good costume party. I usually start planning in August, lying on a hot sunny beach, what I'll wear that chilly night in late October. Today, though, I have a more urgent costume concern-what to wear for the 95th annual ING Bay to Breakers foot race, this Sunday, May 21.
As much a party as a competition, the 12K (7.46-mile) event draws roughly 70,000 runners and walkers who cross San Francisco, heading west in a steady stream of athletic determination mixed with kooky wigs, masks, Elvis outfits, high heels, flip flops, body paint, floats, and for a small (and presumably chilly) contingent, birthday suits. The official 12K National Championship event must be the zaniest race recognized by the USA Track & Field Association, and the only ambulatory carnival that can qualify American runners for the Olympic trials if their race times are fast enough.
Interests: Anything with an ING:
dancing, biking, listening, talking, writing, reading,
watching, eating, drinking, running, thinking, working, dreaming,
surrendering, laughing, smiling, acting, traveling, singing, surfing,
driving, shopping, thanking, observing, welcoming, connecting,
loving, learning, sharing, practicing, asking.
Inspiration: Books: Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke/
Music: Linkin Park and The Cure/
People: My mother and all of those that have come before me that have fought their
own battles and didn't give up/
Places: Carl Schurz Park, New York, NY/
Movies: In Search of a Midnight Kiss, Stealing Beauty, Beautiful Girls, When A Man Loves a Woman, In America, Magdelene Sisters, The Notebook, Run Fat Boy Run/
Things: Causes worth fighting for: Lupus and other auto-immune disorders, Organ Donation and impoverished and at-risk youth.