Chris Lam

I’m back from a few days in San Francisco. I ran my third half marathon – the San Francisco Half Marathon last Sunday, and I finished the CA Dreamin’ Series and picked up my fancy jacket and medal. A race report will be posted on my personal blog: whatiruninto.com, so go there if you’re interested in reading my fun experience!

You didn’t think I’d leave the social media out of this post, did you? I foursquared the Golden Gate Bridge when I was running. At the Expo, I met Danica, the ChicRunner - she’s running blog royalty if you didn’t know. During the race, I accosted Running Green Girl, another running blogger from So Cal. And of course, after the race, I found Sheryl of Running in Pigtails (and my personal friend). w00t! I love that social media and blogging has integrated itself in real life sports like running.

Some accomplishments of note:

• I hit my “A” Goal of running the race in less than 3 hours!
• I shaved off 17 minutes from my first half marathon (Long Beach 2009)!

I’m really proud of myself. The first time I tried to run was 12 months ago. It originally took me three weeks to get up to ONE MILE. Quite an accomplishment to complete three half marathons, if I don’t say so myself.

Up next? I’m looking at training for the Las Vegas Rock N Roll Marathon this December. (Now who wants to join me?)

Some photos:

I met up with Kilby the other day to do some work (and to keep my accountable). Lately, I’ve been having a hard time working at the home office. Perhaps it’s the non-stop NHL playoffs blasting on TV. So… I asked Roberta where I could find wifi and coffee around Studio City (about midway between me and Kilby), and she answered back “M Street Coffee.” Hey-o!

This place was perfect. It was roomy, light, and the woman manning the espresso machine was very nice. I believe her name is Andrea, the owner. I asked her about the big bottles of strawberry juice concentrate (?) behind her, if I could find that in stores. She said if I was interested, she’d order me a bottle! I know that’s just small potatoes, but she didn’t have to offer… and she did. I told her I’d try her strawberry smoothie next time and decide then. What a nice person.

They had a couple of different laksa wraps, vegan energy bars, baked goods for sale. I chose their croissant – yum. It was filled with some sort of sweet paste that reminded me of Chinese pineapple buns. I also ordered an XL iced mocha which was nice and strong. The music playing in the coffeehouse was pleasant and not that loud. I hate it when coffeehouses (Starbucks, you hearin’ me?) blasts music. There was also a lot of art on the walls. The photographs hanging caught my eye. Beautiful destination photos.

Kilby and I spent about 5 hours there, and there were still a few small tables open for people. Of course, it was a Wednesday afternoon, so… visit at your own risk on the weekends. Free wifi, good coffee, enough tables and space. I’ll be coming back to try their other drinks and for their workspace. Thanks, Roberta, for the rec!

This was one of the most unique experiences I’d ever been to. Karim won tickets to President Obama’s Town Hall in LA, and he asked me to be his “plus 1.” Fantastic! It was an amazing and surreal day. We waited a little over two hours outside Miguel Contreras Learning Complex’s gym. We made new acquaintances in the line: a mother-daughter duo, a woman worked in the Mayor’s office in education reform, and a college girl whose dad paid $$$ to get a ticket for her. I took as many photos and Twittered as much as I could. I even took notes. Yes yes, I’m a nerd. I’ve heard that before. Here are a few photos:

Dear all,

I’ve been neglecting this blog. I’m not sure if it will stay here. I’m a little pressed for time, so I haven’t had a chance to revamp this website. (This is ironic. Trust me.)

While it might not be as sexy, I think I’ll make this into my Twitterfeed. Follow me at www.twitter.com/chrisin140.

I might also share my RSS reader on this site, so that you can see what I’m reading and I don’t have to keep posting awesome articles from the blog and news sources I read.

Tomorrow, Karim and I are going to President Obama’s Town Hall in LA! I had sent the link for the lottery, and Karim won! Never fear, I’ve got my Flipcam and digicam ready for filming. I’ll do my best to tweet while I’m there. W00t!