San Diego Rock & Roll Expo

Goshdarn it, I have to admit–this is by far the best expo they put on as far as quantity and quality of vendors and things to do. I spent an hour or two just walking around and looking at stuff. I ended up buying a few things that I’ll talk about later.

I saw one of our teammates (Crystal) who volunteered at the athlete registration area. She was in the 2000-2999, and I was just in the next table 1000-1999. So it was hard to miss her. Anyway, we went into the Gaslamp area for a late lunch over at Hard Rock Cafe. The restaurant is just right across Horton Plaza, which is a few blocks from the convention center.

I talked to Dave (Crystal’s hubbie) before I left. He was helping out a friend at one of the booths. Oh yeah, Dean Karnazes was speaking to the audience at the podium. Stock stories. But he still commands a captive audience due to his exploits. Don’t know why I keep noticing–he seems so emaciated. I don’t know if he is losing all that body fat and muscle just by his non-stop running or what. He always looked more cut and younger than I was–now it’s the other way around. I think he is pushing himself too much? Anyway, I shook his hand and said Hi. I’m sure he could place my face (somehow the guy looks familiar in the thousands of faces he’s encountered), but I kindly offered my name to make it easier. He smiled before he walked on to the Accelerade booth, one of his sponsors, to sign copies of magazines for the crowd.

I was supposed to go swimming at the ocean tonight, but I was at the expo late. So, scratch that. On my way out, I spotted another teammate (Sarah) at the corner. Called her on the cell, but not before the San Diego’s Finest spotted me pick up my phone. So I’m making a small contribution to the state’s budget tonight. No skin off my back. One of the officers was actually funny; we talked about the marathon for a few minutes. He wished me luck.

So I bought some top of the line compression socks that I’ll try in the marathon. Should be great. I also bought (drum roll) the latest and greatest–Garmin 310XT. Supposed to have 20 hour battery, and waterproof to 50 feet. The Garmin rep said–the 405 and 405CX are water-resistant, but by no means–should be used while swimming. He said that the force of the arm entering the water is enough to compromise the water-resistance, so you won’t even need the typical submersion beyond 3 feet to cause it to take in water. Danger!!!!

I don’t think I’ll use the 310XT for the marathon. Maybe for the next ocean swim! The rep said it is perfect for triathletes like me. It is sizable though, so you have to think about taking it off before taking off your wetsuit. There is no way to force the wetsuit arm cover over the 310XT (like I recently did with my cheapo Timex Ironman watch).

I spotted Dane Rauschenberg, another fellow Marathon Maniac. Talked to him a while, and then got his book, “One Man, 52 Weekends, 52 Marathons”. He’s got one of the big shoe companies as his sponsor (can’t remember who). He did say that he is just off an 8 marathon in 7 weeks streak, where he lowered his PR to 2:49. He said he is both too tired and too busy. Oh, he is a lawyer up in DC when he is not doing mondo running.

Also spoke to Les Wright, the RD for the Tahoe Triple. He said he spotted my entry last night, and was happy I was coming back. We chuckled about how the body makes you forget the small hills up in Lake Tahoe. I’m only kidding of course–altitude at 6500-7500 feet, huge hill climbs, and 72 miles of misery. Don’t you just love it?

Did notice Bart Yasso, selling his book at his own booth. Noticed him in Big Sur, Disneyworld, and now San Diego. Always wanted to know what he is about. I guess I have to find out one of these days, so I can go talk to him too. Also saw John Bingham, a contributor to Runners World. Penguin Chronicles I think.

So I have to admit having fun at this expo. Plus, watching all the good-looking people (healthy people are very good-looking) was worth a couple hours of my Friday afternoon. So what if I spent a pretty penny tonight, plus a contribution to the state budget? Ha ha. I’m going to hang out and drink my Mimosa, thank you! And maybe finish off half the Hickory Bacon Cheeseburger meal from Hard Rock. Monstrous, those things are.