El Angel De La Independencia - CDMX

A column monument built in 1910 during the presidency of Porfirio Diaz by architect Antonio Rivas Mercado topped by a bronze depiction of the Greek goddess, Victory, in Mexico City. Originally built to commemorate Mexico's war with Spain for Independence, this structure has evolved into a mausoleum for war heroes.

When we visited Mexico City, we were lucky enough to stay less than a block away from this treasure, so we'd walk by it early/late daily. The last time I visited CDMX, it was blocked off due to some renovations, so it was pretty cool to see it lit up or sit by its steps.

Amongst the clouds - Iztaccihuatl

 Iztaccihuatl is a dormant volcanic mountain next to its more popular neighbor of Popocatepetl. It's the 3rd highest peak in Mexico at 17,159 and about 40 miles southeast of Mexico City. It's also known as "La Mujer Dormida" since its profile is said to resemble a sleeping woman. I tried my hardest to "see" this, but I just couldn't, but that's just me. 

According to our guide, legend has it that Iztahuatl was a princess who fell in love with her father's warrior, Popocatepetl who was sent off to battle but was promised to her upon his return. The entire time, Iztaccihuatl's father presumed he would not return, so she was incorrectly told that he died in battle. She was so grief-stricken that she died.

When Popocateptl returned, he was just as grief-stricken. As he kneeled by her grave, the gods covered them in snow and made them into twin mountains. 

Popocateptl, to this day, spews smoke when he remembers his eternal love for Iztaccihuatl. 

This was also one of my must hikes while in Mexico City. I'd seen pictures of Popocatepetl's majesty and wanted to see it for myself. 

Getting there, we had to drive through "El Paseo de Cortes" which is a very rough mountain pass as we approach the mountains. It derived its name from the fact that Hernan Cortes and his men navigated this pass. One can see the entire Mexico City valley and it's vastness. It was about a 30 minute 5 mph (at most) ride. If the altitude doesn't make you feel nauseous, this ride certainly will. Coincidently, the return seemed rougher than the arrival. I'll chalk that up to fatigue after a long day. 

There was a total of about 8 of us in our hiking group. Our guide indicated that everybody would pretty much be "on their own", but it would be impossible to get lost. "Just follow the trail and don't deviate off it", he said. He was correct. 

The round trip ended up taking about 3 hours and was about 3 miles total, taking into account photo opportunities, of course. 

The hike up to our previously agreed meet up/regroup point was not to difficult, even to this flatlander. As usual, the steep return was the best part to me. I usually find that I can push the pace with gravity's help. 

Being at 13,950 feet did not take it's (altitude) toll on me considering just the day before we were below sea level in Texas. 

The weather was nice, cold and breezy. This is definitely a must return trip/hike for me. 

Nevado de Toluca

 Upon scheduling our trip to Mexico City, Nevado de Toluca was one of the places I knew I just had to visit. 

Nevado de Toluca is an inactive stratovolcano. Strato because it's built upon layers of lava and ash. It's located about 50 miles west of Mexico City and happens to be the 4th highest of Mexico's peaks at 15,354 feet.     

It's also known by the Nahuati Indian name of Xinantecatl. Interesting fact, among many, in my opinion. Little did I know this week long trip would consist of pronunciation practice. Our hike consisted of circumnavigating its large open crater. There are 2 crater lakes located at the crater - The Lake of the Sun and The Lake of the Moon. 

Leading up to this adventure, we were in constant communication with Alberto, our guide. He'd been suggesting alternate locations to hike because Nevado de Toluca had been closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He promised these other locations were epic, but nothing quite like Nevado. Fortunately, the day before he notified us that the park had reopened a couple days earlier. 

I'm sure this was the reason we only encountered a handful of people doing this hike. 

Alberto was very knowledgeable. He pointed out that one could also hike the top portion of the volcano, but it was approximately a 13 hour technical at times trek. Note to self:  next time. Maybe. 

The trailhead began at about 13k feet, and we had to hike some loose scree which are broken rock fragments descending into the crater. We took our time hiking the perimeter and just being in awe. The lake views were simply indescribable. 

At the end, we ended up ascending to 14,087 feet. My first 14er. 

Every vantage point simply outdid its prior one. It was a spectacular and breathtaking sight. Judge for yourself. 

My Fragile Mind Has Been Warped.

Dang, with all this Covid 19 stuff, sometimes it's difficult to know what's accurate or not accurate. What to do. What not to do. How much of what to do, and how much of what to not do. It's pretty insane.

It's difficult to get stressed with all the news. 24 hour news. Everyday. All day. My fragile mind gets tied in knots.

Personally, this isn't about politics. Well, it might be (or not), but I really don't want to hear about politics right now.

What I've done to help with this is simple: I go for a little run or bike ride. Yes, I want to quarantine myself and go nowhere that I don't really need to, and I do. Many times, I'm just so stressed that I don't want to even step outside. I'm here to tell you that a run, walk or bike ride does wonders. Yes, I wear a mask when I do either of these three things. I choose to. It makes me feel better. Yes, it's uncomfortable but blah. I've felt more discomfort.

After said run or bike, I feel 1000 times better.

So stay active especially right now. It'll benefit you mentally AND physically. It can be done safely.

Stay safe, all.

Going From A High To A Low in No Time

Our own mortality is a difficult thing to grasp or come to terms with. Especially since we are reminded of it on a daily basis, at least it seems so. When you least expect it, it rears its ugly head.

Yesterday, I had a great run with great friends. It was a great pace, great conversation...great everything.

Upon finishing, I had a text from my parent that my sons grandfather had passed. I immediately called him, but he couldn't really talk through the sobs. There's nothing that hurts quite as much as hearing your son sob.

Of course, I went to see him and his mom to console them and to see if there was anything they needed.

This reminded me that it's a solemn reminder not to take anything for granted. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Don't settle. Life is short.Very short.

Canon De Mariposas 50k

Canon de Mariposas 50k was a great great run...and to think I almost didn't do it. Traditionally, October - December is a tough time to take a runcation since I coach MS Cross Country. Put simply, I could still take a Saturday off, but I want to continue coaching. I like it. Luckily, our trip organizer, Freddy, was willing to leave after my CC meet on Saturday.

Another couple reasons I had second thoughts was because the last time I went to do a run in Mexico (http://bens-running-mis-adventures.blogspot.com/2018/08/it-could-always-be-worse.html) I ate or drank something I shouldn't have and got the runs for 3 weeks. Oh, yeah...I lost my keys also. The trip was more of an adventure that I bargained for, but we won't get into that.

I have been running but not "training" very hard, so that was something that worried me a little. I mean I kinda figured I could finish, but would it be ugly? It turned out it wasn't pretty, but it also wasn't ugly.

I like ultras because I can afford to take several miles to "warm up" or get into the groove of it. This run was no exception.

Distances are approximate.

Miles 1-9:

It took me a bit to ease into it if I can call it that. I was ok during this stretch, but I wasn't feeling it. I kinda had made the decision to stop at mile 9 which was right before a toughie climb. Unfortunately, a friend, Nora Ruiz , was at that aid station cheering people and gave me the business for even bringing the subject up. I'm glad I listened to her.

At this point, the run had a climb of about maybe 2 miles and then back down. I don't have the climbing legs, so I struggled. On my way up, I ran into another friend, Brandon, who was coming down already. We said hi, and he blurted "This is a #%(*$*( huge mountain." Definitely not what I wanted to hear.

I struggled up but took advantage of the downhill like everybody else.

Miles 14-23:

This stretch promised to be the most scenic but also most worrisome. We were encouraged to use a hydration bladder/vest because there would be no water these miles.

The sights did not disappoint. Specifically, this little section.

Miles 25-31:

The last section or 10k was my time to reflect on what a great run this was. I met a lot of great people and had a great time.

Definitely worth the struggle.

It Could Always Be Worse

It could always be worse. 

That's a mantra I've tried to live by for a while now. I mostly like to repeat it to myself when the going gets rough. Well, it's been going rough for the last few weeks. 

I did an ultra in Guachochi which is several hours south of Chihuahua Mexico about a month ago. The airline "misplaced" my luggage upon arrival there. I didn't get my clothing and running gear until my return. I was stuck for 4 days with only the clothing I was wearing. I had to borrow clothing not only to wear daily but also for my run. Every single clothing item I ran with was borrowed. 

It was a pretty stressful trip and run. Despite this, I kept telling myself "it's ok. it could be worse" because...well...it could. 

Upon my arrival at the border, I couldn't find my auto keys. Turns out that I probably left them in Guachochi. The best part was that I don't have a spare set, so I had to have my vehicle towed to a locksmith and wait for them to order the key. Again, self, it could be worse. 

But wait...there's more. 

I was able to get my vehicle after a few days, almost at the same time I started getting these terrible stomach cramps, and the most outrageous of CODE:REDs ever. Ever. This went on for several days...5 days actually, until I went to the Dr. It turns out I had some sort of stomach bacteria I'd picked up in Guachochi. Apparently, it's not a good idea to drink water from a cascading waterfall. I mean, it was an emergency. They'd run out of water at an aid station and suggested I refill my handheld from the beautiful and clear waterfall. Right.  

I was under the weather for about 2 and a 1/2 weeks 'til the antibiotics kicked in. Again, I had to remind myself that it could always be worse. I don't know how much worse it could've gotten because my fatalistic self thought it could be a flesh-eating bacteria that would destroy me from the inside out. It didn't help that I'd read a couple articles about people contracting a flesh-eating bacteria. Curse you, internets!!!

But wait...there's even more. 

A couple days ago, I was returning from a friend's bbq when my CRV was sideswiped. The airbag deployed and slapped me in the face. I think I banged my head somewhere along the way too. No, I wasn't drinking. I don't drink, but I don't know about the other driver. The dumbest part of this was that I had just left and wasn't wearing my seatbelt yet. THIS, could have definitely been worse. Way worse. 

I'll be without my CRV until it gets repaired, but I have great friends (with cars) and a bike. The best type of friend is a friend who has a car and is off for the summer like me. I'm just sayin'. 

On a related note, just because I think you'll find it amusing and difficult to believe that I am not making it up, it was a pretty unique accident. In a nutshell, this beat up car sideswipes me into a stripes parking area where we both end up. I was a bit stunned and some bystander helped me out of my car. I look over and was still able to think "at least they stopped" as I saw the female driver looking at my direction before deciding to drive off. A guy that came over to see if I was ok quickly said "I'm gonna follow her, she's taking off!" I tried to dissuade him from doing so. You never know nowadays, but he took off. About an hour later, as my car is finally about to be towed off, the police officer that had initially made contact with me, returns. He tells me that they had just made contact with the car/individuals that hit me but wants to make sure it was a female driver. I tell him I'm positive, because I saw her. We made eye contact before she drove off. He says he just wants to make sure because a male driver is claiming to be the driver. The most important reason he wants to make sure is because the other person in the car, a female, has an amputated foot. 

You cannot make this stuff up. 

As I said, it's been an interesting past 4 weeks, but I go back to my mantra: It could always be worse.  Hopefully, at this rate, I won't find out how much. 

Miles Away

Right at my fingertips

I can almost touch you

Taste of honey on your lips

Keeping my gaze like glue

Like an itch that cannot be scratched

I miss your touch

The feeling cannot be matched

Making my face flush

Making no ground

Am I getting closer?

Nature’s sound all around

Resilience, I must show her

At last I feel your touch

Quenching my thirst

Missing your being so much

For so long, I have traversed 

Unheeded Warning

Hauntingly familiar

Have we met?

But there can be no other

Heeded warnings like a bad debt

Grand and majestic

Comfortingly perilous

Afraid to blink

To know you I must

Peaceful yet full of life

Questioning intentions

Yearnings drives us to your confines

To stay the soul beckons

You whisper "stay away"

Ignored warnings to flee

Won't you let us play

For in your skree takes us away

Tranquil Eminence

Wind through my face

Fire through the rest of me

How did I get to this place?
Oh, to be free

To you I come to escape

To leave my burdens with

My wanderlust aches

'til it is you I see

Sunrise, sunset behind you I hide

I cursed you once

Yet now my time I bide
'til you rid me of this disturbance

Does your wonder have an end?

As I slowly realize

My strength I must mend

For there's more to you than meets the eye

TOPO CHICO - The Drink of The Gods

I have 2 traditions: After a morning workout/run, I drink covfefe. After a tough evening workout, it's too late for this insomniac to drink covfefe, so Topo Chico it is.

Let me just tell you that once you have a Topo Chico, you never go back to whatever it is you were drinking before. It is that good.

It's my belief that Topo Chico's qualities and taste can only be gotten one way: The bottlers collect the tears of Zeus and bottle them into said bottles. Trust me...it tastes this good. Official Topo Chico bought in Mexico might have the added additive of unicorn horn shavings.

Do yourself a favor and try one. You'll never go back. Let it fizz.

Unplugged in Utah...

As I wait here at the Las Vegas airport to return to "reality", I'm reminiscing about this amazing past week that we spent in Utah and the surrounding area. Joshua (who is next to me asleep - as we wait for our flight back to McAllen) and I had a really enjoyable time.

We spent the past week exploring/enjoying/hiking Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Antelope Canyon, the Grand Canyon and Utah.

We stayed at a hostel for a week (an amazing and inexperience option/experience, and yes, I saw the movie) and a cabin in the Grand Canyon for a few days.

I'm slowly trying to ween Joshua from being glued to his cell phone. The 2 days in the Grand Canyon were the best. There was ZERO reception. No tv. No phone. No radio. No nothing. Needless to say, he wasn't a happy camper, but you know what? He survived. We ended up going for a hike along the Grand Canyon, taking a nice leisurely stroll in the Kainab National Forest, enjoying the sound of the loudest thunderstorm with ear-shattering thunder, we talked (remember that novel concept? People actually talking to each other), played board games and (the best part) filling out and personalizing post cards we'd bought all week. Personally, I think that was my highlight.

This was a great week.

I'm out...gotta wake up the kid, the flight will board soon.

Vibrant red at Antelope Canyon. 

Hiking at Zion. 

Buffalo just outside the Grand Canyon at the Kainab National Forest.

I Just Simply Had Coffee...

I can barely move from the soreness, right now, maybe that's why I'm feeling a little introspective.

I could tell you how great our mountain trail run was this weekend, go on and on about how the views were amazing, how fun it was hanging out in a primitive cabin, etc. Trivial (in the grand scheme of things) stuff, but I won't.

My best experience happened this morning - breakfast.

Our entire group of about 20 had breakfast in a "restaurant" earlier today. I didn't eat because it was a bit early, and I usually just get by with coffee for breakfast. While everybody ordered breakfast, I simply had coffee.

This "restaurant" was in an amazing tiny tiny town named San Antonio de la Alazanas. In reality, it was a family's home. Their living room had about 7 tables where we sat. The front door was open. I mean wide open. The family's mom and dad took everybody's order. Once the orders were placed, I could see the lady making gorditas. I hadn't heard of the slapping of the dough/flour since my grandmother would make them for me. She was walking furiously back and forth multi tasking in the kitchen. The whole while, her husband was refilling our mugs with coffee making sure we were ok. At one point, we suspect he even left to go get more eggs for our group (we saw him walking back in with a bag a while later).

When I went to the restroom to wash my hands, I walked through the rest of their home to get to it. On my way there, I basically had a tour of their home. My only thought was on how everything, nowadays, seems to be about more more more, while they're content with less than what we have.

It's the little things that I take for granted. This family was, I'm guessing, very poor, but very happy. Probably barely making a living. Getting by until a group of people like us are doing the weekend warrior thing running and passing by and decide to stop for breakfast.

I drank my cafe de oya (coffee with cinnamon)...I just simply had coffee, and you know what? It was the best coffee I've EVER had.

AGILE 250 BELT SET

I just have to brag on my new running toy. It was time for a new running belt, so I bought the Agile 250 Belt Set yesterday at Valley Running Co. It included an 8 ounce soft or collapsible flask.

I have an old spi belt that I received several years ago at a marathon expo. It's still in good condition, but it's a struggle to pack in there a couple of gels, S caps, tp and other essentials.

I was able to use it on a run this morning. I was just a tad worried because it is quite a bit bigger than my old one. It has to be bigger to be able to include a full 8 oz flask in there. My current spi belt bounces when I fill it, and it's smaller. I didn't want this "bigger" belt to bounce. Fortunately, there was no bounce.

I am not sure if it's designed to fit loosely, but I decided to fit it a bit loose, because I was afraid of the dreaded chafe. Not only was there no bounce but also zero chafing. It stayed securely in place for the entire run. It was able to hold 4 gels and the full flask securely, and there was still plenty of room for more. Plenty.

Full disclosure: On longer runs, you'll probably need a handheld as well since 8 oz is probably not enough hydration. I was able to use the belt with the flask while running with a handheld. Towards the end of my run, I was able to ditch the handheld and only run with the belt and flask.

Super comfortable, affordable (since you're getting the belt AND flask) and, as always, Salomon quality is the best. I would strongly recommend it to anybody and everybody.

It Was A Great Day!!!

Earlier today, I watched my son, Joshua, graduate with an Associate's Degree from South Texas College. Pretty proud day for a dad.

4 or 5 years ago, I wasn't even looking this far ahead. We had bigger problems to deal with. Graduating high school wasn't even something we were focused on.

Joshua began using or experimenting, whatever you choose to call it, with illegal substances. I'll spare you the details, but he'd be under the influence at school and when I'd pick him up. I couldn't believe this was happening IN school, but that's another blog entry that I'll never write.

The substance abuse progressed to the point that he had to go to the Alternative Campus. I think they called it the Dream Academy at that point. No matter what you call it, I knew how it was in there, and I didn't want him in there, but there was nothing I could do.

It became such a problem that he was placed in-patient for several months in the Corpus Christi area. It was a very tough place for him to be and for myself and his mom to see him. We'd only get a couple hours on Saturdays and Sundays to see him. While there, he started talking to a counselor. He's always been a pretty introverted shy kid, but his Counselor was able to get him to open up.

Through this Counselor, I found out many things about myself. He told me that Joshua was pretty angry with me. The way I raised him. The pressure. The way I'd get upset easily at him. The yelling. The list went on and on. What bothered me the most was that he'd even considered hurting himself. That was heartbreaking to hear.

How could I have patience and not yell at the kids I see all day, yet, my own son, it didn't seem to be a problem?

Upon his discharge from the in-patient hospital, we both made a comittment to go to counseling. Joshua an aftercare type counseling and me...well, a parenting of the recovering child type class. A small part of me was in denial that I needed it, but if me going, made Joshua go also, it would be a win win for both of us.

We went for 2 years until Joshua turned 18 and decided he was done with it. He said he didn't want to go and that he'd learned his lesson. I was skeptical but he'd just turned 18, and things seemed well at school.

I encouraged him to do well in school, but when I'd see him stressing about grades or state tests, I'd tell him, "I hope you do well, but if you don't, It's not the end of the world. Relax. So what?" That seemed to ease his mind quite a bit. If you can't get into a school you want because your schores are low, so what? It's your call: try again, travel, take some time off, work. Nevermind that I was telling my own son, the opposite of what we are supposed to tell kids, but that worked for me and him.

5 years later, he's earned his Associates Degree in Criminology and starts in the Fall at UTRGV. I'm very proud of the young man he's become. And, most importantly, he's made me work on being more understanding and patient in my private life just like in my professional life.

I just wanted to share that with you guys. It was a great day!!!

Bandera 100k 2017

I usually put pressure on myself to finish any run I'm doing. This year was slightly different. A friend of mine, Shane, from New Mexico had agreed to drive in all the way from there to pace me. I kept telling myself "I'm not making him drive all the way here to not have him run." He'd told me he was doing a 100k in the mountains in a couple of weeks, and was looking forward to a nice little 50k training run. The pressure. The pressure.

We met in Bandera the night before when the temps were in the 20s. I don't think I've ever run in temps that cold.

In the morning, the temps were in the high teens I think, but "let's do this" I told myself.

It was time to start...

Loop 1:  

I met a couple of frunners right before the race, but once they told me what their goal pace was, I decided to back off. I didn’t want to run with them and get “caught up” in the excitement and end up starting too fast.

The last several Bandera races that I’ve run, I’ve tended to start off feeling flat and sluggish. This was on my mind the days leading up to it. I tried to get extra rest, eat extra well, extra everything to avoid it. Luckily, whatever it was, it worked.

I was a little surprised how well I felt during this loop. The climbs were tough. Really tough, but I expected that. I don’t feel the cold weather affected me. I was pretty well bundled up but not too bulky.

My only concerned happened at the 1^st aid station when I couldn’t locate my drop bag. My gells! My Rocktane!!! My tp!!! The awesome aid station volunteers had no answers for me, but I tried not to be a diva about it. Luckily, I had packed extra gells (and tp) in my vest. “Don’t panic!” I kept telling myself.

When I got to the next aid station that was supposed to have my 2^nd drop bag, it was not there again. Now, it was time to panic. I had the same things there, plus, my headlamp for the 2^nd loop. Several other runners that heard me, offered to loan me an extra headlamp they had later later. I appreciated their concern, but I knew I probably wouldn’t be running with them for the next 10 or so hours to be able to borrow it.

I usually have to pack my own nutrition because I have a pretty weird/weak stomach which can’t stomach much of the aid station goodies. Luckily, I was able to use my vest gels and felt ok. At this point, I’d had about 7 gels. That’s about twice my limit before I start getting nauseous.

I finished the 1^st loop at around 7:30. I’d given myself between 6:30 and 7:30 to finish. Right on track.

As soon as I came in, I saw my buddies, David and Joel and told them my drop bags were missing. Fortunately, we found them at the start, and they promised to drop them off.

Loop 2: 

After about 15 minutes, I picked up my pacer, Shane, and began the next loop.

I was looking forward to dark because the warm aid station food hits the spot when it’s cold. It didn’t disappoint: cheese toast, quesadillas, ramen soup, mash potatoes…

I told my pacer to just keep moving, and I’d try to follow. We came across Nancy at this point whose good no-nonsense attitude can be contagious. She told me she didn’t like pacers because “she doesn’t like anybody to tell her what to do” but she’d try to stay with us. I’m glad she stayed with us for the next 30 miles.

Shane kept us moving and reminding us to take in calories. We’d take no more than a couple minutes at each aid station, so we wouldn’t get too cold. The take off from each aid station was pretty brutal. It’d take a couple miles to get warmed up.

The climbs seemed easier on the quads this time around. Maybe I needed a 31 mile warm up. Who knows.

We finished the 2^nd loop right at 10 hours. My A goal was to finish close to 14 hours, B goal was to get it done under 17. In the end, it just wasn’t in the cards, but I’m ok with that. 

Inner Lazy 0 ~ Team:Bendy 1

Between 6am-7am, I usually post my group's workout for that day. I do it for myself also...it reminds me what I must do since it usually takes me all day to "get ready for it."

Yesterday was no different. I posted the workout knowing it'd be cold, windy, rainy and wet. Plus, I had an 80+ power point slide meeting after school. Secretly, I think I was hoping nobody would say they were "In", so that I'd just not run. Wrong. 2 people confirmed, and I figured the usuals, Brandon, Debra and Melissa, would be there.

Driving home from work around 5:30pm, I really didn't feel like running, so I asked in our group chat who was still in. This was my under-handed pitch so somebody (are you listening, Dalyla?) could swing for the fences and cancel. She didn't. I got the usual chirpy "Yes!!!" response. Ugh!!!

8 of us ended up showing up, and we got our workout did. In the end, we ended up running faster than what we were supposed to, but I blame the wind and cold for that.

More importantly, it felt pretty nice outside. After the mile warm up, I ditched the layers and ended up running with a t shirt.

I'm glad my inner lazy didn't win and we ended up running. 

The Coffee Challenge...

19 days ago the coffee challenge was born. More specifically, the 30 coffeehouses in 30 days challenge. It began in Marble Falls at a coffeehouse called Numinous (it's in the top 5, so you know).


I wanted to see if I could sample coffee from 30 different coffee houses. I pretty quickly found out that there are only about 5 in the RGV. Of course, this didn't mean the challenge was over. It just meant I'd have to take a road trip.

Since day 1, I've been rating them in my head. I don't ask for much. All that I'd like is for them to have a sofa where I can kick it in and the option of having my cappuccino in a mug. I don't think that's asking too much.

Day 10 of the challenge my friend, Chris, and I decided to take a coffee road trip to SA/Austin to get some coffee sampling done and improve the chances of the challenge to succeed.

We arrived at SA at about noon and starting mapping our options. In order of attendance, they were:

 1. The White Elephant Coffee Co.
 2. Indy Coffee Club
 3. Bakery Lorraine
 4. Local Coffee at the Pearl
 5. Brown Coffee Co.

After a few hours, we were ready to make the short drive to Austin to see what they had to offer. We checked into our hotel and tried to rest for a couple hours before starting the caffeination again.

Again, only in order of attendance, they were:

 6. Houndstooth
 7. Juan Pelota
 8. Halcyon
 9. Medeci

By this time it was about 10pm, so we decided to call it a day.

The next morning we went for a quick run in Town Lake before we were ready to continue the challenge.

We attended the following that day:

 10. Fleet
 11. Tom's
 12. Figure 8
 13. La Patisseri
 14. Once Over
 15. Bouldin Creek Cafe
 16. Seventh Flag Coffee Co.
 17. Fairbean Coffee
 18. Summer Moon

I'm currently on coffee house number 27, so I've got 3 to go. Yes, I guess you can say I've got too much time on my hands. Too much time for coffee, if there's such a thing.

Once the challenge is over, I think I'll start rating and ranking them in the order I liked best.

30 Days of Coffee Challenge

I was spurned into action by my friend's love your spouse challenge. I think that's what it was called or something. I decided to make my own love challenge or sorts. My love for coffee challenge.

That was the beginning of the 30 Days of Coffee Challenge.

Initially, it started as a 30 Days of Coffee Challenge. In a nutshell, it was supposed to be 30 days of coffee in 30 different shops. It's been modified a couple times as the caffeine fix faded. Then I thought "Are there 30 coffeehouses in the RGV?" So then I modified it to just 30 coffeehouses in 30 days.

I'm running out of local coffeehouses, so drastic times call for drastic measures...coffeehouse road trip.

Do You Believe In Coincidences?

Do you believe in coincidences? I really don't, but sometimes how can you explain things?

Yesterday, I went with some friends to run in La Sal Del Rey. I was a little fatigued from having run earlier in the day, so I ended up doing a brisk walk. Besides, it was so peaceful out there, a walk seemed to good to pass.

Let me back up a little...I have a friend, Bengi, whom I haven't seen or run with in several years. We used to run together all the time. Several years ago during a run, she told me she thought that in 2004 (before we'd met), she'd been my grandmother's hospice nurse. I asked her if she was the nurse that comforted my grandmother during her last few days/weeks. The one that I remember praying with her and my grandfather. Amazingly, it was her. Who would've thought that we would meet years later and become good friends?

Fast forward to yesterday's walk...The walk at La Sal Del Rey. It was such a peaceful walk that I had plenty of time to think. I thought of many things. Of many people. Specifically, I thought about my grandmother and Bengi. How she'd comforted my grandfather after my grandmother passed. I'll be honest, it made me tear up a bit.

I thought about my grandmother. I thought about Bengi. I hadn't seen her or run with her in about 4 years.

Earlier today, Bengi sent me a text that she'd been thinking about me. I quickly responded that "I WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU YESTERDAY. YOU AND MY GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE PASSED!!!!"

Her response made me tear up again. "...Thanks, Ben. Those memories will always be with me. Ur grandma is always with me."