Alohaaaa,
Since we hadn't been back down to San Diego in over 12 yrs, we forgot what a beautiful and fun city SD is!
They put on one helluva marathon too!

But for the traffic on marathon day, we had a great time. What helped us is that since I used to live there, I knew some shortcuts, some legal and some not so legal, so it always helps.
Rock and Roll bands set up all along the course route and at the finish line, it's one big VERY EMOTIONAL party!
The Leukemia Society's "Team in Training" put us up at the Holiday Inn Select on So. Hotel Circle.
Other than the remote control on the TV not working, getting a 3:45a.m. wake up call at 3:15a.m. and the toilet backing up on us 2 times on Sat night and one time at 3:30a.m. while Mrs Kal was "getting ready" for the marathon, it was a pleasant stay that will never be repeated.

At least Mrs Kal had an excuse for missing her all time marathon goal (this was her 3rd) by just a few minutes.#39;(

That and the fact that she usually talks to anyone that listens!
Attended a "Running Expo-Marathon Registration-TnT Dinner" at the Convention Center. Very cool building.
Worth a visit even if you don't have nay business there. Great patio in the back with a fantastic view of the bay.

Toured the Gaslmap District and had lunch at a mexican restaurant whose names escapes me. "Las Fajita's"? Good food and the service was trying very hard due to the rush of marathoners.
Had post "Victory Party" cocktails at Lou and Mickey's. Great old bar. Good wine list and per Mrs Kal, "a great Cosmo that takes away the aches and pains of 26.2 miles"!

We beat it out of the "HolInn-Not So Select" and hit the nearby Fashion Valley Mall that Mrs Kal had scoped out while running the course on Friar's Rd.
Had lunch at Crocodile Cafe. Even tho it's a chain, good food and service. Wish we had one in NoCal.
Got to watch her marathon shop. What stamina!

Drove down to the Loews Coronado and talk about "night and day" in hotels. (I know-DUHHHHH).
Got the room thru Hotwire.com for $102 a night. Very nice hotel. I rated it "5" across the board on the Fodor's hotel comment board.
Great service starting w/ the bell hops to check in and James the Lobby Bar bartender will forever be in our good graces! He talked us into staying and eating at the hotel's Azzura Point restaurant.
Even made the reservations for us.
Canceled our reservations at Peohe's-next trip.
Outstanding meal, great service, great view. Called out Chef Ron Tolle to take a bow!
The rooms were very large, great porch w/ view. Room service on time and pretty good too.
We will definately go back there for a few days. Hopefully the sun will come out next trip!
Took a long walk up and down the Silver Strand Beach, my old stompin' grounds.
Located right across the street from the Loews.
Had to cruise up to "The Del" for the obligatory cocktails out on the deck.

Check out day was sad. We drove up to one of my all time fave places to relax, the benches in front of the Cabrillo Natl Monument. Outstanding views. Too bad it closes around 5:00p.m. because it would be a great place to see a sunset.
Had a getaway lunch at an old fave, Anthony's then walked out on the pier and took some pics of the just arrived USS Constellation.
Pretty awesome piece of floating metal.

I forgot all about SD's Lindbergh Field airport. "E-ticket ride" coming in and "Cape Canaveral Ride" going out.
But it's pretty nice being able to drive out to Pt. Loma, drive back to Anthony's, walk the pier, drop off the car and still be able to get an "A" ticket from SoWest!

For those of you that just may be interested in running a marathon AND doing something good, we strongly suggest getting involved the the Team in Training.
They've always provided good training tips/assistance and it's always nice top be around positive people like John "the Penguin" Bingham!
http://www.teamintraining.org/hm_tnt
To borrow his phrase.."Waddle On".
Mucho mahalos!!!

Kal, I'm so glad you had a great time! Isn't that marathon something? A lot of local residents get pretty ticked about all the road closures! My son's football team works behind the scenes every year to earn money for the team. Next time you're down here, we need to arrange a Fodor GTG!

Barb, You have a good son!
We may volunteer to help out next year.

We were thinking of this Aug. so we'll keep ya posted.

Kal
[email protected]

So what was Mrs. Kal's time goal?

I ate at Las Fajitas, too, and I loved it! The service was good, which is always a mark of quality in my book no matter how the food is!

Tell Mrs. Kal to come over and run the Honolulu Marathon!!

Mels,
Monday was her goal!

As for service, the Azzura Point was "no ka oi"!

As for the Honolulu Marathon....how many hills!?

Mucho mahs!
Kal

We have two major hills in the marathon: Diamond Head going out (about the 8th mile) and Diamond Head coming back in (24th mile). There is also a gradual uphill around mile 10--it is so subtle you will hardly notice it unless you are like the Princess and the Pea. No worry beef curry!

Mels, Maybe she'll do the RnR Marathon in Arizona? Not too many hills there!