Seven Sets of the Santa Monica Stairs

As it turns out, 515pm on a Monday is not the right time to try and do the Santa Monica stairs. I'm not sure I've ever seen more people out doing the stairs than I did earlier this evening.

I biked to the stairs and managed to get in seven slow burning sets. It felt really great, except for when i felt like I might actually fall over. I also had visions of my legs cramping up in the middle of the night. Not sure I hate anything more than a charlie horse- the feeling of a softball coursing its way through my calf- um, no thank you! But despite all of that, I was happy that I managed to get in seven sets. The stairs are hardcore- emphasis on hard. Yet it's something I like doing because it's one of those activities you think only certain skinny athletic people can do. I may not have the skinny part down- yet- but I am athletic enough to be able to hang on the stairs and that feels really good.

I didn't take my iPhone for my musical companion and I wished I had if only to share the sight that welcomed me as I biked around the corner. The sun was shining down on the Pacific Ocean with a clear blue sky as the backdrop. It was, in a word, stunning. There was a song playing on my shuffle that really resonated with me on such a gorgeous day in Santa Monica- Blessed by Martina McBride. "I have been blessed, and I feel like I found my way..."

Not to get all cornball on you or anything, but as much as I was struggling to get in seven sets of those f'n stairs, I did feel blessed. Especially in light of all that can go wrong with our bodies, you know?