Journal of today’s activities:

This morning I went for a run along Ventura Boulevard. I began in Studio City, ran through to Sherman Oaks, then I returned to my friend Justin’s apartment in Studio City. Following my run I rented a car and drove to Newport Beach for a meeting with a sponsor of our organization. I went to explain some of the challenges we were facing. He offered his support, then he suggested that our Straight-A Guide training program may be of use to his sales organization. I told him that I would think about ways that we could modify our program for a sales organization. It’s very exciting to share ideas with leading businessmen who immediately appreciate the value in our message.

After my meeting in Newport Beach, I drove to Norwalk to have dinner with my mother and my grandmother. My mother isn’t Cuban, but my father likely taught her how to cook a traditional Cuban meal of black beans and white rice. I rarely eat Cuban food. When my mother makes black beans and rice, I have memories of the delicious meals she used to cook for our family as I was growing up. I am glad that I had time to share a brief visit with my mother and grandmother.

Following our family visit, I drove to a hotel near the Los Angeles airport. My trips to Southern California are filled with meetings. While driving to the hotel, I felt the car rattle. I thought it was broken, but when I made it to the airport I heard that we’d just had an airport. I don’t think I’ve ever felt an earthquake before, but now that I live in California, I should anticipate more of them.

• Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 228
• Miles run today: 7.83
• Miles run this week: 44.28
• Miles run this month: 238.18
• Miles run in 2014: 711.51
• Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
• Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 139.92
• Today’s Weight: 165