Posted By Jeff Fletcher on October 8, 2009 10:10 am

As I wrote yesterday, one of my goals when I knew I was coming to LA and picked this particular hotel location was to make it to the beach. I had hoped to get there on Wednesday morning, but I slept in too late. This morning, I woke up early and made the 15 minute drive over to Redondo Beach, where I did a little 2-mile run.

I ran on The Strand, which is a nice, smooth, paved path for bikers, joggers and rollerbladers that runs for miles and miles and miles right by the beach.

I was right near the restaurant where my wife and I ate the night I proposed to her. I really love this area. We lived down here for about 18 months, and to this day it’s my favorite place that I ever lived. The weather is always perfect. You are right near a gorgeous beach. This where all the cool, young people hang out. (And a lot of rich old people.) I’m probably not cool enough to live here now. Probably never was, actually.

As for the run itself, I’m quite proud of myself for actually getting some exercise. I am not training for a marathon and I’m not even trying to lose any weight this month, while I’m on the road. If I can play for the tie, I’ll be happy. It’s not going to be easy if they keep bringing cupcakes like these into the press box. I also had part of a Dodger Dog last night, but it was actually quite disgusting. Normally I like the Dodger Dogs, but this one seemed like it had been sitting, wrapped in foil, a little too long.

Anyway, waking up early today had another reason. I want to be plenty tired tonight when I board my red-eye flight, which goes from LA to Houston to St. Louis. If anyone has any good sleeping-on-planes tips, I’ll take ‘em. I’ve never been too good at it. Any good drugs?

I’m planning to arrive at the ballpark around 11:30 this morning. Press conferences start at noon. Then there will be the standard on-field milling around, which is like a cocktail party without the drinks. First pitch a little after 3.

By the way, if you wanna read my story from Game 1 last night, it’s here. Also, I’ll be participating in a live chat again today during the Dodgers-Cardinals game (and perhaps a little during the earlier game).