Stepp'n it up

I've finally taken a deep breath and committed to changing out one of my beloved gadgets......I've upped my game and invested in a Garmin GPS running watch, leaving behind my NikePlus band.

From this to.....................................................this.

It even looks more serious!  But, as I get my head to the notion that I really am going to run an UltraMarathon (50m/80k), then I really have to get a little more technical and complicated about my whole training regime.  I loved the Nike band and still think it's a perfectly fine investment for anyone getting out there and giving running a go.  Did me fine for the marathons but the ultras require something a little different.  As well as GPS the Garmin has a heart rate monitor, will be more accurate overall and allows me to do all sorts of calculations around my pace etc etc etc.  Running with Katy really prompted it.  Given she does ironmans she has this "mini" computer strapped to her wrist, honestly it's the size of 2x match boxes stacked on top of one another, it's also waterproof - something I don't need to care about.  Anyway, after some research, ordered this gadget and will see how it turns out.
Karen and Brice here for the day Friday, lovely to see them and enjoy some quiet chat time as well as dinner with Irene along for the Gordon/Stewart experience.
Also went to the movies with Irene's family to watch The Cave of Forgotten Dreams in 3D.  This was amazing, this cave has drawings in it dating back 32000 years and was only recently discovered (early 80s).  It's hugely protected with very very limited access so watching the film is the only way 99% of the world will get to see it.  Not a film I might have chosen out of the pack but definitely worth seeing.
It's Memorial Day weekend, so with Friday off, I get a four day weekend.  I am just gearing up to head out on a run to Sausalito - includes running across the Bridge then around the Bay a little ways.  I'll take the Ferry back to SF and hope to make it about an 18 miler......she boldly says.

Summer Days

Topp Twins in SF for a showing of
their movie, including a Q&A.
 Can't resist the obvious "Irene gets Topped!".

Saturday, out with Lotte and Irene to march with the "protesters",
marching in protest at the cities plans to close down some of off leash dog walking parks

Post dog marching off to a local Vietnamese sandwich place - YUM

Irene checking out the goods

Lotte and I in Golden Gate park "sharing" my pork sandwich  

Fun easy weekend.

Confessions of a shopping incompetent and her trusty side kick!

Totally awesomely successful weekend in LA!!!!  Michelle a total star, had done the research and, I think, even exceeded her own expectations.  For those not in the know, I hate hate hate shopping for clothes for me ('lil more patient when hosting others, but seriously hate shopping for myself).  Really brings out the worst in me in terms of lack of patience, hating my body shape and and and.  At 44 I know these things and, lucky me, so does Michelle.

Arrived in LA 9ish Friday night.  Flew Virgin America so flying was a total delight.  We started Saturday leisurely (M has THE most comfortable inflatable bed I've ever met....seriously).  We both have i-pads and have become a little addicted (okay alot) to some of the very fun game apps. So needless to say, coffee in hand it was kind of easy to start the day slow as we both happily played away in our own little world.....although I did introduce M to a very fun and kinda difficult game that even had her stumped at times (this is not a easy thing as M is very good at those puzzles!).

Anyway, post that start we walked (yeah, that's amazing too in LA) around the corner and wandered into one shop that didn't quite fit the bill (well for me at least.....), then just around the corner......jackpot! M threw me into a changing room and kept the clothes coming (she was soooooo good the shop guy got it and just let us go for it.....and we did.  Walked out with the haul......shopping done (well mostly, those shoes came from some place else that included some GREAT street entertainment, this easy to come by in LA).

Shopping done we chilled and Saturday night went to the movies to see Thor - easy fun and way too much popcorn!  Sunday we headed out for a late brunch before I flew out.  Ended up at The Abbey which is a nice queer hangout - easy times.   Back to SF, most happy.

LA Bound

I'm off to spend the weekend with Michelle in LA......she is taking me shopping and has the route planned. Given my low tolerance for clothes shopping this is a VERY good thing.
Was chuckling yesterday at the irony of Michelle and I finding ourselves both in the US and living so near to one another.  20yrs or so ago we visited the US together for the first time, coming to see Karen and Brice in New York.  We spent a year saving, managing to save all of our student allowance in anticipation of the trip.  Michelle, as I recall, was flusher than I as she had been working on some research projects. I think I was a proof reader (yeah get that) at a community newspaper in Johnsonville!!!!!! It was a totally awesome trip as we trained from LA to NY (staying in Manhattan with K&B), visited Provincetown, Cape Code and Boston.  All things military fascinated me so we even went and visited West Point.  We trained down to New Orleans and I remember the French Quarter as being quite magical (unlike the last time I was there).  We then took the train to San Fran and had a couple of days in Hawaii.  It was a mega trip and the one where I decided I wanted to live and work in the US and here I be!
I'm working from home today because I have been to look at a possible two flat property to buy, literally two mins walk around the corner.  It has lots of possibilities.  Irene and I are off to the bank to chat about how much we can borrow.....might be some interesting times ahead.

Adventuring

The week proved to busy with work sucking up a huge part! That said I have some adventures planned. On Friday night I am off to LA to go on my annual shopping spree with Michelle - time for a new wardrobe. Staying through Sunday so a chance to spend some chill time too.
At the end of the month Karen and Brice are passing through on their way back from NZ so taking the Friday off to catch up with them. First weekend in June down to Santa Cruz for the half marathon and SC Gay Pride....me, Irene & Lotte and Marcia. Irene not running but Marcia and I are. Following weekend Katy and I are off to Idaho to Coeur d'Alene. Katy's ironman is at the end of June and she wants to check out the 112mile bike course (as in bike it!) and swim in the lake that is part of the course as well. She invited me along and, as you can see, CDL is gorgeous, reminds me a lot of Queenstown. We fly out Thursday night and back Sunday. Plan is she does her training thing and I'll go on a scenic trail run and sightsee. I think it's going to be fun and a new place to adventure. Following weekend unpclesbian arrives for the week leading into SF Gay Pride. All up some busy social times and work not showing signs of slowing down.
July/August I am going to do a four week three days a week Bootcamp. This involves an hour long class from 530am to 630am. This in the hope of getting stronger for the Berlin marathon. I'd love to run a 4hr marathon. It's flat so possible if I get more focused about training, build my core and do some speed work. Although Katy will have done her ironman by then I am hoping she's onto something new and hangs in there as my running buddy two days a week.....she's good at the speed work and keeps me honest!

Big Sur......done

Marathon is done and it was fantastic…….. which doesn’t mean it was easy so much as it was a really really beautiful course.  People were incredibly friendly and good natured and the bands along the way were great.  Including the dude with the grand piano at the top of one of the hills.  It was a rolling course and most everyone (well everyone as far as I could tell), walked some of it.  I was very glad to have trained on the SF hills.  Even as it got tough though gazing out on the views made it all worthwhile.  

I arrived in Monterey on the Friday, went to the expo and booked myself on the 5am bus for Sunday (which was the “late” bus, we had a 645 am start) then just wandered around Monterey and the wharf on Saturday.  Saturday night I slept remarkably well and was ready to run Sunday.  It was really cold waiting for the start at 5am………then I realized the Safeway (similar to Woolworths for the kiwis) was open and dozens of folks were huddled inside keeping warm.  It was hilarious as people sat in the aisles and on the deck chairs that were for sale.  I think at one point they tried to get us out………yeah good luck with that.  Finally they relented and even announced over the intercom when we should move to the start line. All up a really great day to run, fantastic crowd, excellent sideline support and entertainment and well deserving of its status as one of the top 3 marathons in North America.

Marcia somehow managed to be allowed to cycle the course and found me around mile 21 (when I was pretty tired) and even had a little sign.  It was a great boost and lovely to see a familiar face along the way.

On the right is an example of how the bands just randomly land somewhere and all had sound systems with generators so you could hear the music before you could see the band.

Also on one part of the course (around mile 20) they have strawberries. OMG nothing ever tasted so good as I found myself really hungry but was loathe to eat a banana as I don't usually have anything but GU and it's not a good idea to change these things out on a run. BUT the strawberry giveaway is legendary so I just indulged.  No ill effects (fortunately).  It was also a pretty hot day in the end.  By the end of the morning it was hitting 70 (21) degrees.  I found myself mixing water and gatorade together in the last 7 or so miles and making sure to drink the whole cup so that I didn't get dehydrated.  When you are tired and ready to be done it's difficult to focus on these things but all things I will have to get right if I'm to do an Ultra.

Pic on the left is the "food" give away at the end.....ideal is to eat not long after you finish and this was a fab little package to chow down on.  Katy had also given me her recovery drink (well a powder you mix with milk) to try, so I also downed that back at the hotel.  

Marcia and I went to Phils (fab seafood restaurant in Moss Landing that I've talked about before.  It was really nice to have someone to celebrate with too!

Coming back to San Fran I went out for Japanese with another pal (trying a new place in the Mission) and was finally done in around 8pm!  Monday stiff as, legs and shoulders mostly.......got to remember I am 44......but also got to remember that there were women out there running older than I am and they were kicking my butt!!!! Today, feeling somewhat sore but much much better.  Come Monday back into it with Katy - Berlin looms and I've decided to lose those extra few pounds and go for a faster time given the course is flat.....see now I've said it out loud.......