Working from home

Just back from my acupuncture apptmt, saw this:




Made me laugh!
Was sporting a cold all week...so not much running grrrrr. Going to see Boy (again) on Saturday then a movie extravaganza on Sunday. Write more about that when I get back on my laptop.


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Back from Reno

Flew to Reno Friday night after work.  Always forget that Reno has more than its share of casinos and has the obligatory pokie machines in the airport.



Irene and her folks picked me up at the airport and we went out for Thai.
Saturday I'd mapped my 22miler/35k run from MapMyRun - where folk publish the runs they do and share them.  Irene and Lotte drove me to the start point and off I went.  Thought it was going to be way colder than it was so stopped at a random public restroom and removed a thermal layer.  Still had a long sleeve technical shirt and jacket on, long shorts and my compression socks.  Seemed that was sufficient.



The views along the way were beautiful, particularly along the river.  Gorgeous sights to be seen and the odd fisherman as well.



It was mostly roadway with great views of the snowy hills at every turn.  First 7 miles flew by as I was navigating through various suburbs and onto the main road.



Some really rustic looking places too.

I did get a little navigationally challenged.  This was actually the very abrupt end to a two way cycle way  that had wound its way alongside the river.  Kind of odd way to finish the trail with a picnic table and a "roundabout".




I started and ended in the city and came across this little gem....click on the pick to pop it out and read the words.



22 miles done with Irene and Lotte picking me up (most grateful for the chocolate milk and water......ran out of water with 2miles to go, that was a little tough going).  This shot taken at the backdoor of Irene's folks house.  Gorgeous views.......and I'm still standing, love my compression socks btw.  Really I felt remarkably good.  Given this was at around 4000ft and I'm training mostly at sea level I was amazed that the altitude didn't really seem to impact me (ultra will be between 6-7000ft).


Which isn't to say I wasn't tired - me and Lotte lounging before Irene cooked us all a very yummy dinner of Morracan Chicken.



Sunday after a feast of bacon and eggs we bid farewell to Irene's folks and headed to Truckee to meet a friend of Irene's who took us snowshoeing.


The setting was awesomely beautiful - Irene looking the part.  We were at about 7000ft, hiking up a good sized hill.


I really do love this snow shoeing thing.


And Lotte has the best time.
Around a 4 hr drive back to San Francisco and I'd confess to feeling a little tired tonight.  I'll head up to Reno/Tahoe a couple more times between now and September in preparation for the ultra.  Meanwhile I feel good about Milan and feel like my fitness has come along way from January when I could definitely feel the Xmas/NY excesses taking their toll!!!!



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This is cool

This guys art is fun.  Scroll to the end to see my favourites.
I am home today, got a cold. Arrrrgh doesn't seem fair given all the exercise I do but then I guess I work in a little incubator for germs.
Friday I fly to Reno to meet up with Irene.  I am going to run 22miles on some new route (that's my longest run before Milan) on Saturday and then we are going snow shoeing on Sunday.  Yay, going to ignore the cold, well battle it and hopefully tone it down before the weekend.  We are staying with Irene's folk and will drive back on Sunday (it's about 5hrs, Irene and Lotte drive up today - Thursday).  It's really pretty around where they live and where we snow shoe (if we go to the same place) is lovely. This from two Xmas's ago!

Happiness is....

A footbath....


Seriously always thought they were a bit of a gimmick...not so....


Quite happy making....with a little company to observe the proceedings!

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Lotte gets a bath

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For the record....she hates it!

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New levels of running geek

Spot the socks! Actually not socks, more like "sleeves"!  This before I ran my 20 miler/32 km today.  I read about compression socks helping recovery and circulation and noted that some of the folk in the Ultra Running mag wore them so coughed up the cash and got some.......sold!  At the end of the 20 my legs felt way less fatigued than usual.  Also, and ignoring the TMI - my dodgy ankle would normally puff up quite alot after a long run....well any run really.  So, ignoring the veins, I thought I'd share the pic to the right post run.....woohoo.  Could also be partly attributed to the acupuncture I had on Friday.  That, among other things, focuses on circulation.  So, all up, most happy with the purchase and the fact that I felt no pain (well no more than to be expected) post the cortisone injection.  Tomorrow easier times......6miles/9.6km.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

Seems the last three weeks have been all about my health!  I am now back on to acupuncture and chinese herbs.  Today was my first session and it was great! I didn't think I was going to be able to get the time to do the herbs consult but turned out the acupuncturist had some extra times so I did the full consult.  I forgot just how much I love the acupuncture - once the needles are in I generally doze while they do their magic.  First dose of herbs this evening....really just some kind of liquid concoction mixed with water.  Doesn't taste at all vile so that helps.
This weekend running 20miles.  The progress to Milan continues. Also starting to gear up for Rose and Jo to arrive in advance of heading to Italy.  Going to take them kayaking down at Elkhorn Slough, then Phils Fish Market for lunch then off to Santa Cruz boardwalk.  Will be a fun day.
Work ticks on, I'm a little ambivalent - doing what's required and happy enough as I still have time to run (yeah what happened to that mega ambitious self.....think I've got other ambitions right now).

More birthdays

Lucas and his edible arrangement....






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Woohoo

No stress fracture and no serious injury! 1 x very painful cortisone injection into the joint of my big toe, Anti inflammatory and maybe orthotics.....happy beyond belief!


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A tentative 8 miler

Over the past few days I've been doing some fairly extensive stretching/icing of my foot to try and alleviate  whatever is going on.  I don't know if this has taken off in NZ but on a daily basis (and depending on what you subscribe to) a bunch of "discount" offers land in my inbox.  A few weeks back I got one for a spa......basically offering an $80 treatment for $39 - pretty good!  So took it up and ended up doing THE most intense massage session I've ever had!!!!! OMG it was totally amazing in that it really got to some of the heart of the pain points I have as a result of running so much, it also made me increasingly optimistic that I don't have a stress fracture.  Massage done and 4 days of no running I tentatively headed out for my 8 miler.  What a relief.  By no means 100% it seems the stretching/massage has had a significant impact.  Running has become such a huge part of my world I can't explain the sense of relief I felt to be out there and having more confidence that this injury may not be the end of the Milan Marathon after all.  Still have my appointment with the podiatrist tomorrow - see what insights he may have.......in the space of 4 weeks I've shifted my world to having a GP, acupuncturist (yes, I still think prevention is better than cure and I am a total believer that this really helps my circulation and to deal with niggly things before they become big things), masseuse (not the one from Saturday but a little closer to home) and podiatrist.  I'm also toying with the idea of getting a nutritionist to help me with the 50 miler prep.  What a strange and unexpected world I have created for myself.......

Slacking.....

On the posting that is.  Not because nothing is going on but because I am waiting to see what is going on!  Hmm over the last week I've developed some kind of foot injury.  I've been doing all the "interventions" recommended but have now conceded and booked a podiatrist appointment (no small feat when you want one today.....well got one for Monday).  I am not sure what is going on, I am thinking tendons (please be tendons) rather than stress fracture.  I only ran once this week (8 miles) and am continuing to rest and try not to be too despondent.  Sadly I am feeling really fit and will no doubt be sad if this means time off running.  I know I know, I've been incredibly lucky on the injury front and I'm not being a total downer about it but but but....
Other things - last weekend went to dinner and to see Mama Mia with Irene and her folks.  Mama Mia is quite the trip.......really I just don't know what to say about it.  Irene and I laughed a lot and it's definitely designed to have you laugh in parts but the scripting is sooooo terrible with no segue-way into the songs. Really just plain odd and I honestly can't recommend anyone see it.
Quiet weekend, same ole same ole......although perhaps minus the running........