Busy stormy week

The week has been incredibly busy punctuated with driving in torrential down pours!  I'm not much liking all this dampness.  My Ironman running buddy and I discovered this sweet little running path around the water treatment station about half a mile from work.....excellent (if a lil stinky at times).  Lots of birds and a pretty outlook and no traffic to worry about.  Concurrently she has stepped it up and I found myself doing speed work......so running ridiculously fast for half a mile, slowing then off again......it's kinda painful but all the experts say that speed work makes a huge difference when you go out for your longer runs.  I'll let you know!
Also delighted to hear back from the race I have volunteered to help with in July.  It's a 50miler and they've asked if I can be at an aide station from 640am (very precise) to when the last runner comes through....around sunset!  So of course I have said yes as I will get a real insight into what it really means to run that far...it's a loop track so I'll see them all in the first half then as they come through again closer to the finish.  I'm really looking forward to it!
Other than the runs it's all been about work.  All the work we have been doing is hitting prime time now and there are, of course, lots of politics as we roll it out, also lots of "performance" as we meet with the various stakeholders.  Some days I feel like I know what I'm doing, some days not - maybe that's just working life.
Also been in planning mode for Xmas/NY in NZ.  I know it sounds along way out but it's a bitch of a time to randomly travel to NZ so have to get organized so I can get the flights I want and meet the pals for adventures.  It's not the best time I know as everyone has family stuff (including me) but once I have it figured I'll check out what folks are doing.
Also got to get on to Berlin, book the accommodation and figure out the flights from here.  Going to Europe from the West Coast of the US can be a bit of a trial - well connecting flights, so shouldn't moan that much!  Just need to get some idea of what it takes.
Going to be a rainy rainy weekend but I'm planning at least one long run ....

Upping the stakes

.....or really lost my mind!  I've been researching the Ultra's and have decided that I need to do a 50miler/80k rather than the 50k/31 miler.  Just seems to me that I am giving myself a whole year to train for this thing and adding 5 miles to the marathon doesn't seen like it quite fits the bill!  I'm still reading up on things but have volunteered to help at two Ultras this year....one of which I think is the one I might like to do next year.  I'm madly excited about the whole thing.  It seems like such a grand goal and so exciting.  Reading some of the blogs and advice that's out there I had to laugh when someone mentioned that marathons will become a "training run"...... Sobering moment too when Irene mentioned imagining getting to the marathon distance and thinking "wow gotta do about that whole distance again....".  Still it's all becoming a done deal in my mind and now it's just about planning how to get from here to there!

Daily life and ultra marathons

I know I keep saying it, but good grief the weeks are flying by.  It’s now Thursday and I can’t quite figure where the week went.

Sunday got up mega early (well daylight saving started so felt even earlier) and headed out to Golden Gate park to do a 4 miler with Kayley.  As weary as I was from Saturday’s efforts I was surprised at how invigorating the run was…..although I was very grateful it was short.  It really did loosen up the muscles and continues to be a very scenic place to run.  After the run we headed off to watch some of Kayley’s friends play touch football.  Which is American football but players wear a belt with ribbons on each hip – to “tackle” someone you have to pull off a ribbon (not allowed to physically make contact).  Other than that, similar rules to football with four turnovers allowed and two teams (offense and defense) playing.  Although “we” didn’t win it was fun to watch and it was their first game so I thought they put in a very credible game.

In my typical fashion I have been pondering my running goals for next year (not even having completed my three marathons yet…….but ya gotta plan ahead!).  Running with Katy last night we got onto Ultra marathons and yep, by midday I had decided THAT was my goal for 2012.  An Ultra Marathon is anything more than a marathon but typically 50m or 50k, 100m or 100k.  I am going to try for a 50k which is 31miles, a mere 5 miles more than a marathon (OMG, yeah that’s a big 5 miles and they are typically trail runs so quite different running from the road races).  Anyway, formulating the plan – choose a race first, join a running club (most likely in San Jose so I can do the evening workouts and Katy is keen to join too, she is so used to having training buddies, this is all new to me) and get back to a personal trainer at the gym.   Ultra’s are a lot more complex to run and I’ll have to really understand nutrition, gear (you can find yourself high in the hills, depending on the race you choose, but no matter, it all has to be thought out) and the mindset.  I am as excited about this as I was when I took on the NY Marathon.  I really will have to lose weight etc etc etc.  Craziness but awesomely fun, exciting and scary to think about actually becoming an ultra marathoner!

21m/33k.....kick arse day

Yeah well that title makes it sound like it didn't actually hurt like hell at the end.  Cripes those last few miles were tough.  Still I am in better shape than I was for New Orleans (bless my new running buddies who are keeping me totally honest about clocking miles).  I gotta say to that as I hit the last four and felt less than delighted to be slogging it out I pondered on Japan and the chaos and how privileged I was to be able to do this at all!
Tomorrow I am off for a shorter run in Golden Gate (not kidding, my program really does say run 21m then the next day run 6....although I think we are doing 5....I can't remember and I am not in charge of the Golden Gate park runs, which is a total delight).
Work was variously challenging this week with one person being downright mean (I hate meanness and all the energy it takes to slap back....because if you don't they just get to think that behaving that way is okay.....when it's not).  Wasn't my team btw, they are a delight.
Daylight saving starts this weekend - yippee, Spring forward and enjoy the longer daylight hours as I am tired of leaving home in the dark and arriving home in the dark and it means I no longer have to run in the dark, which is kind of yuck and a little bit scary if I think too much about it.

Freaky week

I just gotta say that I had a lot of complaint this week about my job, while I may have bitched about my week.....Japan......I'm very grateful for my life.

Kick start'n the week

The week has started out busy.  Although maybe I should give that up as a starting line as it seems all weeks are busy! 

Really enjoyed my run in Golden Gate Park on Saturday.  Kayley (who is the new running pal) also very cleverly mapped our run so that we finished back at the car at exactly the moment we reached our target distance…….excellent.  I was glad she was in charge as I haven’t spent a lot of time in GG Park so mostly had no idea where I was!  Afterwards we went out to lunch to a cute local café that is just around the corner from home – seems I need other people to show me these places as I spend too much time running past and not stopping.

Sunday it was rainy and yuck and between the 13 mile run on Friday and 4 miles on Saturday I hurt my knee, so no charity run on Sunday (although they did still get the donation).  I lounged around and fretted a little about my knee (not running because I am slack is one thing, not running because I am injured is quite different!).  In the evening Irene and I headed out to dinner in Japan Town then off to see Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.  Interesting movie with great visuals.  We went to a local eatery before the movie. Japan Town is excellent as it really does cater to the local Japanese community so there are lots of hidden little treasures to be found – really does remind me of the places I saw in Japan, albeit on a smaller scale.  Post the  movie we met Kayley at a local bar and enjoyed a Sunday night beer serenaded by a Mexican guy on a guitar (actually these guys rove around the local bars, sing a little, ask for donations and move on).  I am so out of touch with bar life here that I was more than a little amazed at the number of folk having a drink on a Sunday night (all very civilized but still a little startling).  Latish night so wasn’t overly excited to wake to the alarm on Monday morning!

Tonight I had my first run with “Ironman girl”.  Katie was determined to have us go running (she likes to run with pals as she finds it hard to motivate herself without someone else with her) so I took my  running gear to Sunnyvale and we headed out after work.  It was fun, we chatted and randomly ran around the streets of Sunnyvale.  Given it's flat it wasn't overly challenging and she didn't run hellishly fast so worked out fine for me.  We are going again tomorrow night (remembering too that she gets up in the morning and either swims or bikes so she's certainly committed to what she does).

JR's TED Prize wish: Use art to turn the world inside out | Video on TED.com

JR's TED Prize wish: Use art to turn the world inside out | Video on TED.com

Turtles and Bison in Golden Gate Park

Seriously, there are turtles (sunning themselves) and Bison (eating endlessly) in Golden Gate park!  How do I know this, today I ran past the turtles (way more than in this pic that I totally stole from goggle images) and the Bison (totally stole this pic too)......but I saw them, honest!

Awesome random luck!

Yesterday Gwenda did her Ironman and I was following her on the race tracker i.e. shows her progress based on split times through the swim, bike and run (btw for those that don't know an Ironman is:  2.4m/3.86k swim, 112m/180.25 bike and 26.2m/42.2 run).  Eventually I figured she was in the last 6 miles and based on the time she must be close to finishing.  I went back on line and looked at the site, they had a live feed of the finish line!  Seriously up-close and personal I watched as various competitors were channeled down the single finishers lane across the finish line, where you watched them get bundled up by officials.  15mins in there was Gwenda!  I spotted her before they called her name and then watched her run across the finish with this huge grin, it was totally awe inspiring to watch.  Weather in Taupo was seriously yuck yesterday so everyone was sodden, albeit elated.  Random luck, what are the chances of logging on at just the right time.  It was a delight to see!
On a slightly less awe inspiring note it's a gorgeous day here and I am waiting for my new running buddy to come pick me up so we can go running in Golden Gate park, not an Ironman, but comes with it's own little inspiration along the way.

March!!!!

The year seems to be screaming by and I can’t believe it is already March!
This week I’ve scored two new running buddies (well two running buddies, as I don’t actually have any right now so they aren’t exactly new). One of the consultants on my project (who flies in from San Diego every Monday, leaves Thursday) is an Ironman/Tri-athlete. We are going to start running in Sunnyvale after work one or two nights a week. She assures me she isn’t fast and just needs someone to get out there with her, so starting next Tuesday we are going to run together. Another friend is relatively new to running having run her first half in February and now training for another one. She runs regularly in Golden Gate so I’m going to start to join her for some of her runs (assuming our schedules can actually be co-ordinated). Having regular running buddies will be new for me as I’m pretty much used to getting out there alone. This weekend I’m doing the charity run with another work colleague (that is the 5k). She’s really really new to running but wants to run a half in the future, it seems running is proving to be an easy access to meeting people (okay now I’m willing to actually run with someone else). Oh and speaking of obsessions….Gwenda is doing her Ironman this Saturday (NZT). It’s been awesome to hear about her build up and I am totally awed by the commitment it takes to become an Ironman. It takes 10 to 12+ hours to finish these events, and while I could imagine slogging it out for that long (shades of Army training) I can’t imagine doing it across three events. I keep encountering people doing amazing physical things (one guy at work does “mud busters”, which involves some crazed series of trail races including “obstacles” to negotiate along the way and another who does road cycling…….crazy mad distances, to name but two). The one thing we all have in common is we completely animate about it all and are one another’s greatest champions.
I’ve just had my mid-year performance review and things seem to be going okay. I need to shift my focus for myself though and figure a path to Senior Manager (or not if that’s the case). Talking to my career counselor about it and trying to do things that demonstrate “over and above” expectations. Meanwhile continuing to enjoy myself and feel challenged.
Also been planning adventures and thinking about next Xmas – I think I might come back to NZ over the Xmas/New Year. Irene has family in Aussie so may also jump the ditch and come visiting too (she’s never been to NZ, it would be great fun to show her around). The nice thing about coming at Xmas/NY is that it would actually be summer. Last two times I’ve been back it’s rained the whole time…….which has a certain charm but does get a little tedious and I miss out on some of summer here. Anyway, plans are bubbling away – it may seem along way off but it’s not……..measuring life in races May isn’t far away, then Sept and there Xmas is…….

New tattoo

Life goes on

I know life in NZ is very focused on CHC and I am watching the coverage.  The one or two degrees of separation comes into play so I am not entirely distant from the obsession.
That said life here, and in other parts of NZ if truth be told, keep moving.
The working week has been big for me.  Last week was stressful as I had to do a dive and catch on some work and this week found out if I'd actually pulled it off.....so far it seems so.  Still, BIG learning curve for me.  The project is complex and it's a new organization.  I'm still very delighted to be involved and totally focused on doing a good job.....but some days are long and challenging.  My team is great, although very different from my old team.....which was awesome.  I'm happy enough though and the challenges keep me engaged (if not freaked out).
I'm still very committed to the marathon training (although the terrible weather is leading to some compromises).  I am feeling good for getting back out there in a more structured way and, as I said last post, grateful for the privilege.
Been going out a little bit too.  For the first time in "forever" I went out to the movies and watched Somewhere.  Definitely an art house movie, I really enjoyed it and it was shown in this sweet little theater in the Mission.  Nice company along the way too!
Discovered a local german restaurant.  Seriously good food.  Although I would confess that the trout really was the pick of the meal (I am not sure how germanic that is?).  Definitely going back as it proved to be a delight on many levels.
Weekend: training and going to a very fab looking photo exhibition at MOMA.
As I said, life goes on....


Oh, and for those that remember, here's the shot of the band.....after we went platinum:

Christchurch

Just back from a 5 mile run; day 3 of marathon training for Big Sur....11 weeks and about 300 training miles to go.  After the shock of Christchurch it suddenly didn't seem like such a big ask (and maybe more of a privilege) to come home and run the SF hills.
Really can't believe the tragedy of Christchurch, the place just looks devastated and the loss of life unbelievable.  Not really the sort of thing that happens in NZ....people here are shocked as well and lots of messages asking if family/friends are effected.  NZ is so small I expect most everyone has only one or two degrees of separation knowing someone who knows someone who is directly affected.  I hope it's true but from here it looks like the Civil Defense system came into play quickly and mobilizing help been relatively quick.  Still the first 24hrs, the most important and the most chaotic.  I just can't imagine that anyone will want to live in CHC after this, but it's not like people can just pack up and move to another city.  One day at a time from here I guess and I'm more than horrified that some people are already taking advantage and running donation scams and or stealing stuff!

Post marathon life

Been a busy week!  My body has recovered remarkably well and by day three I only had some minor twinges.  After NY and flying to Dublin my gimpy ankle blew up like a balloon….lesson learned, this time I wore a pressure bandage flying and Tuesday/Wednesday at work, seems to have worked.  I’ve also now downloaded a full on training program to prepare me for Big Sur in May.  The program should ensure that I am at or close to peak fitness (at least for me) for May 1.  Well that’s contingent on my following the plan of course but I’m not at all keen to re-run the New Orleans experience (that last six miles was tougher than it needed to be).  I took some random shots around New Orlean's, not much as the marathon was a little distracting.  One high point was the D-Day Museum.  This was really excellent I have to say.  And I learnt a couple of new things....the landing boats they used on the beach were originally designed by a NO's boatbuilder - the flat bottom being most suited to the swamps.  Also I learnt about "Rupert" - The Paradummy.  Used during WWII and on D-Day, when the allies "faked" attacking the French coast so they could land at Normandy, 100s of Ruperts were launched out of planes so the Germans would think the allies were attacking.  I'd never even heard of Rupert before, so kind of cool to see him.   

Photo above, on the left is of this amazing brunch I had at a local restaurant I found on Yelp.  It is a lump crab omelet with biscuit (read scone).  Although it looks kind of insipid it was really yum.  On the right a very typical NO's house (well in the slightly wealthier areas).  The marathon took us through quite a lot of these areas so it was lovely to actually see some of the sights along the way.

Getting back to work is full on.  I’ve had to be in the office by 7am a couple of days this last week and not leaving until after 7pm, so the day job goes on.  Presidents day this Monday, public holiday for some but not Accenture…….it seems that companies get to pick and choose which holidays they take.  It is a holiday for NetApp though so while I would like to take PTO I have to much work to do....so working but not able to bill it.....sigh.  Still better than using up my PTO.

Irene's pal Julia is here for the long weekend.  A couple of shots below from our adventures walking Lotte.....who loves to find the largest stick possible and parade around with it.

Totally obvious of course, but weather here is atrocious at the moment....sooooo much rain!

Who Knew?

Apparently a kiw just blitzed the Mardi Gras Half Marathon.......go her.

MSY>DEN>SFO

At the airport again, adventure done. I woke this morning feeling very stiff and a little full of myself (of course). Actually that's not strictly true, I am very happy to have done my second marathon but a little shamed at how poorly I prepared for it. Tough ask of the body so I've recommitted to following a training plan in prep for Big Sur.....which is a very hilly, scenic run (including a legendary 2 mile uphill followed by at least a mile down). Ironically enough most injuries occur on the downhill. It's not known for folk delivering personal bests but I do need to be better prepared, it will be tough on the body and Berlin follows four months later. Berlin is flat but will be cold and back to 40,000+ people, so not to be taken lightly.
Irene and I are going to check out the SF runners club. They do weekend runs of various distances so will be good to be around other runners (this I tell myself as often I am inclined to do it alone).
Back to a big two weeks at work but ignoring that for now!

Marathon done

She was tough going at the end (no good Xmas goes unpunished) but I toughed it out and finished with a sprint (suitably rewarded by crowd cheering....nice). Route was mostly very pretty going through various NO suburbs. Afterwards I got my free lite beer (which they market heavily as only 65 calories) and I sat in the sun listening to the bands and people watching. The morning started cold (3 degrees) but warmed up. Around 16000 ran so not huge. I did think it was going to be bigger but it was nice to have the space and folk were friendly. I am now scouting for some place to eat.....close, lil stiff I gotta say.

Landed

Have arrived in one piece. 2hrs wait time wasn't too bad and I did sleep some on the plane....although slept the entire 2.45hr flight to NO. Met another runner at the airport who is staying at the same hotel so shared a cab and had a nice chat along the way. Staying at the Marriott - quite lovely and right on the edge of the French Quarter and walking distance to the start line. Settled in and headed off to the expo and laughed when I noticed all these folk with badges at a conference housed in a different part of the building the expo was in "American Physical Therapy Association".....ironic.
Expo itself was pretty low key. I did buy a gizmo tho, a Power Balance band. Sounds odd I know but I need all the help I can get! I've also been putting together a little sightseeing schedule. Planning to go see the WWII Museum and the Gothic Cemeteries among them. Along the way a few other scenic sights as well. I need to keep walking low tomorrow and not sure how I will feel Sunday/Monday but the whole point of this is to use running as a tourism opportunity. Also I think I will be running through some of the areas so can take some sights off the list. I did treat myself to gumbo in some random restaurant but have now downloaded Yelp so can search a little more selectively.

Charlotte airport 6am Friday

It's a not so balmy -5 degrees outside and I am sitting in a surprisingly busy airport waiting for my flight to New Orleans. It seems like several flights have landed at once so, having only just woken, I am confronted with hoards of folk all on a bleary eyed mission. I have found a Starbucks having left Peets behind in California. Too early for food I am thinking. Southern accents abound and the politeness of the south is evident. My flight here was full, much to my surprise, Thursday night red eyes to Charlotte are much more popular than I would have thought. Nothing much to do but read the news and play Angry Birds.....

San Francisco > New Orleans.....

I fly out on the redeye at 10:20pm tonight, go via Charlotte so arrive in NO around 10:30am.  Yep, this thing is really happening!  The plan - survive first and foremost, no personal records (well I only have one to beat and that would be NY), slooooooow and steady, no getting caught in the hype.  There, that's it, because I really really don't think I've quite done the miles I should have leading into this thing.  But I made a commitment, know I can run 26.2 miles and, well that's it, it's gotta be done so going to do it.
Work is insanely busy as we are running a whole lot of sessions with teams to validate some of the work we have been doing.  It's intense and focused.  Two days away isn't ideal but then not having a life outside work is even less than ideal.
Most happy this week, my i-phone arrived and she is lovely....all the sweeter for my having waited two years for my provider to be able to run i-phones on their network!
Nothing much else to report.....the marathon seems enough at this point.