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........

World views

On the left, my view of my world. On the right Irene's view of my world....the blackboard never lies....it just gets a little smart arse every now and then...


PS ran the fastest and best 8 miler I've run since I started the training program in January. Apparently what gets measured not only gets done but also makes a difference!!!!


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Back from LA, fun adventure

Flight delayed out of SFO but such is life.....Michelle picked us up from the airport and we headed back to her house.  She is newly minted as Faculty in Residence at UCLA, so has a very cute on-campus apartment (about three times as big as her old one).  Saturday I had to do a 17 miler to stick with the plan so Irene and Michelle dropped me at Redondo Beach.

Dr E and I just before I start my run

They then headed off to do arty things and I made my way up the coastline to Santa Monica Pier.

Most of the path is paved......well actually now I think about it, all of it is....and I travelled under the LAX flight path (needless to say those parts of the beach were empty), through Venice Beach and ending at the Pier.  Lovely run and, given it was all flat, done in under three hours.  Although I was happy with the time overall I do have to keep working to get my mile pace down if I'm going to get to my ultra time goal.....not complaining though, total delight to run a new path and see new sights.
Girls picked me up and we went to lunch a little further up the coast, back to the house then headed out to the Hollywood Hills to have dinner with a friend of Michelle's.  Okay so HWHs is rather fab in terms of housing etc BUT traffic in LA is about as bad (if not worse) than you can imagine, both Irene and I not wildly impressed by travel times and arrogant driving.  That said, dinner was lovely and full of laughs and, wait for it.....I drove us home as the "sober driver".  Not that anyone was trashed but I didn't drink at all (still keeping to the no drinking regime).  Now feel I have another little badge of "drove in LA".....always a little nerve-wracking to drive in a new city (the left right thing doesn't much bother me any more so much as the different driving styles you have to contend with in each city).
Sunday I headed out for a six miler around and through the University campus....so beautiful.

Afterwards we went out for breakfast then went on one of those open van "Tour of LA sights and Stars Homes".  All quite funny as the stars homes weren't exactly a picture of architectural flare.  It was also incredibly cold.....

Irene and I look like we have joined some cult while Michelle seems blissfully unaware.  By the time the tour was done we had to get to the airport, back to SFO then down to Santa Cruz to get Lotte and home around 11ish.  Presidents day here so I have worked a half day and now gearing up for an 8 miler.

Virgin Airlines

Hanging in the lounge waiting for the flight to LA to board.



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Friday randomness

My new blackboard now has my training program on it....what gets measured gets done and when it's in your face there's no hiding...



I got this book for Xmas, it's an excellent read as it combines both design and politics...who knew how images for NZ coins came about and the controversy behind them? Rob Muldoon's name seems to come up alot....



Off to LA for the weekend!

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Check it out

From this........

Add a little bit of creative thinking and talent.....

Can you guess........

Where this is going?

Blackboard art!!!!

Finished the dining room, from this.......

.....to this, painted, mat, curtains and art!

And I finished painting the bathroom, ran 15 miles Saturday and another 5 miles today....weekend, done!

Saturday morning procrastination.....

I should be out running, 15m/24km on The Plan.  I know I'll go but in the meantime still putzing around finding excuses.  By the end of Sunday I will have run 40 miles in total.  Overall to train to run 26.2 miles I will have run 509m/819km.  I will have to do many many more miles to run 50 in September.  I am excited and nervous about the thought of running 50 miles but feel hugely motivated and inspired to imagine actually doing it!
Work has been busyish with new opportunities to do what I do best ..... release comms.  Odd to think four years ago I wrote about having no idea what I was really doing in High Tech, never having done anything on this scale nor in the land of IT.  Now I have become somewhat of an expert, able to bring a lot of practical experience to the table and offer advice and guidance along the way.  It does get tedious as, for me, it is the same cycle with a different crowd.  In the end though I know there will be a huge sense of satisfaction as the machinery falls into place and it all takes on a life of its own that no longer requires my presence nor input to keep it going.  At that point it's easy to let go and have it work as it will, in the interim, many debates, arguments and frustrations to be dealt with.
It's also our mid-year performance reviews.  I have given mine to my team and enjoyed the discussions and thinking process around having the team grow their skills.  I am still so new to ACN that I'm also learning how these things go and how to offer the best guidance.  I also have a "counsellee".  Every employee is given a career counsellor and you have the option to change them out if it isn't working for you.  As a manager I can also take on counsellees. One of my peeps asked if I would be theirs - so I am helping him plan his career and guide him to good choices.  All new again.  I'm also a "coach" for two analysts who are  the leads in an initiative ACN have to create a community of analysts, organizing learning events and helping them build networks (coaching the Comms Lead and the Inclusion and Diversity Lead).  Smart, engaging College grads who, mostly, just need to learn skills around being in the workforce and how to organize their work.  None of it takes up much time so I'm okay with it.
Almost done with painting the Bathroom (today probably) then I can rebuild that and the dining room.....pics to follow!
That's it really - off to LA with Irene to visit Michelle next weekend........awesome to be able to hop on a plane and 50mins later be in LA......equivalent of Wellington > Auckland!  Milan looms large and I have bravely gone to the doctor, had a full checkup (had to say how much I hate going to the doctor).....all on the back of needing a medical certificate that says I am fit enough to run the marathon.  Alot of European races require one.  Funny the U.S they just let you run, no questions asked but saftey measures and waivers abound.  Europe it seems often requires one but safety measures not quite so apparent!
Okay, gotta run.......

Little slice of NZ

Just before I went to NZ at Xmas the story about the "giant" wetas featured here. Lucas (the analyst that reports to me) asked me to bring him one back, so I did. Sits on his desk....or at his "work station"



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Busy weekend and week

Been a bit slack on the updates!  After my terrible week of being ill.......seriously not felt that ill for a long time....I bounced back over the weekend.  Saturday was low key and included painting my dining room!  Will add pics when it's all prettied up.  Sunday Irene, Lotte and I headed out to Mt Tam, which is across the Golden Gate Bridge.  It's really very pretty and while Irene and Lotte went off on walking adventures I tested my fitness by running up the mountain 6 miles, turning around and running back.

The glamorous life of a runner!  While I was still heading up the trail I bumped into Lotte and Irene so got Irene to take this shot.











Some shots of the trail, all rather pretty.

Lotte enjoying the trail.

Views along the way quite spectacular

Random shot of the city from Bernal Hill, near home

This weekend......run alot and paint the bathroom!

Bobble bottle!

Meet BB, my latest attempt to live healthy and drink more water!!!!!



The filter is built in so I can have filtered water anywhere. Needless to say this is all part of the Ultra Campaign!

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