It was nice to know that I got 2 miles in on the treadmill and 25 minutes on the bike today. On the drive home I noticed this poor fellow running in the rain and thought to myself, sure glad I'm not training for anything because that would be me! It's amazing how quickly you lose your HTFU attitude when you aren't planning on doing any races longer than a 5k.
With so many changes and so much going on in our lives right now, I am content to just exercise and a do a 5k here or there. Maybe once schools tarts in the late summer I'll consider taking on something larger but for now I'm happy to try and take it easy and get the most out of my days and life.
Last Friday was my daughter's Walk-a-Thon that raises money for our parents club to help support smaller class sizes, PE, teacher's aides, etc. While it wasn't a perfect course I do believe each lap was .25 miles possibly more. Her goal was to complete 12 laps. When she got lap 4 she was saying she was tired already. Kids are awesome at sprinting at super speed and than getting tired and walking and repeating several more times. I really wanted her to reach the goal she had set for herself. So I started doing laps with her, after all some sprinting would do me good. Once Sydney hit the 12th lap I asked how she was feeling and what she wanted to do, and she wanted to keep going! Ultimately she ran/walked 21 laps! She would have kept going but it was only a 2 hour event. While I was the only parent who actually ran laps with my daughter, I am proud of her accomplishment and I know that being by her side I was able to help her meet and exceed her goal.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Changes, changes and more changes
First, an update on my tree's. They are still in my yard in all of their beauty. Thank you to an amazing lawyer who warned PG&E that if they cut the tree's down he would be going after them for damages, PG&E has decided to back off and see if we can resolve the issue nicely. We filed a formal complaint with the PUC and while that is pending a hearing PG&E is hoping we can resolve this without having to go through the hearing process with the PUC. Hmm, probably because if we win, this will severely hamper the "we can do whatever we want" attitude they have and crimp their style (money) of having to go back to trimming instead of removal. I'm currently waiting for their rude Arborist to call and schedule a time to measure the actual line distance from the ground in front of our property, good times.
In other news, most everyone knows that I quit my job. I thought my last non-profit experience was bad but nothing like this. I kept quite about much of the day to day drama, the inappropriate and unprofessional behavior of many of my co-workers and the different directions I was being given by various people. It's one thing to work with other people who really only give 50% to their work, I can work in my own little bubble and ignore their lack of pride in their work, but there are some things that I just can't ignore. The final straw was finding out that ZERO of the money we raise in development would go to any of our programs, ZERO. I can't in good faith go out and raise money when the money I raise is not going to any of our programs, not a dime. So I bid farewell to the chaos and am feeling pretty good about it all.
Over the past 5 months our family has been on a roller-coaster that we just couldn't get off of. Being the one responsible for getting the kids ready for school, dropping them off, picking them up and getting dinner ready every night took a toll on everyone really quickly. Getting home at 6:15pm-6:30pm when your kids go to bed at 7:00 and 8:00pm leaves no quality family time let alone time for homework and practicing reading. The kids were starting to pick up on our stress and we all just hunkered down and tried to survive each day. I neglected lots of things over this time including friends and just my general well being. So we are all now on the road to health and happiness. It took 5 months for all of this stress to build up so I know it will take a while to get back to the person I was, but already I feel a sense of relief. I'm not a person who lets go of things easily but I can honestly say for the first time after leaving a job that I have really let it go, I don't care, I can't.
We celebrated my daughter's Third Birthday and spent a great weekend with family and friends. Despite everyone but me (knock on wood) having the stomach flu this week has gone amazingly well. I have gotten a little glimpse of what the summer will be like with both girls at home full time. I have enjoyed several days of sitting in our backyard and really enjoying it, which amazingly I never seem to find time to do.
On that note, lots of race changes. I was not able to run in my favorite race this weekend due to Sydney being sick but Scott and Kylie ran and had a great time. Scott took all the bibs so he could get all of our t-shirts and oops my timing chip attached to my bib was in the jogging stroller, needless to say I came in 2nd in my AG for a race I didn't run. Before all of this happened we made the decision to not run in the COPS Memorial Run this upcoming weekend because of a party that would include the entire family. Now bummed realizing I won't get to run 2 races, I decided to register for the See Jane Run 5k in Alameda. Originally I thought we would go to Sonoma that weekend and run, but some more changes in plans and I decided that finishing a run with champagne and chocolate sounds right up my alley.
On to bigger and better things.
In other news, most everyone knows that I quit my job. I thought my last non-profit experience was bad but nothing like this. I kept quite about much of the day to day drama, the inappropriate and unprofessional behavior of many of my co-workers and the different directions I was being given by various people. It's one thing to work with other people who really only give 50% to their work, I can work in my own little bubble and ignore their lack of pride in their work, but there are some things that I just can't ignore. The final straw was finding out that ZERO of the money we raise in development would go to any of our programs, ZERO. I can't in good faith go out and raise money when the money I raise is not going to any of our programs, not a dime. So I bid farewell to the chaos and am feeling pretty good about it all.
Over the past 5 months our family has been on a roller-coaster that we just couldn't get off of. Being the one responsible for getting the kids ready for school, dropping them off, picking them up and getting dinner ready every night took a toll on everyone really quickly. Getting home at 6:15pm-6:30pm when your kids go to bed at 7:00 and 8:00pm leaves no quality family time let alone time for homework and practicing reading. The kids were starting to pick up on our stress and we all just hunkered down and tried to survive each day. I neglected lots of things over this time including friends and just my general well being. So we are all now on the road to health and happiness. It took 5 months for all of this stress to build up so I know it will take a while to get back to the person I was, but already I feel a sense of relief. I'm not a person who lets go of things easily but I can honestly say for the first time after leaving a job that I have really let it go, I don't care, I can't.
We celebrated my daughter's Third Birthday and spent a great weekend with family and friends. Despite everyone but me (knock on wood) having the stomach flu this week has gone amazingly well. I have gotten a little glimpse of what the summer will be like with both girls at home full time. I have enjoyed several days of sitting in our backyard and really enjoying it, which amazingly I never seem to find time to do.
On that note, lots of race changes. I was not able to run in my favorite race this weekend due to Sydney being sick but Scott and Kylie ran and had a great time. Scott took all the bibs so he could get all of our t-shirts and oops my timing chip attached to my bib was in the jogging stroller, needless to say I came in 2nd in my AG for a race I didn't run. Before all of this happened we made the decision to not run in the COPS Memorial Run this upcoming weekend because of a party that would include the entire family. Now bummed realizing I won't get to run 2 races, I decided to register for the See Jane Run 5k in Alameda. Originally I thought we would go to Sonoma that weekend and run, but some more changes in plans and I decided that finishing a run with champagne and chocolate sounds right up my alley.
On to bigger and better things.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
My love for my utility company
Let's face it, even if I managed to find some way to go off the grid and not be dependent on PG&E for power, I'd still have to deal with this.
This is a 230kv transmission line that comes through my neighborhood. Due to this PG&E has an easement on the front of our property that allows them access to those lines and tree trimming because the lines come down our street. Over the years PG&E has trimmed the tops of the tree's. Two years ago they wanted to remove them and we politely declined. I happened to be home one day when Davey Tree showed up to remove the tree's and I said "um, no. We told PG&E we would not allow removal." The Davey employee asked if he could trim them and I gave him permission to do that. I was horrified after the fact, that had I not been home they would have just removed the tree's.
To give you a little history on our tree's:
I'm not even certain how long these tree's have been here. But I do know that years ago someone crashed into the front yard that the birch tree basically saved the rest of the yard as it prevented the vehicle from coming up in further into the yard. Today, I have two young children who love to play in the front yard and these tree's serve as a natural barrier to the flat part of our yard where my children play. We live on a heavily traveled street where people tend to not obey the speed limit so as parents and pet owners a little scary to us to think of not having that barrier to protect all that is important to us.
This year, an ACRT employee who was evaluating the trees and clearance approached me one day (again I was lucky to be home) to talk about removal of the tree's. I told him the same thing, we're happy to trim them but we don't want them removed. Okay fine, guy takes my name makes some notes and leaves. The following month we receive a letter from PG&E stating they are removing two of the tree's, call us if you have questions or concerns. We make several calls and talk to a couple of very rude and unsympathetic people who just tell us they are coming out but they will give us three weeks to do whatever research we want. When we ask to see official measurements because their website says they only need 12-20 feet of clearance based on the species of tree they inform us they are now requiring 40 feet. What, why they change where is the documentation? Whatever we ask for we are met with resistance and basically told we're taking them out, too bad so sad. We ask about being compensated to re-vegetate the area, nope, not getting that either.
Over the past couple of weeks we have ordered a copy of the full easement which is a typed document from the late 20's. I contact CPUC and after talking to or being transferred to four different people I find someone who can help. They send an inquiry to PG&E asking for the justification in the plant removal. While they wait for their response the nice guy at CPUC sends me link with information on standards for this level of transmission. The CPUC requirement is 2.97 feet of clearance (Really???? Why does PG&E want 40 feet), NERC (Northern American Electric Reliability Council) is 2.97 feet. Is it just me or is PG&E being totally unreasonable in asking for 40 feet of clearance with a 50 foot tall line. I better tell my neighbors to watch out for their shrubs!
After a call with our attorney last nigh he advised to tell PG&E if their intent is to remove our tree's they are trespassing and we will call the police. If they would like to discuss trimming the tree's we will allow them on your property to conduct that work. This morning my husband finds them down the street and has a conversation with the Forester (who is apparently an arborist and doesn't feel bad that he;s just ordering tree's to be clear cut) and explains exactly what our attorney said to say, what they are doing is unreasonable and excessive and we've also spoke to CPUC. The guys says "okay, I'll pass that along to my team" and shakes his hand.
An hour and a half later they pull up to my house and my neighbors house with two crews. No safety measure are taking place, this is clearly the din-dong ditch of tree removal. I run out of the house and look at the Forester and say you're just here to trim right? The tree's are coming down he tells me. Thank goodness I had the phone in my hand, as the chainsaw starts up I call 911 and then my husband. I yell at the Davey Tree employee to get off my property that he is trespassing, he pauses and looks at the Forester but does not turn off the chainsaw. I yell again. I look up at my neighbors house as I hear a chainsaw up there and see my neighbor and I tell him I have already called the police. I call dispatch again and ask that the officer hurry up. For a moment the Davey employee shuts down the chainsaw and I feel a little relief. I look up at my neighbors yard just in time to see his tree hit the ground. His tree is much larger than ours, no precautions were taken, no ropes used they simply took it down in a matter of minutes. What I found out later was that my neighbor ordered them off his property requested to see a copy of the easement, while the ACRT employee pretended to go to his truck to get a copy of the easement (which he didn't have) mu neighbor went into his house to get the phone and also call the police and they took his tree out while his back was turned. The tree landed in the middle of the street blocking lanes, there were no personal to stop or direct traffic while this happened and cars were honking and yelling at the crews. While I was watching this unfold The Davey employee in my yard started up the saw and made another attempt. I looked at him and yelled again that he was trespassing, I wanted him to understand that he was the only person on my property that the PG&E folks were smartly standing across the street and when the cops show up he would be the one trespassing. He backed off.
Orinda police showed up and I got a moment to actually breathe.
This is my neighbor's tree as they try to hustle to get it out of the street since they completely did it in an unsafe fashion. Today's ordeal went on for three hours. Three hours of tears, yelling, the entire on duty Orinda Police force (that would be three officers and a sergeant), attorney's and more tears.
In the final moments Orinda Police told me I had to let them take the tree's down. Even though I was the only individual with the actual easement that while archaic my attorney has deciphered to read that they are only allowed 10 feet of clearance, no one cared. Even though PG&E touts their rights based on this easement, no one cared what it actually said. When I mentioned sitting in the tree, I was informed they would restrain me and it would go from a civil issue to a criminal one. At this point I'm sobbing on the phone with my attorney, the cops tell me to just take photos so I can sue them alter (gee thanks). We've exhausted every option and I'm going to have to explain to my girls why Mommy couldn't save the tree's, the chainsaw stops. My attorney has managed to get a hold of PG&E's attorney and she's giving us a week to figure it out. The Forester comes up and decides to show his compassionate side and says he'll help us identify a proper tree to replant and that this just isn't the species they want under the lines. He then offers to help reimburse for the cost of new tree's. I tell him why this wasn't a discussion we could have had two weeks ago to avoid this entire situation. It's all a load of crap I know, the attorney told him to play nice, I get it.
The bottom line is they'll be back next Thursday to take my tree's unless my attorney and PG&E's attorney can agree on what his really reasonable. I feel so violated and so bullied I just can't even get my head around my emotions right now. My husband warned me that the once the adrenaline wore off, I wouldn't feel quite right, I didn't understand what he meant at the time, but now I do. I have the shakes and I just can't quite pull myself out of it.
At the least, we hopefully through a wrench in their system and their bullying, While next week I may be two tree's less at least I know I fought the good fight and stood up for what I felt was right.
To give you a little history on our tree's:
This year, an ACRT employee who was evaluating the trees and clearance approached me one day (again I was lucky to be home) to talk about removal of the tree's. I told him the same thing, we're happy to trim them but we don't want them removed. Okay fine, guy takes my name makes some notes and leaves. The following month we receive a letter from PG&E stating they are removing two of the tree's, call us if you have questions or concerns. We make several calls and talk to a couple of very rude and unsympathetic people who just tell us they are coming out but they will give us three weeks to do whatever research we want. When we ask to see official measurements because their website says they only need 12-20 feet of clearance based on the species of tree they inform us they are now requiring 40 feet. What, why they change where is the documentation? Whatever we ask for we are met with resistance and basically told we're taking them out, too bad so sad. We ask about being compensated to re-vegetate the area, nope, not getting that either.
Over the past couple of weeks we have ordered a copy of the full easement which is a typed document from the late 20's. I contact CPUC and after talking to or being transferred to four different people I find someone who can help. They send an inquiry to PG&E asking for the justification in the plant removal. While they wait for their response the nice guy at CPUC sends me link with information on standards for this level of transmission. The CPUC requirement is 2.97 feet of clearance (Really???? Why does PG&E want 40 feet), NERC (Northern American Electric Reliability Council) is 2.97 feet. Is it just me or is PG&E being totally unreasonable in asking for 40 feet of clearance with a 50 foot tall line. I better tell my neighbors to watch out for their shrubs!
After a call with our attorney last nigh he advised to tell PG&E if their intent is to remove our tree's they are trespassing and we will call the police. If they would like to discuss trimming the tree's we will allow them on your property to conduct that work. This morning my husband finds them down the street and has a conversation with the Forester (who is apparently an arborist and doesn't feel bad that he;s just ordering tree's to be clear cut) and explains exactly what our attorney said to say, what they are doing is unreasonable and excessive and we've also spoke to CPUC. The guys says "okay, I'll pass that along to my team" and shakes his hand.
An hour and a half later they pull up to my house and my neighbors house with two crews. No safety measure are taking place, this is clearly the din-dong ditch of tree removal. I run out of the house and look at the Forester and say you're just here to trim right? The tree's are coming down he tells me. Thank goodness I had the phone in my hand, as the chainsaw starts up I call 911 and then my husband. I yell at the Davey Tree employee to get off my property that he is trespassing, he pauses and looks at the Forester but does not turn off the chainsaw. I yell again. I look up at my neighbors house as I hear a chainsaw up there and see my neighbor and I tell him I have already called the police. I call dispatch again and ask that the officer hurry up. For a moment the Davey employee shuts down the chainsaw and I feel a little relief. I look up at my neighbors yard just in time to see his tree hit the ground. His tree is much larger than ours, no precautions were taken, no ropes used they simply took it down in a matter of minutes. What I found out later was that my neighbor ordered them off his property requested to see a copy of the easement, while the ACRT employee pretended to go to his truck to get a copy of the easement (which he didn't have) mu neighbor went into his house to get the phone and also call the police and they took his tree out while his back was turned. The tree landed in the middle of the street blocking lanes, there were no personal to stop or direct traffic while this happened and cars were honking and yelling at the crews. While I was watching this unfold The Davey employee in my yard started up the saw and made another attempt. I looked at him and yelled again that he was trespassing, I wanted him to understand that he was the only person on my property that the PG&E folks were smartly standing across the street and when the cops show up he would be the one trespassing. He backed off.
Orinda police showed up and I got a moment to actually breathe.
This is my neighbor's tree as they try to hustle to get it out of the street since they completely did it in an unsafe fashion. Today's ordeal went on for three hours. Three hours of tears, yelling, the entire on duty Orinda Police force (that would be three officers and a sergeant), attorney's and more tears.
In the final moments Orinda Police told me I had to let them take the tree's down. Even though I was the only individual with the actual easement that while archaic my attorney has deciphered to read that they are only allowed 10 feet of clearance, no one cared. Even though PG&E touts their rights based on this easement, no one cared what it actually said. When I mentioned sitting in the tree, I was informed they would restrain me and it would go from a civil issue to a criminal one. At this point I'm sobbing on the phone with my attorney, the cops tell me to just take photos so I can sue them alter (gee thanks). We've exhausted every option and I'm going to have to explain to my girls why Mommy couldn't save the tree's, the chainsaw stops. My attorney has managed to get a hold of PG&E's attorney and she's giving us a week to figure it out. The Forester comes up and decides to show his compassionate side and says he'll help us identify a proper tree to replant and that this just isn't the species they want under the lines. He then offers to help reimburse for the cost of new tree's. I tell him why this wasn't a discussion we could have had two weeks ago to avoid this entire situation. It's all a load of crap I know, the attorney told him to play nice, I get it.
The bottom line is they'll be back next Thursday to take my tree's unless my attorney and PG&E's attorney can agree on what his really reasonable. I feel so violated and so bullied I just can't even get my head around my emotions right now. My husband warned me that the once the adrenaline wore off, I wouldn't feel quite right, I didn't understand what he meant at the time, but now I do. I have the shakes and I just can't quite pull myself out of it.
At the least, we hopefully through a wrench in their system and their bullying, While next week I may be two tree's less at least I know I fought the good fight and stood up for what I felt was right.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Honesty
Sometimes you just have to be honest with yourself. I love to cook and eat and bake and eat. I discovered last weekend that one of the many reasons why I've been feeling miserable is that I don't have the time to cook and bake, and somehow being in the kitchen and cooking really relaxes me.
Last weekend I asked Scott if he would build me a veggie garden, for the past two years I've been using pots and we really have plenty of space for one, we just haven't ever taken the time to build one, I didn't know he was going to get to work so quickly.
Somehow with Spring finally having arrived and a veggie garden planted and with full citrus in the yard I became very inspired to find my happy place in the kitchen once again. It started with tackling the huge amount of meyer lemons we have. Mint lemonade, I may need to make more today because we have gone through almost the entire batch. Good thing I have plenty of lemons!
Today I stopped by OSH to pick up more veggies for the garden, we already have tomatoes, bell peppers, chili's, zucchini, cucumbers and corn, so I picked up celery, onions and carrot seeds. Excited for when I can cook with all of this stuff. After my stop at OSH, I headed to the farmers market to pick up some fresh veggies and to the store to finish up with what I needed for the week.
As soon as I got home I got started on my day of baking and cooking. First on the menu was blueberry scones. These guys used two lemons worth of zest and juice, a huge accomplishment when you have so many lemons to use, Not sure how you can keep blueberries from turning your dough purple, Sydney gave these the stink eye when she came home, guess she won't be eating any of these.
For Christmas Scott got me a book called the Boozy Baker. Pretty self explanatory. I glanced through pretty quickly and saw Double Limoncello Poppyseed Cookies, score! Not only do I have lemons but I also have lots of Limoncello since I make it every year with our bounty of lemons. These suckers are good.
After being in the kitchen all morning I realize I'm pretty hungry. So it's time for a Caprese Sandwich.
I'm going to take a little break to plant the rest of my veggies in the garden before I start dinner which is Paula Dean's Oven Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and spring mix green salad.
Really in my happy place today.
Last weekend I asked Scott if he would build me a veggie garden, for the past two years I've been using pots and we really have plenty of space for one, we just haven't ever taken the time to build one, I didn't know he was going to get to work so quickly.
Somehow with Spring finally having arrived and a veggie garden planted and with full citrus in the yard I became very inspired to find my happy place in the kitchen once again. It started with tackling the huge amount of meyer lemons we have. Mint lemonade, I may need to make more today because we have gone through almost the entire batch. Good thing I have plenty of lemons!
 | |
| Not sure why this is sideways, can't seem to fix it, but you get the idea |
For Christmas Scott got me a book called the Boozy Baker. Pretty self explanatory. I glanced through pretty quickly and saw Double Limoncello Poppyseed Cookies, score! Not only do I have lemons but I also have lots of Limoncello since I make it every year with our bounty of lemons. These suckers are good.
After being in the kitchen all morning I realize I'm pretty hungry. So it's time for a Caprese Sandwich.
I'm going to take a little break to plant the rest of my veggies in the garden before I start dinner which is Paula Dean's Oven Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and spring mix green salad.
Really in my happy place today.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Fight for Air Climb
I would say that if you are going to climb 52 flights of stairs, training would be a smart thing to do. My biggest mistake was I started training too early and tried to figure out a way to train for a stair climb and a 10k which turned out to not be such a brilliant idea. I basically overwhelmed myself and ended up not really training for the climb.
On the bright side, I still made it up the 52 flights of stairs, even if I didn't meet my goal time. We had a wave time of 10am and I'll admit even though this was my employer's event, it was a little unorganized. I didn't hear anyone calling out wave times or telling us when to head down to the concourse area. I think we just decided as a group that now was a good time to get in line. The line was long and it had the atmosphere of standing in line for a ride at Disneyland, but somehow I knew it wouldn't be as much fun. Having never done this event before we had no idea how long it would actually take us to wind around the actual stairwell. After what seemed like forever we finally got close. Climbers were sent off in 8 second increments so as not to crowd the stairwell. I got the go ahead and found myself flustered as I crossed the mat and was trying to get my heart rate monitor to start, I had to push it like 4 times before I even got to the first stair after crossing the mat. Just like a run, there is this air of excitement and all of a sudden I realized that I needed to get going! As I ran up the first flight of stairs it was pretty evident that running up the stairs was not going to be an option. My lungs and legs were burning and as I looked up realized I was only at the 3rd floor. Okay, this is going to be tougher than I anticipated.
Aid stations were set up every 7 floors. For safety purposes water is not allowed in the actual stairwell, so you have to exit the stairwell to get to water. We had been told there would be water at the plaza level before the climb, but there was no water to be found anywhere, so by the time I got floor 7 I was pretty parched. After this it was pretty obvious that I would need to stop at every aid station for water and slow my heart rate down.
As you can imagine, there are not a lot of sites in the stairwell of the B of A building, but every floor felt like a milestone.
I would pass people and then stop at an aid station and have to pass them again. Sure would have been nice if I had been able to carry my hydration pack, but I get it, slippery floors would be really, really bad. When we reached floor 50, I wanted to scream out with joy! I held back and slowed down long enough for the photog to take my photo. As we came out of the stairwell and crossed the timing mat, there were lots of volunteers ringing cow bells and cheering us on, it just felt so good to be done. The really nice part was that in addition to a bottle of Gatorade I was also handed a hand towel, wow, if only I was handed one of those at the end of every race!
It took me 21:46 to climb 52 stairs, way over my original goal, but despite the fact that I wasn't feeling great that morning, I still got it done. And for my efforts was rewarded with this fabulous view.
On the bright side, I still made it up the 52 flights of stairs, even if I didn't meet my goal time. We had a wave time of 10am and I'll admit even though this was my employer's event, it was a little unorganized. I didn't hear anyone calling out wave times or telling us when to head down to the concourse area. I think we just decided as a group that now was a good time to get in line. The line was long and it had the atmosphere of standing in line for a ride at Disneyland, but somehow I knew it wouldn't be as much fun. Having never done this event before we had no idea how long it would actually take us to wind around the actual stairwell. After what seemed like forever we finally got close. Climbers were sent off in 8 second increments so as not to crowd the stairwell. I got the go ahead and found myself flustered as I crossed the mat and was trying to get my heart rate monitor to start, I had to push it like 4 times before I even got to the first stair after crossing the mat. Just like a run, there is this air of excitement and all of a sudden I realized that I needed to get going! As I ran up the first flight of stairs it was pretty evident that running up the stairs was not going to be an option. My lungs and legs were burning and as I looked up realized I was only at the 3rd floor. Okay, this is going to be tougher than I anticipated.
Aid stations were set up every 7 floors. For safety purposes water is not allowed in the actual stairwell, so you have to exit the stairwell to get to water. We had been told there would be water at the plaza level before the climb, but there was no water to be found anywhere, so by the time I got floor 7 I was pretty parched. After this it was pretty obvious that I would need to stop at every aid station for water and slow my heart rate down.
I would pass people and then stop at an aid station and have to pass them again. Sure would have been nice if I had been able to carry my hydration pack, but I get it, slippery floors would be really, really bad. When we reached floor 50, I wanted to scream out with joy! I held back and slowed down long enough for the photog to take my photo. As we came out of the stairwell and crossed the timing mat, there were lots of volunteers ringing cow bells and cheering us on, it just felt so good to be done. The really nice part was that in addition to a bottle of Gatorade I was also handed a hand towel, wow, if only I was handed one of those at the end of every race!
It took me 21:46 to climb 52 stairs, way over my original goal, but despite the fact that I wasn't feeling great that morning, I still got it done. And for my efforts was rewarded with this fabulous view.
Monday, March 21, 2011
What happened to March?
The past two weeks have been rough. Once I returned from San Diego it was all training, running and stair climbing and then someone whacked me upside the side of my head with a case of tummy troubles. No doubt the result of me new and is more stressful than it needs to be job. Luckily, test results came back today and the c-diff is not rearing it's ugly head again. Process of elimination probably means ulcer, the meds the doc gave me seem to be helping. Helping enough that I was actually able to get my 3.5 mile run in yesterday in comparison to last weeks no running at all.
While I'm not as prepared for Saturday's 52 flights of stair climbing as I had hoped to be, I know I'll get it done, it just may not be as fast as I had hoped. But let's be honest, it is my first stair climb, so whatever I do, it will be a PR.
While I'm not as prepared for Saturday's 52 flights of stair climbing as I had hoped to be, I know I'll get it done, it just may not be as fast as I had hoped. But let's be honest, it is my first stair climb, so whatever I do, it will be a PR.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Finish Chelsea's Run
Okay, so maybe I didn't need to get to Balboa Park at 6am. The race was to start at 7:30am sharp and I knew they were expecting at least 3000 runners, I was hoping to avoid long lines to pick up my bib. I must admit that the hotel shuttle driver looked at me a little odd when I arrived in the lobby at 5:45am to go to Balboa. Needless to say, it was still dark when I got out of the van and I'm pretty sure I was the 1st person to pick up my bib. The cool thing about being there that early is the chalk artists were finishing up the huge sunflower at the start line.
The sunflower was Chelsea's favorite flower.
I must say this was a very well organized event. You could opt to be timed or not timed. If you opted to be chip timed you had a blue bib and were directed to the front. All other participants had a white bib and were told to line up behind people with blue bibs, so simple, but brilliant. We were directed to line up at 7am as they promised a 7:30am start, I'm sure a prompt start had to due with their permits. This is sort of a Where's Waldo shot, but I'm in it, I have a light teal headband on, can you spot me???
An amazing 5000+ people showed up for this inaugural event. As an event planner I can only imagine in my wildest dreams having 5000 people show up to my event, let alone my first one! And if you have ever wondered what 5000+ people look like, well here you go.
The King's moved out of state after Chelsea's death. But Brent, Kelly and Tyler all ran the race. Kelly actually trained for the run and I know Chelsea would have been so proud of her Mom.
Before I knew it, we were off. The magnitude of the event was just huge and very emotional. All along the route were Chelsea's favorite inspirational quotes, it was difficult to not push hard based on the overwhelming amount of inspiration on the route. I looked down and realized my heart rate monitor was not registering, and I think there is no way to not look a little odd when you lick your finger and pull your shirt up to try and get the sensors to work on your heart rate strap, it didn't work, so I figured I was going to have to wing it and just try to find a nice pace. When we reached the 1 mile mark they were calling out times and I passed right at 10 minutes, I was surprised to say the least, I'm a slow runner, so it was nice to know I had a good first mile. the course was beautiful, I tried to grab a photo, but it doesn't do much justice to how gorgeous it was.
We actually got to run on the freeway. I saw a Chippy out there as we entered the 163. I was very tempted to yell a "HuRah" as I ran past, but he was in his patrol car and I figured it would be wasted. Kind of cool to run on the freeway. We ran down this amazing hill and I must say it was fast and fun, so fast that someone behind me actually fell down it, she was fine. As we got to the bottom of the hill we hit the 2 mile mark and once again they were calling out times. As I passed she called out 20:33. Holy crap, I thought, I might actually be able to PR. And then I quickly thought of the fun hill I had just run down and realized that we would have to go back up, okay, maybe no PR for me today. We passed through the back side of some mountain and it was nice and cool and shady back there. And then I saw it, the hill I would have to get up. Holy crap, once again. The entire time I kept pushing thinking of Chelsea and how she wouldn't give up, her spirit kept me moving through out most of the race. But that hill, I slowed to a walk when I felt like my heart rate was too high and my lungs were burning. I looked around and there was no one around me running. I've tried to determine the elevation of said hill, but I'm ending up with somewhere between 85 and 150 feet of gain in .33 miles. We all know that math is not my strong point so lets just say it was painful. We had almost reached the top when we hit the 3 mile mark. Okay, .10 miles I can run. As I ran to cross the finish line, I found myself once again emotional with the magnitude of the day. While it was a day of celebration of Chelsea's life you couldn't help but think of the tragedy that occurred to bring us all together.
The shining light in all of this is to witness and be part of what a community can do when they band together, the power of the people truly is amazing. I was so proud to be part of this amazing day and I hope to make it back to San Diego every year to be part of Finish Chelsea's Run.
Official Time: 33:36 76/123 in my age group (of the folks that were timed anyway :))
The sunflower was Chelsea's favorite flower.
I must say this was a very well organized event. You could opt to be timed or not timed. If you opted to be chip timed you had a blue bib and were directed to the front. All other participants had a white bib and were told to line up behind people with blue bibs, so simple, but brilliant. We were directed to line up at 7am as they promised a 7:30am start, I'm sure a prompt start had to due with their permits. This is sort of a Where's Waldo shot, but I'm in it, I have a light teal headband on, can you spot me???
An amazing 5000+ people showed up for this inaugural event. As an event planner I can only imagine in my wildest dreams having 5000 people show up to my event, let alone my first one! And if you have ever wondered what 5000+ people look like, well here you go.
The King's moved out of state after Chelsea's death. But Brent, Kelly and Tyler all ran the race. Kelly actually trained for the run and I know Chelsea would have been so proud of her Mom.
Before I knew it, we were off. The magnitude of the event was just huge and very emotional. All along the route were Chelsea's favorite inspirational quotes, it was difficult to not push hard based on the overwhelming amount of inspiration on the route. I looked down and realized my heart rate monitor was not registering, and I think there is no way to not look a little odd when you lick your finger and pull your shirt up to try and get the sensors to work on your heart rate strap, it didn't work, so I figured I was going to have to wing it and just try to find a nice pace. When we reached the 1 mile mark they were calling out times and I passed right at 10 minutes, I was surprised to say the least, I'm a slow runner, so it was nice to know I had a good first mile. the course was beautiful, I tried to grab a photo, but it doesn't do much justice to how gorgeous it was.
The shining light in all of this is to witness and be part of what a community can do when they band together, the power of the people truly is amazing. I was so proud to be part of this amazing day and I hope to make it back to San Diego every year to be part of Finish Chelsea's Run.
Official Time: 33:36 76/123 in my age group (of the folks that were timed anyway :))
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