Life in Overload

So, at the beginning of 2015, I promised some sort of New Year's update....ringing in the new and casting off the old, or something like that.  And, I intended on it, but as always, the time got away from me....life got in the way....things happen.  A lot happened.  After awhile, it felt like I'd been writing this entry for at least six months, and then I realized I had.  And then I backed off...and then it was almost 2016, so I decided to wait.  And reflect.  And now I have pages of randomly typed thoughts and feelings....semi-sober, deep down, and at times heartfelt/heart wrenching thoughts and feelings.  What a ride it's been......

It started with a race....

I rang in the new year doing the thing I love most....which ended up being my first 50-miler and fourth ultra of 2014.  It was fun and tough and boring and great all at once.  And, somewhere along the way, I learned that AIDS Marathon friends are some of my best friends.  Something that I think I've always known, but forget to be thankful for.  I also learned that 50 miles on pavement and gravel takes its toll on the human body and ended up staring down a knee injury for most of the year. That was an adventure in and of itself, a nagging, not-that-painful-but-I-know-its-not-normal adventure, requiring rest and PT, and two rounds of prolotherapy and a platelet injection.

Then, life threw me a curve ball...or kicked me in the shins...or both.  I thought I knew the trajectory I was meant to be on, but turns out - life had other plans.  And, sometimes, as hard as it is, knowing when to let go is just as important as continuing to hold on.  I feel like there is so much I could say, but, as I also learned, some things are better left unsaid.  Things happened and it wasn't ok and in my opinion, unforgivable.  But, sometimes it's all about letting go and moving on.

Because, you never know what adventure you'll find once you do.  Right now, I'm still not sure what that is yet.  But, I get to figure that out, and I am so excited for that.  Sometimes you have to let go of the planned finish line ...just like a race.  You'll still get to there, it just might look like Coyote Ride or the North Face in 2014, and be a little different than you imagined.

It continued with a race...

Starting out the year with an injury and a healthy dose of stress was no fun, but I quickly found a way to stay involved with running and started volunteering again.  It was something that I'd loved, but had given up in the craziness of work and school.  As I got more involved in my free time over the summer, I learned to mark and sweep courses, and drive a giant van up and down some winding roads.  I had so much fun exploring new trails and helping other runners...In the absence of all I knew, I found somewhere new to belong and something to focus energy on.

And, not to be out done, the back half of the year had to give the first half a run for its money.  Whether I was getting re-acquainted with a certain fashion novel or finding out what happens when slimer gets in a fight with a Toyota Tacoma (nothing good), I began to anxiously await the arrival of 2016.  I'm not sure why, something about turing the page, casting off the old, and bringing in the new felt fresh and necessary.  Then, when I thought it was over, I had the opportunity to cross driving down the freeway with the flu off my bucket list (also not good).  Since it's not 2016 yet, I suppose I should knock on something.....

It ended with a race....

I plan to end 2015 (and then begin 2016) with the same race I ended 2014 with. Though this time, I'll be working at it, not running it. Racing for me is on hold until March and then April - the race lottery odds were somehow in my favor and I 'won' entrance in to both Way Too Cool and Lake Sonoma, hopefully an omen of good things to come in 2016.  I've spent the past week and a half (feels like forever) resting, so my silly ankles could heal, my body could get a much needed break, and I can get back at it in the new year.  Bring it on lottery of pain, bring it on.

This year is nothing I'd sign up for again, I might dare say it's been the toughest of my life.  But, looking back, I'm amazed at how much I've learned and how differently I look at certain things now.  The importance of taking things one day at time....celebrating the small victories....forgiving yourself...standing up for yourself. Stopping to smell the roses....climbing up one more hill...taking the long way home.  That wine just might be a food group - sometimes it needs to be, and that's ok.  The importance of surrounding yourself with things and people that make you happy.  And if you just keep moving, eventually you'll be moving forward.

And, above all, the biggest thing I learned is that I have a stronger support network than I ever realized and I will forever be grateful.  I had listening ears when I needed to talk, advice when I didn't know what to do (or just needed confirmation), and smiles when all I wanted was to frown.  I always had a rock, a safety net, and everything in between. Perhaps that cheesy car commercial has a point - when it's dark enough, you can see stars.

So, here's to 2016.  Here's to good times with family and friends.  To new adventures and new races.  To my continued understanding that everything happens for a reason....and hopefully to understanding what that reason is.

Who Ya Gonna Call.....

So, don't ever have anyone hit your car....it's a pain.  Figuratively and literally.....anyway, poor Slimer.

After much back and forth (and a little bit of yelling at the right people), I was able to take Slimer to a shop in the city on Tuesday.  Somehow, I managed to get out of work at the last minute to drop off the car, which was good since it was either that or the week of the 20th.  Which, as I told multiple people at Progressive, was unacceptable.  No, I didn't know if the car was drivable.  Yes, it did run....however, no, I wasn't sure that it SHOULD run.

When I got to German Motor Cars, the Progressive Rep met me at the entrance, and I was reminded why I love Progressive.  She was comforting and checked to make sure I was ok, and we walked the car together.....she helped me figure out a rental, the deductible, the other driver - basically all the things I'd been wondering.  She called in a rental while I waited for the German Motor Cars rep.  For the first time in several days, I actually felt ok about the whole thing.

The German Motor Cars rep was fabulous as well.  She checked the car, explained the process, and let me know when I could expect to hear from her.  Then the guy from the rental car place came to get me....it was right around the corner, and I totally could have walked, but I had four different bags and it had to be 85 in the city, which is unheard of.  haha....and he had a full gold mouth grille.  Of course he did...why wouldn't he.  Keep it classy San Francisco....

I get my rental and I'm on my way.  Great.  Since then, its been radio silence - they told me it might take until Thursday at the latest.  Of course, Thursday I get two messages - one from the mechanic saying I'll get an email with the repair estimate by the end of the day, and a second from the German Motor Cars rep stating that Progressive is still working on it.  Now, what good is going to come from that??  Ugh.....

Luckily, I heard from them today and they're able to fix it.  It's only going to take a month.  REALLY??  Hopefully I can keep the rental that long....or become really good at walking to Redwood City......

In the midst of all this, I headed out on my first work trip - 24 hours in Vegas.  It was....an experience.  On so many levels.  Apparently the conference has changed over the years, and this year was.....a new low?  I don't know....according to the people who had been before, it was one or two trade show booths that were worth visiting and a bunch of cellphone accessory booths.  Yeah.....I have no words. Or maybe lots of them.  I don't know.  Again, it was an experience.  It was good to get to know my coworkers a little better, great to attend a meeting with some of them, and also nice to see the dinner we'd been working on come to life.

The best part of it all?  I had a few minutes to go back to my room and get ready for dinner.....I only had the one outfit - a black business dress and a jacket (remember this for a few seconds), so it was pretty much adding some jewelry, re-curling my hair, and touching up my make-up.  So, I do that and head out for the restaurant.  I checked the map of the casino before I left the room so I'd have a fighting chance of getting where I was going (let's remember how good I am at direction....), and I was in good shape.  Literally, I got off the elevator, stepped into the casino, and had some random dude ask me if I 'worked' there.  It took me a minute to understand exactly what was going on, but then...really?  REALLY??  I'm in a business outfit.....god knows I've been in Vegas in far more 'appropriate' attire, but this is when I'm going to get propositioned....seriously??  Although, if I need to pay for a month of a car rental, I know where I can find a third job....ha!

In better news, Dr. Hal (highly recommend Chiro Medical), taped up what was my good knee and adjusted/cracked everything from my hips up to my shoulders.  Ahhh....best feeling ever.  I'm so excited to get back out on the trails tomorrow.  He thinks he can have me up and running in time for North Face, which is fabulous....so tomorrow, I'm planning to get back out on to those trails for the first time in a long time.  I've enjoyed learning about other trails and parks all summer, but the headlands will always be home.  Its been too long since I've planned running routes while drinking wine on a Friday...haha....

Ok...until next time....over and out.....

Trail Runner Problems...

I set out today to run 20 miles and see the rest of the North Face course.  Unfortunately the crazy busy-ness of franchise work and holiday work over the past two weeks and being sick caught up with me.  I felt so sluggish and tired...ugh.  But, on the plus side, I learned so much and had so much fun over the past two weeks, I wouldn't change it. I can handle a slow run....haha....

Going up the first two trails...way, way up, I was able to actually try some of the strategies I've been thinking about with those hills.  Went pretty well in a lot of places and was the fastest I've climbed some parts of the trail.  I didnt know that while I was running, and I still felt sluggish.  I figured I'd get to Cardiac, and go from there.

I got up to Cardiac, and decided to head down Dipsea, rather than do the extra Matt Davis/Dipsea loop.  I was still feeling pretty tired, and I still hadn't figured out where the course went between Oceanview and Muir woods, so thought I would figure that out.  So, down Dipsea I went....almost literally...stupid mud...and, that's where the adventure began....

I get to the Ben Johnson trail, which I've done one other time, that I can remember.  It was the one I thought maybe I could run down last week and rolled both ankles several times - lots of fun.  So this week, I thought I would take it slow...maybe last week was a fluke or something.  After I got through the part that was real crazy, I started to jog again...unfortunately, it didn't take long to roll my left ankle again....awesome.  It was then that I realized something....I'm terrified of this trail.

After I rolled it and walked it out a bit, I realized I didnt want to run anymore and roll it again....at least until I was off this particular trail.  So, I walked (really awesome, since I already felt slow and sluggish)....and made sure I was watching where I was going.  Of course, I watched the ground so closely that I didnt see the tree branch I ran into....fabulous....stupid trail, I hate you.....and I hate it more that I'm afraid of you....especially since I don't really know how to get over it.  I'm just hoping if I do it enough, eventually I won't be afraid anymore.  I can handle the scary steps in Pirates Cove now, so I don't think it's impossible....I hope.

That terrible trail ended at Muir Woods, and picked up another trail that wouldnt have been so bad, if I wasn't so exhausted.  I tried to run as much as possible, since I really wanted to get away from Muir Woods and all of the tourists.  As I was running up part of it, I'm pretty sure I came across a couple who had just gotten engaged...

I got up to Alice Springs camp (not sure if that's what it's actually called, but it makes me think of Outback and Cheese Fries, so let's go with it) and began the descent on Fern Trail.  I really liked this one...easily runnable and very few spots that the trail could try to kill me.  This went down and met the Lost trail, except this time, I wasn't lost.  Unfortunately then it headed up...and up...and up.  Hope you like stairs....I finally got to the top, and thankfully, the sign wasn't broken, so I knew exactly where to head for the next part.....

Unfortunately, more up.  And some lady in wedge flip flops and an outfit fit for an office.  She looked relatively miserable....but looked at me like I was the crazy one, probably because I was covered in sweat and mud....it's a trail...you're supposed to be covered in mud...haha.  Anyway, once I got up, the view was beautiful.  And some how my foggy day had turned beautiful and sunny.  I went the wrong way on the next trail (why would the intersection have a sign...that would be too easy)....luckily, there was one not too far ahead and I quickly righted myself.  I found some more trails that I really liked....relatively flat, some slight descents.....and really interesting people.

The first guys were more annoying than anything.  Heard me come up behind them, and rather than share the trail like normal people they stepped into the middle of it so I really had no way around them. Annoying, but it was so pretty and they headed up towards the road pretty quick, so I didn't really care.

Next, I came across a lady who thought I was a mountain lion coming up behind her....yeah.....nope...just me.  But, thanks, I think....

At this point, I was having a lovely time on the trail, but was a little worried about getting back on Dipsea.  I knew I still had to go down to get back to the beach, but who knows how Dipsea will get you there.....generally with a lot of up in between....At the meeting of Dipsea and Sun, I had a lady ask me where a bathroom was.....ummmm....yeah....so not the one to ask, let's be honest.  I'm pretty sure most of the bathrooms I used in Nepal changed my opinion of what's defined as a bathroom.  haha....well, that and the random port-a-potty I used at the meadow earlier.  Really, it's the woods....there arent bathrooms....but, I was nice and told her there would be some at Muir Woods and Muir Beach, but I didnt know how far it was to either.  It was kind of fun to pull out my strava route and show her where we were and when those places were in relation.

The rest of Dipsea down to Muir Woods was pretty easy and pretty uneventful.  To the guy I almost blew my nose on, I'm sorry....

Of course, I get to the bottom, and expect it to be flat between Muir Woods and Muir beach...it was when I made up my own way last weekend.  But of course, this is the North Face course...and nothing is flat.  I pull out my strava and check the route....yup...cross the road and up Dipsea.....and up and up.  As I climbed and climbed, way more tired than I should have been, I thought about what might be waiting at the top...another good view maybe?

Or not....the trail literally t-boned into a fire road....a fire road that I was coincidentally heading back down.  Really??  Thanks North Face....I can't wait to do this at mile 38....but, had I not climbed up, I would have missed the lady asking me for directions:

• Her: Do you know which way to go
• Me: Where are you going
• Her: We thought maybe Stinson beach....
• My Thought....well, that's a nice thought, but based on the sign I passed a half mile ago, it's five miles to Stinson, ten round trip...and it's 3:30...that sounds like a long walk in the dark....
• Me: Well, I'm not sure, but let me look at my route.
• In the meantime, she shows me her map and points over way to the left (Muir Beach is in the bottom right)
• Me: um....well, no....we're here...by Muir Woods....and I show her the dot on my phone.  

In the end, she thought maybe they would head down towards Muir Woods....hopefully that's what they did.  Or the guy she was with (pretty sure it was the guy I passed who was peeing in the woods...) has a better sense of direction or knows how to read a map...

I make it back to the car, grabbed some water....had I not been completely out, I may have continued to torture myself and climb up Coyote Ridge, but instead just walked over to where I had seen a water stop for a race earlier.  Was curious what the race was, but it was gone.  In the end, the run was about 16.5 miles.  Not too bad, and maybe if I schedule an early oil change next week, I can get out and get in a 20 miler.....and see the rest of the North Face course.

Speaking of North Face, they posted the course tonight....luckily, it's what I thought it would be based on some strava courses.  Which means after next week, I will have hopefully seen the entire thing.  Unfortunately, I'm a little worried.  I dont move fast enough to be afraid of the Ben Johnson downhill....and I need to be faster overall....hopefully the additional day of running will help with that....and maybe I'll add another.....we'll see.  Hopefully there's enough time to get as good at the muir beach/stinson part as I am at Pirate's Cover, Marincello, and Miwok....well, good for me that is....and, I guess it's a good thing I know those trails well, based on the course notes I'll be covering bob cat, miwok, and coming down old springs in the dark (with a headlamp) on race day....eeeek....I feel like I should practice that.....

I think that's it for now....over and out...

Everest Trek - The End of the Road

Annnnd, once again, it's taken me forever to get back and update this....must. get. back. into. blogging. haha....

I guess I've just been busy...running up Mt. Diablo, traveling back to Buffalo for mom's birthday, working on a bunch of stuff for my new job, signing up for a 50k run in august.  And, our lead Sherpa from our Nepal trip came to San Francisco to bring his son to school.  We were able to meet him for dinner, so we took him to Sam's Chowder House - gave him his first experience with chowder, halibut, and key lime pie.  So much fun and so great to see him.

Anyway....on to the end of the trek....

And, we're back in Kathmandu...it seems like, just like that - it's over.

After dinner last night was pretty much a goodbye party.  We had lodge food for dinner, and it made us really, really thankful for our cooks on the trek.  Once we were done eating, the entire team came in to say goodbye and get their tips.  We got to see the kitchen boy who received the coat Brian donated.  He was so happy and proud of his new jacket - he had never had one before.  One of the guides took my shoes, I'm glad someone was able to use them, even though they're small.  As we gave each of the groups their tips (kitchen boys, guides, porters, etc.), they came around and shook hands and gave hugs - some really emotional moments.

We finished the night with a few rounds of sherpa alcohol our guide bought for us, Everest beer, and a championship round of dominos.  A great ending to a great trip, and I still can't believe it's over.

As we left this morning, all of the porters and kitchen boys ran out of the kitchen tent to wish us one final goodbye.  As we walked further up the road to the airport, the guides met us to wish us goodbye as well.  A few more powerful moments as we followed our head guide to the airport.  After weighing all of our luggage and getting tickets, we bid farewell to him and our sidar.  He wished us well and told us he'd see us in San Francisco.

The flight out of Lukla wasn't nearly as terrifying as the flight in.  Granted, we had to wait for them to clean up a bunch of popcorn kernels (the flight before us was carrying people and supplies)...quite funny actually.  Then, we were off - down the downhill runway, kind of like a roller coaster.  Our final guide got us to our van at the Kathmandu airport, and then we dropped him off at home on the way to the hotel, officially saying goodbye to the final person from the trek.

Now that I've been back for awhile, and had more time to reflect, I've realized how awesome all of this really was.  It seemed like each day kicked my butt more than the one before, and I truly didn't think I could do it again, climb one more hill or one more flight of stone steps.  But, then I did...and I made it through the next day, and the one after that too.

The cough eventually went away, I got over the sick, and the ankle has pretty much healed.  But, the memories will last a life time, and the photos longer than that.  I'll never forget Mr. Bean turning around at the top of Kalapatthar and telling me that I had two more steps to go.  My smiling photo at the top will forever remind me that I can do things I thought I couldn't.  

Everest Trek - Deboche - 5/12 - 12,300 ft.

Ok, so before the story....I survived four days of bootcamp this week (it's usually three), but in 'only me' fashion, my jeans didnt make it into my bag.  Awesome...way to rock an athleta inspired look of cycling pants and a nice shirt.  haha....oh well.  It actually worked well somehow.  Also, there were some changes to my job....I'll be working on international stuff and project stuff.  New and different, which is good, but, it's a lot and I dont have my team anymore.  So, mixed emotions, I would say.

And....on with the story....

Today, we continued our descent to Deboche.  We took the upper trail out to base camp, and we're taking the lower trail back, so we've been able to see a lot of different things and places.  Today was a short hike, only took about three hours, maybe a little more.  It was nice to have a semi-rest day, especially after yesterday's long day.

Instead of staying at another lodge, we're camping at the home of one of our guide's friends from his monastery days.  She's let us in her prayer room for meals and in between.  It's a nice, peaceful space, and pretty warm.  Granted, I'm still wearing my parka, but I'm not cold at all.

Tomorrow, we get to visit the Tengboche monastery - that should be cool.  However, it's a somewhat longer day - 5 hours, and has lots of climbing....and here I thought we were descending.

I spent some of the down time today relaxing in my tent (and making sure the laundry didnt blow away in the wind) and thinking.  We're nearing the end of the trek, only four more nights, including tonight.  And, I'm not sure how I feel.  On one hand, we spent a year preparing, and its been a great trip.  Granted, being sick for the entire thing has definitely taken away from some of the fun.  On the other hand, I'm kind of ready to be back in Kathmandu - with a bathroom in my hotel room, where brushing my teeth isnt a major production.

But, what a trip this has been....Everest base camp....Kala Patthar...Nepal...how cool are those things?!  At least we have a few more days in Kathmandu at the end.

Ok, bed time, I think it's the last night to cuddle with a hot water bottle  

An amazing vet, typhoid medicine, and a trip to Orlando

So, first things first, we have an amazing vet.  I was texting Brian about my crappy run this afternoon, and he told me to come home - that he had something that would make me smile.  When I got home, he handed me a letter from the UC Davis Vet school.  As I pulled out the letter, I tried to figure out why we might have received it, but I couldn't think of one.  As I began to read the letter, I almost cried. It was a letter informing us that our vet had made a donation to the school in the name of our cat, Gordon.  The cat we loved, and she had only known in the last few days of his life. We already knew she was amazing (seven hills vet in diamond heights - go there), but this is so above and beyond. I can't think of a better way to remember my first mammal pet.

In other news, we had our annual field conference last week in Orlando. It was a good time, but exhausting. I flew in early to help, whichever as quite the adventure.  I started the following during my travel adventure, but never got a chance to finish and post it:

I love Uber...order on the phone and a ride shows up three minutes later - even at 4am. However, the adventure began once I got to the airport.  But, flying united is never anything less...

So, first, I get to the airport and try to check in...should be easy. Swipe credit card and enter destination. Of course the system tells me that my ticket and itinerary don't match and to see an agent. Which might not be an issue if, oh, I don't know...there were any around. So I try again and enter my connection city. Same thing. So I try to ask the guy behind the counter...and he just blows by me. Awesome...and the 'I hate united' thoughts begin. 

Luckily, I was able to flag down one of the ladies directing people to kiosks. Of course by then the message is gone, so we have to start over. Destination city, connection city, and confirmation number all yield the same result - ticket does not match itinerary. So she takes me to an agent...

The agent takes my confirmation sheet, ID, and credit card....tells me there isn't an issue.  Oh wait...the system has kicked me out incase I want to take a direct flight at 9.  Right...cause there's nothing I want to do more than hang out at the airport for three hours...if they had asked last night, I probably would have taken them up on three more hours of sleep.

To their credit, the two ladies that did help me were very polite and in good spirits for five am.  

Of course, this has taken time, and now I'm hoping I'll still be able to grab breakfast. And the security line is a cluster...why wouldn't it be. The guy checking tickets at the end of the line looks at mine and asks me - are you part of a group?  No...not really. I mean, gap travel booked my ticket... Oh wait, he's asking cause he has my boarding pass...or someone else's...or just a random handful of them in his pocket...cause that's normal. Then he decides it's not mine and lets me go on my merry way. 

Like I said, the conference was fun, but exhausting. I spent the first few days putting together packets and name badges and running from here to there. The highlight - the packing party involving tequila. I worked the registration desk the second day of check in, so got to see a lot of people and hang out with the territory assistants - a great group of ladies!  Biggest learning - it is actually possible to be so tired that the glass of wine three feet away is just too far to grab. 

By the time the conference started, heels were actually more comfortable than running shoes for a day. Until I had to open the door for the mass entrance...haha. It was fine, just a little crazy. I got to ride a roller coaster again - yay evening event at marvel island and the hulk.  I rode it twice - note to self, pee before you get in line for the roller coaster. Haha. I also checked out Spider-Man, which was fun, but hulk was better. And I still like roller coasters :). 

But, like all good things, it had to come to an end.  And, I was ready to get back home. Since then, we've been continuing to prep for our trip - six weeks from Saturday...squee!!!!  We have most of our stuff, I took Tuesday off and we went out to the friends and family mountain hardware store and got my gloves and hiking pants. We tried to get prescription sunglasses, but they were going to be $1200....yeah, not happening. I'll go for daily contacts and sunglasses.  And pray I don't get an eye infection. But, I did get to make a custom pair of oakleys. That was fun...black and purple, nothing crazy, but still fun.  

I also started taking a typhoid vaccine.  I'm not sure what's more amusing...the fact that there's such a thing as a vaccine via pill or the fact that I'm traveling somewhere that I need to have taken said vaccine. It has a host of fun side effects, but I'm half way through and have been ok.  

Other than that, the get back in shape project continues.  I can't wait to dive into the 50 miler training when I get back. Pirate's cove, I will conquer you. And muir beach...and the rest of you. Haha. 

Ok....up early for a friend's 50 miler tomorrow. Until next time....