Monday dinner

At Hapa Izakaya

SLA conference in Vancouver - Day 1

Today was the first day of the trip that I had something work-related to do. Getting to the convention center was a breeze. I am totally on board with being close to the hotel to save on transportation. It was fantastic. 

The opening session was... an opening session. Lots of awards. The keynote speaker was pretty good looking at easy data and epidemiology. It was enlightening and a little scary. 

Then Jackie and I went to the Government meeting/60 Government sites in 60 minutes. There were some good sites listed.

Park to Paradise

I've been very bad about posting lately. It's been busy. I've been subbing in for some classes (pilates, yoga, body sculpt) as well as helping to get ready for the local Park to Paradise Triathlon. A triathlon I also participated in. As a soloist. It was an interesting experience. I've been saying I would do that for almost four years now and finally bit the bullet to do it. I can't say it was fun, but I did cross something off my bucket list. And, allowing for exit time and then having to towel off and change from skin out (yes, I dumped my kayak, but I kept going!), this was one of my best runs ever. Under twelve minute miles. Woot woot!

Before the race

Can't tell it's my second time out on a kayak (ever!), can you?

Yes, that is a mixture of rain and snow, thank you for asking

One of my besties showing me the way

And then helping me change my shoes, again

Another friend helping me by opening a peanut butter pack

Eating peanut better, setting out, not realizing that 17 miles ahead are muddy, gross, and going to make me want to cry.

Rode 30 miles to Chico and then helped as sweeper after the race

Bike ride-up the hill to EMT

Today I was helping the new EMT students study for their final test. Heidi suggested a bike ride to get up to Mammoth. I hadn't done that hill before but it seemed like a good idea. I arrived hot, sweaty, ready to puke, and about 15 minutes late. It was glorious.

On the way down. I got trapped by a herd of bison that extended on both sides of the road. Luckily, some folks from the training (Angie and Nick) stopped by in their truck and were able to get me through. Only in Yellowstone...

Run to the PUb

Ran my first 10K today! And my first race not in my home town. It was pretty fun. Just over six miles in 1:16 and some change. It was a cold day that warmed up as we ran. I definitely had too many layers on but it's always easy to take those off.
I carpooled up to the big town with four of my friends. It was... a long ride. Last night around 11, we had a major snow/wind storm so the roads were covered with snow-covered ice. When we got to town, some of our other friends had already grabbed our bags and IDs so we got bibbed up and ready to go. Then, came the loading of the buses. We got on (with about 2,500 people) and went out to the start line where there were... two port-a-potties set up. TWO? For over two thousand people? Well, there were eight more further down the way but quite a few people ended up peeing against a fence or behind a tree.
I can't believe I ran almost the whole thing. I walked probably less than half a mile. And this was without any running for about a month and at the tail end of wicked cold! It's not the world's best time but I was not the last in my age group and it was fun.

S-day - Ski, Swim, Symphony