Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Saturday, July 04, 2009
How I spent my Fourth
First of all, because of the time difference, as I post this blog the fireworks back home will have just ended. Which means that for this one night, my street turned into the freakin' Gaza Strip. So Lord, please protect our home!
Some thoughts on our first full day in Sarajevo:
1. It's a terrific place to run, at least along the river. I got up yesterday morning and did 5 miles up and back. It was great. If I could change one thing, it would be to turn the brown river blue. Then it would have been perfect. More running to come this week for sure. I have my eye on a run up to the Olympic stadium on Monday.
2. Sarajevo is a complex place. The architecture changes from Austro-Hungarian to ancient Turkish from one block to the next. There's wild diversity in ethnicity and culture. One old piazza holds a mosque, an orthodox church and a Catholic cathedral. Shot up buildings next to brand new skyscrapers. Ancient metal workers sharing a slice of the economic pie with Swatch and Benetton. Poverty and wealth. Young and old. Natural beauty and frustrating pollution. It's an Olympic city with the scars of war. Truly, Sarjevo has it all. For me, so far it's a bit dizzying and hard to pin down.
3. Diet. Let's talk about how all I ate yesterday was bread and cheese. In multiple forms. Including an amazing Margherita pizza for dinner (for you Amy!). Tomorrow I'll venture out and try meat. To drink, lots of Water, a Coke at dinner and two delicious rounds of hot chocolate.
4. History. My inner history major is very happy here. Because everywhere you go there is something historical to see and experience. Don't get me wrong, much of it is painful. And yet there is a power in the story and in understanding the context. In particular, reminders of the war are everywhere, from "Sarajevo roses" on the sidewalk to buildings still pockmarked by bullets and shrapnel to tombstones in the public park because during the war they ran out of places to bury the dead.
Coming up next...
Sunday: Church with the team and then relax for the day. Soccer maybe?
Monday: Day in Mostar with Enisa with possible side trip to Medjugorje.
Tuesday: Day with the student team and with the EUS staff team. I'm going to predict no fewer than 4 rounds of kafa...
Wednesday and Thursday: Overnight trip to Zenica to see our second student team and then on to Banja Luka to see the city and vision for potential expansion.
Friday: Whatever during the day and then an EUS social at night.
Saturday: Hike to a nearby waterfall and then dinner that night with Bauers.
Sunday: Outta here at 1pm!
Thanks for the emails everybody! And for the prayers as well. Here's a shot of James and I from Starigrad:
Some thoughts on our first full day in Sarajevo:
1. It's a terrific place to run, at least along the river. I got up yesterday morning and did 5 miles up and back. It was great. If I could change one thing, it would be to turn the brown river blue. Then it would have been perfect. More running to come this week for sure. I have my eye on a run up to the Olympic stadium on Monday.
2. Sarajevo is a complex place. The architecture changes from Austro-Hungarian to ancient Turkish from one block to the next. There's wild diversity in ethnicity and culture. One old piazza holds a mosque, an orthodox church and a Catholic cathedral. Shot up buildings next to brand new skyscrapers. Ancient metal workers sharing a slice of the economic pie with Swatch and Benetton. Poverty and wealth. Young and old. Natural beauty and frustrating pollution. It's an Olympic city with the scars of war. Truly, Sarjevo has it all. For me, so far it's a bit dizzying and hard to pin down.
3. Diet. Let's talk about how all I ate yesterday was bread and cheese. In multiple forms. Including an amazing Margherita pizza for dinner (for you Amy!). Tomorrow I'll venture out and try meat. To drink, lots of Water, a Coke at dinner and two delicious rounds of hot chocolate.
4. History. My inner history major is very happy here. Because everywhere you go there is something historical to see and experience. Don't get me wrong, much of it is painful. And yet there is a power in the story and in understanding the context. In particular, reminders of the war are everywhere, from "Sarajevo roses" on the sidewalk to buildings still pockmarked by bullets and shrapnel to tombstones in the public park because during the war they ran out of places to bury the dead.
Coming up next...
Sunday: Church with the team and then relax for the day. Soccer maybe?
Monday: Day in Mostar with Enisa with possible side trip to Medjugorje.
Tuesday: Day with the student team and with the EUS staff team. I'm going to predict no fewer than 4 rounds of kafa...
Wednesday and Thursday: Overnight trip to Zenica to see our second student team and then on to Banja Luka to see the city and vision for potential expansion.
Friday: Whatever during the day and then an EUS social at night.
Saturday: Hike to a nearby waterfall and then dinner that night with Bauers.
Sunday: Outta here at 1pm!
Thanks for the emails everybody! And for the prayers as well. Here's a shot of James and I from Starigrad:
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Off to Bosnia
Today starts like any other day, but its ending is gonna be a whopper. Tonight my buddy James and I fly out of SFO at 9 for a nice 11 hour flight to Munich and then on to Sarajevo, Bosnia. Why, you ask?
Couple of reasons. To hang out with these great people. To see our ministry in action. To find out if they golf there. To eat lots of bread and meat. To see this amazing place that I have prayed for and supported for going on a decade now. I'm excited for the adventure. I'll also welcome your prayers!
I'll try to post some pictures this week. We leave tonight and fly home on July 12. Not sure where in the world Bosnia is? Here you go:
Couple of reasons. To hang out with these great people. To see our ministry in action. To find out if they golf there. To eat lots of bread and meat. To see this amazing place that I have prayed for and supported for going on a decade now. I'm excited for the adventure. I'll also welcome your prayers!
I'll try to post some pictures this week. We leave tonight and fly home on July 12. Not sure where in the world Bosnia is? Here you go:
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Dixon Family Fun Day #2
Today we successfully made it to the Fresno Met. Turns out when you roll up at 9:06am for a 10am opening, you make it into the top 25, thereby making the cut for free admission. The Met was spectacular. Financial and legal woes aside, it's a great facility. We enjoyed both the Bob the Builder exhibit and the Brain Teasers downstairs. Here are a couple of shots from the morning. The last one is Gracie and I working hard to figure out the math!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Dixon Family Fun Day #1
Around the Dixon casa this summer, we are trying to take one day each week to get out and experience an adventure. We're calling these Family Fun Days. It's a work in progress, but today Amy and I realized that our three goals are: free (not counting a meal), local (within say 20 miles) and new.
So this morning, we loaded up the brood and drove them downtown to the Fresno Met. We had heard that the first 25 people get in free on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and when we got there 20 minutes before the doors opened, it became clear that we weren't the only ones who had heard about that deal! So...so sad, we drove on past. No Bob the Builder exhibit for us on this adventure! Next week?
Our back-up plan took us north of RiverPark up to the small town of Friant. Really, "town" is a bit strong. The only two stores you would recognize are the Subway and a Shell station. Other than that, we're talking local establishments such as "Friant Pizza," "Lake Millerton Boats," and, my favorite, "The Dam Diner." Friant, you see, exists only because there is an enormous dam that overlooks the town. Pictures and stuff here.
Sadly, the dam was closed. Dam. So we did what every adventurous family would do and took a right turn down a marginally paved road...into the San Joaquin Fish Hatchery (site here). From there, the wonders really never ceased. Fish as far as the eye could see. Big fish, small fish, newborns. The kids ate it all up. We probably could have spent the whole day there. It was a terrific way to spend our first Family Fun Day. Couple of pictures:
So this morning, we loaded up the brood and drove them downtown to the Fresno Met. We had heard that the first 25 people get in free on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and when we got there 20 minutes before the doors opened, it became clear that we weren't the only ones who had heard about that deal! So...so sad, we drove on past. No Bob the Builder exhibit for us on this adventure! Next week?
Our back-up plan took us north of RiverPark up to the small town of Friant. Really, "town" is a bit strong. The only two stores you would recognize are the Subway and a Shell station. Other than that, we're talking local establishments such as "Friant Pizza," "Lake Millerton Boats," and, my favorite, "The Dam Diner." Friant, you see, exists only because there is an enormous dam that overlooks the town. Pictures and stuff here.
Sadly, the dam was closed. Dam. So we did what every adventurous family would do and took a right turn down a marginally paved road...into the San Joaquin Fish Hatchery (site here). From there, the wonders really never ceased. Fish as far as the eye could see. Big fish, small fish, newborns. The kids ate it all up. We probably could have spent the whole day there. It was a terrific way to spend our first Family Fun Day. Couple of pictures:
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's Day Plans
Father's Day at the Dixon's is off to a great start. We all rolled out of bed this morning early so that I could run a 6 miler in downtown Fresno. Then donuts on the way home. Now vegging in front of the US Open. Here's the rundown of what's going to be a great day:
Now: US Open
11:00/30: two soccer games on, the US/Egypt game and, more importantly, Brazil/Italy
After-lunch naps
After-nap trip to the park to play
Sometime this afternoon, there's NASCAR from Sonoma
5:00: Dodgers v. Angels on ESPN
Dinner: POT ROAST in the slow cooker
Good times. Happy Father's Day everyone, and especially to my Dad who is right now hurtling across Kansas on his way to New England!
Now: US Open
11:00/30: two soccer games on, the US/Egypt game and, more importantly, Brazil/Italy
After-lunch naps
After-nap trip to the park to play
Sometime this afternoon, there's NASCAR from Sonoma
5:00: Dodgers v. Angels on ESPN
Dinner: POT ROAST in the slow cooker
Good times. Happy Father's Day everyone, and especially to my Dad who is right now hurtling across Kansas on his way to New England!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Where in the world are the Dixons?!?
You get 5 clues, and no fair peaking at the twitter stream to the right...
1. Madonna.
2. Trail Camps.
3. Higuera.
4. Beach.
5. Cabo.
1. Madonna.
2. Trail Camps.
3. Higuera.
4. Beach.
5. Cabo.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Dixons by the numbers...
Amy and I realized this morning that one year ago today, on June 13, 2008, combined we weighed approximately 90 pounds more than we do today. 90 pounds!
And, in a related story, only one of us was pregnant a year ago today...
And, in a related story, only one of us was pregnant a year ago today...
Friday, June 12, 2009
Overheard the other day from the cheap seats...
Daddy: "Hey Lucy, it's time to go. Let's get in the car."
Lucy: "But Daddy, you don't have a shirt on!"
Daddy: "I don't need a shirt; I can just go like this, right?"
Lucy: "Noooooo. Because your belly..."
Daddy: "What's wrong with my belly?!?"
Lucy: "It has fur on it."
Lucy: "But Daddy, you don't have a shirt on!"
Daddy: "I don't need a shirt; I can just go like this, right?"
Lucy: "Noooooo. Because your belly..."
Daddy: "What's wrong with my belly?!?"
Lucy: "It has fur on it."
Thursday, June 04, 2009
A couple more musings...
The marathon post mortem continues up in my gray matter...
1. About that wall...there's this scene in Run, Fat Boy, Run (rent it!) where he's trying to punch through the wall at the end of his marathon. Turns out the wall for me was at mile 20 and I didn't get through it until mile 25. Here's what I mean:
At mile 20, I recall being at exactly 3 hours. That's on my goal pace.
Then, I'm pretty sure I hit the 4 hour mark just past the 25 mile marker.
Which means that it took me a full hour to run those 5 miles.
Which means those were 12 minute miles.
Which means that those where the miles where my dreams of the 4 hour mark went sour.
Next time, more training runs approaching and passing that 20 hour wall...
2. Pain report...my muscles are almost back to normal. I made it a couple miles on the elliptical today at the gym with no worries. Also, I've been walking a lot each day this week. On the other hand, my left knee is still a bit gimpy. But the big problem are my toenails. It ain't a pretty picture down there! I emerged from the marathon with three lovely blisters, and, let's see, 4 blackened toenails. Currently, my left big toenail is threatening to come off. It hurts to wear a shoe. Among other things, no basketball for me this weekend out at CBS!
3. Video...turns out the good Rock n Roll folks actually have a video of each runner crossing the finish line. Wild. The site is here. Find the video link, type in my name and watch the middle of the screen at around 4:12:50ish. I'm in a red hat and, wow, do I look worked...
Off to Catalina tomorrow through Tuesday. I'm hoping to be out on a run again next Thursday. Get ready Jeremy!
1. About that wall...there's this scene in Run, Fat Boy, Run (rent it!) where he's trying to punch through the wall at the end of his marathon. Turns out the wall for me was at mile 20 and I didn't get through it until mile 25. Here's what I mean:
At mile 20, I recall being at exactly 3 hours. That's on my goal pace.
Then, I'm pretty sure I hit the 4 hour mark just past the 25 mile marker.
Which means that it took me a full hour to run those 5 miles.
Which means those were 12 minute miles.
Which means that those where the miles where my dreams of the 4 hour mark went sour.
Next time, more training runs approaching and passing that 20 hour wall...
2. Pain report...my muscles are almost back to normal. I made it a couple miles on the elliptical today at the gym with no worries. Also, I've been walking a lot each day this week. On the other hand, my left knee is still a bit gimpy. But the big problem are my toenails. It ain't a pretty picture down there! I emerged from the marathon with three lovely blisters, and, let's see, 4 blackened toenails. Currently, my left big toenail is threatening to come off. It hurts to wear a shoe. Among other things, no basketball for me this weekend out at CBS!
3. Video...turns out the good Rock n Roll folks actually have a video of each runner crossing the finish line. Wild. The site is here. Find the video link, type in my name and watch the middle of the screen at around 4:12:50ish. I'm in a red hat and, wow, do I look worked...
Off to Catalina tomorrow through Tuesday. I'm hoping to be out on a run again next Thursday. Get ready Jeremy!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Couple o' pics
In order:
1. I really wanted that gatorade at mile 12.
2. My personal cheering section.
3. Restarting after a near-collapse at mile 24. Gracie had just told me: "We're Dixons. We NEVER give up."
1. I really wanted that gatorade at mile 12.
2. My personal cheering section.
3. Restarting after a near-collapse at mile 24. Gracie had just told me: "We're Dixons. We NEVER give up."
Monday, June 01, 2009
Musing on the marathon
So it's done. Or, more to the point, the race is done. It's the soreness that keeps on giving. Here are the results:
Time: 4:10:03
Overall place: 3,393 (out of 13,291)
Gender place: 2,406 (out of 6,828)
Age group place: 417 (out of 1,154)
Total pace: 9:33
10K split: 56:22 (9:04 pace)
Half marathon split: 1:57:43 (8:59 pace)
21 mile split: 3:13:35 (9:13 pace)
Some analysis:
1. As all can see, I was on my goal pace or faster through the half marathon. In fact, I was quicker than 4 hour pace until about mile 19.5 when the dude holding the 4:00 sign and his gaggle of hangers-on passed me for good.
2. That mile 20 or so point was where I met up with Mr. Cramps, and he and I ran together for the rest of the race. The best way I could describe it would be to say that my leg muscles felt like they were bubbling. Calves, groin, hamstrings. A mess. I eventually settled into a routine where I would walk through the water stations and up the hills and then shuffle or jog in between. I wasn't alone though; from mile 20 on, people were all over the sides of the road stretching, wretching, crying, etc. Not to get too philosophical about it, but yesterday I told Amy: "the marathon takes all you have and then asks for more."
3. I'm thinking my primary problem was my lack of suitable training. I did one long run of 20 miles, and that was just last weekend. Other than that, I missed the majority of long runs due to injury or schedule. I'll want to correct that for next time, so that when I get to mile 20, my legs have a category to understand what's happening.
4. We really do not have hills in Fresno/Clovis. They do here. In particular, that stretch from miles 8-10 up the 163 was brutal. And maybe the downhill was worst of all!
5. Weather. I was whining on Saturday about the SD marine layer. On Sunday I was delighted by it. Great running conditions.
6. Fans. It makes a huge difference having buddies out on the course. As I would approach where I knew folks were at, I'd run a bit quicker, wipe off the snot and straighten out my cap. So thanks to James, Serene, Jonathan and Matt at mile 8.5, Amy, the kids and her fam at mile 12, Joe and Angela at mile 19 and then Amy and the crew again at mile 24. And then a big shout-out to James to collecting what was left of me at the finish.
In the end, I had a great time. I think I might have the bug. What's next? How about this?!? Or maybe this? Pictures coming soon...
Time: 4:10:03
Overall place: 3,393 (out of 13,291)
Gender place: 2,406 (out of 6,828)
Age group place: 417 (out of 1,154)
Total pace: 9:33
10K split: 56:22 (9:04 pace)
Half marathon split: 1:57:43 (8:59 pace)
21 mile split: 3:13:35 (9:13 pace)
Some analysis:
1. As all can see, I was on my goal pace or faster through the half marathon. In fact, I was quicker than 4 hour pace until about mile 19.5 when the dude holding the 4:00 sign and his gaggle of hangers-on passed me for good.
2. That mile 20 or so point was where I met up with Mr. Cramps, and he and I ran together for the rest of the race. The best way I could describe it would be to say that my leg muscles felt like they were bubbling. Calves, groin, hamstrings. A mess. I eventually settled into a routine where I would walk through the water stations and up the hills and then shuffle or jog in between. I wasn't alone though; from mile 20 on, people were all over the sides of the road stretching, wretching, crying, etc. Not to get too philosophical about it, but yesterday I told Amy: "the marathon takes all you have and then asks for more."
3. I'm thinking my primary problem was my lack of suitable training. I did one long run of 20 miles, and that was just last weekend. Other than that, I missed the majority of long runs due to injury or schedule. I'll want to correct that for next time, so that when I get to mile 20, my legs have a category to understand what's happening.
4. We really do not have hills in Fresno/Clovis. They do here. In particular, that stretch from miles 8-10 up the 163 was brutal. And maybe the downhill was worst of all!
5. Weather. I was whining on Saturday about the SD marine layer. On Sunday I was delighted by it. Great running conditions.
6. Fans. It makes a huge difference having buddies out on the course. As I would approach where I knew folks were at, I'd run a bit quicker, wipe off the snot and straighten out my cap. So thanks to James, Serene, Jonathan and Matt at mile 8.5, Amy, the kids and her fam at mile 12, Joe and Angela at mile 19 and then Amy and the crew again at mile 24. And then a big shout-out to James to collecting what was left of me at the finish.
In the end, I had a great time. I think I might have the bug. What's next? How about this?!? Or maybe this? Pictures coming soon...
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