So we've had a number of pseudo-endings to sabbatical. Let's see.
There was the official end date of December 8th.
There was my first Divisional Staff Meeting shortly thereafter.
There were countless "hand off" conversations as I picked up after Tom.
There was the first Divisional Leadership Team meeting last week in Visalia.
There have been countless emails and decisions to make.
And, what the heck, I got my official, shiny, new business cards.
But none of that, none of it! says "sabbatical is over" quite like...
My first car rental. That's right folks, start up your scoreboards at home. Tomorrow morning we're off to the airport to get my first rental since returning. I'm off tomorrow to SLO and then Saturday in Santa Barbara. Back late Saturday night.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The results are in...
...and Josh has so far sailed through his surgery and recovery. In fact, I'm starting to think that these two weeks may go down in history as the best two weeks of his life! Consider:
He has two whole weeks off from school.
His portable DVD player has pretty much been "on demand" for the last couple of days.
His diet consists of: pudding, ice cream, milkshakes, Jamba, popsicles and gatorade.
He's got a ton of extra Wii time.
I'm no expert, but those narcotics seem like they're working.
He's getting a ton of sympathy from everyone who sees him.
And he gets to stay in his pajamas all day long!
I'll spare you the up close shot, but here's the suffering patient:
He has two whole weeks off from school.
His portable DVD player has pretty much been "on demand" for the last couple of days.
His diet consists of: pudding, ice cream, milkshakes, Jamba, popsicles and gatorade.
He's got a ton of extra Wii time.
I'm no expert, but those narcotics seem like they're working.
He's getting a ton of sympathy from everyone who sees him.
And he gets to stay in his pajamas all day long!
I'll spare you the up close shot, but here's the suffering patient:
Monday, January 12, 2009
Say goodbye to these babies...
Saddled for the past several years with chronic fluid behind his ear that has led to countless ear infections (and co-pays), tomorrow Joshua is going in to get his tonsils out, his adenoids removed and ear tubes put in his ears. Needless to say, we'll welcome your prayers. He goes in at 8:30am.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
12 years ago today...
...I asked Amy to marry me. Thank God she said yes.
Best use of Mint Milanos, the neighborhood bench and the old "broken down car trick" I've ever seen!
Best use of Mint Milanos, the neighborhood bench and the old "broken down car trick" I've ever seen!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Some Saturday Morning Rants
A good rant every now and then is good for you, yes? Let's see.
To the media, stop pulling things out of context and creating controversies where none exist.
To Palin, go ahead and complain about whatever you want, just NOT Tina Fey...
To the economy, get better already.
To the housing market, get better even quicker than that.
To the sun, show up around here sometime, will ya?
To toys on the floor, put yourselves away!
To my right calve, get better. I want to run.
To politics, extremes suck.
To fund development, let's see some victories for our staff!
To the inside of my left knee, no more soreness.
To Russia and Ukraine, figure it out and turn the gas on for the Balkans already!
To Blagojevich, just step down.
To the Lakers, win the title this year.
To my inbox, answer yourself!
And to sleepnessness, away with you!!
There. I feel better. Have a nice weekend.
To the media, stop pulling things out of context and creating controversies where none exist.
To Palin, go ahead and complain about whatever you want, just NOT Tina Fey...
To the economy, get better already.
To the housing market, get better even quicker than that.
To the sun, show up around here sometime, will ya?
To toys on the floor, put yourselves away!
To my right calve, get better. I want to run.
To politics, extremes suck.
To fund development, let's see some victories for our staff!
To the inside of my left knee, no more soreness.
To Russia and Ukraine, figure it out and turn the gas on for the Balkans already!
To Blagojevich, just step down.
To the Lakers, win the title this year.
To my inbox, answer yourself!
And to sleepnessness, away with you!!
There. I feel better. Have a nice weekend.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
Happy New Year...now here's your a#$ kicking!
On essentially a whim, my sister-in-law Michelle and I entered the Resolution Run on New Year's Day. This run had 5K, 10K and 10 mile options, and I picked the 10K. The race started at 1pm, and it was held in Auburn, CA.
Which should have been my first clue.
Because in 2003, the Auburn city council passed a resolution calling itself "the endurance capitol of the world." According to the city website, this little gold rush town is home to at least 6 different crazy adventure events, and it's probably most famous for being the end point of the fabled Western States 100.
So we pull into the parking lot to a sea of what I would call the "hardcore running fringe." No fun runners there. No Big 5 shoes. North Face as far as the eye could see. These people were there for a serious run, and that's what it was. Let me explain:
1. The first mile was completely downhill. Imagine a running down an Olympic luge track. Or a dried-up water slide. My sweet new Christmas GPS watch tells me we lost 1,300 feet in elevation in the first mile and a third. It was sick. And as I'm flying down this fire road, I'm thinking two things: first, "Lord, please don't let me fall" and, second, "Oh crap, I gotta go back up this beast."
2. After about a quarter mile, we were done with the asphalt. This was no race across town with the police stopping traffic. We're talking about trails here. And little streams. And rocks. And tree roots. And horse dung. And horses. I don't know if you've ever been to Fresno, but there isn't a trail in the whole place. This was new territory for me. Thankfully, my sweet new Christmas shoes did great. Oh, and I avoided falling off the side of the cliff in my exhaustion. That was good too.
3. This race reduced me to a walk. Several times. OK, often. The uphill was intense and it turns out the last mile or so is actually run on the Western States trail. My favorite part was when I was forced to stop and step aside on this section of uphill single track in favor of this 60+ year old grandpa. "You're doing great," he muttered as he passed me by.
In the end, it was the toughest 6 miles I've run since High School. I ended up posting a time of 55:21, good enough for 4th in my age group and 19th overall. Today my calves are in knots and I can barely walk around the house. My shoulders hurt for some reason, and I think I lost a bit of my sanity yesterday.
And, yes, I can't wait to do it again next year. Here's a shot of me dragging my carcass toward the finish line...
Which should have been my first clue.
Because in 2003, the Auburn city council passed a resolution calling itself "the endurance capitol of the world." According to the city website, this little gold rush town is home to at least 6 different crazy adventure events, and it's probably most famous for being the end point of the fabled Western States 100.
So we pull into the parking lot to a sea of what I would call the "hardcore running fringe." No fun runners there. No Big 5 shoes. North Face as far as the eye could see. These people were there for a serious run, and that's what it was. Let me explain:
1. The first mile was completely downhill. Imagine a running down an Olympic luge track. Or a dried-up water slide. My sweet new Christmas GPS watch tells me we lost 1,300 feet in elevation in the first mile and a third. It was sick. And as I'm flying down this fire road, I'm thinking two things: first, "Lord, please don't let me fall" and, second, "Oh crap, I gotta go back up this beast."
2. After about a quarter mile, we were done with the asphalt. This was no race across town with the police stopping traffic. We're talking about trails here. And little streams. And rocks. And tree roots. And horse dung. And horses. I don't know if you've ever been to Fresno, but there isn't a trail in the whole place. This was new territory for me. Thankfully, my sweet new Christmas shoes did great. Oh, and I avoided falling off the side of the cliff in my exhaustion. That was good too.
3. This race reduced me to a walk. Several times. OK, often. The uphill was intense and it turns out the last mile or so is actually run on the Western States trail. My favorite part was when I was forced to stop and step aside on this section of uphill single track in favor of this 60+ year old grandpa. "You're doing great," he muttered as he passed me by.
In the end, it was the toughest 6 miles I've run since High School. I ended up posting a time of 55:21, good enough for 4th in my age group and 19th overall. Today my calves are in knots and I can barely walk around the house. My shoulders hurt for some reason, and I think I lost a bit of my sanity yesterday.
And, yes, I can't wait to do it again next year. Here's a shot of me dragging my carcass toward the finish line...
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
The art of the 5K
So this Fall I've run in 5 different events and 2 of those have been 5Ks. Both were held on a cheesy out and back course at Fresno State. At the Komen Race for the Cure in late October, I finished with a 22:46. Then, a couple months later, I dragged my carcass across the line in 21:22 at the Pelco Toys for Tots run. Along the way, I learned a couple of things about racing a 5K:
1. No matter how fast you go out, you should have gone out faster. Especially after doing the half marathon, the 5K feels like a sprint to me, and there's simply no time to ease into the race. At the Pelco race, I ran the first mile in 7 minutes. That wasn't good enough. Because it left me too much to make up at the end of the race. If I want to beat 20 minutes, which is becoming my 5K goal, I will have to go out in 6:30 or better. Next time.
2. Please be up in front at the start. OK, so it wasn't a repeat of the Thanksgiving debacle, but for some reason I started at the back again at the Pelco gig. Which meant having to first slow down and then rush past a mass of some 25 high schoolers from the Clovis PAL program. What a mess! Next time that'll be me up front standing next to the dude in racing spandex...
3. The last .1 matters. I used to sort of blow off that last .1 miles and say "oh, the 5K is 3 miles." Now, I'm careful to say "yeah, that's 3.1 miles, and wow that last .1 sucks." Because it does! I calculated that I went through the 3 mile mark at 20:45 at the Pelco race, which means it took me another lung-bursting 37 seconds to run the .1. Oh how I loathe that .1!
1. No matter how fast you go out, you should have gone out faster. Especially after doing the half marathon, the 5K feels like a sprint to me, and there's simply no time to ease into the race. At the Pelco race, I ran the first mile in 7 minutes. That wasn't good enough. Because it left me too much to make up at the end of the race. If I want to beat 20 minutes, which is becoming my 5K goal, I will have to go out in 6:30 or better. Next time.
2. Please be up in front at the start. OK, so it wasn't a repeat of the Thanksgiving debacle, but for some reason I started at the back again at the Pelco gig. Which meant having to first slow down and then rush past a mass of some 25 high schoolers from the Clovis PAL program. What a mess! Next time that'll be me up front standing next to the dude in racing spandex...
3. The last .1 matters. I used to sort of blow off that last .1 miles and say "oh, the 5K is 3 miles." Now, I'm careful to say "yeah, that's 3.1 miles, and wow that last .1 sucks." Because it does! I calculated that I went through the 3 mile mark at 20:45 at the Pelco race, which means it took me another lung-bursting 37 seconds to run the .1. Oh how I loathe that .1!
Friday, December 19, 2008
How I know Christmas is coming
It's not the tree.
It's not the daily trip to Target to get more presents.
It's not even the sacred act of watching Christmas Vacation with my family.
It's the eggnog in the fridge, and it just arrived yesterday!
It's not the daily trip to Target to get more presents.
It's not even the sacred act of watching Christmas Vacation with my family.
It's the eggnog in the fridge, and it just arrived yesterday!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
It just feels awkward that we weren't invited...
Amy and I are proud to announce that our Lucy got married this morning. At recess. To a boy named Austin. First marriage for her, fourth or fifth for him. Evidently he's been working his way through the pre-school...
The happy couple are registered at Target.
The happy couple are registered at Target.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
What do you do when you are totally overwhelmed being back at work?
You go on a four day golfing vacation with 5 of your best college friends of course! Back late Tuesday night. With the trophy this year!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Overheard at the breakfast table
Me: "So, Josh, Daddy has to go to work again today. All day. I won't be home until after you're in bed."
Josh: "Man, I'm going to kick your leader into outer space."
Me: "Wow."
Watch out Tom...
Josh: "Man, I'm going to kick your leader into outer space."
Me: "Wow."
Watch out Tom...
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Self Interview: Our Last Day
Q: So, Rob, today is the last day of your sabbatical. How do you feel?
A: Well, I'm mixed. On one hand, I'm looking forward to hanging out with staff and working to advance the mission. On the other hand, we have so enjoyed our sabbatical that there is a bit of mourning happening around our house. Joyfulness and mourning, both at the same time.
Q: That's understandable. How did you spend your last day?
A: I got up and did yardwork in the front. Then the Loveridges and Ischs came over to help us put up our Christmas lights, and then they stayed for lunch. After lunch, I ran 2 miles up the gym, worked out, then ran 4 miles home. Then for dinner, Amy and the kids took me out to Claim Jumper to mark the end of sabbatical. It was a good day.
Q: What's up first as you get back to work?
A: Tomorrow at 2:30 we start a 4 day Divisional Staff Meeting here in Fresno. The good news about coming back for that is that everyone will be here and I'll be able to catch up quickly. The bad news is that I'll be going from a lazy sabbatical daily schedule to a full day meeting schedule, with all the requisite intensity and relational output. I'm pretty sure I'll be in the back of the room in the fetal position by dinner tomorrow.
Q: Now there's an image! How about Amy? How is she feeling about what's going on?
A: Wouldn't you know that tomorrow night is the kids' Christmas program and I'll be missing it. How wrong is that timing?!? First day back and we're already pressed by the work v. life tension! So Amy will drag the kids to the program and, Lord willing, she'll come home with all 4 and at least a shred of her sanity intact. It's tough. We're mourning.
Q: Any chance we could hear more about your sabbatical?
A: A good chance. Amy and I are almost finished interpreting what God has been doing on our time off, and I will try to write it up soon. I'll post it when I do. But it's been truly spectacular for us. A really great time.
Q: Good to hear that. Blessings as you reengage with the work.
A: Appreciate it. Thanks. And good job; that interview was terrific.
A: Well, I'm mixed. On one hand, I'm looking forward to hanging out with staff and working to advance the mission. On the other hand, we have so enjoyed our sabbatical that there is a bit of mourning happening around our house. Joyfulness and mourning, both at the same time.
Q: That's understandable. How did you spend your last day?
A: I got up and did yardwork in the front. Then the Loveridges and Ischs came over to help us put up our Christmas lights, and then they stayed for lunch. After lunch, I ran 2 miles up the gym, worked out, then ran 4 miles home. Then for dinner, Amy and the kids took me out to Claim Jumper to mark the end of sabbatical. It was a good day.
Q: What's up first as you get back to work?
A: Tomorrow at 2:30 we start a 4 day Divisional Staff Meeting here in Fresno. The good news about coming back for that is that everyone will be here and I'll be able to catch up quickly. The bad news is that I'll be going from a lazy sabbatical daily schedule to a full day meeting schedule, with all the requisite intensity and relational output. I'm pretty sure I'll be in the back of the room in the fetal position by dinner tomorrow.
Q: Now there's an image! How about Amy? How is she feeling about what's going on?
A: Wouldn't you know that tomorrow night is the kids' Christmas program and I'll be missing it. How wrong is that timing?!? First day back and we're already pressed by the work v. life tension! So Amy will drag the kids to the program and, Lord willing, she'll come home with all 4 and at least a shred of her sanity intact. It's tough. We're mourning.
Q: Any chance we could hear more about your sabbatical?
A: A good chance. Amy and I are almost finished interpreting what God has been doing on our time off, and I will try to write it up soon. I'll post it when I do. But it's been truly spectacular for us. A really great time.
Q: Good to hear that. Blessings as you reengage with the work.
A: Appreciate it. Thanks. And good job; that interview was terrific.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
If you gotta leave town for the day, a schedule like this looks pretty good!
Tomorrow:
9:55-12:02 Nice, quiet train ride to Bakersfield
12:02-3ish Host a raquetball clinic for Bob, Joseph and Lovie
3ish-5ish Dominate in some disc golf
5ish Dinner with good friends
6:20-8:14 Smooth trip home.
Yes.
9:55-12:02 Nice, quiet train ride to Bakersfield
12:02-3ish Host a raquetball clinic for Bob, Joseph and Lovie
3ish-5ish Dominate in some disc golf
5ish Dinner with good friends
6:20-8:14 Smooth trip home.
Yes.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Running with 28,000 of my closest friends...
The Sacramento Run to Feed the Hungry wants to become the biggest Thanksgiving day race in the country, and it seems like they're succeeding. Some 28,000 ponied up the $35 to run this year, myself included.
So my goal was to run under 50 minutes for the 10K. Conversely, I wanted to avoid running over 50 minutes. So of course my time was 50 minutes even. 50:00. Should have lunged or dove across the line...
Here are a few things I would say about running a race that large:
1. Be on time. We were not and as a result, we had to get our race-walk on for about a mile before the start line. Not that that mattered a whole lot, since it took about 15 minutes for everyone to finally cross the start line. Next year, we leave at 7:15 for the race!
2. Be prepared to take risks if you want to make your pace. In the first, oh, mile and a half, it is pandemonium. Chaos. Wall to wall (or gutter to gutter) people. Some walking, some running, some sauntering, some talking to their neighbor, etc. I realized quickly that getting through the throng would require me taking some chances. So I was up on the curbs, weaving through people, stopping, starting, hurtling flower beds, running through front yards, dodging Starbucks tables and more. It stunk. By the time I got to the 2 mile mark, not only was I way behind my goal pace, but I think I used up most of my energy slaloming through the masses.
3. Watch out for flying bodily fluids. Another lovely benefit of running alongside that many people is that you live with the constant specter of someone either spitting or blowing their nose on you. It's like the road is one big asphalt kleenex. Myself, I got some nasal shrapnel on my right shin at about mile 3. Nice.
The results:
Time: 50:00 (like kissing your sister...)
Pace: 8:03
Overall Place: 698 out of 5,783
Age Group: 84 out of 335
Full results here.
Here's a shot of me and the family I got to come with me. Fair warning...next year, we're bringing the whole clan, so get ready people!
So my goal was to run under 50 minutes for the 10K. Conversely, I wanted to avoid running over 50 minutes. So of course my time was 50 minutes even. 50:00. Should have lunged or dove across the line...
Here are a few things I would say about running a race that large:
1. Be on time. We were not and as a result, we had to get our race-walk on for about a mile before the start line. Not that that mattered a whole lot, since it took about 15 minutes for everyone to finally cross the start line. Next year, we leave at 7:15 for the race!
2. Be prepared to take risks if you want to make your pace. In the first, oh, mile and a half, it is pandemonium. Chaos. Wall to wall (or gutter to gutter) people. Some walking, some running, some sauntering, some talking to their neighbor, etc. I realized quickly that getting through the throng would require me taking some chances. So I was up on the curbs, weaving through people, stopping, starting, hurtling flower beds, running through front yards, dodging Starbucks tables and more. It stunk. By the time I got to the 2 mile mark, not only was I way behind my goal pace, but I think I used up most of my energy slaloming through the masses.
3. Watch out for flying bodily fluids. Another lovely benefit of running alongside that many people is that you live with the constant specter of someone either spitting or blowing their nose on you. It's like the road is one big asphalt kleenex. Myself, I got some nasal shrapnel on my right shin at about mile 3. Nice.
The results:
Time: 50:00 (like kissing your sister...)
Pace: 8:03
Overall Place: 698 out of 5,783
Age Group: 84 out of 335
Full results here.
Here's a shot of me and the family I got to come with me. Fair warning...next year, we're bringing the whole clan, so get ready people!
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