Another 20 miler this morning

I did another 20 miler this morning, it took me 3hrs 27 mins to finish the 20 miles. But I had a 6 lbs water bag on my back and I know I could run faster without it. This time I brought my camera with me so I captured some magnificent view. I like the run on Monday morning, I like the feeling in wildness and no one single person in sight.
Youtube link

House improvement and bicycle shed

This is a rental house, It was hot during the day and one heat source I found is the garage roof. I measured 55C or 130F from inside of roof panel. I stapled my old cardboard boxes on to the roof panels (as top two picture), the the temperature came down more than 5C or 10F. Still warm, but bearable.

The middle two picture show how I separated a sleeping area with my bookshelves. There are another set of book shelves on the other side; (but not as pretty) .

I spent three hours to build a shed for my bicycle. It's quite strong. It also has a cloth hanger for drying my washed cloth. Yeah, I have set up 220V for dryer.

Alameda Creek run

The view is more splendid than I thought. I ran through Alameda creek valley in the early morning, ran into Coyote Hills park and the wet land before it. And the beautiful Bayview trail. . . I really regret that I didn't bring a camera with me. I will take some picture next time I ran 20 miles on it.

And I have been losing weight recently. When I worked for BroadLogic, I had problem big time to keep my weight down. They provide snack all the time and I weight went up even when I was training for last Marathon, I weighted over 200 stunning lbs when I was with them. Now for the first time over years, my weight goes below 190lbs, in fact after this run, it was close to 185lb. I couldn't remember when I weighted this little, maybe that was 5 years ago.

Great local Library

Very good Kid section. There are computers for kids, too. Elva loves that place.

神為我開路，在絕望無路之處。

Maybe you don't understand that Chinese title, it says God will make a way for me; even at where is hopeless to find a road.

This week is a local low point for me. You know I am in divorce process and I am selling the house. But only few know that I got laid off from job pass Thursday and when I moved my stuff from office in a big box, I pull my left shoulder and 2 days later, it had become a sharp pain so that I can't raise my left arm. I went to see a Chinese acupuncture doctor Dr. Wang. He is very good. After the first treatment, the continuous pain is gone, after three treatments, I can move my arm a little. But I can't move my arm overhead without huge pain. If I need to reach above my head with my left arm, I have to use my right hand to hold up my left arm, then it can stay there.

Although being at such a low point, I felt peaceful. It's hard to understand if you are not a Christian. Well, not completely peaceful, more like somewhat peaceful, and I still have little doubt. Like what am I going to do? Can I find a job at such a bad economic down turn. California unemployment rate is over 11%. I believe God will take care of me, but will He? I was seeking confirmation from Him.

This Sunday morning, as I walked into ROLCC church, I knew God is going to send his confirmation to me, so I waited. It's not unusual that pastor give out hope and God's promise of tomorrow. But at the end, he picked this worship hymns:
神為我開路，在絕望無路之處。
祂的方式，難以明瞭，祂卻要為我開路，
神要引導我，願我靠近祂身旁。
在每一天，賜慈愛力量，祂為我開路。

You probably didn't know I was away from ROLCC for more than three years (because my ex doesn't like there) I just got back there after we separated half year after. When I first jointed ROLCC, maybe after 3, 4 months, I got laid off, too. A month and half later, I landed a better job and at end, I walk out with 750,000 worth of stock option. This time around, when I got laid off, I don't surprised as much. I believe He is going to open up a better door for me, although I don't know what that is yet.

The Lyrics says: His way is hard to understand, but He is going to make a way for me. I think the fact I got laid off and my arm got hurt were all His ways. So I boldly asked confirmation from Him. I prayed: If this is your way, if you are going to make a way for me, please let me raise my left hand to praise you. In the middle of hymns, I raised both my arms not only once, but twice to praise Him without any pain; a little sore at worst. I raised my arms or minutes before I put them down. I know it's His sign to tell me: Don't worry, your way is in My hand.

Not enough confirmation? When I walk out that church and I knew what will happen. I tried to raise my left arm, a sharp pain back into my shoulder and I couldn't do that. I tried twice, try to mimic the same way I did it inside church, but I just couldn't, the pain was too much. Dear Lord, thank you. I totally believe you now, You can take away my shoulder problem now, if You wish.

=== above post at 8/2/2009 ===

If you wonder what happens to my arm, I am glade to tell you, as today, my left arm is free to do almost everything, only a little sore in my shoulder. Even the doctor is surprised that I recovered so fast. Praise the Lord!
Now what? My house is pending (buyers removed all contingencies) . I need to look for a place to rent and I still need a job. I know my God will take care of me. Even at this economic down turn.

Another week and another friends

Hot day with cold creek water.

Another little girl friend of Elva in the park


Elva meets Dinosaur

Friend at park

They hold hands, ride scooter together. Happy time at park.

Elva love basball

Elva Loves to play baseball and running. She runs really well as her age. I bought her a toy bat and ball set.

I will have more update photo later

Test new camera

I bought a new camera from Walmart.com It's a Kodak 10MP with 3X optical zoom + stabilizer. Even with 2GB SD included only sell for $99. So cheap! This is my test photo that Elva is playing making phone call. She said to me: " I am on phone call, please don't disturb!"

And the other one, you can see her hand prints on glass panel easily.

My next run (and post run photo)

Pacifica trail run 21KM
They also have 50km route, but I am not trained for another long distance run yet and there are a colleague at work and his friend will also run. Although it's just another half marathon distance (which I do almost weekly or bi-weekly). But this trail has 3000ft elevation difference, so it could be another challenge. And it has very few aid station, so I have to carry my own water/sport drink, lucky i have Camelbak. Here are two different maps.


(Post-run update) Ok, I did it this weekend, The trail is narrow at most of places. For 4/5 of course, if anyone want to pass, we have to make arrangement (like one stop at side). And the uphills are steep and long. I managed to run all the uphill at first part, but I lost my strength at second course when encounter uphill, However, I still manage to run all the not so uphill and downhills. My total time is 2 hrs 50 mins, not very great but I did it. Two photo are taken after the run, see how dirty my shoes and legs are? I am not so tired after the run. Oh, I think I definitely need to lose weight, most of runners are much lighter than me. That's why they can run uphills.