It has been an exciting and taxing 48 hours, following my partner on a 100km trailwalk/run from Sydney's Central Coast through to Sydney Harbour (Mosman) as he ran for both personal triumph and to raise funds for Oxfam.
The Oxfam trailwalker (teams of four, walk/run 100km within 48 hours) involves some super-human endurance from the walker's point of view, and from mine, no sleep and lots of patience.
Sam's (probably time you met my 'partner' - meet Sam) team completed the walk in just over an unbelievable 22 hours - AND - came 50th out of 519 teams! That means his team basically overtook every team that started at 8.30am on Friday, and came first in their group which left at 10.00am on Friday.
As support crew, we met the team at each checkpoint, eight in total, with fresh food, clothing, chairs, camping utilities including hot water for soup, lighting, first aid, and encouragement. Try doing all of this under Roseville Bridge at 3am, after no sleep when it's 3 degrees! It is completely impressive that they ran for 22 hours throughout the day and night.
My advantage was coffee. I can't begin to tell you how many coffee and toilet stops (too many portaloos!) there was from the Hawkesbury to Mosman during that 22 hours! I drank coffee at 3am that I wasn't even sure was coffee ... but at that time of the morning I didn't care. Note; the best coffee stop was at Apple Tree bay, in the beautiful National Park as the sun set, from a coffee cart!
The support team's adventures started by missing the most timeliest train from the Hawkesbury to our first checkpoint (we were in the cutest cafe with our first coffee and some fantastically fresh scones!), and having to ask an Oxfam employee to drive us up the coast. We had time to kill, so indulged in hours of self-entertainment with a hackey sack.
When the boys arrived at each checkpoint, half delusional, we convinced them that food and water/powerade was critical to their success. We packed and unpacked a mini campsite eight times, mixed sport drinks and soups by candlelight, and Kirsten massaged the boy's legs to much relief.
And you get to know what really goes on inside boy's heads when they're pushed to the limit, cold, sleep deprived and in pain. It includes a lot of talk about each other's bodily gas and toilet stops, discussions on where the best place to rub Vaseline is, and how many blisters each person has, and whose hurt the most.
Sam now has chaffing, blisters, black toenails and some severe muscular issues! But it was an awesome accomplishment, and something to be very proud of.
It was great to support a team as they pushed their bodies and minds to their limits and although it will take more than a weekend for everyone to recover, it was an experience I will never forget.
It's back to bed for the sleepless.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
acting boss
With my boss overseas on his honeymoon this week (another three to go), I've become the 'second best' answer to my organisation's media/communication/advertising needs. This hasn't been such a steep learning curve in terms of practical knowledge, but has shown me how my boss manages to get nothing done all day, while doing so much!
In our area of work, we are everyone's 'go-to', everyone's answer, and there are many things to approve! I've enjoyed taking a bit more responsibility, even if it means ending up in the CEOs office to bring to fruition an idea she has had overnight!
I'm also enjoying the management side of things, as I work alongside two colleagues/friends who are relying on me a little more to assist them with their day to day tasks/issues. I'm not sure I will have the solution they might need at any time ... but I'm learning to listen and be present for them ... having knowledge of the frustration that is a too-busy boss.
This week (all three days of it) has also featured an unexpected doctor's visit followed by a specialist referral (always fun...), not enough dreaded gym visits, and the lead up to 24-hours of trailwalker running/walking for crazy athlete-partner, and 24-hours of 'support crew' preparation for me, officially starting at 10am on Friday morning. More on this next time.
It has also been a week of chicken caeser salad (really should remember to ask for dressing on the side so that the salad becomes less dressing, more salad), licorice allsorts and not enough water.
I've just finished reading my friend's fantastic 'tour of Italy' blog.
There are no wine-infused sunsets here people.
In our area of work, we are everyone's 'go-to', everyone's answer, and there are many things to approve! I've enjoyed taking a bit more responsibility, even if it means ending up in the CEOs office to bring to fruition an idea she has had overnight!
I'm also enjoying the management side of things, as I work alongside two colleagues/friends who are relying on me a little more to assist them with their day to day tasks/issues. I'm not sure I will have the solution they might need at any time ... but I'm learning to listen and be present for them ... having knowledge of the frustration that is a too-busy boss.
This week (all three days of it) has also featured an unexpected doctor's visit followed by a specialist referral (always fun...), not enough dreaded gym visits, and the lead up to 24-hours of trailwalker running/walking for crazy athlete-partner, and 24-hours of 'support crew' preparation for me, officially starting at 10am on Friday morning. More on this next time.
It has also been a week of chicken caeser salad (really should remember to ask for dressing on the side so that the salad becomes less dressing, more salad), licorice allsorts and not enough water.
I've just finished reading my friend's fantastic 'tour of Italy' blog.
There are no wine-infused sunsets here people.
Monday, August 25, 2008
new beginnings and toenails
I went to an intimate and lovely wedding on the weekend. The weather said otherwise.
It was supposed to be a beach wedding in Newcastle, followed by nibbles/drinks back at the house of the couple being married. The house sits on a cliff top overlooking Merewether Beach, and the view, had it not been affected by gale force winds and rain, would have been spectacular.
The ceremony was relocated to the cliff top house (a large three storey house sleeping five children and two adults now!) and we squashed cosily into the living room, which would later become the celebration/reception area.
During the ceremony, the Minister spoke of something that was particularly poignant for me: that God does not give second chances.
Instead, He gives new beginnings. Both people getting married had been married before, and had had a family, so this was a special message for both the couple, and the children.
If God were to give us second chances, it could almost be expected that we may repeat the same behaviour performed the first time, and possibly fail.
A new beginning is something quite different from a second chance.
The wedding itself was followed by some great food, drink and conversation about politics (Iemma will survive despite selling all of Sydney’s power!), cricket, rugby and other forms of extreme exercise.
Speaking of, this week my crazy partner will work himself up for a 100km walk/run through bush for charity … starting on Friday at 10am. It is expected he and his team will finish at Mosman at around 8am on Saturday morning, and I’ll be part of the support crew, driving to each checkpoint with food, fresh clothing and support. Big weekend!
Let’s hope for sunshine and toenails that stay attached to toes!
It was supposed to be a beach wedding in Newcastle, followed by nibbles/drinks back at the house of the couple being married. The house sits on a cliff top overlooking Merewether Beach, and the view, had it not been affected by gale force winds and rain, would have been spectacular.
The ceremony was relocated to the cliff top house (a large three storey house sleeping five children and two adults now!) and we squashed cosily into the living room, which would later become the celebration/reception area.
During the ceremony, the Minister spoke of something that was particularly poignant for me: that God does not give second chances.
Instead, He gives new beginnings. Both people getting married had been married before, and had had a family, so this was a special message for both the couple, and the children.
If God were to give us second chances, it could almost be expected that we may repeat the same behaviour performed the first time, and possibly fail.
A new beginning is something quite different from a second chance.
The wedding itself was followed by some great food, drink and conversation about politics (Iemma will survive despite selling all of Sydney’s power!), cricket, rugby and other forms of extreme exercise.
Speaking of, this week my crazy partner will work himself up for a 100km walk/run through bush for charity … starting on Friday at 10am. It is expected he and his team will finish at Mosman at around 8am on Saturday morning, and I’ll be part of the support crew, driving to each checkpoint with food, fresh clothing and support. Big weekend!
Let’s hope for sunshine and toenails that stay attached to toes!
Friday, August 22, 2008
sogging friday
I didn’t want today to be a day of whinges … but I knew when it started raining at 4.00am this morning I wasn’t going to be happy-clappy Liz.
And true to form, every silly question/comment/person that could come via my desk today has. And it’s only 11.17am!
Rain on Friday’s is almost as bad as rain on Mondays.
Fridays are the beginning of the long-awaited weekend. They symbolise two and a half (if you tend to end your working week just after lunchtime!) days of fitting in as much fun, socialising, eating, exercising, exploring, spending and lazing as you can. When it starts with rain, it just takes the fizz out of it all.
We’ll leave rain on Mondays to another blog.
Earlier this morning a colleague emailed me a video ... and I have to say, it doesn't get more coincidental than this!
On another note, tonight I am looking forward to beer and hot greasy pub food (charged at prices that only North Sydney can) to celebrate a new friend and employee joining forces with me in my daily fight on behalf of the elderly and people living on the margins of society (yes, people in charity head offices do contribute)
So, after six paragraphs of sarcasm, I think I can safely say I’ve almost got this out of my system … and I’m going to make a self-promise that I try to improve my attitude and my next blog will be full of sunshine and sparkles.
Yay for wet Fridays.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
copy cat
A certain friend of mine has apparently been 'blogging' for a lot longer than I gave her credit for ... and here I am, about to 'copy'.
I hate copying ... shows lack on individuality, expression, creativity etc etc ... but then realised by now at least, I dunno, a tenth of internet users (of which there are many) are blogging, and I can probably get over myself and my 'copying' ways.
Again, I'm with formerly 'in secret blogging friend' and her theory that perhaps this is about censored reflection for oneself, and possibly letting a few other friends in on another side of the story of my life.
I'm assuming, as with most internet-based technologies/programs, that this wont be too difficult to teach myself ... and as with all big technology-related mistakes, I am possibly wrong. Let's see.
In today's story, my working day began from home as a time in lieu sacrifice. So far I've been alternating between doing the work I am paid to do, looking out the window to see if the postman has come, housework, beginning preparation on the pumpkin soup and chocolate cake Donna Hay is going to help me make as part of a romantic dinner tonight, and considering, and reconsidering, what time I will grace the gym with my appearance this afternoon.
It's one of my favourite types of days ... doing things that I don't have to, I want to and I need to, all in one day, without any pressure to have it done by a certain time (though I suspect a certain partner may expect dinner sometime before 10pm tonight)
I bring forth no more reflections for my first post ... and will see how far this goes ...
I hate copying ... shows lack on individuality, expression, creativity etc etc ... but then realised by now at least, I dunno, a tenth of internet users (of which there are many) are blogging, and I can probably get over myself and my 'copying' ways.
Again, I'm with formerly 'in secret blogging friend' and her theory that perhaps this is about censored reflection for oneself, and possibly letting a few other friends in on another side of the story of my life.
I'm assuming, as with most internet-based technologies/programs, that this wont be too difficult to teach myself ... and as with all big technology-related mistakes, I am possibly wrong. Let's see.
In today's story, my working day began from home as a time in lieu sacrifice. So far I've been alternating between doing the work I am paid to do, looking out the window to see if the postman has come, housework, beginning preparation on the pumpkin soup and chocolate cake Donna Hay is going to help me make as part of a romantic dinner tonight, and considering, and reconsidering, what time I will grace the gym with my appearance this afternoon.
It's one of my favourite types of days ... doing things that I don't have to, I want to and I need to, all in one day, without any pressure to have it done by a certain time (though I suspect a certain partner may expect dinner sometime before 10pm tonight)
I bring forth no more reflections for my first post ... and will see how far this goes ...
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