Waffle Wednesday

There's a good ole tradition at CLIF known as Waffle Wednesday. It's often a spur-of-the-moment surprise that you don't know about until you smell the waffle goodness when you walk in the building. It can really turn a grey sky blue.

We haven't had one yet in 2009 so Abbs & I decided to ask our pals Matt & Pat, Waffle Iron Chefs and Creative Directours of Waffle Wednesdays if they would do one on behalf of our climb. Through a brief negotiation period which entailed Mexican Hot Chocolate on the day of the event and beers at the local Albatross at a TBD date in the very near future, they agreed.

Our fellow co-workers graciously scarfed (yes...you can scarf AND be gracious at the same time!) up the waffles with toppings varying from chocolate chips to Sriracha hot sauce and donated some $$. These greenbacks officially kick off my fundraising campaign so I'm thankfully no longer at zero and gave a nice bump to Abbs' total, too.



Thanks Pat & Matt (and the trusty cow waffle maker!)


-W

SAVE THE DATE - April 23

Orange you glad you met Gil?

Gil's gift (see below) for his Moon Girls were oranges -- sunny, sweet and delightful just like Gil. Here's to a healthy dose of Vitamin C to close the lid on this cold.

-W

Dipsea Stairs to Muirwoods, This One's for you Gil

This Saturday we had another group hike with Cat our Breast Cancer Fund training leader and some of the others in the Bay Area training group.

Wendy is still sick.

That made the anticipation of this hike harder for me than I thought. With Wendy I have a carpool buddy. I have someone that knows me helping me get through the hiking. For me the climb was something I wanted to do for myself and the people I know and don't know who have been affected by breast cancer. But after spending so much time training with Wendy, it's now something I want to be able to have someone share in the experience, every mentally and physically draining portion of it. So this Saturday was hard. We have a great group of people we hike with, but I am still forming bonds with them and its simply not the same, at least not yet.

I found the Dipsea Steps in Mill Valley with no problem thanks to Google maps. (I am also horrible with directions so not having a co-pilot was a little sketchy.) I grabbed my pack, weighed down with what I thought was 25lbs of rice, sugar, books and sweatshirts (more on that later), put on my green windbreaker and headed up to where the group was meeting.

I received a greeting of a hug and a smile from Cat, Connie, Alice and some of the others in the group and a fantastic hello from Gil. Everyone asked about Wendy, and they were all disappointed and concerned to hear she wouldn't be making it. No one was more disappointed then Gil, I think his attachment to her rivals mine.

We started off climbing the 650 plus Dipsea steps and were on our way on the loop. I was toward the middle of the pack, my shoe was untied and I fell towards the back, my pack seemed heavy, I was tired, sweaty thirsty and ready for our first break, we made it off the road to where our next trail was starting. I chatted with some of the folks in our group, Amy a new addition from Cal, and Laura a veteran of the climb who recently came back from Mexico, while eating an apple and some cheese. I knew I needed to snap out of whatever mind set I had fallen into. It was way to early to have hit a wall. Gil came up and asked how I was doing and what the "Terminator" was making Wendy and I do.

As we chatted it was time to start hiking again, and that's when the most simple thing occurred. Gil told me, "You are going to stay behind me Abby, this whole leg." And I said, "Ok Gil". This portion of the climb was the up hill to the back of the Muir Woods. Gil was right behind Alice who was right behind Cat, the leader of the pack. I followed Alice's bell and Gil's orange shirt keeping pace with them the whole time. Gil telling me about his olive trees as we went and asking about my training with Wendy.

Gil calls us the Moon Girls, since we both work at Clif/Luna. The first time we met he asked us why the bar is named Luna and I don't think we have given him the correct answer yet. Gil loves the Luna Moons, I think pomegranate is his favorite but don't quote me on that. Gil told me Wendy and I were like salt and pepper, carrots and celery, peanut butter and jelly (ok not that far) but he did say the first two, basically we go together. Gil is 62 and from Davis. Gil got me through that portion of the hike, as we got to our next rest stop, I told him, "I did what you told me, I'm right behind you." I got a high five.

We stopped on a green crest, with a view of the ocean. The sun was shining and it felt nice to lay back and relax for a few minutes. During our break Gil was clutch again, offering me a piece of his Almond Joy, (which I only took for the great energy almonds are, not the chocolaty coconut goodness :)). We were off again, and this time it was easier to stick with Gil and the two others in the front.

The down hills in the mud were a little sticky but the rest of the hike was a breeze (Well maybe not a breeze) I had turned the corner and I was good to go. Reaching Muirwods was one of the more interesting experiences. It is gorgeous and full of tourists, none of who carry packs, needless to say we stuck out like a sore thumb, which did make for good conversation, and a time to spotlight the breast cancer fund.



We finished before the rain came a mixture of being beat and rejuvenated by the whole experience. Connie picked up my pack, turns out sometimes my math is not the best, and I had over packed my pack, by A LOT, whoops. No wonder I was pooped but really proud at what I had done.

The first hike, I was in the middle of the pack and I was ok with that, it felt natural. Other than the first leg of this hike, I was up in the front, keeping pace with the folks I felt were at a near running pace. I guess all the training has been paying off. But I do hand a lot of it to Gil. He really is a great guy, and like so many of the other climbers I feel blessed to have met him. His smile is a comfort and what girl doesn't like a guy who will give her free chocolate?

As I was heading towards my car I heard Gil call me name. I forgot, along the hike he told me he had something for Wendy and I. We walked to Alice's car, (who happens to be his sister-in-law) and he handed off the goods. I haven't given them to Wendy yet, so you'll have to wait to find out what it was. Thanks Gil for everything. See you at the next hike. I am sure both the Moon Girls will be there.

-A

Spa Day Anyone?

Fridays at work, and it was time for a spa day.

Most people at work have every other Friday off. You put in some extra hours during the week and then you are free for a Friday, or at least 2 a month. Your Fridays alternate with another co-worker in your department (for the most part) so most questions can be answered at least on the surface until the next Monday when that person is back in the office. I came into Clif semi-new so my partnered Friday was already chosen for me. I basically had to alternate with Jen F and she had her Fridays taken so I got the opposing Friday.

Jen didn't calculate her Fridays so well so starting during the holiday season, I had my Friday off, the next week was Thanksgiving, her Friday but I got it off as well. I had a Friday off, the next Friday was the holiday party, I got to leave early. I had Friday off , the next Friday was our Christmas Break, my off Friday fell on the Friday after new years, a day the company was supposed to work. MLK day came along, my Friday proceeded it, 4 day weekend, Presidents day, same story.

Needless to say, now that we are back on a semi normal schedule, no holidays or vacations in sight, my Fridays on take a little getting used to. This Friday was one of them.

After a good more then half day of work it was gym time with Wade. A little stressed out and tired from a longer work week (not just the extra day,Monday was a holiday), but just a tiring one, I walked into the gym happy to work it out, but also exhausted and not sure if I could handle another anaerobic workout.

Wendy was still sick, and originally we had an hour. Could I face Wade for an hour alone?

I walked into the office and Wade was smiling that huge smile he has when you can tell something is up his sleeve. And this time it wasn't because he had thought of some new torture system for me. (Well he did, but that wasn't the reason for the smile). It was cucumbers! Wade had described to Wendy and I, this relaxation method he had used with his partner. Cut up cucumber, put it in ice with towels, and cover your eyes. Pretty simple, I guess you can buy these cucumbers in the cosmetic department at a store, but seriously why spend more then the .99 cents and cut up the thing on your own.

Wendy walked in, defeated I think would be the best word, to talk with Wade about anything she could do to kick her cold or flu or SARS, whatever it is, and we told her to come back in 45 minutes she was taking part in the cucumbers too, even if she wasn't doing the workout.

With the Ting Ting's playing,

I attempted, 45 minutes of the slide board, something that looks like ice skating and literally kicks your butt, yes your butt, medicine ball throwing, jumping, pull downs, shoulders, and the infamous abs series, I think Wade and I are up to over 200 in the sequence. And I did it, with the help of girlie music and the encouragement of Wade.

Then it was time. Wade asked me to lay down, Shivasana, style, and placed the cold cucmbers and freezing cold towel over my eyes. It tooks a while to get used to, it was COLD, but thats the point I guess. A little Bon Iver in the background,

I got to relax, totally relax something I don't think I do often enough. Wade gently realigned my body and gave me a quick head massage. It was fantastic, you should all try it sometime, and the much better after a grueling workout. Wendy even said it was the best she felt for about as long as she could remember.

Thanks Wade!

-A

What Abbs and Wade didn't know was that as I lay there with cucumbers on my eyes and Bon Iver in my ears, I actually cried because it felt so good. Sometimes those moments of relaxation are so welcome that your body just releases everything -- including tears. And while it was likely a simple gesture on Wade's part, it was huge for me. And as I sit here on Sunday night feeling better than I have in 2 weeks, I can reflect back that it was the cucumber moment that was the turning-the-corner moment on my cold.

Thanks Wade!

-W

A Cold Blows

OK...I've been noticeably absent from this blog as well as many other aspects of my life of late. Abbs eluded it in her post, but she didn't quite detail the magnitude of the illness that has fallen on me for the last week and a half. I've nicknamed it SuperBug and it has infected me and many people I know over the course of the last couple months.

My theory is that viruses that try to infect a bunch of former athletes and super health-conscious people like those at CLIF/LUNA really have to bring their A-game to take anybody down -- hence, they're SuperBugs. Being a tad weaker than the rest, I seem like a ripe candidate for SuperBugdom. This is my second big cold since I started at CLIF last May and it's a whopper. If it's a cold/flu symptom, I've had it. And I've spent many hours and $$ in the cold remedy aisle at Longs Drugs and Whole Foods to no avail (see photo of nightstand above.)

The biggest disappointment is the training I've missed and the fear that any ground I've gained has been lost and I'll be essentially starting at zero again when I'm finally able to get back at it. I've been doing all I can to be ready for our first run at the infamous Dipsea Steps this Saturday, but as time marches closer and the clogged lungs don't improve, it's disappointingly seeming less and less likely.

This must be the frustration part of the journey I'm on. All I can say is wash your hands, people. And don't kiss strangers (which may be a good rule of thumb anyway.)

.W

Going it Alone (kinda)

This weekend W was busy (imagine that) and she couldn't fit in a hike. Luckily, we work somewhere, that convincing other people to hike with you isn't a problem. Friday it poured buckets in Berkeley and most of the Bay Area, so Derike, one of the other trainers at work suggested we go on a waterfall hike. I convinced Emily and Michael two other Clif/Luna folks to join us and we met up at work to carpool Sunday morning.







The hike ended up starting at the dam by Cataract Loop, the same area that our first group hike for BCF was staged. This time the waterfalls were awesome, and the hike was a lot easier without a 20 pound pack. I know we are supposed to do our training hikes with packs but once in awhile it is fun to just go out and enjoy the scenery. This hike has an estimated 25 falls, and there were a crazy number of people on it. Everyone was very friendly and happy to be out enjoying MT Tam.



We made it to a clearing, with a bathroom, that Emily was super excited for, she had had Peets prior to us meeting up and had been looking for a secluded area to do her business. I had almost convinced her there was a sheltered area about 5 minutes from that clearing, but Derike knew about the bathrooms a head and let her know she could hold it for a little longer. The bathrooms were completely pitch dark, which makes the whole situation a little disorienting, but relieved, we had to make the decision to turn around or go forward for 20 more minutes.

Forward was the decision and we followed the trail up to the left, back into the hills and by a small stream. The whole hike we kept running into dogs and checking them out, talking to the owners. Up the hill Michael spotted a small Boston Terrier. Not an amazing fact, except that the dog was Theo!!



Theo belongs to Shauna, one of the Sustainability folks at Clif. Who would have guessed we would have run into someone we knew at Mt Tam. I guess that's what working at Clif/Luna does to you. We hiked with Shauna, Theo, Shauna's husband Louis and one of his friends.

At a bend in the road and after showing them one of the bigger falls we went back on our way to the car.

The hike ended up being pretty dry, because of all of the tree cover and it was great, spending time out of the office with folks. I did miss Wendy and the antics that we end up in when we are out together, but I am sure she'll be along for the next one.

Flash to Monday. 2pm

That is terminator time for Wendy and I.

I went to my desk to look for my i-pod and when I got back I saw Wendy talking to Steph, dressed in her street clothes. I got on one of the ellipticals and started warming up. 5 minutes later Stephanie informs me that Wendy will not be joining me that afternoon. She told me to get on the stairclimber and prepare for the worst. 10 minutes on the machine and I was ready for the session to be over, but I had 50 minutes left. Lunges, jumping, running while hooked to a harness, leg presses, were all on the agenda that day. I had had a burrito which might be a good idea after a session but prior, it was a bad, bad choice.

Cursing Wendy in my mind I got through the hour, a little sweaty and a little tired, but feeling like I had accomplished something.

Final thoughts, Wendy get yourself better, take some airborne, and come out to play. I miss you! And I need someone to distract Steph :)

Whip It GOOD!

Here's a snapshot of what it's like to workout at the CLIF gym with Steph the Terminator - literally whipping us into shape! -W

"All right Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up"

In order for the BCF to better publicize the Shasta climb, they write profiles about the participants. It is a good way for people from around the country to get to know us. In addition to the profiles, they post a picture of you. It puts a face to the climbers and the Breast Cancer Fund. It makes us a little more concrete.

I don't know about you, but going through the pictures I had of myself, I couldn't find any that fit the bill. Most pictures I have of myself I am either between the ages of 4-8, in a group, or making some sort of goofy face, if not shielding face from the camera completely.

As it turns out Wendy felt the same way, and was having a hard time finding an appropriate picture to send in.

I stopped by her 4th street desk to ask her about something work related, and then I stood puzzled wondering why she looked like she was ready to go for a hike right that moment. She had recruited Swanner, Clif Bar's "Designawriterographer," to take her head shot. She kindly invited me along and we headed off to Indian Rock in Berkeley.

If you haven't been and you are in the area, google it, at the top is a gorgeous view of the city.



After climbing to the top, in my black ballet flats, with Wendy joking that wouldn't it be funny if that was how my climb ended, slipping off the edge of a rather large stone while getting my picture taken in ridiculous shoes, we started the photos.



Swanner even provided a wind machine when I asked...





With multiple pictures taken, a short break in the sun, and a few hearty belly laughs, we left the rock mission accomplished.

Swanner showed us a preview of the pictures, and amazingly there were perfect ones for both Wendy and I to use. Stop by the BCF website and check it out sometime.

THANKS CHRIS!!!

-A

PS Sometimes the best thing for a gal is to just scream off the top of a rock



You best not mess with me...