Still alive!

Wow, where does the time go when you start working full-time? Since mid-December I have been at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)in the communications group. They keep extending my contract, now until October. Love what I do; all kinds of communications products related to avian flu pandemic and preparedness for same.

Started biking to work at the beginning of April. It's a delightful 16 km ride, mostly along a lovely parkway by the river. Weather has been a bit cool some mornings, but generally pleasant. I had to ride my old hybrid beater bike for three weeks while my newer touring bike was in the shop for repairs, but I now have the good Norco Terene, with new front derailleur, new chain, new rear cassette, new rear tire, etc. What a delight to ride! I have now figured out all the short cuts and hill-reducer routes.

Signed up for the National Capital half marathon at the end of May, but really have to get into the training now. Just biking to work is not enough, along with running on weekends. So starting Monday I will start running after I bike home from work and try desperately to get ready for end of May and the race. I am sure I will not be as ready as I was for last fall's half marathon in New York. I have also agreed to head up the anti-doping testing for the 10km race at the NCM, whereby a few friends and myself chaperone the top female and male finishers and make sure they pee in a sanctioned bottle for their drug test after the race. One does get another view of world-class runners, I must say. We must watch them pee into the bottles, and certify we have done so. Last year I chaperoned the male 10k winner and the marathon winner; both Kenyans, and it was a great experience to be with runners of that calibre. But since I am running the half this year, the timing does not allow me to do the drug testing for the marathon.

Will try to be more consistent in my blogging from now on...