Running

Finished off 2017 with 5+ miles. I’m grateful to be able to put together back to back 14 run months to end the year. After 10 months of little to no running, it felt great to get consistent to end the year. By the Numbers, 2017 was my worst year running to date: 0: races 41: total number of runs (173 in 2016) 144: total miles (1,496 in 2016) But I’m ready for 2018 to comeback for more. I’m not 100%, and may not be again, but I’ll be out there... working at it and trying to go as far as I can. Best of luck in 2018 everyone, and stay healthy. (at Coyote Creek Trail)

Two for Tuesday! Running, for me, has always been a mind over matter game... but I️ have to take this to a new level now. My Achilles is likely never going to be 100% again, or so my podiatrist says. This reality means I’m in my head a lot more about how it’s doing as the laps go by. I’m hoping that things hold up, my next EPAT session continues to help, & I️ can start some PT with the awesome @3drunner as she gets her new practice up & running later this month. Words cannot express how great it feels to get back out on the track. - - - (at George V. Leyva Intermediate)

Tuesday, about 6 weeks after my Ultrasound & Cortisone shot for my Achilles in Taiwan, I visited a local regenerative specialist to see how things are healing. The diagnosis was somewhat positive, but I was told I'm not out of the woods yet. The inflammation is definitely down, but they are suggesting one of a couple Hydrodissection procedures that are supposed to relieve the last of the issues they see in the Tendon area. Apparently my tendon is enlarged at the lower insertion point and they think it won't heal on its own, or it would take a really long time to do so So I am left with 3 choices; 1) do nothing and if m/when I start running again I am likely to have more tendon problems due to possible restricted range of motion. 2) do a Hydrodissection with Dextrose and possibly "fix" the issue with 1, 2, or 3 of these procedures at $800 each 3) do a Hydrodissection with a "Placenta Matrix" that should "fix" the issue with 1 procedure... at a cost of $2,300 I really miss running, and I miss running at the intensity I was do so throughout 2016. However, I have no pain now while walking around, and I don't miss the pain I felt with every step during the acute phase of my injury earlier in 2017. At this point in 2017, I have some major life changes underway that are taxing me financially and the idea of spending $3K on the diagnosis, procedure & followup is not appealing I have some decisions to make, and I am open to any feedback from any of my running and/or medical friends here. Please share your thoughts, what would you do with these choices? Thanks in advance... and I hope those of you healthy & running appreciate the ability to do so ✌🏽 (at Los Gatos, California)

First baseball game in a few years, even longer since I've been to an A's game. #PlayBall #Athletics (at O.co Coliseum)

The Pin Graveyard below the floor, or what's left of the floor. (at AMF Moonlite Lanes)

That awkward time between the closing and the demolishing. #MoonliteLanes (at AMF Moonlite Lanes)

The sun is setting at the old Moonlite Lanes (at AMF Moonlite Lanes)

The kids seemed to love being on the scooters like this with their parents. It blew me away every time I saw it, thinking of how this would go over here in the States. Some scooters had 3 kids stacked on them, and even their dog. Helmets were optional. #FlashbackFriday (at Kaohsiung, Taiwan)

First stop at the #CambrianFarmersMarket for 2017! Many vendors I haven't seen before made for a bounty we'll worth the trip. #EatFresh #EatLocal #ShopLocal (at Cambrian Park Farmers' Market)

Missed yet another running race today that I had signed up for before my Achilles took me down (Bay to Breakers). Congrats to everyone that ran it. Today I beat the heat of San Jose with 5 miles of #SUP on the water In Foster City. I practiced going from paddling facing forward to getting into a surf stance quite a few times today... and once it didn't get so well. My trusty #GoPro caught it of course, and it's the frame I've decided to share. I'm not gonna lie, it felt damn good to hit that water, as it was about 4.5 miles into my session and I was getting a bit warm. But the high 70s of Foster City beat the low 90s of the South Bay. Summer is coming! (at Foster City Lagoon)

It's been less than a week back stateside, but I already really miss Taiwan. #FBF to floating around in the warm water off the southern coast of Formosa in the Taiwan Strait. (at Kenting, T'Ai-Wan, Taiwan)

Time to fly 🛫 (at 高雄國際機場 Kaohsiung International Airport)

10 days in Taiwan coming to a close, and this is the bluest sky I've seen in the city the entire time. 2 million plus people in Kaohsiung, with their motorbikes, paper burning temples, and tons of cars make it pretty grey here most of the time. It's been a great trip, and I will always remember it. ✌🏽🇹🇼 (at Kaohsiung, Taiwan)

Another unbelievable culinary experience in Taiwan. Winding down an incredible trip with possibly the best meal yet. My posts could serve as a guide to some of the best spots on the island. Thank you Taiwan, I will be back. (at 茶六燒肉堂)

Anthony Bourdain has nothing on me! I am being treated to the best & most unique food on the island of Taiwan. This truly has been an amazing experience. (at 銀杏森林)

Drove several hours to High Mountain Tea Legend for lunch today. The air is much cooler up here. It's the farthest inland I've been the entire time in Taiwan. It's amazing up here. #🇹🇼 (at 銀杏森林)

Visited a temple in Kaohsiung. The architecture is awesome, and the attention to detail is stunning. It was very cool to learn some of their traditions and how they pray for various things. It was a very peaceful place in the middle of the hustle & bustle of the city. 🙏🏽🇹🇼✌🏽⛩ (at 高雄市武廟關聖帝君)