JP Morgan 2013

This was the second JP Morgan race that I did and the third for our JV.  It was a nice day for the race.  Not much to write about but a racing event prior to the marathon event.  This was in mid to late October.

Pre-race

Ziad, Goldman and me.  

Post race meal at a soup place.  This was
chicken feet soup.

...and there's the foot!

This was a whole chicken or duck or something with its
head looking at us.

Thanksgiving & pre-Christmas Activities 2013

Thanksgiving was not much of an event this year.  We had a work, expat dinner and then a lunch at Concordia since Yangmei is now teaching there.  The lunch was much better than the work dinner for food quality.  A great turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry - Yum!

Turkey Lunch at Concordia

Satisfied eater.

Even Mark loved it.

Lunch with 100 other people, many we know.

This is the Concordia cafeteria.  It is very nice.

The day after Thanksgiving saw the rising of
Christmas aisle at our local grocery store.

The kids are all in piano lessons so we went to a concert
with their teacher.  An awesome show but too long for them.

Concert show.

This is Mark and his two best Shanghai friends (Cole and EJ)

He was a sheppard in the school Christmas play/concert.  He
had a couple of lines to say into the microphone.  He did very well!

For Christmas we are heading to Cebu, Philippines.  We will be there from 21 - 28 December staying on the beach and hopefully, swimming with the Whale sharks!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all those who read this.  We miss all of you especially around the holidays.

Shanghai Marathon 2013

Like any big city, Shanghai sponsors a marathon event.  And since I don't have to spend my spare time caring to the needs of a yard, a pool or an old house in need of repair then I have time to exercise.  For anyone needing a goal to motivate them to get out of bed in the morning, a race is a great focus.  Ok, so a marathon is not a normal goal but I decided that it would be for me.  

I enjoy running for the exercise and the ability that it allows to be close to a city and the people.  There were many events that I witnessed on my long weekend runs through downtown (e.g. prostitutes ending work at 5 am, 50 workers packing into a pick-up truck heading to work) that very few people would have seen.  

My training started in August and by November 1st my knee was sore with tendinitis.  Sore enough that I had to stop running about 3 weeks before the December 1st race.   But the since I had paid my 200 RMB ($32) I thought I would go get my t-shirt, number and other free-bees.   The knee had felt good over the last week so I decided the night before to run the half.

Pickup the day before

Find you name on the poster amongst
35,000 others

The wall of names, mostly Chinese

History of running in China

The race day was a perfect temperature but the air-pollution index was above 200, which is defined as, "very unhealthy, Protection recommended".  This is above the "Limit outdoor activity" level.  But hey, it was only 13 miles.

Air Pollution App just before the race

I started the race with a local friend and the knee felt great.  At the 12 km point I had recalled that there was a turnoff point of the marathoners from the rest and after 5 km it would connect back up with them.   So I called home to confirm.  The worst case would be that it would hurt and then I would limit my run to about 16 mi.

To make a long story about a long race short, I my knee felt good so I kept going and finished the full marathon.  It is a week later and my muscles are still sore and maybe I have done permanent damage to my body but hey, I can say that I finished the race without stopping to walk!  

Pre-race band.  Many supporter along the route
were chanting "China, china".

Port-a-potty, it was a hole in the ground for
squatting.

The starting mob on the Bund.

I was about 200 meters from the start.  We had
chip time so it didn't really matter.

I started the race with a friend.  He did it in 3:30.

Off we go, it took about 2 minutes to cross the
starting line. 

This was a photo at the finish line area.
I was too tired to think about taking photos.

American Football in Shanghai

We did the 'Chinese' sports last fall so this year it was worth a try at some American sports, like football.  We met the coaches and staff at a Concordia open house and decided that now was a good time to join.  It was 2,500 RMB (~$400) for the season which included 2 practices and a game per week.  The season goes for about 3 months, Sept - Nov.  

The orientation where Mark put on Shoulder pads for the
first time.  You can see he likes them!

Trying on the helmet for size.

The league gave us most of the pads so the kids only had to supply their mouthpiece, practice jersey, cup and cleats.  The practice jerseys are not so easy to find in China so I took a trip to the fake market to buy some pro jerseys.  These are like-real jerseys and I bought 2 for 200 RMB ($32) where these are $100 each back home.

Dags was excited to wear Dad's Patriots jersey.  

Baltimore Ravens - Flacco

The home field is Shanghai Football Rugby Club (SFRC) about 20
minutes from Jinqiao.

Pre-game snack of snickers bars.

1st game under the lights.  Mark was wide receiver

Will was middle linebacker

Will also played Quarterback and tailback

Post-game Dunkin Donuts.

Mark struggled getting dressed for football but always had
a great time once he got there.

Will could have played Seniors or Juniors but since he only
weights 85lbs we thought it was best to be on the Juniors.

I-formation offense.

4-3 or 5-3 defense

Neck streching

There was an exhibition game at the Shanghai stadium for the
NFL experience.

NFL sponsors.  That is Jordon our girl player.  One of the better
running backs.

Before we went on there was an intense Chinese flag football
game.

There were other NFL experience activities.

Typical warm ups

 One of the highlights of the season was a visit from NFL great, Joe Montana.  We spent a Friday night with him watching an NFL game and then the next day he did a clinic.  It was an amazing experience to see and talk with him in such a small venue.

The boy's ball was signed by Joe.

Picture with Joe and some other Dragon parents.

Mark with his friend Colin at the clinic.  We went early to setup.

Joe tossing the rock to the kids.  He hasn't lost his
timing at all.  He looked a bit old though...

Signing autographs.  We had him sign Will's shirt and the football.