The end of an era

This week our white Ford Escort station wagon finally died. It sprung a leak in the radiator and then overheated and the engine seized.

It was a good and faithful car that even up until the end was getting 35 miles per gallon. I first bought in the spring of 2001 and its first big journey was when Connie and I went to California to visit Tad and Rebecca. We got engaged on that trip and also swam with sharks. Since that time it brought both of our lovely children home from the hospital and was our main car up until last year when we bought our Honda Odyessy because we thought the wagon was on its last legs. It held on for another year and even though the A/C and heater had stopped working, and the radio would fade in and out, it was really nice to have an extra car around. We will probably get another car soon. We bid thee farewell our little wagon!

Our Trip To Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon

We just got back from an awesome trip from Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon. Here is a compilation video of our trip, plus some pictures.

Our first 5k in years

Connie Pulls Her Friend Libby To The Finish Line

Today (Saturday, May 17) Connie and I ran the Ogden City Marathon 5k (To clarify, we did not run a marathon, we ran a 5k that was associated with a marathon). It was an exciting event. It was supposed to start at 7:00 am. We had recruited Connie's sister Christy to drive up early so she could watch the kids (who would still be sleeping). We had planned to leave our house around 6:10 to get to the 5k. At around that time, we called Christy to see where she was at, because she hadn't arrived yet. Well, as it were, Christy's alarm had failed to go off, so we woke her up with our call. So we made a quick change in plans. We decided Connie and her friend Libby (who had driven up to run the 5k with Connie) would go ahead and leave, and that I would wait for Christy and then go and start the 5k late. I did a warmup at our house and as soon as Christy arrived, about 6:45, I took off for the 5k.

I got to the start line at about 7:07 and there was no around, so I just started my watch and started running. I was a little anxious because I have only run 3 miles one other time in the last 6 years, and I didn't want to be the last runner straggling in. So I set what I felt was a nice steady pace and hoped I could catch up to someone. After just a few minutes, I caught up to some walkers and soon I was passing a lot of people and it got me excited. Just before the first mile marker, I saw Connie and Libbie walking and managed to give them a good scare as I passed by. Just as a side note, Connie could have run the whole way, but it was Libbie's first 5k and Connie was encouraging her through it. I passed the first mile in 7:10, which made me really happy (remember I haven't run hardly at all for years), but realized I should probably slow down, so I eased up a little. I did the second mile in 8:15 and with just one mile to go, tried to pick it up a little. I felt really good, though was definitely tiring, and then with about a half mile to go, I got a big ol' cramp in my right calf. I didn't stop running, but just concentrated on running as smooth as possible. I did the last mile in 8:25 and then the last additional 200 meters in about 1:00 for a total time of 24:45 (for an average of 7:55 minute miles). Nothing earth shattering, but I was pretty happy about it for not have done much specific training for it.

Connie and Libby came in about 15 minutes later. Libbie was pretty tired, but Connie was pretty fresh and peppy and was pumping Libbie up with how proud she was of her for finishing the 5k.

Libby's son Billy (who had been staying at our house while we did the 5k) was supposed to run a kid's mile at 12:30, but she was too tired to drive back up to Ogden again, so instead we took Billy and Sam to a local park that has a half mile walking track and had Billy and Sam do a race. We were a little worried that it wouldn't be very fun for Billy to race Sam because, Billy is 7 and Sam is 4, but it turns out Sam is in pretty good shape for a 4 year old and Connie had to make Sam wait for Billy a few times so that Billy wouldn't give up. But they both finished the half mile and we are very proud of Libby and Billy for their efforts to have a more fit lifestyle.

Physical Fitness Test

Tonight, I did the boy scout fitness test with my boy scout troop (I am an assistant scout master). The test consists of 5 events: 400 meter run, pushups to failure, pullups to failure, standing long jump, and situps to failure.


I challenged the boys that if they could beat me or come close (within 5), they could get a candy bar. If no one was close enough, than whoever was closest for the event would get a smaller treat. Before we started I went over how to each of the activities. This was mostly because in the past they tended to not go through the full range of motion for things like pushups and pullups and would get high numbers because they weren't really doing anything.

Here were my test Results:
400 meters: 1:18 Sad
Pushups (to failure): 25
Pullups(to failure): 11
Standing Broad Jump: 99" (8'3")
Situps(to failure): 62


We did the 400 meters first and I thought that I was going to die. It was on a grass course I had measured out with my bike, so I don't know my exact splits times but I would estimate my first half was in 35 seconds and my last half was in 43 seconds (total 1:18). I really need to work on my running. The closest boy was at 1:30. They really need to work on their running too. It took my about 5 minutes to calm my breathing and then for another 5 minutes after that my throat felt tight and I felt like I was choking. My anaerobic system definitely could use some improvement.

I did pushups next and got a respectable 25. For me that is lot and they were all well formed pushups with body straight and going all the way up and all the way down. One of the boys got 20 pushups, but did not win the big prize because his last 10 pushups he only went half way down.

After that I did pullups. I eeked out 11 well formed pullups, but I felt I should have been able to do more. I think I was tired from what I had already done and from a pullup workout I had done yesterday. Pullups are by far the boys biggest weakness. Most couldn't even do one. One did three. I am going to have whip those kids into shape.

Next I tried the standing long jump a couple times. My legs were total shot from the 400. The first time I did okay, but the second time I had nothing left and did worse than the first, so I just used my first jump as my test score and didn't try anymore. The long jump is one event where being significantly taller seemed to be a big advantage. I jumped 99" and the closest scout did 70" and he was one of the taller scouts.

The last event was situps. I hate situps and I was really tired, so I waited until all the boys went and did just enough situps to beat the best score.

We have to do the test again next month, so I think I am going to challenge the boys that if any of them improves all his scores by 5 he will get some kind of awesome treat (like a super size candy bar) and in addition, if I do not improve all my scores by 5, they will all get a candy bar.

Move it, Move it

Here is a video of Sam's parkour training that he has been doing this winter

It's mine! All mine!

After 14 months our Honda Odyssey is all ours! We made the last payment on it and now have no debt besides our house, yeah! We thought about paying it off sooner but we didn't want to wipe out our savings. The funny thing is, is that we originally bought it because we thought our white wagon was about to die. Though it has had one major repair, the white wagon is still going and is still getting up to 35 mpg. The heater doesn't work, and the A/C takes some major wrestling to get on, but it has served as a nice backup car when we need it.

High Flying Fun

The snow is starting to melt and so we have been playing in our backyard more. We converted one of our swings into a trapeze and it has been a lot of fun for Sam.