My 10K

Ok, so since being back from Cali and another month plus before the Wasatch Back race, it was a little tough getting back into running mode.  I looked online for any upcoming races, and found a 5K and 10K run for the Smithfield Health Days last Saturday.  I quickly signed up, convinced my friends Kami and Neil to as well, to "prepare them" for the Wasatch Back.  They ran the 5K since it was their first race, and I ran the 10K since I had never done that distance before.  I did pretty well for the most part, finished second in my division/gender, and 6th overall.  I know I should be pleased, but this comedy bit from Jerry Seinfeld just kept popping into my head.  Since I am video happy right now, I created this very short clip.  

Do you feel my pain???

My California Adventure

Ten days in SoCal was GREAT!  First things first... for 2 months, Teresa, Ami, and I trained relentlessly for the La Jolla half marathon.  We all did great, and very little blood was shed as I managed to stab myself with the safety pin while running (I was trying to re-pin my bib, wanting to ditch my tank top... didn't work out), and Ami developed an unsightly blister on the top of her foot from the athletic tape.  One of the best things of this whole race, was the "pig out" session afterwards.  We burned over a thousand calories, so... who cares?!!!

Next on the list was TRAPEZE SCHOOL!  Ami is full of strange ideas, and even though I was dragging my feet up until the very end, it was super awesome.  We headed to the Santa Monica pier one morning and got to "fly" for a couple of hours.  I'm definitely going to try and return each visit.

I didn't get to see Fallon much, but Teresa and I drove out to Oxnard to watch her soccer games.  In Oxnard, I was able to meet up with a great old friend, Chris.  I think it's been almost 10 years since we saw each other.  It was just like old times.  

TOP 5 QUOTES OF THE TRIP

"She doesn't have a runner's face..."

"Sphincter don't fail me now..."

"DON'T TELL MY MOM!!!"

"Don't call me, just text."

"They never told me to let go of the bar..."

Even though the small screen doesn't do this movie justice, this was our adventure.  :)

My 12 Mile Day

So let's back up 10+ years.  Tony and I took a trip to Cali to visit Teresa and Rowdy... yes, way back then.  Tony decided to run a half marathon one morning in Chino.  We woke up irritatingly early, and Teresa and I, not having a clue of how long a half marathon would take, figured it would take 3 or 4 hours for him to finish.  So... we went to Target, breakfast, and all that good stuff.  We finally got back to the race site, and poor Tony had been finished for like an hour at least, probably more,  and was just hanging out waiting for us to return.  I think he even placed first in his division, and had no one to greet him at the finish line.  This was an event that Teresa and I STILL feel bad about to this day.  (Sorry Tony... we love you!)  

Well... now it's our turn to run a half marathon.  Next Sunday, Teresa, Ami, and I are running the half marathon in La Jolla.  I'm excited to run along the coast, and enjoy the beauty of SoCal, not to mention reap the benefits of a race at sea level.  With that being said, I have dedicated the last few Sundays training and going on my long run, upping it by a mile each subsequent week.  With the race being next week, that meant today was my 12 mile day.  Due to prior commitments and the fact that I had to make sure I had enough energy to last, I couldn't go first thing in the morning, and got a bit of a late start.  Finally, at 1:00 I hit the road.  The prior 10 and 11 mile weeks were challenging, but I still tackled it without feeling too wiped out.  Today, however,  was a different story.  It probably didn't help that I had a personal training session and crossed in about a thousand balls for the kids to finish this morning, so my ankle was sore, and eventually my hip flexor was feeling it too in the first third of my run, and running with sunshine and warmth threw me off a little bit too.  Luckily my mental toughness kicked in, cause there was no way I was going to let myself stop and walk at any point, and I completed my 12 miles, while shaving 13 seconds off my pace.  Not too bad i guess.  Next week will be the true test, and I'm hoping sea level will be my best friend as we are not allowed to run with headphones.  Wish me, Teresa, and Ami good luck!

Check out those calories burned!!!

My New Niece

Ok, so I'm a bit behind and I'm sure everyone knows, I have a new niece.  Eliza Grace Yeates, born Tuesday, April 14th, 2009.  Congrats to my big bro Tony and his wife Melissa, not only for the new addition to their family, but for meeting the requirements for their AFLAC policy by the skin of their teeth.  Isn't she a cutie?!!!

My New Sport

Spring is officially here, and the snow has finally melted... AGAIN.  To go along with my excitement, I've decided to take up a new sport.  Tennis!  I've been playing the past couple of weeks indoor, and finally got outside today to give it a go.  I'm not exactly magnificent... YET..., but I'm getting better and better each time I play, and having a lot of fun.  Anyone up for a game?

I'm starting to get the hang of the backhand, but unfortunately my forehand still needs work.

I don't know why this is, but I hold my breath when I swing at anything, ha ha...

My Snow Flu...

Ok, so I pride myself on my impeccable immune system.  Very rarely am I ever sick.  I've never had strep, pink eye (sorry Tony), an ear infection, or any sickness that requires prescribed medication and/or a visit to the doctor.  I seldom get headaches, or even "cramps" for that matter.  Other than the frequent soccer wounds (not my fault), I am a very healthy person.  So yesterday, as I bitterly watched the snow continue to fall, my motivation to exercise was declining rapidly, and all I wanted to do was go back home, get in my sweat pants, and crawl into bed.  For whatever reason, the "season gods" decided to play a sick joke and dumped 2 feet of snow on an almost bare ground, and yes... I took it personal.  So I came up with my own ailment.  I have come down with a serious case of the "snow flu".  The miserable weather was affecting me, and I was going to let it.  So far, I've been "sick" for 2 days.  I could not muster up the will or energy to exercise, so no running or P90X for me... I was on strike.  Apparently this type of sickness has an adverse affect on one's appetite, so my diet has gone out the window as well.  I did, however, manage to play a little tennis tonight with my good friend "Stuart" and my niece Mia, but let's face it... I suck at tennis, and ended up nailing Mia in the cheek with the ball.  Luckily the mark didn't last TOO long, and a black eye was narrowly avoided.  Sorry Mia.  I am hoping I'll pull through it and get back on the road, or... Who am I kidding?... the treadmill tomorrow.  Pray for me ya'll...

Back To Utah

Last week Teresa and Mitch decided to make a spontaneous trip to Utah before Mitch had to be back to work.  They flew me out to meet them in Vegas and make the partial drive with them.  This was my week:

• Tuesday:  Flew into Vegas, took a cab to the Venetian where Teresa and Mitch were staying.  We ate dinner, played on our computers, and pretty much just went to bed. 
• Wednesday: Got a late start as always.  Bought a 20 pound chocolate cake from The Grand Lux Cafe for Melissa, and started the long drive to Logan.  During the way, Hudson had his first "blow out" diaper, and Easton got freaked out when he was in the bathroom with me and the automatic lights went off.  After making it to Logan, Easton kept pointing to the wall, while sort of whimpering.  I finally discovered that he was pointing at his shadow.  I guess that freaked him out as well.  Ha ha.
• Thursday:  Dinner at Tony & Melissa's.  Melissa made lasagna, but the highlight was the chocolate cake.  The kids picked at the chocolate chips, and couldn't wait to dig in.  It was the most delicious cake ever!  Mitch and I then went to play in my indoor soccer game, and while I was thinking he would turf it within 5 seconds of stepping on the field, he actually did quite well and didn't fall until the second half when his legs were so fatigued.  I was impressed.
• Friday:  Soup with Grandma.  Teresa made chicken soup with dumplings (I added noodles), and it was amazing.  Grandma's house has always been a comforting place for us, and it was nice to spend time with her.
• Saturday: Monster truck show.  Mitch and Easton went down to Salt Lake with me, AJ, and Kimball to see the Monster Trucks.  Despite the weather and traffic, it was a lot of fun.  We stopped at the Gateway Apple store on the way home to get Teresa a Valentines present, and had pizza at Kimmie and Bryce's that night.
• Sunday:  Teresa and Mitch left, and that was that.  The days go by so fast, and there never seems to be enough time.  I always hate it when they leave.

We all wish Ami and Brandon could have made the trip as well, but hopefully we can all get together as siblings soon.  I have the best brothers and sisters anyone could ask for.