Angels and Antelope, By Randy Mijares

 

Just finished up another book. Got this one from my great sister and bro-in-law, Janeen & Patrick for Christmas. The book is titled "Angels and Antelope" and is written by a Wichitan (Someone who lives in Wichita, KS) and is also co-owner of a new running store there, that just so happens to be very close to where Janeen and Patrick live. Very convenient for them, since our closest running store is about 2 1/2 hours away. 

The gist of the story is about a cross-country race and the girls team that is running in it. They are all around the ages of 10-12. The author does a very good job of describing different emotions, thoughts, and actions that all occur during running. It is a fast read, and if you are a runner you will be able to relate on many of the things the book opens up, and if you are not a runner it will give you a glimpse into what goes on inside someone's head while they are running. 

Thanks for the gift J & P!

Just When You Think Everything Is Going Your Way

Ever have one of those days when it just feels like something good isn't going to happen? Yet, you try and talk yourself into believing that everything is going to be okay. Well, I had one of those days on Monday. We were planning to go to Pinedale, WY to go cross country skiing and meet up with Audrey's family that's here for Christmas Break. It didn't turn out as grand as it sounded before we left. Let me break down for you the list of things that happened.
1st thing that went wrong - The roads were completely covered in ice, very slow going. Not fun driving in when you have totaled 2 vehicles from the very same driving conditions.
2nd thing that went wrong - When we got to Pinedale we stopped at a gas station where I promptly locked the keys in the car. Luckily there was a guy in line who overheard me asking about a locksmith. He called up his buddy, and they got the door open after only about 30 minutes.
3rd thing that went wrong - Audrey got car sick.
Basically it was a drag of a day, and I'm so glad to be back home and a few days removed from all of that frustration.

Course For Kemmerer Winter Triathlon

Lance Armstrong's Book "It's Not About The Bike"

Just finished Lance Armstrong's Book about his battle with cancer. It was a good read, and I always enjoy stories about real life situations that people go through, especially with sports or outdoors. This book also gives a good perspective on what it is like to go through chemo and the whole cancer situation. Just within the past 2 years I have known 3 people who have been diagnosed with cancer, and one of them passed away this summer in which I officiated their funeral. If you know anyone with cancer or have been affected by this disease in anyway I would say read this account.

The Runner In Winter

A Social Network Christmas

The video that I'm going to play for our Christmas Eve Service this Friday evening. 

Snow

I'm not really a big fan of snow. When it snows I have to shovel (already did that 3 times today), I have to drive very slowly (drove 40 mph to Evanston yesterday), I have to make a path in our yard to get to the leashes for the dogs, I have to start up my vehicle about 30 minutes before I want to go anywhere, and it makes me want to stay indoors all winter long.
But there are times when I don't mind the snow. Once I am out in it I kind of enjoy it. Audrey and I did a 2 mile warm-up run this morning at 7:15 a.m. 10 degrees and snow falling straight down. It was actually kind of pretty, and nice to be running outside as opposed to inside on a treadmill.
Supposedly we are supposed to get 12 inches in the next 2 days. We shall see if that truly happens. And I guess I'll have to live with snow for at least the next 3 months. So here's to getting out in it...

Upcoming 2011 Races (Tentative)

2011 Race Schedule (Tentative)

1. January 8 - Park City UT, Snowshoe 5k
2. January 15 - Ogden UT, Stair Stampede
3. January 22 - Pinedale WY, Indoor Triathlon
4. January 29 - Midway UT, Bigfoot Snowshoe Race
5. February 5 - South Jordan UT, Lifetime Fitness Indoor Triathlon
6. February 12 - Ivins UT, Sweetheart Half Marathon or (Kansas City KS, Psycho Wyco Trail Run)
7. March 19 - Saratoga Springs UT, Shamrock Half Marathon
8. March 26 - Antelope Island UT, Buffalo Run 25k Trail Run
9. April 2 - Salt Lake City UT, 10 Mile Run
10. April 9 - Moab UT, Marathon
11. April 23 - Thanksgiving Point UT, Half Marathon
12. May 7 - Provo UT, Half Marathon
13. May 21 - Riverton UT, Sapper Joe 50k
14. June 11 - Provo UT, Utah Valley Marathon (Boston Qualifier)
15. June 18 - Sheridan WY, Big Horn Mountain 50 Mile/50k/30k
16. June 25 - Logan UT, Logan Peak Trail Run 28 Miles or (Jackson Hole WY, Half Marathon)
17. July 2 - Smithfield UT, Freedom Run 15k
18. July 4 - Lander WY, Half Marathon
19. July 9 - Park City UT, Trail 10k or (Farmington UT, Half Marathon)
20. July 16 - Ogden UT, NUTS Trail Half Marathon
21. July 23 - Provo UT, Provo 10k
22. July 30 - Kemmerer WY, Burn Your Lungs Run Half Marathon/10k/5k
23. August 6 - Park City UT, Jupiter Peak Steeplechase (Part of the Triple Trail Challenge)
24. August 13 - Afton WY, El Vaquero Loco 50k/25k
25. August 20 - Park City UT, Park City Marathon (Part of the Triple Trail Challenge)
26. August 27 - Jackson Hole WY, Rendezvous Mountain Climb or (Logan UT, Top Of Utah Half)
27. September 3 - Alta WY, Grand Teton 50 Mile/26.2 Mile/10k
28. September 10 - Park City UT, Mid-Mountain Marathon (Part of the Triple Trail Challenge)
29. September 17 - Logan UT, Top Of Utah Marathon or (Provo UT, Save Your Skin 10k)
30. September 24 - Pinedale WY, Pinedale Half Marathon
31. October 1 - St. George UT, St. George Marathon or (Ogden UT, Wolf Mountain 20k)
32. October 8 - Salt Lake City UT, Wasatch Woman 10k (Audrey Only)
33. October 14 - Faust UT, Pony Express 50 Miles (Possibility)
34. October 15 - Antelope Island UT, Mountain View Trail Half Marathon
35. October 22 - Ogden UT, Ogden Valley 50 Miles
36. October 29 - Provo UT, Halloween Half Marathon or (Ogden UT, Up N' Over 10k)

The Days Go By

Yesterday Audrey and I went to Rock Springs. We had a few things on the agenda, but the biggest one was getting new tires for our Tahoe. Let me tell you, tires are expensive! They better last a long time... But we needed to get them considering our other ones were basically bald, which doesn't bode well for Wyoming Winters. We were sliding all over the place just trying to get out of our driveway. I guess you have to beef up quite a few things when you are living in a mountainous region.

Maya is healing from her dog fight the other day, and Mountie is the same as always. Here are a few updated pictures of them.

His eyes look crazy because they were "red-eyed".

You can see the bite mark right below her eye. From this angle it's kind of hard to see.

The sun finally came out today. We have been having some pretty gray days lately, so it was really nice to see it come up over Oyster Ridge this morning. The next few pictures are the view out of our front window. Pretty spectacular. God's Creation is a beautiful thing. Looks like a great morning to run outside!

Lately Happenings

This week has been kind of a crazy one. 1st on the list is that one morning Maya got off of her leash, chased down our neighbor's dog and commenced getting into a dog fight. She came out on the losing end with a pretty good cut on the side of her face, and a hitch in her giddy up. I had to run up the driveway and pull them away from each other, while the owner of the other dog screamed like crazy.
2nd, we started a marathon training program this week. Audrey is wanting to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and for her age division that means finishing a marathon in 3 hours and 40 minutes, 13 minutes faster than our previous PR (Personal Record). We have some of our races already planned out for 2011, and the two marathons that Audrey is going to do are possibly the Moab Marathon in April as a warm up for the qualifying marathon which is the Utah Valley Marathon and that will be on June 11. So back to the original story, we have upped our mileage quite a bit this week compared to what we have been doing, and incorporating in different distances, speeds, etc...
3rd, we got some really great coffee from our friends the Wergins. They used to live in Winter Park, CO and they know the owner of Rocky Mountain Roastery. They went back for Thanksgiving and picked us up some of the coffee that this guy hand roasts. It is amazing. And I am actually drinking a cup right now.