Mix it up trail runs

I am not much of a runner. Matter-o-fact I will not run on asphalt at all, I absolutely hate it. But I do enjoy trail running, it is much more of a work out and more adventurous, plus the scenery is amazing.

This year however, my Brother and I want more of a challenge, something to push us harder. So we have been looking into the spartan races, Warrior Dash, Dirty Dash and Runner Cross.

The Spartan is what we really want to do, but at 8+miles, 20+ miles and 30 Burpees per obstacle you can't complete...it is daunting. Admittedly I could run the miles (slowly) do the obstacles, but Burpees...they kill me...2 sets of 30 and I would be done. So we have put that off until next year.

So this year were looking at The Dirty Dash and Runner Cross being held in Salt lake city.

Training for this has been very different. You have to run, but also add Pushups (sometimes every half mile) Rock carries (10-15 lbs for maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile for me), Burpees (Ugh), Squats, pull ups, push ups, etc. 

I have to say, I find it very refreshing and very challenging. I'm not even close to where I want to be, But I've lost ten lbs in a month and gained much more upper body muscle.

Next stop....Spartan 2012

Dawn wants me to look like wolverine in Xmen.

 

My Response...I guess I have to get a little white mustache, and claws.

Orem Summerfest 2011

In the past Orem Summerfest Always looked like a disaster...tons of people, a long parade, more people, carnival and finally more people. This year we decided to go...and...I can;t believe we haven't gone before the Kids loved it.

They had many free activities including; Crafts (they could make one each day), Balloon animals (amazing ones), face painting, games, car show, etc. The kids loved it all.

Black Bear

Cougar (BYU)

Dog with two different colored eyes.

Even mom got into the fun.

Maceys had a free Breakfast- flag raising - prize drawing - live band - fun time in the morning.

Monkey climbing a tree

Snake

Purple Dog

Besides all the free kids fun, there were all sorts of rides for the younger and older children, which were very reasonably priced. We stayed with the younger kids as they rode and the older ones went off on their own.

My favorite part of the night;

Text from Esther: "I hate the zipper"

Me: Why?

Esther: I just threw up.

Me: Ha ha ha

Esther: Come get me.

Me: Where are you?

Esther: By the Garbage can.

After the day we went to the Parade...I hate parades...this was no exception. After about 20 minutes Our youngest Boy turned around and said, "Dad, this parade is a waste of our time."

We left immediately.

After arriving home the fireworks started, we had a perfect view from our front yard!!!

It was a great day and a very successful summerfest. It is now one of our kids favorite summer activities.



Miner's Run...the trail with no trail

Okay, here it is, I love to bike.

 There it is finally out.

It sure feels good after so many years of keeping it in

to get that out in the open.

One of the things I love about biking is the adventure of finding and riding new trails, or non-trails in this case.

riding along the Rim

We heard about this trail through Utah Mountain biking.com. It is basically on the edge of the San Rafael swell, right off I-70 in the middle of nowhere. Its unique because there really is no trail and it winds in and out of old mining claims and equipment.

It begins on a dirt road then just takes off into the hills. No trail, only Gps tracks to follow.

This is an example of the non-trail, trail.

The trail itself is only about 11 miles long so we figured 1-2 hours maximum ride time. It took us four. Yes, we could have walked it faster. We got lost countless times and had to backtrack and find the right way, couple that with the rain the night before and sinking in about 3-4 inches, it made for a much longer more difficult ride.

The riding is very unusual, except for the return via dirt road there are no sitting sections. It is all on rough slickrock which required constantly changing of body and hand position.

On the way Back, Guthrie wanted to rest so faked a flat. I always believed that the moon landing was real until I pedaled through this place. Now...I'm pretty sure it could have been faked.

Now I know you are thinking...

"That ride sounds horrible"

O' Contraire...We loved it and plan to return next year. That is the adventure that leads us to bike.

Sometimes it's a lot like life. You know where you want to go, or think you want to go, but getting there is the real fun and it may require backtracks, retracing of steps, or just riding into the dark...

Like Miner's run.