Strong Journey

I can't remember for sure, but I think the completion of this year's Hood to Coast was my 15th.  Each one has included running a different leg and riding in the van with different people.  There are always stories to tell at the end of the 24 plus hours that are spent either running or riding in the van.  This year was one of my favorites.  The weather was good, I ran well, but most of all I had the privilege of being in the same van as my son, Cameron.  Even though he has run most of these races on the same team as me, we usually split up, he is in one van and I am in the other.  Being the camptain, I decided that this year I would run the only leg I have never run and put Cam in the same van as me - a decision that proved to be just what I needed! Monday: 10 minute warm-up 5 rounds: 5 minute Row or Bike 10 Push-ups 10 Bench Dips 10 ring rows 20 Sit-ups Cool down / Stretch Tuesday: 10 minute warm-up 5 rounds: 800m run 25 walki...

Monday: 10 minute warm up 10 rounds: 2 minutes moderately fast bike, eliptical or row 10 push ups 10 hollow holds  2 minutes moderately fast bike, eliptical or row 10 dumb bell thrusters 10 sit-ups Cool down/Stretch Tuesday: 10 minute warm up        6 round: 30 squats 400m run 40 walking lunges 400m run           cool down/stretch Wednesday: 45 - 60 minutes of yoga. Thursday: 10 minute warm up 1 round: 4 mile run - make this enjoyable ;-)         Cool down/stretch Friday: 10 minute warm up 5 rounds:  10 burpees 20 sit ups 5 pull ups - use bands if needed 30 minute bike, row, or elliptical Cool down/stretch Saturday: 10 minute warm up 5 - 10 mile run Cool down/stretch ...

This past weekend Charlie and I had the privilege of having 7 of our grandkids along with one of their friends for a sleepover.  Though these sleep overs are more like overs because of the lack of sleep they are never short of fun, junk food, and friendship.  After a full day of play and short night of sleep we took them out on the boat.   This sleeping little guy, 4 year old Deacon, was a crazy man who enjoyed the pull in the innertube to the fullest.  He was flying all over the place as he laughed and kept asking to go faster!  The water was warm but once out the air was cool. To keep his wet little body warm he burried himself under a blanket where the warmth and the hum of the engine put him sound asleep.  He didn't wake up as we pulled the boat out of the water, cleaned everything out, and then put him in the car!  This is how he stayed all the way back to our house and beyond.  Too much fun and fatigue eventually got the best of ...

As part of our summer adventures I had the thrill of going with these three on a jet boat ride down the Willamette River!  The speed of the boat was good, but once the first sideways slide was experienced they were hooked.  The 2 hour trip was filled with spins, stops, speed, and HUGE amounts of water pouring over our heads!  The hot weather caused us to anticipate the next "splashing" and exactly how that splashing would occur.   It was so much fun watching my grandsons be so excited while filled with anticipation and then react with contagious enthusiasm.  Hanging out with them causes me to feel like a kid again, and this day was one of the best.   It's easy to get caught up in being a grown-up and forget what it's like to be a kid and enjoy life.  Letting go and allowing the enthusiasm of a child is one of the best ways to "grow-up"  It's is my pray that you will have the opportunity this week to look forward to a fun ride that might e...