I'm not...

... a particularly religious guy... but I came across this passage in the Bible during the funeral of a very dear friend's Dad today:

"... not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint..." Romans 5:3-5

Just a little food for thought.

Thank you for taking the time to read. Hope you're all happy, healthy, and whole.

Breathe...

Halloweenie!

This is a "triathlon blog" right? Huh. That'sinteresting... anyway!

I like candy. No... scratch that... I LOVE me some candy... and guess WHAT? So do my kids! Halloween is right up there with Xmas in our family! Festivities, of course, began with the pumpkin patch at Johnson's Farm. Farmer Johnson has the craziest hay ride in the nation! There is no putt putting around with him. Basically, during this 20 minute excursion you haul ASS around the patch throwing gords and smaller pumpkins at scare crows that have been setup around the patch. SO fun! Halloween day was spent carving pumpkins, shuttling kids to soccer tournaments, a meal of "Bloody Mary Flank Steak" and vomit casserole, then, of course, trick or treating! It was a great day/night with the kids and Kathryn... but we missed Jack. Being 13 and all, he has started the inevitable process of finding his independence as a young teen. Yeah, (sob), he chose to forego trick or treating with the family to go to a Halloweenparty. We missed his presence but know that he had a grrrrrrrEAT time with his friends! Here's some pictures!

Master gutter!

Jack!

Duh punkins!

Sugar coma!

I didn't realize how TIGHT swim caps and wetsuits are until that night! Ugh!

In other, more fitness related news, I went up to Corvallis, Oregon last Sunday to race the Mac Forest 15k trail race. Not having truly, "trained", since IM CdA... I didn't have very high expectations other than to have some fun! This course is no joke. The elevation gain alone just about made me projectile vomit. Overall I ran well all things considered and ended up 37th out of 245 runners. Not bad but BOY did it hurt... in a good way! Check out the elevation map...

Thanks for taking the time to read. Hope you're all happy, healthy, and whole.

Breathe...