5k Challenge Update: Mission Accomplished!

I'm very happy to report today that I've completed my 5k Challenge! I wrapped up my 100th run of the year under beautiful blue skies in Klamath Falls. It was a cold day and hard to catch my breath at first, but after a sprint-start I was breathing normally after a few minutes. The air was cold, just below freezing, and the running gear I was wearing was just enough to keep me warm.

You can check out my final run of the year here.

Thanks for following me along on this journey. I'm happy to say that 2011 was a definite success for my personal fitness, and hope I can say the same next year as well.

5k Challenge Update: Klamath Falls run

As I ran my most recent 5k the other day, I couldn’t help but think- “MAN, it’s getting cold out here!” Perhaps it was because I had just woken up from a long nap, but I wager it was almost certainly because it was 28 degrees outside! Klamath Falls sits at 5,000’ and it had been snowing most of the day before I went out. Though nearly all of the snow had melted, the moisture was still on the ground providing plenty of opportunities for me to slip and hurt myself.

It didn’t help that I was running in the dark. Or maybe it did. Because it was so dark out, I couldn’t differentiate the ice from the bike path, which undoubtedly made me faster, if not more foolish for being out in such conditions. But I’d made a commitment: to you, to myself. I honestly don’t know how many more of these 5ks I have to do this year to make 100, but I’m not quite there yet. Not yet.

I’ll keep running until something in my brain realizes that I’ve fulfilled my goal- 100 5ks in a calendar year. Until that point, I’m putting my nose to the grindstone and getting out there to make resolution come true!

5k Challenge update: 26% finished!!!!!

Well, April 5th rolled around and brought Claire and I an expected surprise: our son, Anson, was born at 10:03 a.m. two weeks ago Tuesday! I had of course known for quite a while that a baby was on the way to our home, but was unsure as to what that would mean in regard to this blog and more specifically my 5k Challenge.

That being the case, I say now to all those who have uttered the words, "you won't finish" or "we'll see about that" in regard to my completion of this challenge with a baby in the house, "WATCH THIS!" I am a remarkably stubborn person, to a fault for sure, but that stubbornness can lead me to do some pretty awesome things. Those things include running 74 more 5ks in 2011.

I don't know that the runs will be as easy as they have been and that they're likely to become more difficult. I can only imagine with less sleep that they will be harder to start and harder to keep my normal pace, but the pace isn't the point. The point, as it always has been, is simply to run 100 5ks this year. I ran a really nice 5k today (more on that in the next paragraphs) and wondered aloud to the doggers if we'd be able to get out with such regularity in the coming months. This of course depends on my fortitude along with my wife's blessing, both of which are required for most everything I do in life as it is.

About that run I mentioned earlier: it was one of the best I've had in a while! My wife and the newborn were trying to take a nap at home and the dogs weren't having it. To alleviate stress for all of us, I decided a run was in order for the dogs and I. I took Graham dog and Jake dog to Dorris Ranch and found the parking lot empty when we arrived. It usually takes foul weather or an odd time of day to ensure that there isn't anyone else at this particular park, and today I had both factors working for me.

I checked the clock on the car before I shut the door and noticed that it was 6:25 p.m. I headed off down the gravel road to start the loop, Graham and Jake running circles around me and one another. Graham stopped briefly to sniff a few clumps of grass, no doubt getting subtle signals from other dogs who'd visited the same spot before. As we entered the main trail, the dogs and I turned on the afterburners and picked up the pace. I was determined to make good time today, despite forgetting my iPod (shame!) at home.

The run was quick and clean (as in straightforward and even; it WAS muddy. The lack of music and people allowed my mind to work on one thing and one thing only- my breathing. We made great time, stopping on occasion to take in a view of the Willamette River, observe an open meadow, or to let the dogs fetch a stick in the canal.

Running back toward the car, Graham and Jake could sense the speed I was trying to maintain and quickened their pace to match mine. The three of us huffed and puffed our way up the last 100 yards or so and stopped the makeshift timer at 6:52! I was very happy with the result of our efforts and rewarded the dogs with an extra long belly rub.

Arriving home, I found my lovely bride well-rested and preparing dinner. Days like this make me think that this challenge really will work, and it's for the best as well. Anson greeted his smelly dad and the smelly dogs and life went on. To be continued...

Benternship July 6- DAY 7

This series documents a very special opportunity I had recently. I was accepted as an intern at a company in Oregon that provides naturalist-based guided tours in many different activities that travelers enjoy. All of the entries are taken directly from my makeshift journal, my camera, and my iPod video camera. Items in bold are not original to the journal, they have been added for clarity or reading enjoyment. You can decide which.

1:00 a.m. No work on 7/4- too festive. Great time at Jeff, Aaron, and Jake's...spent day (July 5) 9:45-5:45 at office. Introduced Dave to color breakouts on Google Calendar- he took to it right away which made me a bit nervous...hope whatever he uses is to his best advantage...wanted to do kayak trip with Joe or Jeremy but didn't seem appropriate at the time. Helped Dave at Costco (and got to talk business)...5k and then dinner with Jack at Deschutes Brewery. Tomorrow work 9-12 then to Tamolich at 12:30-5:00 or so with Dave. Excited to see him guide for the first time...should be an eye-opener.

Overall things seem to be going well, the ball is definitely in my court as to find what's next...

Being the owner of the company, I expected Dave to really know his natural world. The way he conducted himself in the office as an introverted individual was something that I expected to carry on into the outdoors. However, Dave had a wonderful way of engaging his audience ("oh, baby!") and getting them as excited about the outdoors as he is. I was truly honored to be working next to him on this outing as it was a special place for me anyway. The tours that his company does are typically in Central Oregon on the east side of the Cascade crest. Today however, we were on the west slope in the thick and heavy presence of Douglas Fir trees, Oregon Grape and Vine Maples. The McKenzie River roared along adjacent to our trail and I was continually impressed by Dave's understanding of what I consider to be my own backyard. This same trail is the one that my old Boy Scout Troop 318 and I hiked in 2008, just weeks before CTR and I wed.

Benternship July 3- DAY 4

This series documents a very special opportunity I had recently. I was accepted as an intern at a company in Oregon that provides naturalist-based guided tours in many different activities that travelers enjoy. All of the entries are taken directly from my makeshift journal, my camera, and my iPod video camera. Items in bold are not original to the journal, they have been added for clarity or reading enjoyment. You can decide which.

7:00 a.m. Slept ok. Up earlier and very sunny through rain fly. Rained on and off last night. Looking forward to abated dust.

10:45 p.m. Didn't abate much though...did grunt work for Dave- fixed POS (point of sale, not piece of...) machine through BofA merchant services. Four calls at :15 minutes each = one hour! Ran a 5k and went to get new book- Collapse by Jared Diamond. Sampled beer at Silver Moon (video to supplement this) with crappy baked fries with gorganzola cheese. No shower as Jack had offered. He was at a baseball game and never called (found out later that this was b/c he had text messaged me and I don't get texts- bummer!)...stinky tomorrow I guess. Paddle first thing at 8:15 then database with Megan. Sure wish CTR was here.

LOTS OF CUSSING IN THIS VIDEO. I apologize but I'm not G rated when I've had a few beers :)


PS- The Snake Bite Porter is what I'm referencing in the video. Here's the webpage with more info.

*And I totally misused the word "acquiesce" in my video...didn't know what it meant until I returned home to make this post!*

Benternship July 2- DAY 3

This series documents a very special opportunity I had recently. I was accepted as an intern at a company in Oregon that provides naturalist-based guided tours in many different activities that travelers enjoy. All of the entries are taken directly from my makeshift journal, my camera, and my iPod video camera. Items in bold are not original to the journal, they have been added for clarity or reading enjoyment. You can decide which.

12:20 a.m. This morning seems so long ago...Dave, James & Jack were all great to meet. Very kind and Jack was very knowledgeable and a good storyteller. Hung out in office for about four hours; left to go run a 5k on the Deschutes River (!), grocery shop, and set up tent. Dinner was sandwiches and chips/salsa. Back to WLT warehouse @ 7:15 for a starlight canoe tour at Sparks Lake (that's three new lakes in two days for those of you keeping track) with Jack. Four gals (two stayed in van because it was too cold/wet for them). All was great 'til we were back at the lot when one of them fell as I helped her out of the van...I literally feel sick about it. Off to bed now- no beer :(