Marathonica

Sooooo...I've given in to myself.  I have been struggling with finding motivation to maintian an exercise schedule.  I do best with a goal and a training schedule.  So, with 27 1/2 weeks to train, I signed up today for the Windermere Marathon!  Again.  (For the third time.) 

I'll be following a different training regimen this time, which may or may not work out so well.  We're talking hill workouts, sprints, fartleks, etc. 

Also, this training program includes intermediate RACES!  Beginning with a 5k in a few weeks. I suppose this will mean just going for a personal best on some of the race days, because races generally cost money and are on specific days that will not likely match my schedule.  Maybe I'll be pulling others in for those days to put some pressure on. 

Anyway, I'm excited.  To kick it off, I ran this evening while the girls were at gymnastics.  I did a hill work out with a total run of about 4 miles.  Felt great! 

Who wants in?   Plenty of time to sign up.

Halloween is Fun

The Spokenagels do Halloween 2011:

 Tonight we not only got to do some sweet trick-or-treating, but we also got to be in a neighborhood parade!

Several of Caitin's school friends were there, and it was great to see them chattering and parading through the neighborhood.  They were all so excited to be dressed up and the

Finally...A Little Progress

Back in...May(?) I informed Sarah that I was done working on the basement for the Summer.  She was not very impressed, but indulged me.  I was a bit burnt on the project.  We had a great summer, despite the disarray of the house.

Of course...in order to get motivated, I had to buy a tool.  I've always wanted to be able to shed some good light on my work.  This was crucial in the new and yet-unlighted closet. 

Here's how we spent our Summer:

Now that it's time, we both got in on the action.  Sarah painted the wall to eliminate that hideous green before I continued the framing and sheetrock processes.  There is still plenty to do, but I'm leaving the walls open in the framed condition while we figure out the electrical components.  

Yesterday I found myself two boards shy of being able to finish the framing on the west wall.  Two boards...

This game closet is ready for primer and then shelves.  Again, Sarah...your turn.

A Day for Climbing

Today Caitin and I climbed. She was successful. I dislocated my shoulder for the 12th time. Her video is worth watching:



I especially love that she checks her pedometer after the climb. Cause that's important data to track. Sometimes I forget to check my dislocatometer.

Birthdays!

Jamie has one of those coveted "Just before Christmas" birthdays.  Really, for the first three it didn't make any difference, but for the fourth, it was time to step it up to a party with friends.  We planned to do an "un-birthday" at the 6-month mark, but as it turned out, we were busy right through July and August with all kinds of good and fun things...except un-birthdays.  Finally, the week before Caitin's birthday, we made it happen! 

We stole the Kitty-Theme idea from a party that Caitin went to last year, and made a little obstacle course that each kitty had to navigate.  All the kitties cheered (meowed) each other on:

We also held a kitty photo-shoot.

Jamie had a great time, and I think her friends did too.

 They decorated kitty cupcakes,

 ...dressed up like princesses,

...and ate a Star cake.

Caitin saw how much fun Jamie had, and her plans to have a quiet little party completely changed.  Instead she had a pizza and swimming party!  It's probably not very often that we will be able to do that at the end of September, but the weather here was perfect for it.

We did NOT have a cake at Caitin's party.  She wanted banana splits instead.  We did NOT have banana splits at Caitin's party.  We forgot to buy bananas.  We DID have ice-cream sundays, though, and plunked the candles right down in the ice cream.  Aaaaaannnnd...we forgot to take pictures.

Weekend Water is Great Water

Yesterday we had a great day on the lake with our friends, the Allens.  It was a no-rush day with plenty of sunshine, and tolerable traffic levels.  We had fun. 

We were proud of the kids for trying new things.  Caitin and Brynnley both water skied.  They were awesome!  Of course, they didn't do it without some worry and hesitation...and a bit of bribery was laid on the table. 

The wakeboarding was great.  We all tried new things.  I could go on and on...so just watch the movie:



Here are a few shots of my backroll attempt of the day:

Becoming Me

I now interrupt this recent string of video-blogging with this long-winded piece about something that's been rattling around my mind for the past while (don't worry, it's just one post...for now):

I occasionally get a feeling inside that I'm not who I want to think I am. My identity is always in question, I suppose, but in these moments I feel a deep nagging sense that something is changing.

This is most easily described/felt in my physical world. I love to get into new things. I like to set goals and accomplish them. Then...I move on. Sure I like to repeat and improve, but there will always be something new to try.

For instance, in recent years I have dedicated many long hours to physical challenges.

It began with cycling. When I first heard of people riding 100 or 200 miles at a stretch I thought it was crazy...and then I wanted to do it. So I did. Then I did it three more times, twice alone, and once with a friend in a large group. I drug my friend to my goal despite his best arguments against it. I learned about the Tour de France and cycling techniques. For the first time in my life I was memorizing athlete profiles and jumping into conversations about sports. I enjoyed cycling so much that I vowed deep that I would never give it up.

Next came the marathon. I had a nagging desire to complete one. So I worked through immense pain to do so. Then I did it again to improve and do it right. I enjoyed them both. I could be satisfied, but given the right social stimulus (read: peer pressure) I would do it again.

This summer I thought I would continue cycling. You know, cause I'd never give it up. Unfortunately my road bike has seen less than 100 miles of pavement. I have no idea how the Tour went this summer. BUT I have completed at least 100 miles in the last month on my mountain bike.

The difference this year is that I've put my time into other venues. Instead, I've been on the water behind a boat more in one summer than ever I have in my life.

Wakeboarding has been a different animal to me. In order to go wakeboarding I must depend on other people. I'm glad there are wonderful people out there who would take a bum like me under their wing and show me the ropes. So I've let myself get wrapped into the water sports realm. Between riding sessions I am often thinking about how I would like to improve my skill-set the next time I'm out.

Like my teenage days, I yearn to be identified by the things I do. I'd like to be a wakeboarder. Just like I have been a runner, a cyclist, an artist, a dirt biker, a scholar, an RC hobbyist, a wrestler, a musician, an engineer, a cowboy, a gamer, a scouter, a snowboarder, a writer, etc. I desire to be this person so much that when a season comes to an end there comes with it a tug against my identity.

More than a tug, it has, at times toppled me mentally and spiritually. Because that's really what it is: The natural worldly pull against my spiritual path. Thankfully, I've always had a foundation to lift me back up and remind me who I really am. Despite the bragging and incessant showing off of what "idendifies me", my family keep a steady base for me to re-stabilize on.

Truly shocking to me is the fact that as a father and a husband, I am a stabilizer also. I really hope my swaying motions - from one adventure to the next - will not overwhelm the occupants of my home.

Do you IDENTIFY with this piece?

Summer on the Water

This week the girls and Sarah swam about 5 out of 7 days. It has certainly been a summer on the water. While we were together with the Astle clan we were fortunate to get out on Deer Creek Reservoir for some boating fun.

Caitin and Jamie had previously been scared of doing anything outside of the boat. BUT watching their cousins go tubing changed everything! Jamie is a brave little soul, and quite adventurous. She told me that she wanted to go. As we were gearing up for the next turn Caitin decided that she would also like to go...as long as we went slow! While we were out tubing, Caitin informed me that she was nice to go tubing so Jamie wouldn't be scared, and that's why she decided to go tubing. Anyway, here's the video:



Note that my surfing skills need a little work. Both Caitin and Jamie told me not to do it, and I still tried. Guess my listening skills could also use some work.

Well, at least there's hope for the surfing part:



Despite the overwhelming trembeling on Caitin's part, she was talking the whole ride about how much fun it was. She liked the warm froth against her legs, and she enjoyed holding onto that handle...so much that it took some real convincing to get her to let go!

Jamie was just chill the whole time. So fun to get them out behind the boat on a night that we all got in the water!

The Duckie Slide

While camping on the Green River with my family, we had several Duckies (inflatable canoes) which we discovered are fun as boats...AND as waterslides!



I particularly loved watching my nephews, the "Velcro Brothers", who pressed on and eventually were able to slide the entire length of the canoe and get their faces wet in the river.

Thanks to my sisters who: brought the duckies, provided a wet box for the camera, and conducted filming while their brothers/husbands splashed around like little kids!

Family Meal Time

I've always been a fan of the aristocracy of my family at mealtime. We have always practised the best of manners, else mother would whoop us!

For example:



It was always a pleasure to bring outsiders into the family circle to experience such culture. It's no wonder we are all happily married!

P.S.: Note how Jamie is enthralled by such behavior.

Campers Return

Jamie and Caitin spent the weekend camping with Grandma and Grandpa Astle, and look what kind of monsters we got back:



OK, well the facepaint was all us (a reward for being good while away), but they have never had a pillow fight before, and this one broke out spontaneously. I think they got some coaching while they were away!

Sarah and I had a great time in our quiet house. It was sweet to just go do whatever we wanted without planning around the kids. But it was great to see them again this afternoon and to have their laughter and scheming to deal with tonight...for the most part.

Wakeboarding Coach

Recently I've been coaching my friend Adam along in his wakeboarding skills...

He seems to be making good progress. Since he didn't quite land that backroll at the end, I decided to show him what he did wrong:

Just one of the sacrifices us coaches have to make!

Ballet

Near the end of her gymnastics class, Caitin was getting tired of the practices. But she did want to try out ballet. She's had three or four ballet classes now (out of eight for the summer), and she's loving it. We had our doubts, but she has made new friends and is having a great time.

Near the end of each class they play a game called "Sleepy Butterflys". Whenever the music is playing, they practice the moves the teacher calls out, and then when the music stops they fall asleep. You can see Caitin loves her new friend Heidi.

Swim Lessons

This was Caitin's first time off the diving board. Another mom was bribing her daughter with a churro from Costco.  I told Caitin I'd give her a dollar...it worked!

Here she is doing the "doggie" stroke

I was really proud of this.  She went down the adult slide and even ended up using her swimming techniques to get to shallow water.  Her teacher wasn't there in time to catch her.  The look on her face when no one was there was like, "Oh my gosh, where is he."  She hit the water and the rest seemed natural.

Jamie was in her first swim lesson this year.

This is her class playing Ring Around the Rosie.  They sang "Ashes, ashes, we all blow bubbles."

I am really proud of them both.  They have never been scared of water but Caitin used one of her new techniques to save herself, and Jamie got over a little fear of putting her head in the water while doing a bob. 

Gymnastics

We're proud of Caitin. She completed a year of gymnastics, and seemed to really like it. She particularly liked doing the dance routine, and this summer has chosen to try ballet.

These clips are from her final show last week.

Preschool Finale

Caitin had her final preschool program this past week. This is our favorite song from the lineup. Jamie was doing the actions with them too.



This was a highschool program, so the two young ladies behind Caitin are her Highschool Buddies, Brianna and Mary. We think the program is pretty good, and Caitin's buddies were great! They awarded Caitin with the "Most Artistic" and the "Sweetie-Pie" awards.

Marathon #2

So I went on a little run this weekend. It took me 4 hours and 24 minutes.

And I finally did something right...regardless of the 30 seconds I lost doing it:

Easter

We hope everyone had a good Easter holiday. After original plans had fallen through, we invited ourselves to the Glanzers' after denying their invitation on Friday. Good thing they consider us like family. Everyone had a great time and we stuffed ourselves with delicious food.

Here are the girls in their new dresses that they picked out. I asked Jamie if she wanted to be twins with Caitin and she said "no," so here they are.
What a photogenic little girl ...when she's not pulling a silly face.

Both are growing up so fast. This one is going to be at Kindergarten this fall!

We sure miss being around family for the holidays, but find comfort in the "family" we have made up here in Spokane.

Closet Doors...Finally!

Due to some minor changes while constructing my very first closet, I had the wonderful opportunity of adjusting both height and width of every door.  AND since I decided that I would build the ultimate dooring system: quad-fold doors, that meant adjustment and additional modification of 4 doors for each side of the closet.  That's 8 doors...for one closet. 

That number struck such fear in my heart that I've largely put off the task.  But I'm married to Sarah.  Who is persistent.  And persuasive.  And persistent...so...eventually the time came for me to measure up to the task.

After flubbing through the first set of doors and then doing the work over again, I figured out a system, and the second set only took half the time.  That pretty much sums up most of my construction projects.

Here's the result:

After about 30 minutes spent fine-tuning the doors to match up and hang just right, Sarah said, "Alright, take those down so I can paint them." 
"I have to take them down?!"
"Well, yeah!"
...
"Great.", I mumbled.

Sadistic Optimism

Last year as I laid out training plans for my first marathon, I believed myself semi-invincible.  I did not worry about hills when laying out my training routes.  It would be cheating to only run flat paths.  I mean, what has distance got to do with anything if you can't handle a hill now and again? 

So when it was time to run 20 miles I determined to run one of my favorite cycling paths that included several hills.  In doing so, I was more concerned with the short steep hills along the way than I was about the fact that I was running 10 miles down-stream along a river, and hence the return trip would all be uphill.  Which uphill is generally mild, with a 200-foot steep climb that grades back to a mild uphill about two miles from the end. 

That 20 mile run was the hardest run I have ever completed.  (Yes, even -slightly- harder than the 5-hour marathon)  Physically, I was in a terrible state.  Mentally, I was stretching beyond any limit I had ever approached.

Fast forward to this year.  I ran a fairly difficult route for my 18 mile run and felt great.  Truly, I am a force to be reckoned with!  So, I planned to run my 22 mile route (last weekend) as a longer version of last year's 20 miler.  You know...because I'm awesome...and sadistic.

In short...It hurt.  A lot. 

Actually, for 16 miles it felt pretty good.  I was mostly pain-free, and had little trouble climbing and descending the steep hills out there.  In those 16 miles I had climbed 911 feet, and descended 1171 feet.  I had met the 13-mile point just below the 2-hour mark. 

But I had the dreaded highway miles left:  3 miles of uneaven grassy terrain that would generally be pleasant, but following 16 knee-grinding miles...they were pure torture.  Every change of camber, every bump to lift over, each tuft of grass that caught my shoe, and every curb to hop over along the way felt like shooting staples into my knees. 

Although my heartrate remained around 160, my pace dropped to a crawl. Mile 20 took me over 14 minutes.  I was running, but I could have walked just as fast.  I think I fell off of the hydration bandwagon as well, and by the time I finished, I just sat down...and thought about stretching.  I didn't move for about 5 minutes.  By not moving...I could almost imagine not hurting. 

My total time for 22 miles was 3:44:48.  My time last year for 20 miles was about 3:45:00.  Last year the pain cave was twice as deep and dark.  That's progress. 

My average pace for 22 miles was 10:13 min/mile.  My goal pace for the marathon is 9:10 min/mile. 

I take solice in the fact that the marathon includes a massive 187 feet of climbing (compared to the 1266 feet I climbed in 22 miles) and an overall drop of 241 feet.  Being relatively flat, I'm confident that it will not hurt quite as much.  My day of reconing is May 14th!

The Rest of the Story

This is the second half of a recent bedtime story I told to the girls.  If you don't like bedtime stories...particularly amateur bedtime stories...check in on the next post.  Otherwise, (and I'll say it despite my fear of saying something before I actually do it) the reason I'm writing this one down is that I felt like it had the tiniest bit of potential.  A goal of mine is to one day write a children's book...you know...like one people would buy.  At a store.  Hopefully at lots of stores.  I feel I'm really throwing myself out there by stating this, but...well...anyway...here's the rest of the story:

Caitin and Jamie smiled widely to each other as soon as they heard that familiar croaking song.  They waited impatiently as the singers wound through the forest.  Finally, around the bend came their two favorite people:  Ookie and Gookie - the Ogre princesses.  Oddly enough, the ogres were dressed all in white today!  Both of them wore beautiful flowing white dresses.  Ookie wore a pure white wreath placed delicately over her orange hair, and Gookie wore a finely laced white bonnet.  This was such a change from their poorly matching pink and purple and orange clothing that Caitin and Jamie just stared at these gorgeous princesses.

"OOOHhhhhh, it's Caitin and Jamie!" bellowed Ookie with a great toothy smile.
"Oh Hello, Caitin and Jamie!" echoed Gookie.  Everyone paused and looked at Gookie with surprise.  It's not often that she remembers names...at all.
"What are you doing there in the mud?" asked Ookie.  So Caitin told the story of how they followed the perfectly white animals down the path, and that when the dragon floated overhead they were not looking where they were going, and by the time she finished she was almost in tears with how terribly silly it must have sounded.  Ookie looked at Caitin very seriously and asked, "Was the entire forest quiet?"
Thoughtfully, Caitin responded, "Yes, it was!"
Gookie replied reverently, "You've seen the Great Cumulous!"
Then Gookie chimed in, "Ooohhh!  The Great Conbobulous!"
Everyone smiled wide, for this is the Gookie they knew.  "No, Gookie...The Great Cumulous!" said Ookie.
"Oh, yes.  That's right.  The Great Crutopulon!" smiled Gookie.
"No, Gookie...The Great CUMULOUS!" chuckled Ookie.
"Yes.  Right.  The Great Com...Cub...Crab...uhhhh...the Big Cloud!" stammered Gookie, and everyone had a little chuckle.

"I've never heard of the Great Cumulous," said Caitin, "But it sure got us into a mess here.  Can you help us out?"
"Sure!" said Ookie and Gookie together.  And they walked right into the swamp.  As their feet sunk into the mud, the hems of their white dresses started to drag and and float across the muck. Easy as pie Ookie lifted Caitin and Gookie lifted Jamie out of their boots, then bent down and pulled their boots out with a stinky SCHWOOOOP!  Then they walked out to the path and set the girls down. 
"Ookie, what about your dresses?" asked Caitin concerned.  But just as she did, she looked down and saw that both of their dresses were still as white as ever they had been.  She even noticed that they were wearing white slippers that were perfectly clean! 

Jamie was looking at those slippers too, when suddenly they noticed that the slippers were no longer on the ground, but were as high as their heads and moving up into the air!  Floating higher now, Ookie and Gookie both gave wide green smiles as they waved goodbye with humungous arms.  Rising higher off the ground they were growing bigger!  As they got bigger, though, they somehow became harder to see.  Quicker than they would have liked, Caitin and Jamie both realized the Ogre princesses had evaporated into the clouds. 

As they walked home, the girls talked about what they had seen.  Although they had not seen the real Ookie and Gookie, they both felt as good as when the princesses were really around; and they decided the Great Cumulous was very nice indeed.

Later, when they tried to tell the story to their mother, they could harldy remember if it had all really happened, or if they had only been staring at the clouds the whole time.

Star Stories

When everything goes well at bed time for the girls, they earn a "Star Story" (named for one of the original characters a couple of years ago).  Here's part of last night's story:

The girls were listening to the sweet chirping of birds in the trees; when suddenly everything went silent.  There was no more chirping of birds, no more squaking of squirrels, no slithering of snakes, and no chittering of chipmunks.  The entire forest was silent.

Ahead on the path, Jamie saw a little white cotton-tail rabbit.  She pointed it out to Caitin and they began to follow it.  It was hopping away from them.  The rabbit was moving just fast enough that they were not catching up to it, but they were close enough to see that it was a soft and pleasant little bunny. 

But just as they noticed how fine it looked, the rabbit transformed mid-stride into a beautiful deer!  Still perfectly white, but with large, stately antlers the stag continued to walk away from them.  Though surprised, Caitin and Jamie continued to follow, and soon enough the deer transformed again! 

Now a majestic elephant walked the path in front of them!  This pure white elephant had huge ears that hung down almost to the ground and swung forward and back as the elephant walked.  But despite its size the elephant still made no sound as it walked, and the forest remained silent.

The elephant began to grow, and it soon turned into a large dragon with a swishing tail.  The girls were not afraid of this creature because of it's color.  Like the other animals, the dragon was white, and like the other animals, it made no noise.  Even though the branches of the trees brushed it's back there was no sound to be heard. 

Then, the dragon began to float!  It did not move it's wings at all, but floated higher and higher.  Pretty soon the dragon evaporated into the clouds.  Caitin then looked at Jamie and Jamie looked at Caitin and they wondered if they had only been looking at the clouds the whole time. 

Then they smelled something terrible.  They looked around and realized they had walked off the path into a swamp!  Stinky black mud was up to their ankles and they could not lift their galoshes out of it!  And worse, they were sinking!  Luckily, they were close enough to hold hands and keep their balance.  They stopped moving and then they heard something.  It was not a normal noise of the forest, but rather a strange light tune in the distance.  Uh-doom eeeh oooo. Ba-doo oooo eeeh. Ba-doo ba-dee, ba-dah duh dah do eeeh whhhoooo!  This tune grew louder and clearer until around the bend came...

Long Distance 2011

The Windermere Marathon is scheduled for May14th this year.  I've been planning on it for a few months now, and like last year I set up a training routine back in December.  But UNLIKE last year, I've been able to stick to the routine...generally speaking.  The cool thing is that it's working; which I discovered on Friday.

Friday morning I got up at 6:15 and was out the door shortly after 6:30 destined for 18 miles.  I was going to run one of my regular cycling routes.  I've written about the river loop route before, and have used it as a gage in cycling.  On the bike I've done it in under an hour.  On my way out the door Friday, with a few questionable leg aches, I was mainly hoping to not have to call for a ride home.  Otherwise I could hope to be under 3 hours.

I started my timer and got moving.  On my waist belt I was carrying 32 ounces of fluid (1/2 water and 1/2 gatorade), and it took a while to get used to the four bottles and get them situated.  My legs felt fresh and free.  The pain that had worried me (a pulled muscle on the inside left shin) was not making itself known.  I wanted to take it easy to be sure not to aggravate that muscle, but I felt so good and the running was so fluid that I continued to ramp up the speed.

I missed the lap splits on the first few miles.  My pace was of no importance.  I was paying attention to my heart rate and the time.  I'm using a walk-break method for my distance runs this year.  I run 4 minutes and then walk 1 minute.  Despite the breaks (and actually because of them) I can run FASTER!  I didn't believe that after my 15-mile run a couple of weeks ago.  I didn't perform very well that day, and it was the first time I'd used this method.  This time, though...everything was different.  When I finally managed to catch a couple of mile splits around miles 5 and 6, I found that I was right on the pace I want to be this year.  I was breaking a 9-min/mile pace.  This means that because my walks were pulling my average down, I was running something closer to an 8-min/mile pace!

One landmark would be the half-marathon point (13.1 miles).  With my goal of a sub-4-hour marathon, I need to be less than 2 hours at the halfway point.  I knew I had my work cut out for me.  At 10.5 miles came a hill that has broken me many times on the bike.  My timing ended up perfect.  Just as the hill maxed out in steepness it was time for me to walk.  So I did. 

Walking is sometimes hard to do.  It's a pride thing.  There I am; dressed to the hilt as a runner.  I'm wearing water bottles and a Timex hat for crying out loud!  How can I walk?

As soon as I started to walk I could hear a cyclist coming up behind me.  Great.  How does it look when I stop running at the steepest point?  It looks like I'm a wimp.  But my dedication to the method kept me walking. 

The cyclist was slowed by the hill also.  I looked back at him just before he caught me.  It was time to start running again, and I realized I could almost match his pace.  That's when this white-haired gentleman said, "You don't have to start running on my account!"
"It's just time." I responded, lifting my Garmin in the air to accentuate my words.
"I was hoping you'd give me a push," he joked.  So I reached up and gave a healthy push on his backpack.  "No, I'm kidding!" he laughed.  The hill was taking it out of this guy, and I was able to run with him with a bit more effort.  "I had knee surgery...three weeks ago" he said between breaths.
"Are you supposed to be out here?" I asked, knowing he probably didn't care what his doctor thought.
"Well... it's OK..., but this hill makes it hurt."
To which I said something like, "This hill makes everyone hurt."  He now had the best of me and pulled away saying, "You're looking good!". 

It's funny how a little conversation and camaraderie can lift my spirits.  I felt great despite my burning lungs from the extra effort up that hill.  Now at the top, I had a good downhill section before starting up to the top of another hill for the 13-mile point.  I let myself fly down that grade.  I dropped my pace back into the 8's for mile 12.  I realized that if I did not take my walk break in the middle of mile 13 I would definately make the mark.  It felt good to keep running, but it also hurt as the trail gradually turned uphill.  My heartrate climbed and my breathing told me I was anarobic.  Half a mile of such effort was worth it if I could meet the mark.  I felt like I was pushing my limits, but I kicked it a little harder.  Time was running out, and it would be close!  I remembered my last single mile effort a few weeks back when pushing the fourth lap harder than all the rest seemed impossible, but I had done it.  Finally the mileage ticked past 13, and I had almost a minute to spare!  I had done it!  My 13th mile pace was 8 minutes and 13 seconds.

From there it was cruise control.  I was well spent, but still had strength to run the next 5 miles.  I ate a little and drank a bit.  Took a bathroom break, and kept pounding down the trail.  I felt my calves threaten cramping a couple of times, but with a bit more water that went away.

The final challenge came as I neared the house.  Last year I made a point to always meet the distance I set out to complete.  Arriving on my block I watched closely as the distance ticked up to 17.7, 17.8, and 17.9, but not yet 18.  I had to run past the house to achieve it.  It was about 50 yards more.  It's a small but important distance for me.

In the end I had no problem with my shin muscle.  It remains tender from the initial pull, but it did not make itself known during the run.  My overall time was 2 hours, 49 minutes, and 20 seconds.  The overall pace is slower than the sub-4 marathon.  Compared to last year's training, though, I'm in a completely different world!

... aaaaaand the photos.

Nerdiness:

Check out these gamers!

Basement:

Here's the future game closet! It might be big enough.

By the way, we're totally gonna keep that green color. Maybe even spread it to the rest of the basement.

Fitness:

I've joined a new team for the marathon this year.

Spring 2011 Catch-Up

OK, Seriously...we are still here.  Just haven't felt like writing much lately. 

Actually, you'll find that most times I am not writing it's cause I'm reading.  Currently I'm reading "The Count of Monte Cristo".  I love that story, and the book is spectacular (this is the second time I've read it).  I get a little lost in the Napoleanic history, but I understand enough to pull through.

Updates on other incomplete blog topics (pictures to follow):

Basement
We've purchase and are soon preparing to install doors on the closet.  That will be a fun one, because instead of simple bi-fold doors, I'm planning to chain bi-folds together to make quad-fold doors.
Also, I have only a couple of short walls to frame up before I'm ready to move forward with the utility closets.

Nerdiness
With our tax return we finally upgraded our computer.  For a short period of time we had two computers set up on the same desk.  It reminded me of my teenage days when my dad was always working on one or two computers in the computer room.
I've also stepped up the nerdiness factor by creating a wireless network in the house so both computers can reside in separate rooms and the girls can now both play on the Barbie website at the same time.

Fitness
I'm again training for the Windermere Marathon.  It is the same venue I did last year.  I'm hopeful that I'll be able to cut an hour off my time.  Given that my training has been going well for 3 months already with another month and a half to go, I think I really have a chance.  (Last year my training was limited to 8 weeks!)

Winter/Spring

 Today the weather says the temperature is supposed to peak above 50 F, which is awesome.  There hasn't been any snow on the valley floor for a while, but the slopes still look like this:

Although, when we wake up to below freezing temperatures, we just feel like lounging Skippy-style:

We're pretty excited for the new adventures that will come with warm weather this year.  Jamie is bigger and stronger, and will probably be able to bike a lot more this year.  Caitin has almost outgrown her 16-incher already!  Perhaps this year we can even convince the girls that boating is fun.  Maybe some summer sports.  We'll see!

Shelves in the House!

For those of you following with great anticipation (Ralph), here is our recent progress on our closet project. We are now in my favorite part of the project: Painting. Which means that I turn it over to Sarah and move on to other things. Although, now I'm her lackey...I'm not sure this plan is working so well.

Swamped

I apologize for the lack of luster here at Spokenagels lately.  For the first time in my career I took work home with me over the weekend.  Today at work I turned in my project, so now I can breath.  Huuuuaw...Haahhhhh!

We had a little addition to our home this week that I hope to display shortly.  Lets just say that now we are twice as nerdy as we ever were!

Basement Progress

Slowly but surly we are making headway on our basement improvements.  The markable progress is slow, but it is happening.  Last weekend I did some plumbing in order to reduce the space required for the washer, dryer, and utility sink.  (There's still a little bit of plumbing that needs done if anyone is feeling left out!)  This weekend we primed the closet walls and installed the shelving rails.  We also cut the shelves to size and primed them. Once those are installed, the closet will be ready for paint and doors. 

Florida in Winter

If you are prone to jealousy, envy, anger, or hatred when  reading about perfect vacations...please navigate else-where. 

Otherwise, imagine taking a trip to Florida in the dead of winter.  Think about swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and visting gift shops along the beach.  Contemplate sitting by the pool in the evenings to stay cool while eating oranges right off the tree.  These are a few of the things we did this week!

Grandma and Grandpa Knaab live near West Palm Beach, and since we have not seen them since our wedding, we took the opportunity to visit them. 

We had plenty of beach time.  There were a few jellyfish to watch out for, and a bit of wind, but it was nice to hang out in the surf and soak in the 85-degree day.

   

Lion Country was perfect for our kids.  We drove around to see the majority of the animals, and then entered the park.  All the rides and activities were geared toward young children.  We rode the carousel, went on a boat tour, fed giraffes, fed birds, played in the splash pad, and played miniature golf. 

We got plenty of pool time.  Grandma and Grandpas' pool was a cool 75 degrees, but that didn't stop the girls from jumping in...every day.  The hotel pool was closer to 95 degrees, which lended nicely to parental participation. 

Before bed on the last night in Florida, Caitin said our family prayer.  She was in tears as she prayed that we could come back to visit Grandma and Grandpa again soon.  We really had a great time there.  Grandma and Grandpa kept us entertained with all kinds of stories about their lives.  They have made a great life there in Florida, and we hope to visit again soon!