Amuse Bouche…

Date: 06.28.2010 | Category: Anniversary | Response: 3 |

Hidden in the shadows of the Wasatch mountain and green foliage, I found myself enjoying my weekly long run more so than ever before.  I trotted along the cobblestone pathway where the shade was cool, the morning sun was warm, the sound of rushing river waters was refreshing and the calls of the wandering peacocks and roosters was delightful.  Yes peacocks, and no, I was not at the zoo.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I slacked off this week on my long run.  15 miles was skipped and instead turned into the final celebration of my wife and I’s 10 anniversary.  Free brunch at La Caille, from our lovely neighbors who surprised us with a gift certificate for babysitting and brunch.  Awesome!

Breakfast brunch started out with tomato juice and caramelized croissants.  Followed by a delicious swan puff pastry filled with banana custard swimming in a river of raspberry sauce.  Delicious.  The main entrees consisted of one item from the menu and one item from the specials.  I ordered Eggs Blackstone, a nice special twist on an old favorite of Eggs Benedict topped with bacon and sun-dried tomatoes.   My beautiful wife ordered, Petite Pain a la Francaise – a wonderful version of French toast Creme Brulee style.  Dessert for breakfast – sweet and delicious, yes please!

When our plates arrived we did a quick sharing swap so we both could enjoy each others meals to get double sampling of the menu.  My dish came with hash-browns, carrots and broccoli.  Carrots and broccoli, for breakfast! Interesting and surprisingly good. My wife’s came with blackberries, raspberries and a nice helping of whip cream.  I tried to steal all the raspberries, but she guarded them well.  If I have one weakness for food it would definitely be raspberries.

After some delightful conversation and a bountiful breakfast, there was still yet one more course.  This time it was actually dessert for breakfast.  It was a light refreshing serving of 3 different sorbets for each of us.   Laid out on a rectangle plate with mint leaves, we sampled a super sour lemon-basil scoop, one scoop of watermelon-mint and one jalapeno-green Granny Smith apple.  When you put the first bite of the third scoop in your mouth, to me it tasted like the way tomatoes smell in the garden, but then afterward it turned into a sweet tasting green apple, strangely delicious.  My wife’s favorite was the watermelon-mint.

We took a stroll through the beautiful gardens after brunch, enjoyed a group of ducks swimming in the ponds.  Snapped a couple of pictures of two bunnies hopping about and enjoying a breakfast of morning dew grass.  Were impressed by the display of fanning peacock tail feathers, which, I think he was trying to entice my wife away from me.

A beautiful morning, spent with lovely company, delicious food and gorgeous scenery is far better than a solitary 15 mile run.  Regrouping and relaxing a much needed reprieve.

A Boy Scout is always prepared…

Date: 06.23.2010 | Category: foster | Response: 1 |

I am proud to say I diligently worked my way up through the scouting world as a young boy.  Yes, all the way to the Bear badge.   I find that the Bear is way more powerful than the Eagle, and what exactly is a Webelos anyway?  At least that is what I tell myself and use as a punchline from time to time.  So actually, for me, the saying should go: “A Cub Scout is always prepared…”

Either way I was prepared.  I was prepared to give a speech at the Chalk Art Festival – Utah Foster Father of the Year Award ceremony on Saturday.  Just in case there was a request for a speech I was ready.  Well the award ceremony came and went, without one request for a speech.  Sadden?  Not really, just prepared if need be.

But lets face it, having just come down off the mountain running Ragnar for 24 hours, being sleep deprived and dealing with all the emotion wrapped into the honor of being Foster Father of the Year for the Salt Lake Valley Region, I am pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to get through the speech without stumbling a bit.

So I share it here for you to read. Enjoy!

It is a pleasure to stand before you and accept this honor today.  I got here not on my own, but by the examples of others and the foundation that supports me along this journey.  For my many friends and family members out there, I thank you.  Thanks to my beautiful, patient and strong wife Shelly, and our newly adopted little man Ian, I love you.

I would also like to say Happy Father’s Day to all the men in my life that continue to show me both the pros and cons to fatherhood, and to my fellow foster Father’s who join me on the stand today.

Two years ago, when we set out on this journey into foster parenting or what my wife likes to call an “emotional roller-coaster”, I never imagined that I would become Foster Father of the year. Surely, there are other fathers out there that are more qualified then myself.  In fact, I didn’t even know that the title existed.

I am not in it for the title.  I am in it for the kids, even if it is just for a brief moment in time.  But now that I have the title, thank you all so much for the recognition.  Being a foster parent is both difficult and rewarding at the same time.  I am grateful that I have the opportunity to take this journey and enjoy all of the ups and downs along the way.

It is hard to describe my feelings of being a foster parent exactly, but my sister-in-law found a short story, by Loren Eiseley, that describes it beautifully.

“One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The boy replied, “I am throwing starfish back into the ocean. The tide is going out and if I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son”, the man said, “There are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish. You can’t possibly make a difference.”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”I made a difference for that one.”

Thank you to the many foster families in Utah who are striving every day to improve the lives of its children.  It is my hope that the awesome work that we foster parents do each day, to support, love and teach these children, both young and old, brings them a brighter tomorrow.  Because they certainly brighten up mine.

Thank you.

Ragnar Father…

Date: 06.21.2010 | Category: foster, Saturdays | Response: 1 |

What better way to spend Father’s Day weekend then running for 188.2 miles? Yep, basically a 24 hour period of 12 people gathered together to Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat. And it is an enjoyable experience full of sweat, laughter and running.

The way it works is the team of 12 is split into 2 teams of 6. We each crowded into 2 vans or any other modes of transportation we could find. The first team of 6 met in Logan to start at 6:40am, but keep in mind they needed to be there at least an hour earlier for check-in and safety training. Then they were off and running. When all six runners completed their runs they handed off to van 2 and we started the process all over again. Repeat until the finish line.

I ran leg 7 of the race, which ended up being a total of 12 miles. My first leg was a 4 mile run in the heat of the day between 12:30 and 1:30pm. I thought to myself 4.0 miles (easy), wrong! Something about the heat made it difficult. Which was the consensus from all the rest of the runners in my van as well when they finished running.

We ran/drove through some very lovely country around Pineview Reservoir and the Snow Basin Ski Resort. I definitely will need to go back there again and enjoy it for a longer period of time. Snow Basin was the exchange point between Van 2 and Van 1 again. We switched and then enjoyed some lunch and shade for a couple of hours before heading off to my next run.

East Canyon State Park and the climb to Hoback Summit. Time to try out my new head lamp and safety vest. I started running around 9:30 PM and finished 3.8 miles later up a hill to Hoback Summit. I ran from dusk to dark and this was a very interesting experience. My first real hill climb run and it was in the dark. All you could see was a line of people in front of you running in the same direction with blinking lights – very strange feeling. If the runners in front of me turned side ways for a brief moment I was not able to see them.

The rest of my team spent the night running by Echo Reservoir and Rock Port Reservoir and at this point in the race I think sleep deprivation was catching up with us. Let’s just say my chest was burning from laughing too hard while the youngest member of our team was running through the darkness.

At some point in the night I tried to get some sleep on the sidewalk next to a small store in Coalville, just so I could stretch out the legs from the cramped quarters of the van. I had it in my mind that I wanted to try to stay awake until we got to the next exchange place to switch over to van 1 runners so I could get more continuous sleep. This did not work out so well. By the time we got to the exchange place I couldn’t really get to sleep and once I did it was not continual and then it was time to get up and go meet the other van so I could start running again. Yahoo!

This time my run was 4.2 miles through Heber up to the Deer Creek Reservoir. This was my last and final run of the race and it was nice and easy, except for the fact that I was trying to run on about 2 hours of broken sleep. When I finished I said goodbye to the rest of the team and headed off to the second big event of the day for me. So I was not able to officially cross the finish line with my team, but I was there in spirit and sweat.

I rushed to get ready and down off the mountain to get to the Gateway Mall in time to receive my award of Utah Foster Father of the Year for the Salt Lake Valley region. This is quite an honor and I am very appreciative of this award. I stood on the stage with 4 other awesome men who were receiving the same award for their region. We were each introduced and a brief bio of our nomination was read to the audience as they presented the award.

I was taken by surprise as they read my bio, because this was something that I had not heard yet and it was not part of the Foster Roster announcement. They read the nomination that was sent in by my little man’s birth mother. I was so moved and caught by surprise that I must admit I did get a little teary eyed.

After the award ceremony we had pictures taken and I was interviewed by the news. There was a luncheon for all the winners and their families. This turned out to be another great surprise that my wife had put together. Just before we sat down to start eating, guess who showed up? Yep our first foster placement who we successfully reunited back with his mother. They both came to congratulate and show support for me. It was so great to seem them both and good to see Baby H again. He looked the same, just bigger.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

After such a wonderful experience of running through the night, 12 miles in total, being awarded the Foster Father of the Year award and getting emotionally drained by all the surprises, it was time for some sleep and time to start preparing mentally for my next challenge. 26.2 miles straight through, bring it on.

12 Miles No Way! 13 – Um, Ok…

Date: 06.14.2010 | Category: Saturdays | Response: 1 |

A friend and I were talking about me running and such the other day. He asked, if I was crazy? Perhaps, was my answer. =) He went on to say that he does not run, because the further you run from home the further you have to run back. I understand this a little bit more now, I think that this thought was what may have got me last week. That along with not running my short runs during the week and having a way out (first time I ran with a phone.)

After suffering my first mental defeat last week. Today, I finished a half marathon. Yes, that is right. 13 miles ran straight through. No walking, no crazy stop running thoughts came through my head and all this with a bit of light rain to keep me cool.

When I made it back home to my sleeping family, my wife asked, “What is the longest you have ever run?” Continuously?, I said. That would have to be today 13 miles. Step by step I ran 13 miles and I think I could have kept going. I sort of just got into a robotic rhythm half way through that kept pushing me forward.

So all in all 12 miles is difficult and unattainable. 13 miles however, no problem. Mental defeat consider yourself beat. Ragnar here we come.

Mental defeat…

Date: 06.07.2010 | Category: Saturdays | Response: 3 |

My uncle once said, “That every person has three good running days in them a year and you just hope that one of those days falls on marathon day”. Today was definitely not one of my good running days.

I experienced my first mental defeat. I was supposed to run 12 miles. It turned into a 5 mile run and a 1 to 2 mile walk/run. Not too good, I say, but it was bound to happen at some point.

When I started walking for the first time, I knew it was going to be a total mental game the rest of the way. I thought I need to push through this and experience it because this very thing might happen during the marathon. I needed to test myself. I set a goal while walking, when I reached it I started to run, but it didn’t last for too long. Once again I found myself walking. I set another goal and tried again, same thing occurred. I was just not into it and decided to call the wife for an early pick up. No point torturing myself when clearly it was not going to happen.

Time to refocus and overcome this new challenge. We will meet again mental defeat and I will run through you next time.

Some interesting news…

Date: 06.02.2010 | Category: foster | Response: 1 |

A few weeks ago, I was surprised with some interesting news. Unbeknownst to me, my wife and several others nominated me for an award. And I won!

You can read all about it in this month’s “Foster Roster” published by the Utah Foster Care Foundation. (Particularly pages 5 and 6.)

Enjoy! I know I did.

Last Square Root of the Year

Date: 05.25.2010 | Category: Anniversary | Response: 2 |

Today, May 25, 2010 is the last square root of the year. Why is this significant?

Ten years to the day, my “Beautiful Bride” and I uttered two small phrases, “I Do” and we became one unit, a Mr. and a Mrs.

The words and advice spoken at a wedding ceremony are important and I wonder who really remembers each and every word. I don’t remember them all, but I do remember the feelings. Having just witnessed my cousin’s wedding over the weekend and hearing the words that joined them together, takes me back and reminds of the words, commitment and feelings that joined the two of us, my wife and I together 10 years ago.

I am honored to have such a great, wonderful person by my side. Someone to hold hands with and enjoy the ride as we travel through the adventure of life. And yet today as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, our adventure is beginning yet again. Together the two of us will stand in front of many to utter the same two small phrases, “I Do.” To which our unit of two will become three. I am so happy that I get to share this moment with you and our “little man”.

Today, we change from foster parents to official parents for our son who has brought so much joy into your heart and has accentuated your traits as a strong, patient, caring woman, mother and wife.

I love you Shelly! Happy Anniversary!

One time there was this boy who loved a girl…

9 Miles + 1 in reverse

Date: 05.24.2010 | Category: Saturdays | Response: 1 |

Last week I ran 9 miles away from my house. This week I ran 10 miles back.

Yes 10 miles, non stop running. Sounds fun right? Oh yeah!

The wife drove me 10 miles away from the home. Kicked me out of the car and said see you in a couple of hours. Needless to say the little guy was not too happy about this. I guess he wanted to run with his daddy. Some how though, I don’t think he would have made the 10 miles, let alone the first mile. Love you little man, but daddy is going to run by himself on this one.

Today’s path was the exact same as last weeks only in reverse plus 1 more extra mile. The reverse path did seem to be easier and I finished about 20 minutes quicker than the previous week. Either I am getting faster or it was really easier. Or perhaps I am getting into better shape for these long distance runs. I’m sticking with the later choice.

9 Miles

Date: 05.16.2010 | Category: Saturdays | Response: 1 |

What started out as a scary moment this morning turned out to be a great day. I woke up early this morning thinking I had to go into work today. Luckily some sense kicked in and I realized it was not a work day. Yahoo!

Instead however it was a run day. A 9 mile run day in fact. I threw on some clothes and headed out to map a running path for 9 miles. Currently my running paths have only consisted of 3 to 5 miles and I didn’t want to run it twice.

It took me two times to come up with a satisfactory run. The first was a bunch of circles in circles around the neighborhood, but I thought I might get defeated quickly if I ran around the house too often. The second try proved to be the winner.

I decided to clock the distance from my house to my sister-in-law’s house. 11.7 miles was the final total. I scaled back a few miles and this was my chosen route. I headed home to get dressed for my run.

Had some wheat toast with peanut butter, a little extra boost. Sunscreen for the head, face and arms. Made arrangements with the wife for the pick up point and time. A kiss from the family and I was on my way.

The first mile or so was on familiar territory, anything after that I was blazing new trails. I got a later start this morning then I would have hoped, due to the route discovery, so I ended up running in some heat. The breeze kept me cool and was nice to have here and there. But the further I got from the house the more open I was to the sun. This is not a good thing. I realized now I should have added sunscreen to the list for my legs. Ouch! They are a little red.

When I was about 3 miles out from my designated finish line, running up a hill, my wife pulled up and gave me a little more encouragement, gave me a time check and said she would meet me in a few after getting me some water.

One of my goals is to just keep running through the whole marathon. This goal is also rolling into my training runs. Each time I set out, I keep running until I reach the finish line, even if the run looks like a fast walk. This is totally a mental game and today I am proud to say, I succeeded.

The last stretch of the run was a decline and as I got closer to the finish line I noticed that my pace had picked up and my strides were longer. I guess I thought the faster I run the sooner I would be done. This got me breathing really heavy and into a step-step breathe pattern that got me through the last little bit.

When I finished I walked to the car, filled with my smiling family and really cold water. I did a little stretching, caught my breath and we headed home.

Then, something funny happened. My nose and the top of my mouth started tingling like when your foot goes to sleep and you try to take a step. It was funny feeling. Then I noticed I got a brain freeze because the water I was drinking was really, really cold. I didn’t really notice the coldness until after I chugged a bunch. I was so hot it didn’t really feel cold the first couple of drinks. This produced another strange reaction. My voice got really deep and breathy when I tried to talk. Weird and funny, but definitely a good laugh came of it.

In the end I finished in just over 2 hours. The 9 miles all in all were hard, but the first 3-5 miles were easy. My training is paying off. I remember when the 3 and 5 miles were hard and now they are easy. A few more long runs and 9 miles will be easy too.

1st Official Tagline Run

Date: 05.08.2010 | Category: Saturdays | Response: 0 |

Today, was my first official tagline run. Running to Help…

I have done the race for the cure previously, but this year it had special meaning and purpose for me. It is amazing, well OK amazing might not be the right word, how many lives this disease touches. The number of participants and number of survivors was astonishing.

I ran with my sister. I ran with my mom. I ran with my sister-in-law. I ran with my wife.
I ran for my Aunt Connie. I ran for my Aunt Kathy. I ran for my mother-in-law Bonnie.

I ran to help. I ran for the cure.