Finish.

On November 21st 2007 I set some big goals for myself. July 25th 2008, I realized those goals.

Physical Goals 2008:
-Complete 2008 Salt Lake City Marathon
-PR Race For The Cure 5K
-Complete 2008 Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay
-Complete 2008 SpudMan Triathlon

As you may have read in previous posts I had already finished the SL Marathon, set a personal record in a 5K at the RFTC and completed the Wasatch Back. All I had left to do was the SpudMan Triathlon.

This is an Olympic tri which consists of a mile swim a 24 mile bike and a 10K (6.2 miles). The nice thing about this particular event is that the swim takes place in the Snake River and is current aided. That being said it is still no walk in the park.

Swim first! I felt great here and have not seen my time yet but know from others times that it was in the 21 minute range. The water was warm and watching the sunrise come up over the river was priceless. A man in the 6th wave, I was in the second, unfortunately passed away during the swim. I do not know the cause of death but feel for his family who was there to cheer him on.

Bike: I felt good here until about two miles in. I thought that I may have a low tire. It indeed was low and I nursed it along while I waited for the bike repair crew to come and help. They never came. Shortly after I lost my front tire and had to spend about 30-40 minutes repairing these two down tires. I would have embarrassed the bud boys of the 9 car. Not a good pit stop. Another triathlete stopped to help me. I kept telling him that I could meet him with his pump after the race and he said that his dad raised him better than to leave someone on the side of the road. WHAT A STUD!!! I ended up using his spare tube to fully repair the damage. Thank you #998! After all repairs were done I pushed the remaining way and finished the bike strong. On to the run.

The transition here was good and I was able to get out on the road and passing a good bunch of folks. How motivating! I never felt any pain or fatigue and hammed it up with the locals that were out to cheer. Idaho people are good people. I came into the finish and was able to put a few more people down. I ended up finishing in 3:28. I can only imagine what might have been if I had not had double flats.

I did this race with Dustin Tate, Chris Hampsure and his wife Amber and they all finished with great times. Dustin's wife Jamie was a great support and did whatever we asked of her. She was a life saver.

The last mile or two I began to think back to January 1st when I first started training. I have run, ridden and swam in all conditions. I have left my family for way too many training hours. It has truly been a great year. My plans for the rest of the year are to rehab, build muscle, lose fat and hang out with my amazingly supportive family. Then we'll see what happens on November 21st this year.

Brian's Challenge

This was originally posted on Brian's blog. Let me know what you think.

You should do stand up!
Seriously though.....I know we always make fun of Cathy for telling you that, and we always do it behind her back, cause that is just who we are and we care about her feelings, but there is a ton of merit in her promptings. So you have that, but you also have your critics. Some and most of which are in this family. I'm sorry, was that TOO MUCH INFORMATION?I'm thinking I might be your biggest backer at this point, and maybe that is because I just get you. You are more than a movie quote machine, you are fresh, and I have seen what you do in front of an audience. Are you wondering why this is being done on my blog? Literally millions of people in our family read this regularly. Many friends of mine check it out, not to mention the entire Utah Wildlife Network, in which this is linked. Some of these people know you are the funniest kid they have met. Others think you're a hack. Here's the challenge. Come up with an act. Put together material. I don't think you have done this ever. You haven't needed to. Well, I am now putting you in a situation where this is required. I vote that we as a network of family and friends decide on a time and place where we gather to see the comic Mark Robbins perform. Mark is on the verge of greatness. This is no joke. Mark, I think you got it in you. Maybe you don't. Only one way to find out. Help me out everybody. Definitely comment on this one and add your input. I think I am on to something here.

Joe "Freaking" Nichols!

If you like country music and have never seen Joe Nichols play live shame on you. He is one of the best I have ever been to. I saw him originally with Alan Jackson. My buddy and I both said that we did not want to be blasphemous but this guy that opened for AJ was probably the better of the two.

A few years ago when he came we got tickets again. Sarah and I were going with Brian and his wife Meagan. When the time came to go to the concert Meagan was not feeling well enough to attend. She was upset and we tried to stay with her but she insisted that we go without her. On the way to the concert Brian said that we have to have Joe call Meagan.

Upon arrival we went and talked to security and met nothing but dead ends. A lady overheard me talking to the security guard and came up and asked if she could help. Her name was Kayla Turner and she worked at 101.5 The Eagle. Her and her husband talked and her husband, one of the coolest guys on the planet, gave me his back stage pass.

After a short line I was able to meet Joe and told him of Meagan who was at home fighting cancer and was not able to attend. I asked if he would mind calling her. Joe took my phone and talked with Meagan for about 3-5 minutes. He was so kind and nice. He kept calling her baby. I will always remember how she sounded a little nervous as I handed the phone to Joe.

After the amazing concert Joe came out and signed hundreds of autographs. Brian and Sarah met him and Brian thanked him for talking to Meagan.

So if Joe is ever close and you want to be totally entertained I highly recommend going and checking him out.

4th of July Camping.

Brian organized, planned and scouted a new spot for a short camping trip. We went up past Fairview and ended up camping at Miller Flats reservoir. It was very pretty and a great camp site.

Some of the highlights included our view from our tent, the dozen or so fish we caught and seeing a bald eagle flying with a pot gut in talon on the 4th of July. The company that we kept was second to none. Brian, Brit and Jace accompanied Sarah, Riley, Cam, Coop and me.


We all got in the water but Riley and I were the only ones brave enough to deal with the water temperature. There was still patches of snow up there!


Here is our tent. Like I said the view was stellar.


The kids had a blast and wanted to stay forever.

Size Matters.

Joe Nichols is a family favorite of ours. We were able to meet him a few years ago and he was the nicest, coolest guy there could be. We have all of his albums and make it a point to catch him in concert any time he is close.

For Cam's birthday I took him to go see Joe along with Josh Gracin and Colin Raye. We were right up front and Joe even waved to Cam a couple of times. Cam sang along to most of the songs as this kid was born with an iPod in his ears. This was one of the better concerts I have been to. Josh and Colin were both GREAT! And I believe that there are very few as good as Joe.


Slam Man and me during Josh Gracin.

15,000 at Brent Brown Ballpark at UVU.


Cam on the way home.