Well, another year of training has all been laid out on the pavement of the winding roads from Logan, UT to Jackson, WY. I don't know if it is entirely possible to get yourself mentally and physically prepared for all that can happen in a 206 mile race. This year, it was apparent that I could have used a little more time on the saddle in the months leading up to the Lotoja.
It's not that I would prefer to change the race in any way, other than my total time. This race tests your ability to stay steadfast on the bike and fight through tremendous adversities. To those of you who could maintain a mental soundness on your own during this race, way to go! I am not made of the same fibers as you.
I would not have completed the race without the help and companionship of a few amazing people. When all morality had seeped through my pores and I was ready to throw in the towel, Derrick would just lighten the mood with some outrageous stunt, prank, comment, or indecent exposure. He has an amazing way of lifting your spirits when you are down, and for that alone I am very grateful. I only hope that I was able to help him as much as he helped me. Myndi was always a welcome site at each feed zone. She was like an angel with cliff bars. She would always tell me that I looked great. And that I was doing good. She said that even though I probably looked like I was ready to die. My parents would zoom by on their motorcycle every now and again yelling words of encouragement.
I had a conversation with some co-workers about being stripped of all your defenses and bringing yourself to the raw person that you are. That is exactly what this race does. You figure out what type of person you are, bare bones.
Thanks to Derrick, I have finished my second Lotoja. I swore to Myndi that there was no chance that I was going to sign up for the big race in 09. I promised I would wait until 2010. I'm not going to wait though. I don't go back on my word very often. (At least I hope that I don't.) I'm already thinking of how to train differently. How to become faster. I'm already craving my next Lotoja. Someone at work asked me today, "Why do you put yourself through that?" I don't have the right answer. I just know how I feel right now. When I have completed something that most would never consider. I'm not proud of myself very often. This makes me proud!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Time to try a tri!
Zoee and Zayden were the first to compete in a triathlon of any nature for the z-team. They represented with authority! Now maybe the Z-team can get a little respect in the endurance competition world.
It was an exciting and adventurous morning for all of us. We had a pre-race meeting the evening before and were nearly blown away by the huge gusts of wind. We were told that they will not cancel the triathlon but it may be delayed due the untimely storm that had creeped up behind us like a younger sibling threatening to ruin our good time.
After listening to the motivational speaker, a woman of about 60 years old who, on any given day, could completely kick my trash, I was gung ho to get the bikes in tip top shape. I spent the remainder of the evening in the "Goat Head" bike shop (my garage, named for all of the Goat Head thorns that the kids pick up and deflate their tires. Should be named DAMNED Goat Head Bike Shop.). After about 2 hours of detailing their bikes to completely ensure a smooth, trouble free, complete mechanically sound race. (I did my part) I retired for the evening.
It was a very early rise as we stumbled out of bed in the wee hours of 6am. Each of us cleared the blurred memories of forgotten dreams from our eyes and proceeded to embrace the day. The kids fueled up on high energy pb&j's, mom and dad scarfed down any remaining morsels. Then, we loaded up the kids and the gear. As I was grabbing the wheels to place in the car, I noticed one was not as I had left it the evening before. It went from a precise 65psi to a wopping 0psi. This did not bode well for the upcoming race. I, being the lightning fast flat fixer, decided to hurry and patch the flat before our departure.
With everything loaded up, we headed for the races. The venue was crammed full with people and children, all in amazing shape, and ready for the race. And everyone's bikes looked to be in as good of shape as they were. All but Zoee's. Yep, the flat came back. I successfully concealed the flat tire, not wanting the zoee's volcano to erupt before the race began, and sent her on her way to the pool. I filled the tire with as much pressure as I thought it could hold and parked her bike in the staging area. I then caught up to the crew inside the pool, while they were listening to the aforementioned motivational speaker.
All numbered up, the z-team was ready to race. Once in the pool, I could see that swimming was not going to be one of our strongest portions of the race. This was good for me as the team mechanic. Zoee had one length of the pool left to swim, so I ran to the staging area to see if her tire needed any air.
In the 15 minutes since the last fill up, the tire had completely lost all air pressure. I had to plead with an official to let me in and inflate the tire before my daughter caught on to my little secret. I attached the nozzle just as Zoee came running to her bike. I played it off as just topping off her air pressure and she bought it. I finished airing up the tire and ran to where the spectators were supposed to be. I then, watched the ever deflating tire loose pressure as Zoee toweled off as if she had just finished a leisurely shower. She folded her towel and placed it neatly in the bag. All this time, pressure is leaking from her tire! She then made sure to get her socks nice and straight, and shoes perfectly tied, complete with double knots! I, exasperatedly yelled for her to get on her bike and get going! (don't you know your tire is going flat and you are going to blame me for not being able to finish the race and it's probably my fault but if you would just get your butt on the bike and start pedaling there may be some slight chance that you will have just enough pressure to get you back here without having to stop so get going and forget about folding your damned towel, tying your shoes in double knots or getting your socks on in just the perfect way jeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzeeee!!!!) As Zoee climbed aboard her doomed vessel, Zayden was just entering the pool.
I ran into the the pool area to watch Zayden and all of his swimming prowess. He had a wonderful method of swimming two to three strokes, grabbing the rope for four or five breaths, doggy paddling for about a body length, grabbing on to the rope for four or five breaths, then back to the swimming strokes. (I think we need to work on our swimming if we are going to continue with the whole tri thing.) He finally made it out to the pool and began to run like a champ to the transition area.
Now, this kid knew he was in a race and acted like it! He had his helmet and shoes on, no double knots, in a jiff! He flew out of the transition area and was on his way to make up the lost time from the pool. Now if he had the leak, we would probably be ok, but no, it had to be miss let's fold my towel and place it neatly in the bag before I complete the rest of my tasks. As Zayden headed out I ran to a viewing area to see how Zoee was doing.
I just caught a glimpse of Zoee as she rode past the street I was running on to see her. From what I could see, the tire was not flat and she made no indication that anything was wrong woo hoo! I ran back down the street to get into good position as Zoee would be aproaching the transition area to begin her run.
Every minute seemed to take forever while waiting to see if Zoee was going to round the corner, tears streaming down her cheeks, walking her bike, or pedaling her little heart out with a flat tire. By some miracle of god, Zoee came tearing around the corner, flashed her pearly whites for the camera and had a much quicker transition to run. My heart dropped from somewhere near my adams apple and rested where it should be. All was good again. Wheeeew!
Zayden wasn't too far behind. At the first sight of his mom, the legs turned faster, the expression got more intense, and he was going to show mom what he was made of. (What proud parents we are!)
Both of the little Z members made it to the finish in good times and just before a hale storm hit the Murray park. What a great way to start Labor day. Especially if you have to go to work!
It was an exciting and adventurous morning for all of us. We had a pre-race meeting the evening before and were nearly blown away by the huge gusts of wind. We were told that they will not cancel the triathlon but it may be delayed due the untimely storm that had creeped up behind us like a younger sibling threatening to ruin our good time.
After listening to the motivational speaker, a woman of about 60 years old who, on any given day, could completely kick my trash, I was gung ho to get the bikes in tip top shape. I spent the remainder of the evening in the "Goat Head" bike shop (my garage, named for all of the Goat Head thorns that the kids pick up and deflate their tires. Should be named DAMNED Goat Head Bike Shop.). After about 2 hours of detailing their bikes to completely ensure a smooth, trouble free, complete mechanically sound race. (I did my part) I retired for the evening.
It was a very early rise as we stumbled out of bed in the wee hours of 6am. Each of us cleared the blurred memories of forgotten dreams from our eyes and proceeded to embrace the day. The kids fueled up on high energy pb&j's, mom and dad scarfed down any remaining morsels. Then, we loaded up the kids and the gear. As I was grabbing the wheels to place in the car, I noticed one was not as I had left it the evening before. It went from a precise 65psi to a wopping 0psi. This did not bode well for the upcoming race. I, being the lightning fast flat fixer, decided to hurry and patch the flat before our departure.
With everything loaded up, we headed for the races. The venue was crammed full with people and children, all in amazing shape, and ready for the race. And everyone's bikes looked to be in as good of shape as they were. All but Zoee's. Yep, the flat came back. I successfully concealed the flat tire, not wanting the zoee's volcano to erupt before the race began, and sent her on her way to the pool. I filled the tire with as much pressure as I thought it could hold and parked her bike in the staging area. I then caught up to the crew inside the pool, while they were listening to the aforementioned motivational speaker.
All numbered up, the z-team was ready to race. Once in the pool, I could see that swimming was not going to be one of our strongest portions of the race. This was good for me as the team mechanic. Zoee had one length of the pool left to swim, so I ran to the staging area to see if her tire needed any air.
In the 15 minutes since the last fill up, the tire had completely lost all air pressure. I had to plead with an official to let me in and inflate the tire before my daughter caught on to my little secret. I attached the nozzle just as Zoee came running to her bike. I played it off as just topping off her air pressure and she bought it. I finished airing up the tire and ran to where the spectators were supposed to be. I then, watched the ever deflating tire loose pressure as Zoee toweled off as if she had just finished a leisurely shower. She folded her towel and placed it neatly in the bag. All this time, pressure is leaking from her tire! She then made sure to get her socks nice and straight, and shoes perfectly tied, complete with double knots! I, exasperatedly yelled for her to get on her bike and get going! (don't you know your tire is going flat and you are going to blame me for not being able to finish the race and it's probably my fault but if you would just get your butt on the bike and start pedaling there may be some slight chance that you will have just enough pressure to get you back here without having to stop so get going and forget about folding your damned towel, tying your shoes in double knots or getting your socks on in just the perfect way jeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzeeee!!!!) As Zoee climbed aboard her doomed vessel, Zayden was just entering the pool.
I ran into the the pool area to watch Zayden and all of his swimming prowess. He had a wonderful method of swimming two to three strokes, grabbing the rope for four or five breaths, doggy paddling for about a body length, grabbing on to the rope for four or five breaths, then back to the swimming strokes. (I think we need to work on our swimming if we are going to continue with the whole tri thing.) He finally made it out to the pool and began to run like a champ to the transition area.
Now, this kid knew he was in a race and acted like it! He had his helmet and shoes on, no double knots, in a jiff! He flew out of the transition area and was on his way to make up the lost time from the pool. Now if he had the leak, we would probably be ok, but no, it had to be miss let's fold my towel and place it neatly in the bag before I complete the rest of my tasks. As Zayden headed out I ran to a viewing area to see how Zoee was doing.
I just caught a glimpse of Zoee as she rode past the street I was running on to see her. From what I could see, the tire was not flat and she made no indication that anything was wrong woo hoo! I ran back down the street to get into good position as Zoee would be aproaching the transition area to begin her run.
Every minute seemed to take forever while waiting to see if Zoee was going to round the corner, tears streaming down her cheeks, walking her bike, or pedaling her little heart out with a flat tire. By some miracle of god, Zoee came tearing around the corner, flashed her pearly whites for the camera and had a much quicker transition to run. My heart dropped from somewhere near my adams apple and rested where it should be. All was good again. Wheeeew!
Zayden wasn't too far behind. At the first sight of his mom, the legs turned faster, the expression got more intense, and he was going to show mom what he was made of. (What proud parents we are!)
Both of the little Z members made it to the finish in good times and just before a hale storm hit the Murray park. What a great way to start Labor day. Especially if you have to go to work!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Lemonade Kegger for the zkids
Well another 3 for the price of 1 birthday party down for the history books! It was another successful party in celebration of Zoee turning 9, Zayden turning 7, and Zaylie turning 4. Most of the usual suspects arrived and took South Jordan by storm!
Speaking of weather, I don't think that we could have sculpted better conditions for our festivities. There wasn't even much wind, which is rare in these parts.
Thank you to everyone who came out to the shindig. We truly appreciate you all spoiling our children to death. (You only live once, right?) I know that it gets a little chaotic with all three gift hungry children shredding apart your neatly decorated presents to get to the prize, but frankly, it saves us a lot of work and you a lot of time to only have to make one trip out. Seriously though, the kids do love everything! Thank you all for the wonderful offerings of love. (here comes the cheese.)
If any of you get food poisoning, I think it was the ice. Solo was using the bowl as a water dish before we put any ice in it. THANKS A LOT DAN & MIKELA!
Speaking of weather, I don't think that we could have sculpted better conditions for our festivities. There wasn't even much wind, which is rare in these parts.
Thank you to everyone who came out to the shindig. We truly appreciate you all spoiling our children to death. (You only live once, right?) I know that it gets a little chaotic with all three gift hungry children shredding apart your neatly decorated presents to get to the prize, but frankly, it saves us a lot of work and you a lot of time to only have to make one trip out. Seriously though, the kids do love everything! Thank you all for the wonderful offerings of love. (here comes the cheese.)
If any of you get food poisoning, I think it was the ice. Solo was using the bowl as a water dish before we put any ice in it. THANKS A LOT DAN & MIKELA!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Rapid Retreat of Summer
Well, for all intensive purposes, summer for The Z-Team has come to a quick close. All three junior members are now at their newly appointed learning facilities and adapting quite well.The summer was only cut short by a week or two. Yet, I harbor a feeling of regret that I, as fun coordinator, did not take full advantage of the short time that we had. I'm sure every parent has similar feelings when the day comes for their children to return to the fragile task of growing their minds and leave the unburdened days of carefree fun behind.Please don't Miss-interpret my words. I'm not complaining that I did not enjoy every moment. I only wish that I could have taken more time to enjoy the fun, capture it, swim in it and savor it. You get the idea.There were a few endeavors that the z-team was able to embark upon during our shortened summer. Most were shared with family & friends. Always fun. We seem to have missed out on the intimate trips alone this year. This, to me, is a great shame. Everyone should get to run a muck with their spouse and children in un-chartered territory, without the concern of who is watching, who is listening, who am I leaving out, offending, etc.... I'm not certain if I am alone in this concept, or if many share my passion for exploring with my wife and children. I know, it's easy when you are able to dilute the whining, or complaining with the laughter of many others. It's easier sometimes when your children have other's to run with and entertain each other. But when you are on a trip with just your family, there is always those moments when everything clicks. Your children pretend to understand you. They appear to be listening. And everyone is smiling, conversing, and joking together. An then, without prompting, your oldest decides that maybe you are cool. That's what I miss.I am very much looking forward to the next school break. I vow to enjoy my family, and direct as much attention to each one of my children that I possibly can. Because, dang it, I want to be cool in their eyes once again.I hope everyone was able to enjoy their family this year. I would love to hear your summer stories. What trips were good? Where should we avoid taking the kids? Anything like that.Here are a few photos from the trips we took this year.
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