Virgin Islands In Review

We have finally returned from a week on the Virgin Islands. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I ate my weight in Double Stuff Oreos, candy, and coconut ice cream. I'd assume this was not the wisest fueling strategy for the 50 miler coming up next weekend. Currently my blood stream is 84% sugar.

Our friends Darin and Shelley (far right) had a time share and invited us to join them on the trip, so we've been planning it for two years. Joining us were their friends, and our new friends Brad and Christy (center). We all had a blast together.


Instead of giving you the boring Travel Channel play-by-play of everything we did, I thought I'd just hit you with some of the highlights.

The condo we stayed at had a nice little beach where we hung out the first night. This was my one and only jumping picture on the island. The moment I hit the ground I knew something had gone terribly wrong. I instantly knew that my jump looked like a cheerleader. I'm sorry about that.


This was the speed limit on one part of the island. Not 10 mph. That's too fast. Not 9 mph. That's too slow. But 9.5 mph. That's juuuuuuust right!


I hoped to get a few decent sunset pictures from the island. Thankfully the sky cooperated on most of the nights.


On some of the days we drove to different parts of the island to visit different beaches. (Except for that one day when the girls went shopping. And the boys stayed home and watched March Madness basketball for most of the day. It was funny how they actually thought we'd choose shopping over March Madness.) This was Coki Beach:


There were big leafs from sea grape trees spread all over the beach. I really liked this one that looked like an autumn leaf:


We went to St. Johns and did a hike through a national park. At the top of one particular hike there was a local islander making traditional island food and sharing it with everyone. It is called Dumb Bread. We asked why it was called "dumb bread" and she said "Because smart bread was already taken."


I have nothing to say about the following picture except that these sunglasses were hideous and funny and I should have bought them instead of just trying them on. They are big enough to provide protection for your whole face.


In addition to its human inhabitants, the Virgin Islands are also home to loads of iguanas. We found out that just like their human neighbors, iguanas like Doritos.


This was one of my favorite sunsets of the trip. The sky looked like it had been splashed with watercolors.


Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow with more pictures.....and my national television debut on MTV!

Guest Post - In Defense Of The Skinny Finn

Today's guest post is by Tom Dansie, a person who can run 26.2 miles at a pace faster than I can run 1 mile.


There is a side by side comparison image of a skinny, balding, goofy looking white Finnish distance runner next to a young, muscular, attractive, black British sprinter currently going viral on Facebook, the ultimate source for information on everything from tea party politics to the best kind of exercise regimen. Usually the image is posted by advocates of high intensity exercise programs and has a caption like, "Which is healthier?"

The obvious intent of the comparison is to extol the virtues of short duration, high intensity exercise (P90X / Crossfit / weight lifting - represented by the sprinter image) over longer duration and lower intensity exercise (cardio training - represented by the distance runner image), with the sprinter clearly being the obvious preferred choice. Who can argue that Crossfit (or P90X, etc.) is not the greatest way to exercise when you get results looking like the ripped sprinter?

Well, I am here to speak up for the goofy Finn. Let me be the first to say, "I want to be him!" Let me explain why.

First of all, I can't be certain but it looks like the sprinter in the image is British sprinting sensation Dwain Chambers. The same Dwain Chambers who tested positive for steroid use in 2003, resulting in a lifetime ban from Olympic competition, erasure of his 2002 Olympic gold medal, and forfeiture of all his earnings from his athletics career. If it takes steroids to look like him I think I will pass.

I know what you are going to say next, "Well, you can't judge all sprinters based on one isolated instance of drug use." To which I say, "Exactly. Just like you can't compare the relative health benefits of high intensity versus low intensity exercise by looking at two isolated photographs."

By placing these images next to each it tricks the viewer into thinking these are the only two possible outcomes of high intensity and low intensity exercise. If I do cardio training I am going to look anorexic, have a receding hairline, and look like a dork. But if I do Crossfit I am going to be super ripped, have a cool flat top, and look like a stud.

Of course, this is not the case. There is a huge variety of body shapes and levels of fitness among both sprinters and distance runners. There are a thousand other images of sprinters and distance runners that could be placed side by side to make the choice between the two much less dramatic. For example:

These are both world class athletes: one a sprinter, the other a marathoner. Which would you want to be? A little harder choice, isn't it? I would suspect most people would choose the image on the left, I know I would.

The image on the left is of Meb Keflezighi, one of America's top marathoners, silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic marathon and winner of the 2009 New York City Marathon. The image on the right is of Christophe Lemaitre, a rising French sprinting star who won the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at the 2010 European Championships.

What can we learn from these two photo comparison exercises? Answer: If you want to look like a serious athlete and not a dork, you had better be black.

Because we don’t get to choose our skin color, what else can we learn from these two photo comparison exercises? Answer: Two cherry picked images can never completely illustrate the benefits of one exercise regimen over another.

Further, some body types respond better to one type of exercise program than do others. Just because you adopt a Crossfit / P90X / sprinter's workout you will not automatically end up looking like Dwain Chambers. And (sadly for me) if you adopt a marathoner’s training program you are not guaranteed to look like Meb Keflezighi. Some of us (again, sadly for me) are always destined to look like the goofy Finn.


But here’s the good part. I am happy being a goofy distance runner. I like the health benefits of low intensity, long duration exercise. I know I will never have bulging biceps by following the exercise program I have chosen, but I don’t care. If concentrating on cardiovascular exercise means I am destined to be skinny and goofy looking I am content with that. At least I don’t have a receding hairline (as far as you know).

Of course, some people are different. They are more suited to high intensity exercise. They like throwing old tires around and doing wall push-ups. And they put a higher priority on muscle tone and strength. I think that is great for them. I am not suggesting that Crossfit / P90X / etc. are not great exercise programs. I believe they are.

What I am suggesting is everybody gets to choose which type of exercise suits them best. The most important thing is to stay active and try to improve your overall health through some type of exercise program, and to be consistent in whatever program you choose.

I just have three words of caution for those who choose a Crossfit / P90X / sprinter’s workout:

1) Don’t try to convince me that your workout program is better than mine with pictures of dorky looking distances runners (we already know we are dorks).
2) Don’t think you are going to look like Dwain Chambers without doping.
3) It’s just not worth it to dope (unless you are a national sports icon, prominent Nike sponsored athlete, and founder of a high profile cancer advocacy group – in which case I guess it is worth it).

Guest Post - Mr. Wheel vs Mr. Jogger

Today's guest post is by Parker Haslam. Don't get too offended by his Colbert Report-ish humor:

If you’re pretentious, don’t over-think or confuse yourself. I am completely aware that there are far more noteworthy topics of controversy than the above mentioned forms of fitness and hobby.

Cranky! That’s the word I would use to describe most of us motorists when confronted with the problem of navigating the roads of Southern Utah when they’re plagued with cyclists. I recognize that people who peddle are using a crank to propel themselves and that the adjective “cranky” more applies to their passion than to humans in cars that vehemently express their disdain for “that guy” hogging half of the highway shoulder in his shirt that looks like a NASCAR auto hood.

I respect what your over all objective is Mr. Wheel. I get it! You want to enjoy the scenery in an open cockpit at a slower pace than motorcycles typically travel. All while getting a workout and showing your sculpted calves and beautiful varicose veins to the 60 cars behind you that are too timid to clip your shoulder as you make it up the last quarter mile of hill left to go.

Other than awkwardly running in place at cross walks, Mr. Jogger doesn’t annoy much. Sure, he is nauseating the local church members about his triumphs over the physical and mental adversities of the latest fund raising 5 or 10k. But can you blame someone for talking about something for which they are passionate.

Before I caught the “run bug”, I despised these people out of envy however; I have never been tempted to throw a water bottle at the side of their head while they share their stories of mind and body pain. Mr. Wheels doesn’t have to share. In fact, he’s often the selfish one. Halfway in the road, not committing to anything other than his efforts to prove that he’s got road rights too. Why he doesn’t travel in the three feet of free space a little further to the right? I will never know. Why he believes he can shoot through an intersection when the lights defer the right-of-way to opposing traffic? Your guess is as good as mine. But one thing is for sure, he needs to travel the friggin’ speed limit if he’s on my side of that white line or else Toyota will be a new sponsor imprinted on his tail gate.


I see Mr. Wheels asserting himself everywhere. Even when he has joined us motorists, he’s still announcing that we all need to “share the road” with the bumper stickers that I am convinced are part of an underground cult that meets to correlate which stickers to use and when to use them. Am I missing something? Does Mr. Wheels pay an extra “Bicycle Tax” that is used to fund the development of our city’s road system? Go ahead and Google it. The answer is “no”. The day Mr. Wheels is fronting cash to fix potholes and widen the roads is the day I respectfully wait behind the channel of cheek sweat that bobs up and down as he pumps up the road in his ignorance to the fact that we are late for work while he watches the sunrise in gear two. Until then, expect me to buzz the tower and laugh at you in my rear view mirror while you wrestle the handgrips for control. Ritzy little clown!

Mr. Run, thank you so much for never interfering with the roads. I know that the occasional “J-Walker” misrepresents you but most of the population can distinguish between the guy carrying a Pizza box across State Street and a tightly clothed, sweat drenched fitness buff who shuffles his iPod while he waits for the “please cross” sign to light up. We all know that cyclists are just lazy joggers that take breaks by coasting instead of stopping anyway. Mr. Jogger, have a nice day.

Oh and by the way Mr. Wheels, I love it when your bike is upside down and you are changing your flat on the side of the road. Nothing makes me happier. Well……almost nothing.

Running In 74 mph Wind Is Less Than Awesome

Monday, March 5th 2012: 5 miles. I ran the first two on the dreadmill. I am jealous of people who are okay doing their runs on a treadmill. It seems like my perceived effort is much higher and my pace much slower. After two miles on Satan's Sidewalk I decided I'd just go run the last three miles outside and finished with a 9:07 pace.

Tuesday, March 6th 2012: Rest.

Wednesday, March 7th 2012: 10 miles @ 12:37 minutes per mile pace. I had the chance to do a longer run with Mel which was fun. It was bitter cold and more windy than I have seen in quite a while. One website said there were gusts up to 74 mph, and of course you can believe everything you see on the internet. My wife is smiling somewhere underneath her layers:


I took her to a trail she hadn't been on before which included one of my favorite trail views ever:


There was quite a bit of elevation gain which Mel wasn't used to so she had a hard time getting her pace up but still had fun, despite the fact that we were seriously running in a tornado.


Thursday, March 8th 2012: 5 miles @ 8:41 minutes per mile. I am in charge of marking the course for the Zion 100 from mile 56-66. I went out with RD Matt Gunn to have him show me some of my area. We even had a mile @ 7:55. The last time I ran a mile that started with a 7 was....um....I don't remember when. The views were, again, incredible.


There are some sandy sections here and I'll definitely be wearing my flashy gaiters during the race. My favorite part was coming up to a windmill which I wanted to get silhouetted against the sunset. I am nervous and excited for the big race.


And today we're leaving for the Virgin Islands! I'm excited for the trip, but less-than-excited for the flights. I have a slight (or not so slight) fear of airplanes. (CLICK HERE to read why.) If I could take a Greyhound to the Virgin Islands I think I would. I have a few guest posts lined up for the next week. Enjoy and see you soon!

I Am Running 50!

I have some exciting news – I am running the Antelope Island Buffalo Run ultramarathon coming up in a few weeks on March 24th!



I'm signed up for the 50 miler and I'm planning to approach it as a training run for the Zion 100. I've actually been signed up for it for a while and over the last few months I got in a few 20 milers, a 22, 24, and 30 miler.

DISCLAIMER: I reserve the right to drop down to the 50k. There are a few reasons I would do this:

1) Really crappy weather. Antelope Island can get boat loads of snow. I admit that I'm being a wussie, but I'm not keen on running for 12 hours in a blizzard.

2) If I'm not feeling in tip top shape. If anything is feeling twingy I'll drop to the 50k (31 miles). Again, feeling good for the Zion 100 is my priority.

Here are some actual excerpts from the race waiver. Tell me this is not the most awesome waiver ever:

I know that there are hazards associated with running this race. These hazards can include, but are not limited to, bikers, hikers, horses, very large wild animals, roots, rocks, trees, other assorted wildlife, flora and fauna, and other crazed runners.

I also agree that by running the ultra, I know I’m nuts and should know better than to do something like this, but, hey, it’s fun and impresses the opposite sex.

Now that’s funny. I can’t wait to run with the hazardous flora and fauna, and other crazed runners!

Cows Can't Blow Snot Rockets

Monday, February 27th 2012: 4 miles @ 11:37 minutes per mile. This run was rather sucky. This was a Worse Than Justin Bieber run.

Dear Right Knee: Hey, how's it going? Did you watch Hoarders last night? Yea, me neither. Who wants to watch a bunch of people living with cockroaches? So I have this awesome idea. Let's be friends again! You can stop feeling tight and then we can go hang out and eat some Twinkies or something.

Tuesday, February 28th 2012: Rest.

Wednesday, February 29th 2012: 15 miles @ 12:50 minutes per mile. I ran the first 6ish miles with Mel on the Gould's Rim trail. We didn't prepare very well. When we got out of the car it was really windy and freezing cold. We both looked at each other and could see that each of us was thinking "Ugh. What have we gotten ourselves into?" We rummaged through the car and found some of the kids jackets and socks that we wrapped around us to keep warm.


The highlight was taking Ace on his first real trail run. He was so fun to run with and thought he had died and gone to heaven.


We just ran nice and slow, took plenty of walk breaks, and admired the views. This was the first time Mel had been on this trail and she said she really liked it.


I carried a hand-held bottle for him which worked perfectly. Fear not, I didn't drink out of the same bottle as my slobbery four-legged friend.


After Mel and Ace left, I finished the rest of the 15 miles by myself. I did a few out-and-backs on Gould's and the scenery is just so amazing.


This is at around mile 90 of the Zion 100 coming up in May (or mile 40 of the 50 miler). I'm fortunate to enjoy the scenery now, because at this point during the 100 miler I probably won't be able to see the scenery through my tears.


Have you seen that movie called The Horse Whisperer where a guy has an amazing connection with horses? Yea, me neither. But I have good news: Columbia Motion Pictures has contacted me to star in a new movie called The Cow Whisperer.

I came across a herd of cattle and spent a few minutes wandering around the crowd taking pictures. I walked slowly and they didn't run away. I was one with the cows. (Notice the failed snot rocket. Don't worry buddy, happens to the best of us.)


I figured out that my total mileage for the month included 154 miles on trails and only 35 miles on the road. If you don't mind, I'm going to use this to justify my turtle-esque pace.

Thursday, March 1st 2012: Rest.

Friday, March 2nd 2012: Rest.

Saturday, March 3rd 2012: 12 miles @ 11:34 minutes per mile. I did this run on the road. My knee felt a little tight for the first four miles and then something crazy happened. It's like I got a knee transplant in the middle of my run. I didn't notice any soreness or tightness and my knee actually felt normal! I tried using a dual action Cho-Pat strap, maybe that's what helped.

Dear Right Knee: I forgive you for your temper tantrum after the 30 miler last week. I will take better care of you. Lets be BFFs.

That night I did 4 more miles @ 10:46 minutes per mile. I got chased by a little chihuahua. Good times.

Guess where we'll be in one week from today.....The Virgin Islands! We've been planning this trip with a few friends for two years now. Bring on the jet lag, sunburns, and food poisoning!

Do you still go running when you're on vacation?
Probably won't run a ton but we're definitely packing the running shoes.

Any experience using knee straps?
I don't think it will be a long-term thing, just going to let the ol' knee get back to normal.

Do you watch Hoarders or The Horse Whisperer?
No, and no. Although I have seen Hoarders before. It is kind of entertaining and highly disturbing at the same time.