Desert Running

In Arizona for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We come each year to celebrate with Lori, Perry and the "Cuzins", Cuz Why! Cuz I said!! (From the Famous Boss Hog on Dukes of Hazzard)

I take my Running shoes where ever I go. Phoenix has the "Phoenix Desert Mountian Reseve" Where you can run for 26 miles from one end to another. This is where I do my running on the holidays. Rough volcanic country but beautifu. Especially when it is rainy and overcast like this morning. Make the desert even more pretty.

Here are some pics.

Justus my boy, Trinitee and Austin went with me back to the trail head to get some pictures since I forgot my camera on the run.

MF

My Three Son's

This fall United Rugby had a Fall developmental season.

Some of the regular players play football. Since my sons have fallen in love with rugby there is no longer football in our family.

I am so proud of them. United also started a 8th grade developmental team.

Tristan got to play and learn the fundamentals of the game. This hitting will come this spring.

Because of this I have started Cotton and Tristan on a weight lifting program so they can solidify before spring. Here are pictures of the boyz at rugby this fall. Cotton the oldest, Tristan the blond, and Justus just can't wait to get to play and hit someone/

Fun to spend the time with my boys in the weight room.

Right now we are all sore.

MF

Capitol Reef

Here are some pictures of our outing to Capitol Reef this year for spring break.

Capitol Reef is the hidden secret of the national parks. Very quiet for spring break because it is so far out of the way. The family and I pulled the trailer to the campground and used it as base camp for our hikes.

We hiked to an arch and had lunch. We did a few day hikes. Tristan and I took off up to the look out over the Fruita valley and were met by Vickie, Cotton and Justus on the way back.

One morning I left before sun up and ran a 14 mile loop thru the capitol reef park.

So the trailer served as base camp.

Now go vickie-fitz.blogspot.com and compare the takes from Vickie's to mine on our camping trip.

We were meant to be. Just see adventures differently. (Baked pies, recipes,) you will know what I mean when you look at her blogspot.

North Column from the back on Mount Timpanogog.

Saturdays Run

I left again on the Pine Hollow Trail Head. After about 5 minutes it god very icy where the snow had been walked on from last week. I put on my traction cleats. Slip on Golash type things with sheetmetal screws coming out the bottom of them. They slip right over my "Montrail Hardrock" running shoes. I run into the Utah County Search and Rescue, they have hiked in and camped for the night. It probably got to about 20 degrees at night. I am thankful for these dedicated people and doing what they like to do.

After I leave them in the cold I come out on the meadow where the sun has just started to shine for a new day. From here it starts to get warm and the frozen mud starts to thaw. Nut enough where I can still run.

I turn around and notice this picture of the North Column of the back of Mount Timanogos.

This is why I run the mountians.
Mountianrunnnermike.

Snow Shoeing

Vickie and I went snow shoeing last year.

She did good although she was not up for a four hour snow shoe hike. Maybe this year. It gets funner the more miles you are from the trail head.

MF

First Snow Run of the Year

Monday I left the Pine Hollow Trail Head as the gate to the Alpine Loop had been closed for the year. I went up two miles to the ridge trail. This goes up thru Salamander Flat.

Wallace my son's black lab dog accompanied me.

When you run in the winter and snow, it make a boring training run exciting again. The feet and lungs want to see what the next mountain will look like.
MF

NewZealand Heartland All Blacks

The boys and I went to see the U.S. Eagles play Uraguay. The game was procedded by another game that include 15 select players from the U.S. to play 15 select players from New Zealand.

After the game they performed the Haka for the U.S. crowed.

The 1st team of the US eagles went on to beat Uraguay in a great rugby match. I could not think of a better afternon with my boys than watch some international live rugby for the afternoon.

My Sons are Tuff

Each year United Rugby Club has a family day. United Rugby Club is made up of high school players, unlike the old days when I played for United Rugby Club. The guys I used to play with have started up the club for their sons since we are all to old. Except for family day where coaches, dads and alumni play the high school team. Cotton and I both played on the front rows opposing each other. If you have ever played on the front row in a rugby scrum you know how intense it can get. But the feeling of having your own son on the other side facing you is much more intense. Especially when you son is so much bigger and stronger than you.

In another scrimmage Cotton and I got to play on the same team. He played prop and I played hooker. Now that was intense..... I would line up with any of my boys on the front row anytime.

Five Time Finisher

In June of 2007 I finished the Squaw Peak 50 for the fifth time.

John Bozong gives out a fleece vest for finishing five races.

Each year gets harder as something in your head tells you early each morning that you can sleep in a little longer. You know that you have finished the race before, but you forget all the hard training it really takes. I have now completed my sixth. Hoping for a seventh.