Monument 10K Training with the Beans

A digression:
Sunday afternoon we hosted a prison break at our house. Here are Alex's thoughts prior to the event:

"I’m having fun already. I think I’m already up to it. I was sneaking up on my Dad and Josh while they were setting up my party and looked around the corner. They didn’t even notice me. They were over by that door from the garage. I was able to go around the corner and peek at them. They still didn’t notice me. I saw Josh and Dad measuring and a cardboard box that looked like a safe. I stole Dad’s cheese puffs. That’s why I’m going to prison. My criminal name is Alex “Sharp Eye” Westhoven."
Josh and Alex before the "arrest."
Alex with his "gang."

Our computer spent 2 weeks at camp in the Apple Repair Shop. Luckily, it was all covered under warranty. You didn't miss much excitement or wit. As Mike said, physically the kids are totally up to their training runs, but they start to loose focus about 20 minutes out. Today we tried to bring some excitement back in by reminding everyone that there were cinnamon rolls waiting at home as a post-run treat and "Alex Day" celebration. The "winner" got first pick of rolls.


Zelda got tired around mile 3, but toughed it out without complaining. I think she wants to be favorite child. I fully expect to see her napping on the puppy pillow in another hour or so.

What's up for the rest of the day? It's the Alex Day Party! Our house will be overrun by desperado convicts here to break out of "prison."

Yes, we made our children run two days in a row. Saturday was a light load: 2.5 miles around the neighborhood. Alex still was not quite up to snuff and ended up walking most of it. During our run/walk we saw a family taking white-glove delivery of their new Porshe. Who says the economy isn't doing well?

Sunday was the real test: our longest run so far this year-- 4.25 miles. Kate finished well ahead of the rest of the group. We drove down to Innsbrook and ran around every lake they have. We had guest runners too. Mary and Jack joined us. Jack is about Alex's age and they are on the same basketball team. Alex said that having Jack along was, "companionable" and that Jack is "funny." Our training runs are always open to the public. Feel free to call for the current schedule and join us!


Here we are during our pre-run warm-up.
Mike says that touching your neighbor's toes is the best way to stretch.

Never fear. We didn't fall off the training bandwagon. We did have a sick Alex for a little over a week and there was some rain and ice and I went to Wintergreen for the weekend and the blog fell off the radar. I'm pleased to report that the training runs over the weekend went well, even in my absence. There was even a traditional Notre Dame Football Training Table at our house Saturday-- heavy on beef and carbs and low on everything else. Also, there was popcorn during the trip to see Spiderwick at Regal Cinemas.

Of course, you want to know about today. Kate was supposed to come home late from school so the boys and I went without her. We got a call halfway through the run asking where we were. Kate forgot that she was supposed to stay after school. I guess she could have gone with us. Of course, she was crushed when she heard that she missed it! Today's weather was clear, a little windy and cold (maybe 32 degrees). Pretty good running weather. Josh entertained us during the first quarter mile with oxymorons that he has learned. His favorite in "military intelligence." Alex was in the lead with Josh right behind him. I figure they kept up a 10-minute mile for almost 2.5 miles. Great work! They celebrated at home with organic chocolate milk.


I had been planning, as you know, to get us team t-shirts. Last night I found out that we had the opportunity to join a team supporting our friend and neighbor Marci Miller in her battle against cancer. We will have team t-shirts for that and are doing some fundraising for the Massey Cancer Center as well.

Alex: When I run I focus on how I'm breathing and how much energy I have left. My goal is to get one of the fastest time in the family and I want to thank everyone who is sponsoring me. Thank you.

Wow. We had the most resistance to-date today. Perhaps they just weren't awake enough last week to complain at full force. Alex, who probably would have scampered off willingly, was grounded on account of a moderate fever. He "had to watch as much TV as he wanted" because he was sick. When we got home he took a nice bath and is snoring away in his room (it's about 12:30).

Josh didn't want to go, but after his initial round of complaints he buckled down and did the job. Kudos to Josh for sprinting up the cul-de-sac at the end, unbidden.

Kate says, "No comment." She ended up running farther than Josh, a little over 3 miles, because she had to keep stopping and making excuses. The mean track coach imposed a 1 lap penalty (around .7 miles) to encourage a better attitude on the next outing.

Zelda digs group runs.

I was hoping to get 3.5 miles in today, but I think we ended up short. I'd like next weekend's run to be 4 miles, but I will be away playing tennis. We'll see what dad can do with the troops.

And now, our power bar recipe, modified from one published by Nigella Lawson:
In a largish bowl, mix the following:
2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1 c. seeds (I like flax, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin)
1 c. unsalted peanuts
1-1/2 c. diced mixed dried fruit (I used blueberries, cranberries, cherries, raisins and apricots

Warm 1 can of sweetened, condensed milk in the microwave until runny. Stir thoroughly into bowl of crunchy goodness. Spray 9x13 pan with non-stick spray and press mixture into the pan, making it as flat and even as possible. Bake at 200 degrees for about an hour. Don't let it get very brown. Remove from oven, cool on rack, cut into squares. Keeps in an airtight container for at least a week, probably longer. We generally have polished them off by the week mark. They are great as breakfast bars or training or school snacks.

For our Valentine's day run we had a guest. Our friend Colin ran a little over 2 miles with us at about a 12 min. pace. I feel certain that some of our participants could have done it faster, but I'm not fast enough to push them hard. We need the Dad for that. I'm impressed that Josh can complain and run at the same time and still outpace me. It hardly seems fair. Friday will be a break from training because I will be in Alexandria to celebrate my parents' 40th anniversary.

Colin: I'm so exhausted. My dad usually makes me do 3, so I'm kind of used to it.

Alex: I hated it completely. It was a little better because Colin was there.

Complaint of the Day: When I announced that it was time to run, Josh said, "No, it's time to run away. I need a few dozen sandwiches, a bus ticket and a new identity." Sorry, Josh. You're stuck with the parents you got.



Alex brought home his "Life Cycle" that he made at school today. I quote: "Baby- I could crawl. Child- I could do the monkey bars. Adult- I will play football. Old- I will watch football on TV.
Kate got a modified sick waiver. Her throat has been sore, so she is going to walk it today. Hopefully everyone will be back in fighting shape for the group run Saturday.

Today was supposed to be a two-miler, but it's cold and persistently rainy. We did a little training in the house. Alex ran laps while holding the treat bag and Zelda followed him with tremendous enthusiasm.


Luckily the boys both have fencing practice today, so we will call that cross training. Tomorrow we will try again for 2 miles, but I anticipate that someone will bring up that it is a holiday tomorrow and that will be an additional cause for complaint: how can they be expected to run on Valentine's day?

Alex:I'm glad to take a break from all of the hard work I've been doing, though I like running a lot. Don't forget that Valentine's Day is tomorrow!

Mom: It was 38 degrees and clear for the run today. My eyes were squinty the whole time because I just finished at the optometrist where my eyes were dialated. My Garmin Forerunner 101 was on the blink, so I can't give official stats yet, but it was a little over a mile. Alex was the antelope again today. He easily dusted the rest of the pack and headed out to the trampoline after he was done.

Kate: I got a blister on my heel and it looks like a small octopus sucked it. I need new shoes. My ears are burning from the cold. When I first entered the house just now, it felt like a furnace, even though it was kind of cold in here before we left.

Alex: It was a good run. It was fun. As usual, I did my best.

Josh:Today was kind of annoying with all of the homework that I had to do to have Mom pop in with the news that we had to jog. Soon I got over it and just jogged. It didn't feel a whole lot easier than the last one, but it did seem a lot shorter, which it was.

Unusual Training Table Item: Krispy Kreme doughnuts (today was report card day and we earned 12 free doughnuts!)

I actually tried to find a source to license this comic because I was thinking of putting it on a t-shirt. After about a half hour, I gave up. But it's still funny.
Alex's stretches are non-traditional, but fun.

Josh's shoes are the biggest.

Josh: We jogged and then we walked and then we jogged and then we walked and then we jogged a little more and finished. There isn't that much to tell. The best part was scorning all the people who were eating at McDonald's as we entered the home stretch of the run. While we were running, Mom spotted and Kate nearly fell on a banana peel. If Kate had fallen, that would have been really funny. Bananas: Food & entertainment.

Kate: They tied a rope around my waist and dragged me out of bed and down to the running spot. The running was horrible. I forgot my inhaler and I had heartburn and stitches in my side. The evil people made lots of buildings that looked like the YMCA. I thought I was almost done and I still had another half mile to go. Luckily, Mom was there to make me go forward even though I was miserable, otherwise I would have made it back to the car, but I would have walked.

Zelda: Running is my favorite thing! I love it! Let's go again!

Alex: Our run today was great. I was a little bummed to get up and out of the house by 7:45 in the morning. Breakfast was pretty good. I had bagel with peanut butter. I didn't make a very wise decision after that. I let Zelda sit in my lap while I still had some of the peanut butter bagel still in my hand. She nipped at me many times. It was a little annoying. This week I lost a tooth and got on the tooth train at school. I was really proud and felt accomplished because I ran the whole time and beat the rest of the family, including Zelda.

Comedy moment of the day:
Mom: "Josh, are you all warmed up?" Josh: "I'm warmed up to the idea of going home!"

Mom: As much drama as there was, the kids did a pretty good job with today's 3-mile training run. There was much more running than walking. The funny thing is that we've been home for about an hour and a half and those poor, tired children are already out in the back yard jumping on the trampoline. I think they could have gone farther. T-56 days.