Monday, June 30, 2008

Business in the Front, Party in the Back

Business in the Front

My front yard is quite ugly. I have this cactus-like plant that only blooms once a year. This time around, it's really reaching for the sky. The shoot on the right is a new height record.

A closer examination reveals a little city of industry. These little critters must know exactly when the bloom is set to launch, because they arrived in force from day one.

Are they aphids? Are the smaller white dudes their offspring? Got me. But they work round the clock.



Party in the Back

Ok, so this doesn't look like much of a party, but we are still in the planning stages. This is the south side, where I have tomatoes, jalapeƱos, and and squash I think.


Even less going on over on the west side--zucchini & squash. I hate a fatality in the middle area.


But in the southwest corner, it's all about the strawberries. They would have taken over the entire yard already if I'd let them. My little Japanese Maple is fending them off the best he can. My green rubber snake keeps the birds at bay.

Some of my crop


Sunday, June 29, 2008

Xterra Snowbird 8K 2008

My dad and I ran in the Xterra Snowbird 8K this weekend. The elevation was a factor for both of us, not to mention the long uphill portions of the course. I was just happy for us to finish in the top 10 in our age groups without acquiring any injuries along the way--others weren't so fortunate. Of the 35-39 year olds, I came in 6th, with a time of 46:42. I was 18th overall.

My dad was the oldest runner there, finishing 2nd in the 60+ category. His time was 1 hour 7 minutes, and was 68th overall. There were about 80 runners total. After I crossed the finish line, I ran back to snap some shots of my dad coming in.
Mountain trails



Slippery snow bank

Home stretch




He scored some Xterra socks for being the oldest runner in the race.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Race Update

On Saturday I ran in the Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days 5K. My time was 20:44, which somehow managed to snag me 1st place in the 30-34 year old division. I even got a trophy.

Xterra did a write up for the Wolf Mt. 10K, featuring my photo. I think this makes me famous.

Race #2, the Xterra Snowbird Challenge 8K, is this Saturday. My dad will be running it with me. The course is supposed to be easier than Wolf Mountain, but the elevation is higher.

And here are some photos from the Ogden Marathon: