10k x 3

 

Grayson has completed several half-marathons in 2024, and Landon did his half, a milestone after his ACL surgery earlier in the year. While Coop is uber active, often hitting 30k in steps in a day (between work and treadmill or other activities), 13.1 miles in a single go might be out of his comfort zone. Even a 10k is slightly more than his regular run ... but doable. When Grayson brought it up, both Landon and Coop were willing to give a 10k a go. There was a local race that Saturday. Gray got them signed up and picked up the packets on Friday.  Gray and Coop headed out Saturday morning,  a little before 9:00, picked up Landon along the way, and headed up to the University of Utah. The 10k started at 10:00.

Of the Blackham boys, Coop finished first at just under 45minutes. 15th overall, 3rd in the Male/20-29 division.  Landon was next at 49 minutes, with Grayson at 54 minutes.  They didn't stay for the awards.

I asked Coop how it felt (as the distance and outside weren't his usual, plus the challenge of the crowd) and he replied "the crowd cleared up within the first mile, so that part wasn't bad. Running outside is definitely different. Bobbing up and down while moving vs doing it in place felt really weird, but I got used to it."  Gray, having done a majority of half-marathons starting up a canyon, mentioned that there were some uphill portions of this race that were places he had to push through. 

There was a photographer on hand at the race, so here are a few more photos!

Callahan had stopped by a couple nights before the race, and we jokingly commented that Grayson hadn't included Cal and Keaton in the original group text. So Gray DID invited them, but they weren't up to a last minute 10k (Keaton said maybe a 5k ...). We've had a few family 5k races in the past (2018, 2017, L&C2017, 2016GKC&Maga, 2015).

While the boys were gone, I walked two miles on the treadmill in 40 minutes. 

Gotta do what you can!

Landon - Blister Boy!

 

The Antelope Island Marathon had four distances. Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. Landon opted for the 13.1 distance (half-marathon). He's been playing pickleball, and doing some running and hiking, but this was his first official race, and longest distance, since his ACL surgery last March. He didn't really even tell us about it until the day of ... Friday, October 11, 2024.

Per the race website: Antelope Island is home to 600 bison and the largest island on the Great Salt Lake. This course is a true marathon in that it is not all downhill like many. There are several rollers for the runners. The views of the race have the Great Salt Lake to the East and Antelope Island mountain on the West.

He said that his knee held up really well during the race, but that his shoes were rubbing pretty early one. Hot spot ... and big blister(s). He had to sit out pickleball that weekend. 

 

 

Symphony #KOTH 2024

Last year, in 2023 there was a "Hiking Challenge" at Symphony Homes. Gray got going, and took pictures and did write-ups. Built in blog posts! I had to divide it into three posts, there was so much content. See the first one (with links to the second and third) HERE. This year, there's another challenge, a little more all-around activity. This will be a post in progress ...

The official flyer with the "rules" ... 

One might have think Grayson's work at Symphony was all management and construction stuff, but he does a LOT of team building, outreach, activity organization and party planning too (organizing this competition, the upcoming diaper house, see last year's involvement HERE, a ping pong tournament, Fisher House).    Of course in addition to setting up the #KOTH2024, Gray then "needs" to set the standard, staying active and competitive. His work write ups with recaps, hashtags and plenty of pictures give a little look at what he's up to ...

0511

I give you the Men in Black – Farmington Half Marathon – May 11- 13.1 miles. Bonus photobomb by the one and only Bill Dodd and his banana peel.  #koth202 #doublepoints #thismedaliswood

0517

On Deuel Creek South, where the day was pristine,

Jon, Zac, Jadon, Wyatt, and Grayson convene.

Legs on fleek, in their hike, they excel,

In Lulu, Fabletics, and brands they wear well.

Salomon gripping each rocky ascent,

On Clouds embracing every step's intent.

Crossing the creek, the rapids roared high,

Determined to conquer, eyes on the prize.

With laughter and cheers, they blaze the trail's way,

Gonna win #koth2024, they say.

Nature their stage, as they rise to the peak,

A band of brothers strong, adventurous and sleek.

You. Are. Welcome.

#koth2024 #doublepoints #bestdressedhikers #chafingisreal

05/23

Farmington Creek Hike

In the interest of including as many Symphony teammates as possible and rack up those double points, today, I decided to get JJ out on the trail. He had been feeling very cooped up and cabin fever had set in. Plus, he recently got a new shirt and beanie that he wanted to show off. He was stylin’ indeed. #koth2024  #doublepoints;)  #jjforpresident2024

Trail report from Farmington Creek

• Trail condition: Perfect
• Water levels: High but stream crossings are easy
• Waterfall rating: SPECTACULAR ★★★★★

0530

 Flag Rock and Patsy's Mine Hike

0601

Rockies Half

Let’s go run a half marathon, they said. It will be fun, they said.

#noreallyzacwhyarewedoingthis

#koth2024     #symsquad      #notdoublepoints:(

0606

So as if hiking wasn’t enough, Zac thought, hey, why don’t we just sling a 30 pound backpack over our shoulders, climb a mountain and see what happens…..thanks, Zac! #toruckornottoruck  #rubberlegs

#koth2024 #symsquad #notdoublepoints:(

0608 

Hiking, Biking & Making Friends

It says it right in the subject line – Hiking, Biking and Making Friends. Supposedly, hiking and biking would be separate activities. Not so much on Saturday as we got to do both at the same time. There’s no way to convey the reality of our adventure. And snapping pictures of some of the key moments just wasn’t feasible.

Word to the wise - If, per chance, you consider riding or walking or running on the Legacy Trail northward to Jordan River Trail – you should probs figure out a bypass from about 700 North to North Temple. As we pushed through this area I’m not sure we were Making Friends with the locals along the trail. We were just relieved to live to tell the tale.

Lots of stop and go – lots of off-the-bike, back-on-the-bike - lots of wondering about the life choices that brought us to this moment. #teamsaddlesores  #howlongislotoja  #closecall

0614

 

It’s a tale of two AI’s – ChatGPT and Gemini

Both were given the same prompt: Please write a short limerick about the Sym Squad's Friday morning hike to Ensign Peak, where we rucked, overlook Salt Lake City, had proper symphony homes branding, missed Jon Olson and Brandon Wright, and had a great time.

Gemini:

The Sym Squad on Ensign, quite bold,

Rucked up with their city unrolled.

With shirts proudly bright,

A Symphony sight,

Though Jon and Brandon, the view couldn't hold.

ChatGPT:

The Sym Squad hiked up Ensign Peak,

With rucks on their backs, so to speak,

Salt Lake spread below,

Symphony's branding did show,

But missed Jon and Brandon all week.

0621

Parade of Homes

0622

101 miles clocked. Much respect for those who have clocked so many more miles than this….I’m saluting you BWright. Between numerous peanut butter sandwiches, Pedialyte, and Zac and Collin dragging me kicking and screaming to the finish line…we made it. Another step in the right direction. Trigger warning for the image below: the reptilian, fossil-like imprint is nothing other than the dried sweat outline down my spinal cord left in my jersey. Personally, I think it’s pretty cool – but opinions will vary. TMI, you say? Probably.

0627

Some take-aways from Davis Creek Trail in Farmington:

• Don’t bother hiking this trail unless you subscribe to self-punishment
• No need to hike this trail
• Skip this trail
• Choose a different trail – like ANY other trail
• Do you like nice, flowy trails….then don’t go anywhere near this trail
• Do you like your knees? Then it’s a pass on this trail
• Pretty sure if you trace the meaning of “Davis” back far enough, it means “dumb trail” but I’m no professor
• Who’s idea was this anyway? Way to choose ‘em, Zac!
• True to form, Farmington does not want doggie poopoo on them trail  #keepourtrailspoopless
  
• What did we do to make you mad, Jon? We miss you #whereforeartthoujon

There you have it. Do with it what you will.

0711

Stopping for a little hikey hikey on the way to Seattle ...

0713

Seattle to Portland – here are the takeaways, just 6 of them:

1. A 200 mile bike ride is ill-advised for a 54 year old man, emphasis on OLD man. This one DID NOT consult his physician before embarking on a regimen leading him to this….
2. Brandon is a cycling beast. And while he didn’t do this particular ride – he did do it last year – and I have no earthly idea how he does it when his training rides are from Kaysville to Symphony HQ – How, Brandon, HOW?
3. Have you ever set a goal and been all starry-eyed about accomplishing said goal, only to find out, much too late of course, how misguided your intentions were? Yeah… that resonates with me.
4. It’s a sublime experience when the mind says to the body “Hey, let’s go just a little further” and the body says to the mind “Why don’t you go ********”. I think you get the picture.
5. Shout out to Jadon. He spent the entirety of 16 hours in a Sprinter van as our support vehicle. He drove us TO SEATTLE and back home FROM PORTLAND. He deserves his own medal for this one.
6. At roughly mile 188, I was waiting at the aid station for Zac to roll in for his last refuel before the push to the finish line. I saw him come into the frame, off to my left. He was pedaling strong. I watched for him to turn in to get that last bit of hydration and food. But he didn’t stop. We met eyes for a brief 5 seconds. He tipped his hand to his bike helmet in one last salute, somehow saying – “I can’t stop now, dude. It’s now or never. I’ll see you at the finish line or the funeral home. At this point it doesn’t matter.” And off he went.

The rest is history.

#koth2024  #teamsaddlesores  #whosideawasthis

0714

<Hey ChatGPT: Please write a rap lyric about Zac, Jadon, Collin and Grayson's hike to Multnomah Falls with 11 switchbacks and ice cream cones on July 14>   (Tip: you need to read this one with a beat box playing in the back of your mind)

Yo, check it

Zac, Jadon, Collin, Grayson, crew's insane

Hit the trail to Multnomah, feelin' no pain

Eleven switchbacks, climbin' higher and higher

Sweat drippin', heart pumpin', reachin' our desire

Falls crashin', nature's beauty, can't deny

Picnic spot, chillin', under that sky

July 14th, ice cream cones, sweet reward

Memories made, forever stored, word!

We out.

#koth2024 #symsquad #micdrop

0721

Let’s do a Spartan Race, they said. It will be fun, they said.  It seemed like such good idea at the time. One cracked rib and one strained disc later and at least we got a medal. #pleasedontmakemelaugh

I actually have to say that the Spartan Race was GRAYSON'S idea, not Zach's ...

Landon did it last year ...

5k - Coop and Gray

 

Gray had run a race or two with work buddies, and had more planned. I encouraged him to find something a little more local and get Coop out. Cooper has been getting in a lot of running on the treadmill in the basement gym. He'd done a few 5ks before and was definitely in shape. Gray found a race in Sandy. It was a trail run, so a little more challenging than a standard 5k.  But on Saturday, April 13, Grayson and Cooper headed out to hit the trail.  They both took 1st place in their age divisions.

Because they had both placed, they stuck around for their awards and pictures. 

Interesting to see all the stats!

Not sure how long the Google album will stay active  ... it was nice that there was a photographer there to get some shots before, during and after. I snagged the ones I wanted to keep, you can see the rest HERE. 

Canyonlands Half Marathon & Moab Adventures

 

The first Canyonlands Half Marathon was run on May 1, 1976 had just 22 finishers, including a dog. It's been a popular race ... downhill grade, lovely surroundings. Grayson ran this race back in 2009 and decided to try it again in 2024, 15 years later. This time he was joined by a number of Symphony peeps ... they work and play  together (if running 13.1 miles can be considered "fun"). 

In the listed course information ... "Lucky runners will start at Sandy Beach, a boat launching site located next to the Colorado River. Pre-race jitters are replaced the excitement as runners take in awe inspiring views of towering red rock canyon walls and the red reflections of the rising sun. The course will travel east for a half mile before turning around and heading down river toward the Moab Valley. After traveling down post-card alley for the entirety of the race, runners will finish at the ever beautiful Lions Park, adjacent to Arches National Park."   Lowest Point 3961'   Highest Point 4088'  Elevation Gain 443'  Elevation Loss 531'  

Here's some stats ...

... and a live peek at the finish line

 

https://youtu.be/TxG2VgMhrfc

While in Moab, GB and buddies also hit the trails, on foot, and on the machines.

Grayson has three more half-marathons planned for 2024.

Landon Spartan

 

The Spartans arose from the city-state of Sparta of ancient Greece. They were a warrior society that paid homage to the values of honor, duty, discipline, and endurance. Values that have led to their being regarded as some of the fiercest warriors history has ever known. And while their legacy still inspires and instructs professional warriors who are actually involved in armed conflict to this day; their legacy is equally as inspiring to everyday people. Why? Because we are all warriors. We all fight wars, be they internal struggles with motivation, our purpose, our relationships, etc… or external struggles like struggling for the flourishing of our careers, the survival of our businesses, or the advancement of our dreams (From The Strive).

Inspired by the Spartan legacy, taking the traditional 5k a few steps further, a Spartan Race is a series of obstacle races of varying difficulty ranging from 3 miles to marathon distances. These races are held in the United States and have been franchised to 30 countries, including Canada, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and several European countries. I'm not sure what inspired Landon to look into such a race, but he did. He signed up and completed it. I asked him to write up a few memories ...

Today I completed my first Spartan race. I hadn't really looked into what the race would entail until the night before. A few YouTube videos later I was feeling confident and prepared for the race. The Spartan took place at the Snow Basin resort. I had to miss our family pickleball, but the run was honestly a ton of fun. There are three races: 5K, 10K, and 21K. I signed up for the 10K ...  and it kicked my butt. It was silly to think the 5K would’ve been too easy, when that’s maybe what I should’ve started with.

For the 10K race, we had 26 obstacles, and I’m proud to say I only failed one! Said obstacle was a wall that you needed to move horizontally across using only grips for your hands; no support for your feet. I’m sure I would’ve figured it out if I took my time, but I was feeling rushed as this was one of the first obstacles. One aspect of this race that ended up being most challenging for me was the elevation. I believe it was 1,300 ft of elevation, which is insane. Somehow I ran the first mile of incline, and it about slaughtered me. From there I decided to hike the inclines and save the running for the declines.

Most of the obstacles were entertaining and genuinely fun. The obstacles that were the buggers were all the carries. Carry a sand bag from here to there. Carry an atlas stone from here to there. And carry a bucket of rocks from here to there. You get the idea. Something I learned from YouTube was the importance of keeping your hands clean for some obstacles. There are a number of monkey bar-like challenges. Unfortunately one of them ripped up my left hand a bit. I looked ahead hoping that the remaining obstacles didn’t require my hands. ... but that was not to be. There was even a legit rope climb! For being one of those classic PE class activities featured in movies, this was my first ever attempt. I saw others using a technique with their feet, but I just brute forced through it. My favorite obstacle was the Hercules Hoist. It was a sandbag attached to a rope and run through a pulley. The objective is to pull the other end of the rope to raise the sandbag to the top, and bring it back down softly. I quickly noticed that the technique was to use your bodyweight to hoist up the bag. You jump up the rope a bit, throw your body back, and repeat. I thought it was so fun (even though the previous obstacle had just ripped up my hand!)  One of the final obstacles was a 5’ hurdle. Leading into the jump for the first one, my right calve almost cramped on me. Luckily I shook it off and finished the race. 

For whatever reason I didn’t eat breakfast before, which wasn’t great, but nor was a real issue. Overall, I felt really good about the race. It was a challenge for sure, but I'm glad to say I conquered it.

 You can read a little more about the event and see some pictures HERE.

Family 5k Fun Run & The Dirty Dash

After Cooper had expressed some interest in running a couple years ago, I had looked into local 5k races. Last year I discovered the Linda Butter's 5k over at the Veteran's Park, which is super close to home. It is also inexpensive! I admit, the $$ is a deterrent with many of the races out there (I realize most are raising funds for a good cause, it can just be too expensive for the whole family). THIS race is more of a service, there is no way they are making money. But it's one I can commit to. This was the second year I signed the Blackham Bunch up for the run.  

Grayson said he wasn't in good enough shape, and Keaton wouldn't get out of bed. We missed Kate this year, but Sol joined Landon, so I wasn't the only girl. I was still last (from our family).  The previous year, all our times were a little too good, I don't think the course had been measured correctly. This year, the times were a little more as expected (and it was an extra lap around the park).  I got lapped by Callahan and Colton. I think the overall winner lapped me twice!

I didn't get around to photographing the finish sheets this year, but from our family, Callahan came in first, with Colton close behind. Then Sol and Landon and Cooper ... then me.

We got cute matching shirts again. Nice. Plus a goodie bag with some fun stuff. I really liked the tube of chapstick stuff. A race, shirt and swag ... $10 for everyone/everything! 

While Kate couldn't make the family fun run, she and Cal did the Dirty Dash. 

They said it was hard!

A Full Family 5k

There may be a FINISH line behind us in this photo ... but this was before it all started.

Many years ago, we did a family 5k. It was My First 5k ... and my only 5k. Even though it had been a good experience, and I wanted to do another one almost immediately, it didn't happen. After time passed, my anxieties increased, and I just wasn't sure I'd ever end up doing another. Hubs and a couple of the boys did one last year (My Little Man Ran) and I debated doing it. But I didn't. Earlier this year, a couple of the boys (#1 and #4) ran one (A Super 5k). #2 and his girlfriend had a summer bucket list, and a 5k was on there. Then I heard about the Linda Butters Fun run.

• It was close. By Gene Fullmer, our rec center, at the West Jordan Veterans Park.
• It was inexpensive. I try not to begrudge the costs of 5ks. I know they are often fundraisers for great causes ... but at 30+ a pop, it makes makes it a but pricey for seven entries. THIS, apparently was not a fundraiser (I'm sure it end up costing them money) but a memorial run. The entry fee was $10. Not per person ... that was the entire family, including #2's girlfriend!
• It had the swag. Chip timed, t-shirts ... that makes it a little more fun.
• Everyone was available.

 If even one family member had opted out, I probably would have too.  

Here is #1, #3 and #4 with their FlipBelts.

Ready to race!

The West Jordan Veteran's Memorial park has a big loop within it. It was closed to cars as the 4th of July carnival was being set up ... and it was where we'd be running. The finish line was also the start ... up through the center of the park, then three loops around. Because it was loops, I got lapped, but only by one son (#3), and I had just passed the end point as #5, #1 and #4 were crossing the finish line (so I could let out a little whoop). 

 This is the order they finished in.

The three top finishers were then excluded from the age group rankings ... overall 1st place was a 15-year old from the boy's high school. 2nd place was a fellow in our neighborhood (in his twenties) and 3rd place was in the age group above that I think. You can see that the Blackham Boys took the top spots (these were preliminary results, additional racers were still finishing up).

... and honestly? Those times are a little TOO good. I don't think this was a completely accurate and full 5k. I told the boys not to count this as their personal best. I forgot to snap a picture of the women's times, but I think I snuck in just under 30min ... and I can't run three miles in 30minutes (I was planning on coming in at about 40 minutes, I had my 5mph playlists on and pretty much stuck to that pace, but did stop to walk a time or two). As I rounded the last curve ... there were my boys! Hubs and all five, and they jogged the last little bit with me, cheering me on (because obviously, I was the last one from our family).

We all got our t-shirts...

...and everyone even posed for pictures!

Hooray for a Family 5k!

A Super 5K

Ever since my #4 ran a race last year (My Little Man Ran) he'd wanted to try it again. Hubs health slipped, and I certainly didn't feel up to it (anxiety issues dealing more with driving there, checking in, dealing with crowds affect me more than the actual "running" although that is a challenge for me too!) But big brother came home from his mission to Mexico, and he said he'd be willing to go give it a try. So I scanned the local 5k races and signed the boys up.

It was the end of April, and it was COLD. The boys almost wimped out due to the weather. But after paying the registration fees (I think it was $35 a person) I told them they better not wimp out. The theme was "Calling All Heroes" ... and they dressed up appropriately (minus capes). They both had on Superhero socks too!

I watched (stalked) them with the Find my Friends app, and noticed they stayed together the entire time. #1 pushed #4 a little ... and they crossed the finish line together. There were 74 racers, and the Blackham boys took 4th and 5th. Not sure WHY it says my #4 is 98 years of age (he's thirteen). Maybe I did a typo on the entry? Probably would have been first in his age division, if they'd had age divisions.

... another race under #4's belt. Speaking of belts, Hubs had purchased a Flipbelt ages ago, and had never worn it. We'd pulled it out when #1 son started running and he loves it. I guess I might need to invest in another one!

My Little Man Ran (First 5k)

For the past several months, my Cooper (12 years old) has been a step-crazy kid! Often with weeks averaging daily steps of 30,000 or more. When it's too cold to play outside, he started jogging on the treadmill to up his step count. He mentioned casually to me "I set it at 6 (6mph), so that's one mile in 10 minutes, and three miles in 30 minutes." Ummm ... I don't think I could do that (admittedly, I'm a wimp when it comes to running)! I haven't hit the treadmill lately, but back when I did, I was more at the 12-minute mile range. 5mph. I'm not even sure how long I could keep that up at this point, three miles would be pushing it!

I mentioned the statement to Hubs, and he looked up a local 5k this past weekend.  We wondered if running in a race might appeal (this is my anxiety child, who has dropped out of team sports because they are too stressful and competitive.) Cooper seemed willing to give it a try, and Keaton said he would too (even with a cast on his arm/broken wrist). If Colton had wanted to run too, I would have done it myself (I even updated and charged my ipod shuffle just in case), but the little guy wanted to save his energy for his basketball game later in the day. So off Daddy and the two boys went. Maga met them at the race!

Ready to Race!

Daddy's original plan had been to start closer to the back of the pack, so the boys could pass some people and get that rush. The boys however didn't like the "back" idea and wound their way to the front. They were off and Hubs couldn't quite catch up! We were both a little afraid the boys might push too hard, and then need to stop, but they ran the whole thing. Cooper came in just under 24 minutes (2nd in his age group, 19th overall) with Keaton right behind him. 

 

I think it was an excellent experience for both boys. They had been with us years ago when we did our Family 5k, but CooperMan was in a stroller then, and Keaton had been on a scooter. This was the first time running a 5k for both of them. I don't think it will be their last though ...

Update ...

Our stake has an annual 5k in May. After the success of the first race, I thought this would be an easy one ... and maybe I'd even participate this time. I was planning on it, and so was Cooper and Keaton. The morning of the race, it was POURING rain. Cooper and I opted out, but Keaton was still game. He did get soaking wet, and slipped a time or two.

They got these nice t-shirts! 

Not bad for a free race (we did donate a couple cans of food).