Sunday, December 9, 2012
Starved Rock State Park
Here are some pictures from our trip to Starved Rock State Park this summer. I think Courtney was working that day, but the rest of us hiked and went canoeing.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Finished Indianapolis Marathon
Hal and I (Harry) ran the Indianapolis marathon on Saturday, and it was a great feeling of accomplishment and relief to complete it. I trained all Summer & Fall to prepare, and Hal was in good shape from running 1000 miles this summer then training hard during his cross country season.
Teresa and the kids came down to watch, and also Grandma Chestnut was there, after staying with us for the last two weeks. My mom and dad also came to watch. We stayed the night in Indianapolis both the Friday night before the race and the Saturday evening after the race.
My final time was 4:55:34, with a pace of 11:17. At the halfway point (13.1 miles) I was at 2:18:52, with a pace of 10:36. My overall place was 496 of the 659 runners who completed the race.
Hal's final time was 3:32:05, with a pace of 8:06. At the halfway point, he was at 1:43:46, with a pace of 7:58. His overall place was 76, and he was second in the men age 19 and under.
It was a nice day for running -- 48 degrees at the start, with a mix of clouds and sun throughout the morning. The race started at 8:30am, and the course went through Benjamin Harrison state park and along a river trail. The fall leaves were in color, and there were a lot of times that I looked around to admire the scenery as I ran.
The race combined a half marathon with the same start time as the full marathon, which was interesting because I sped up a bit in mile 12 as the people around me started running faster to finish out the half marathon. It was also more sparse in the second half of the race. I tried to keep my mind on running as many 11 minute miles in a row as I could, and worked to keep my pace slow for the initial miles so I wouldn't run out of energy as I went. I was hoping that I might get under 5 hours time, and was happy with my effort and very excited for Hal. I ran the marathon at a faster pace than either of my two 20-mile training runs. It was really neat that Hal and I got to do it together, and it was fun that we were able to cross paths twice during the race to cheer each other on. It helped to have our family there cheering us on, as well.
It started to get quite difficult for me in mile 23, although I'm not sure if I hit the "wall", but I knew I couldn't run any faster than what I was going. My pace was slower by that point, but I ended up running the whole race, without stopping or walking. I did grab plenty of fluids along the way, much more than I would have in a practice run, and I believe that helped. I saw Teresa as I neared the finish line, which was neat, and I saw everyone waiting for me at the end. I was quite exhausted and sore -- I found it hard to stand and walk, but was happy to have done it. It's Monday now, and I'm still feeling some of the soreness, but it's much better now. Glad to have made it!
Teresa and the kids came down to watch, and also Grandma Chestnut was there, after staying with us for the last two weeks. My mom and dad also came to watch. We stayed the night in Indianapolis both the Friday night before the race and the Saturday evening after the race.
My final time was 4:55:34, with a pace of 11:17. At the halfway point (13.1 miles) I was at 2:18:52, with a pace of 10:36. My overall place was 496 of the 659 runners who completed the race.
Hal's final time was 3:32:05, with a pace of 8:06. At the halfway point, he was at 1:43:46, with a pace of 7:58. His overall place was 76, and he was second in the men age 19 and under.
It was a nice day for running -- 48 degrees at the start, with a mix of clouds and sun throughout the morning. The race started at 8:30am, and the course went through Benjamin Harrison state park and along a river trail. The fall leaves were in color, and there were a lot of times that I looked around to admire the scenery as I ran.
The race combined a half marathon with the same start time as the full marathon, which was interesting because I sped up a bit in mile 12 as the people around me started running faster to finish out the half marathon. It was also more sparse in the second half of the race. I tried to keep my mind on running as many 11 minute miles in a row as I could, and worked to keep my pace slow for the initial miles so I wouldn't run out of energy as I went. I was hoping that I might get under 5 hours time, and was happy with my effort and very excited for Hal. I ran the marathon at a faster pace than either of my two 20-mile training runs. It was really neat that Hal and I got to do it together, and it was fun that we were able to cross paths twice during the race to cheer each other on. It helped to have our family there cheering us on, as well.
It started to get quite difficult for me in mile 23, although I'm not sure if I hit the "wall", but I knew I couldn't run any faster than what I was going. My pace was slower by that point, but I ended up running the whole race, without stopping or walking. I did grab plenty of fluids along the way, much more than I would have in a practice run, and I believe that helped. I saw Teresa as I neared the finish line, which was neat, and I saw everyone waiting for me at the end. I was quite exhausted and sore -- I found it hard to stand and walk, but was happy to have done it. It's Monday now, and I'm still feeling some of the soreness, but it's much better now. Glad to have made it!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Top attractions from Washington DC voted by our kids
We just got back from a 10-day trip to the Washington DC area with all five kids, ages ranging from 7-17. We got a pretty comprehensive view of the area, seeing over 40 different attractions and monuments. The only thing that we skipped on our plan was the National Zoo because it was sweltering yesterday when we were planning to go.
I asked the kids last night on the way home to individually to rank their top 10 things that they liked on the trip, then tallied what came out on top. Here's what they liked the best in order:
1) Climbing to the summit of Old Rag Mountain (3 oldest kids only)
2) The U.S. Capitol Building tour
3) The Washington DC Temple
4) International Spy Museum
5) The apothecary in old town Alexandria
6) Mount Vernon
7) Smithsonian Natural History Museum
8) Bureau of Printing and Engraving
9) Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
10) Ford's theater (tie)
10) Smithsonian American History Museum (tie)
10) Old Town Trolley Tour (tie)
I also asked them to rank their top three monuments in order, and they liked:
1) World War II memorial
2) Lincoln memorial
3) Jefferson memorial
Other attractions and memorials that were mentioned that were pretty popular were the Holocaust museum (older kids only), going for a run downtown (Hal only), Christ's church in Alexandria, the White House Tour, the National Cathedral, Martin Luther King memorial, and FDR memorial.
We were definitely able to easily fill the 10 days with activities in the DC area. We alternated between days in the city, seeing museums and touring buildings with days outside the city hiking or visiting Mount Vernon, Alexandria, Harper's Ferry, and other day trips. We stayed in National Harbor MD, and drove in every day, but were able to get a hotel with a pool so the kids could cool off in the late afternoon or evening. I think it was one of our more successful trips.
I asked the kids last night on the way home to individually to rank their top 10 things that they liked on the trip, then tallied what came out on top. Here's what they liked the best in order:
1) Climbing to the summit of Old Rag Mountain (3 oldest kids only)
2) The U.S. Capitol Building tour
3) The Washington DC Temple
4) International Spy Museum
5) The apothecary in old town Alexandria
6) Mount Vernon
7) Smithsonian Natural History Museum
8) Bureau of Printing and Engraving
9) Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
10) Ford's theater (tie)
10) Smithsonian American History Museum (tie)
10) Old Town Trolley Tour (tie)
I also asked them to rank their top three monuments in order, and they liked:
1) World War II memorial
2) Lincoln memorial
3) Jefferson memorial
Other attractions and memorials that were mentioned that were pretty popular were the Holocaust museum (older kids only), going for a run downtown (Hal only), Christ's church in Alexandria, the White House Tour, the National Cathedral, Martin Luther King memorial, and FDR memorial.
We were definitely able to easily fill the 10 days with activities in the DC area. We alternated between days in the city, seeing museums and touring buildings with days outside the city hiking or visiting Mount Vernon, Alexandria, Harper's Ferry, and other day trips. We stayed in National Harbor MD, and drove in every day, but were able to get a hotel with a pool so the kids could cool off in the late afternoon or evening. I think it was one of our more successful trips.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Pioneer Children Sang as They Walked and Walked and Walked....
Harry, Courtney, Hal, Tyler and I attended Youth Trek this passed week. We walked 25 miles in three days pushing a hand cart. It was a wonderful experience. The kids had a great time and learned some great lessons. I'm thankful Harry and I got to be there as a ma and pa. Fun Times!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Romney Rally in Vernon Hills, Illinois
We got to see Mitt Romney tonight. It was too crowded in the building, and we were a little too late to get in, but he came out to speak with supporters outside. Teresa and I brought Allie and Dan with us.
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