The death waivers are signed and packed away!  After we wrap up our Dr. appts tomorrow, we are off to drop our kids off with Terri's mom and then heading to Beaver Creek for Tough Mudder.  It is hard to believe it is here.  When we signed up, it was such a long ways off, but the time has come, and I believe we are both ready.  The course map came out a few days ago.......
Here it is....

In case it is hard to see, it will be 10 miles, 20 obstacles.  The 2nd obstacle is the electric eel, which is where you walk through an obstacle getting shocked, so it should be a good day.  Our start time is 8:20, the 2nd wave, so we should finish with plenty of time left in the day to celebrate.  Since the map has come out, Terri has been a little on the anxious side.  The cold water scares her.  She is afraid her body might go into shock and she might not make it through an obstacle.  The newest concern is when she jumps off the plank with shoes on she might not make it back up to the surface in time.  I have to keep reminding her that I used to be a lifeguard, and she does not have to worry about the water obstacles, and that it is all about fun.  Check back later for pictures.  Also, if you have not yet donated, please do so, here is the link:  https://register.toughmudder.com/fundraising/donate.aspx?event=13403&fundraiser=r7473298

My little brother returns tonight from his 10 month tour in Afganistan!  Because of this I thought I would take a minute to update the blog since it has been a while. Training has continued for Terri and I.  Tough Mudder is right around the corner (this Saturday).  We have been averaging about 5 workouts per week.  Terri has even given up her Saturday morning to wake up a 6 am to run about 6 miles with her running buddies.  I still do not give up my mornings, but have been logging some good workouts. 
About 4 weeks ago, Terri and I both did the Hastings YMCA's sprint Triathlon to test our conditioning.  We survived, but boy did it wipe me out for the rest of the day.  The killer part of the Tri was the 25 mile per hour wind we had to bike/run into.  It was brutal.  In the end, I was happy with my time, as was Terri.  During the Tri we had a 800 yard swim (about half mile), bike 12.4 miles, and run 3.1.  Terri finished in a time of 1:54:42, and I finished in a time of 1:29:31.  My goal was to finish under 1:30, so I did that.  Terri's goal was just to finish, and she did that as well. 

Here are some pictures of the event:

End of the race, very tired.  The kid behind me did pass me by the end.

Terri finishing the race!

 About half way through the run.  I could barely move my legs.  And yes, I am wearing a head band.

 Starting the bike.

 Terri riding into 25 mile per hour wind.  Ouch!

 She looks too happy here.

 And here...

Why am I smiling???????

Long time, no blog.  Not much has happened since blogging last.  In my last blog, I told about a book Terri and I were reading, Power, Speed, Endurance: A Skill Based Approach to Endurance Training.  In the book, it focused a lot on form in the pool and while running.  Trying to correct your form while swimming or running, is like learning it all over again.  First I tried running.  The book told to land on the ball of you feet and have your heal kiss the ground.  Both Terri and I tried to do this, and both of us could barely walk the next few days due to pain in our calves.  My calf pain lasted about a good solid 6 days.  while my calves were hurting, I got in the pool and tried to become a more efficient swimmer.  According to the book I was to leave my arm extended in front of my head until my other arm came over my shoulder and entered the water in front of my body.  It also recommended breathing every 3 strokes, so breathing on the right side of your body and left, alternating.  Wow! it is hard to tweek breathing while swimming without feeling awkward and swallowing a lot of water.  I finished that workout totally waterlogged.  Since that, I have reverted back to my old ways, figuring if it is not broke, I am not going to fix it.
Other than that, I am sticking with crossfit workouts, which are giving me a good workout.  Yesterday, I ran 8 400 meter runs with a 90 second break between runs.  With breaks included, I finished in 23 minutes 28 seconds, exhausted at the end.  I woke up this morning with the back of my right knee hurting from the runs.  I plan to be back at it today.  About 1 month until the sprint triathlon, and 2 months until Tough Mudder.

We are still in need of donations.  Please donate here:  https://register.toughmudder.com/fundraising/donate.aspx?event=13403&fundraiser=r7473298 

It's a fun time of year!!!!!  March Madness Baby!!!!!

Each year at work, I get 2 personal days (vacation days) to do with what I want.  For the past 5 years I save both days for this time of year.  For one, it is a good time to take a Spring break.  Another, more important reason, is I get to watch the opening rounds of the March Madness college basketball tournament.  It is a good way to spend a few days, which only could be topped by spending this time of year in Vegas watching all the games in a sports book, which is where I will be next year.  So far, my only big mistake has been taking Wisconsin into the sweet 16, they lost in the opening round.
Taking a day off from work also gives me the chance to take my time and get a good workout in.  A few days ago, I checked out a book from the library about endurance training.  I finally got a twitter account a few months ago, and began following Mens Health and Crossfit accounts.  On twitter, I came across a book: Power, Speed, Endurance: A Skill Based Approach to Endurance Training by Brian Mackenzie.  After reading part of the book, I have again changed up my workout plan.  Before reading the book, I was trying to log as many miles as possible in the pool, on the bike, and on the road running.  However, now I am going to do 4 to 5 days of crossfit, mostly doing the workout of the day on crossfit.com, and add interval training in the pool, bike, and running, with one day a week of a long swim, run, or on the bike.  Today I did my first official crossfit day.  The workout of the day was to do the following:

Complete as many rounds and reps as possible in 12 minutes of:
150 Wall ball shots, 20 pound ball
90 Double-unders
30 Muscle-ups

 Let me just say that this was the hardest workout I have done in a long while, and I did not even get through it all in 12 minutes, I was only able to do the 150 wall ball shots and 90 double unders and I was spent.  After that, I got in the pool and did interval swims.  I did 2 minute swims at a medium to fast pace 4 different times.  Then I spent the rest of my time swimming working on my form.  After reading the book I mentioned earlier, I realized I have horrible swimming form.  Just about everything about my form is incorrect.  Trying to change form is like trying to learn to swim all over again.  Good thing I have time to make adjustments.

After taking 2 days off due to a very sore back, legs, groin, and various other parts, I was back at it today.  I was hoping to ride my bike outside, but due to rain showers, I went to the YMCA and rode the bike and ran on a treadmill.  I ended up riding for 10.1 miles (42 minutes), and ran for 3.2 miles (30 minutes).  One thing I am noticing more is that my armpits are chaffing more as my workouts are getting longer.  We were watching the finale of Biggest Loser that we recorded from yesterday, and my t-shirt was rubbing my chaffed area to the point I had to go shirtless.  I am going to have to address this problem.  I might have to lube up my armpit with vaseline.  After showering up and adding deodorant, the deodorant brings tears to my eyes if it comes into contact with the irritated area.  If you have ways to address this problem of mine, please let me know.

Yesterday was Hastings annual Whoopers and Hoopers basketball tournament.  Teams from all over come to play 5 on 5 basketball.  I got a call on Wednesday to join a team, and I agreed to play even through I have not shot a basketball for about a month now.  Our first game was at 9 am, so I woke up early to eat breakfast and have enough time to drink my coffee and have the food settle.  However, when I woke up, my lower back hurt.  Every now and again, my back hurts, not a muscle hurt, more of a pinched nerve hurt.  So before the game, I sat in the hot tub, and stretched it the best I could.  I survived the game (we lost), then had 4 hours before our next game began.  The down time gave my back enough time to start tightening up, and was pretty sore come time for the second game.  As my luck would have it, it was a very rough game, and I ended up on the court a few times.  I also survived the second game and then retired to the couch for the rest of the day.
Last night while I was sleeping, I woke up each time I moved due to my back hurting.  I think I slept on it wrong again, or maybe yesterday's activities are settling in, because my entire back now hurts, and it is painful to move.  In addition, my left knee is also acting up, so I am gimping around whenever I move.  I do believe it is time to take a few days off to recover.

Since purchasing the road bike last week, I have significantly changed my workouts.  I have added much more cardio to my workout and drastically cut the weights.  I found a workout plan that I started following to train for the triathlon:  http://www.amateurendurance.com/training-programs/article/half-ironman-training-16-wk/.  Now I do cardio 4 to 5 days per week, and weights for 1 day a week.  My cardio workouts are also much longer, an hour to 1 1/2 hour.  Today, I rode 13.2 miles (about 49 minutes), and then ran 3 miles (25 minutes).  It will take some getting used to transitioning from the biking portion of the race to the running.  My legs felt like dead weight when I began running after the bike, but they worked themselves out after about 1 mile.  A weird thing that I have noticed, after a extended cardio workout, I find that I cough a lot.  I don't know if I am cleaning out my lungs, or developing new air sacs within my lungs.

"Sorry kids, there will be no Christmas this coming year."  When they asked why, I had to tell them that dad spent all of next years Christmas money on 2 new bikes for his mom and dad.  We were in Omaha on Wednesday and stopped by the Trek store in Papillion, and walked away with 2 bikes and accessories.  It was a very nice store, with nice bikes.  After test riding a few, you sure do get what you paid for, and it would be easy to splurge.  In the end, we both ended up getting a nice middle of the road bike.  I did end up spending about 3x more that I had planned on spending for bike.  I did end up getting a 3 year warranty, not being familiar with bikes, I figured it would be a good idea in case I cause any type of damage unintentionally.  Since getting my bike on Wednesday, I have been on 2 rides.  The 1st ride, I rode the course of the minitri that is coming up in May through the YMCA.  That ride ended up taking me 49 minutes, 13.2 miles.  Today, I got out before the rain and snow hit and rode out to the Regional Center and out to Idlewilde and back, which was a total of 9.8 miles.  The wind was brutal on my way out, but very nice on the way back.  My legs are not too tired after riding the two days, but my core is a little sore.  I don't know if the pedaling is working my core in a new way, of if something else made it sore.  I also got a nice gadget that tracks mileage, speed, and time that is mounted on the handle bars.  I also got the nice tights to go with it.  So if you see me riding by on a nice day, keep that in mind before you start checking me out.

                                                                      My Bike.

                                                           Terri's bike.

                                                   My little computer that tells me how many miles I crank out.

Holy nipples Batman!!!!!!!!
Yesterday (Tuesday) I started training for the triathlon (which I am 95% committed to, I just need to register).  I rode the bike for 30 minutes and then ran for 30 minutes.  I rode my bike which is set up on rollers in my basement.  It is in the same room as my furnace, so it gets pretty hot in the room.  By the time I finished my 30 minutes, I was sweating bullets.  I then got dressed in clothes to run outside (keeping the same shirt on).  I then ran for 30 minutes, which was 4 miles in category 1 hurricane winds (18 mph).  When I got home, my nipples were raw.  Even a full day later, they are still a bit on the tender side.  I sweat so much, my shirt becomes soaked, when then rubs on my man nips.  I need to remember to lube up with Vaseline or put band-aids over my man boobs.  Other than sore calves (I haven't ran on concrete much lately) I was still in decent shape at the end, so I think I am off to a good start.

Like Ben mentioned we have decided to do the YMCA's sprint triathlon. I have been swimming and let me tell ya, there is a lot more to swimming that one would think. You have to have your breathing down, you have to have your kick figured out, get your hips in line etc... Luckily enough I have a friend who is awesome at swimming and she gave me some pointers. She told me to help aid in my breathing to use flippers and that will help you to not only have time to get your breathing situated but to also help with finding where your hips need to be and to aid with kicking.
I put the flippers on and man how I glided like a sea creature. It allowed me to kick more slowly to help give me time to adjust my breathing, however, using the flippers for the first time on my second pool length the flippers began to feel heavy. She also told me to kick from the hips not from the knees, like people naturally tend to do. With the flippers on they also help you keep your legs a bit stiffer. It takes some getting use to them but they do help a lot and they let you know where things need to be when you don't wear them. My swimming has improved a lot with that advice. I still struggle with breathing but all in do time. I try to get to the pool on the mornings that I do yoga and I try and go on Sunday's as well. What is going to be hard is to adjust to perhaps sharing a lane during the triathlon.
On an other note, Ben found this great article from Men's Health talking about the power of high intensity interval training. The article showcased a workout that Ben described in a few posts back. We did it together and then did sprints and I was sore in the same place Ben was (on that upper hip area). While doing the sprints (which by the way I have not done since I was in high school) I was humbled by the fact that my 8 year old son was a tad faster than me. Needless to say I awoke the hibernation slumber my fast twitch muscles were in and they reacted the same as if you awoke a bear from it's hibernation as well.
I loved that work out and I returned to it yesterday. I began the circuits and during my second round while doing mountain climbers my left groin just gave out I couldn't continue with the mountain climbers. I pulled my groin muscle and my God how that hurt!! You could say it's my first "injury" I attribute the injury to my lack of stretching. Once I finished my workout the stiffness quickly began to sink in. It hurt to adjust my leg in the car on the way home, just barely lifting it up killed. It was a good thing that the next day was my yoga day. I took the morning off of swimming and went straight to yoga. Yoga seemed to do the trick. It's much better now. I am going to take tomorrow off from exercise and give it just a little bit more rest before I hit the pool on Thursday.

We are still in need of donations.  Please donate here:  https://register.toughmudder.com/fundraising/donate.aspx?event=13403&fundraiser=r7473298

This is what you are donating for:

Quick update.  After swimming yesterday, I also did a quick workout with Terri where we did interval stations and the ended by doing 30 second sprints (4 total) with 2 minute rest between sprints.  I did not think much of it at the time, because I took most of it easy except for the sprints.  However, as Saturday afternoon rolled in, and all day today, the very top of my thigh (level with my hip) is very, very, very sore.  I have tried to stretch it all day today, but it is the strangest place to have a sore muscle. 
I did make it to the Y today.  Rode the exercise bike for 4 miles, ran 3 miles and lifted weights (biceps and triceps).  I felt fine once I was all finished.  But it is amazing how it sets in once you hit the couch.  The longer I am planted on the couch, the more difficult it becomes to move.

This past week, I have been thinking long and hard about entering a half triathlon.  70.3 miles of pure bliss.  Lately I have been thinking about places I would like to visit and things I would like to do in the coming years.  Maybe it is a midlife crisis of sort, but I am forming a bucket list.  Items that are included in it so far include:  guided 6 days Grand Canyon rafting trip with www.raftarizon.com, visit the skywalk over the grand canyon, ski and snowboard a few times a year, visit national parks in various states, go to a Duke basketball home game, complete a half triathlon, maybe a full, and most of all visit more places.  As you can see, my list is in the infancy state, just getting started.  I started thinking about the triathlon for two reasons.  Reason 1:  signing up and completing a tri would give me opportunities to visit places I otherwise would not visit, and 2:  I am getting older and better get started before the aches and pains get worse.  Since Terri and I have signed up for Tough Mudder in middle of June (PS: donations are still needed) I was targeting the middle of august as a date.  After looking into it, most triathlons are early summer and early spring, not many in late July and August because of the heat I recon.  However, there is one in Boulder, Co the 1st or 2nd week of August.  Since I started entertaining this idea, I have also looked into road bikes, this will be a sizable financial commitment. I actually entertained the idea of starting with a good old fashion Walmart bike and then up grading, but after thinking about this more, nothing good would come from that.  So on Wednesday, Jake has a Dr. appointment in Omaha, and we might hit a few stores before coming back. 
As far as training goes, I am trying to get in the pool once a week.  I swam yesterday for 25 laps (27 minutes), I think 33 laps is 1 mile.  I hope to get 1 mile next time I hit the water.  Other than that, cardio and weights continue.  I am trying to figure out how to fit crossfit exercises into my workout.  It is hard to make a change and get the old fashion weightlifting out of my workout.  I am taking baby steps.

I hit the pool this past week, and I have not lost much of my water skills since my old days of being a pool rat and lifeguard.  I was able to swim 20 laps (up and back) in 22 minutes 16 seconds (I believe it was a little over a half mile).  I was able to do the crawl stroke the entire time, and did not have to pull out old faithful, my favorite stroke which is side stroke.  I also watched the Crossfit Games on TV this past week, and started following them on twitter.  I am trying to organize my workouts into more high intensity workouts.  I watched a video on Kipping pull ups.  I have always seemed to struggle with pull ups.  No matter how much I focus on them and try to increase the number of reps, I always seem to stay at the same level.  However, after watching the video on Kipping pull ups, it looked easy.  Not the case!  I was not able to do a single one where my chin rose above the bar.  However, this was a day after shoveling 11 inches of snow, so I am writing it off to a sore back and tired muscles.  I also added jumping rope to most workouts to get a little extra cardio.  I was able to do 43 double unders in a row, which is a record for me.  I was so tired after that I almost threw up.

On another note, Jake has not had much luck after getting the baby in the King Cake when we celebrated this past Fat Tuesday.  His wish was that his platelets would stay high.  We have had a rough run since then.  One week ago today, he was in the hospital to get his medicine (Winrho).  It usually takes about 5 to7 days for it to take full effect and get his platelets back to normal.  It seemed to be working as he was not showing any more patichi.  However, on Wednesday night, I noticed some spots on his back, and on the day we were snowed in our house (Thursday) he got a slight nose bleed.  On Friday when we tested him, his platelets were back down to 2,000 (150,000 to 400,000 is average).  After talking with the doctors here in Hastings, and also the specialist in Omaha, we were able to figure out a plan of a high dose of steroids for 4 days.  So hopefully this brings his levels back up.

Training continues, but has headed in a new direction for both Terri and I.  A few days ago, Terri and I started talking about maybe doing a sprint triathlon that is put on by the YMCA in the middle of May.  On Friday, Terri brought home the registration form so I guess it is a go go.  The triathlon will be swimming 16 1/2 laps, biking 10 miles, and running 3.1 miles.  So to start preparing for this event, Terri and I both did a bike/run workout.  Yesterday, I rode the bike for 4 miles on a exercise bike at the Y, and then ran 2 miles.  Terri rode about 7 miles outside and then ran for 1 mile.  The bike part of the workout really wipes out the legs which make the run more difficult.  I typically run about a 7:30 pace on the treadmill; however, after riding the bike first, I had to slow it down to a 9:00 mile pace.  I will also need to start getting in the pool more to make sure I will be good to go.  We both thought this would be a good test to make sure we are training right for the Tough Mudder.  If we are happy with our performance on the sprint tri, I figure I will keep doing the same thing.  If I struggle to finish, I will still have 5 or 6 weeks to tweek my workout so I will be ready for the middle of June which is when Tough Mudder is.  It is amazing how fast time is flying by. 

Speaking of the Tough Mudder, donations are still needed.  So please help me reach my goal by donating here:  https://register.toughmudder.com/fundraising/donate.aspx?event=13403&fundraiser=r7473298

We had a big day in the Studley house today!  My baby is not a baby anymore.  Today was Bennet's first day of preschool!  He has been very excited about starting preschool, asking about it for the past 2 weeks.  However, when the big day arrived this morning, he started to have second thoughts.  Instead of wanting to go to preschool, he wanted to go to his daycare.  When we arrived at his school, he wanted "uppie" and wanted to be held the entire time we waited for his class to be picked up.  Looking around, he was the only preschooler that was being held.  It has become clear to me the past few weeks that I continue to look at him as my baby since he is my youngest.  When my oldest was 4 years old, Nolan, our second child, was already 1 1/2, so Jake was viewed as being "older".  BUT BENNET IS MY BABY AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Bennet even got to ride the school bus to his daycare.

It was also Fat Tuesday today!!!  We also celebrated that today with a King Cake and a little lesson from Terri on why we celebrate Fat Tuesday and why there is a King Cake.  When Terri told our kids that the person who got the baby in their piece of cake got good luck for the next year, Jake said he hoped he got the baby in his piece of cake so he would not get petechial any more.  As "luck" would have it, he got the baby in his piece.  Now, since he is king for the day, he is bossing me around and I am currently grounded for the next 20 minutes.  The whole experience was very educational, it was the first time I every tried a King Cake.  I might have some for breakfast tomorrow.

To update you on my workouts, they are progressing nicely.  I am adding more cardio to most all of my workouts, and I felt the benefits on my run today.  I ran 4 miles after getting off work, and it felt good.  If I would not have started my run as late as I did, I would have tried pushing it to 6 miles.  This might be my goal this weekend if the weather stays nice. 

It's been awhile since I have blogged. Ben has been beating me to it. As you have read in Ben's blogs that we were all sick and believe it or not I am still getting over my lingering cough!! After being sick and finally getting back into the workout groove I tried to run on the treadmill and I about coughed up my lungs! So, the run was short lived and disappointing. I began easing back into everything and went to my Monday bootcamp class and coughed a lot there too. I am finally at a point where I don't hack while I am working out but I still manage to cough throughout the day pretty good. I woke up early last Thursday morning and decided to go for a swim before yoga class and try to get my cardio in early. As I began to swim and put my head under water I about drowned. My congestion from being sick was more prevalent that I thought. I had to swim the entire time with my head out of the water which is way harder than I thought it would be.
Yesterday we went and watched my nephew run at the Concordia Invite. That was our boys first time ever watching an indoor track meet. They were bored, go figure. I however had a great time and thought Koby did great. He got second place in his heat in a race that he had never ran before in his life. Since I knew that we were going to be going to Koby's meet in Seward I knew that we would be leaving early and I would not have time to get a work out in, so I again woke up early and went to one of my old favorite classes...Body Pump. One hour of a full body weight lifting class. It was nice to see my old friends there and catch up, however my hamstrings are super sore today! It always amazes me how you can lift weights and workout and then just do one exercise just a tad different and BAM your body is dead! It's a good reminder to keep switching things up.

After having to reschedule our snowboard outing a few weeks ago due to illnesses, we were able to make it to Mt Crescent on Saturday and spent the day learning to snowboard.  Terri, Jake, and Nolan each had a 1 1/2 hour lesson.  I decided to wing and and hit the slopes immediately after arriving.  Mt. Crescent has one main ski slope that was perfect to learn on.  Information indicated it was 1500 feet long, a 17% grade so it was not bad for only having to drive 2 hours to get there.  But wow did that wipe outs hurt.  I am sore in the sides of my neck, next to my esophagus (I think I got whiplash on a few of my wipeouts).  Also, my forearms hurt, either due to strapping on and off my snowboard, or pushing myself up after all of my numerous wipe outs.  After Terri and the boys wrapped up their lessons, I was able to join them on about 3 runs down the slope until Jake and Terri called it a day.  Overall, I was impressed how Terri, Jake, and especially Nolan picked it up.  Nolan could have kept snowboarding all day, but we needed to eat and get back to Hastings. 

On the workout front, last week was a busy work week for me.  It seemed I had either an early, or late, meeting each day of the week.  During the week, if I am not able to start my workout by 5ish, I quickly lose my motivation.  I have a short time window to get it in, and usually, my late meetings throw off my schedule.  However, I was able to get in a weight workout, and also rode the exercise bike a few times last week.  Last Sunday, my old man basketball team got our first victory of the year, I believe we are 1-6 on the year.  We have another game today so hopefully we add another victory.  I would have to say snowboarding was the best workout of the week.  I was drenched in sweat after my first few runs, due to all the wipe outs I had.  If anyone is looking to pickup skiing or teach their kids, I would recommend Mt. Crescent.

I can't believe it has been an entire week since my last blog.  And a rough week it was.  In my last blog, I told of Bennet's fever.  We brought him into the Dr. this past Monday, and he tested positive for Influenza A, so we are assuming Jake also had the flu, just was a false negative.  So, on Monday, Jake and Bennet stayed home (luckily Terri had that day off due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day), Tuesday all three kids stayed home, Wednesday Nolan and Bennet were Home, and finally on Thursday all kids were back to school and daycare.  However, Terri got down with the illness on late Wednesday, and is still trying to recover.  Very long week.
My workouts are continuing.  I finally committed to my new years resolution and stayed away from beer and pop (mostly).  I don't know if it was due to stepping up my workouts, or staying off the houch, but I was able to lose about 4 pounds.  My ankle is continuing to heal, I would say it is at about 80%.  I lifted legs the other day for the first time since spraining my ankle, and ooouuuuccccchhhh.  It only took 10 lunges for my legs to tighten and cramp up, leading me to call it a day on leg workouts early.  I am able to run, and will try playing basketball again today, so hopefully it holds up.

Also, I am about 60% towards reaching my fundraiser goal for Wounded Warrior Project, so please donate here to make a donation.

Our illnesses continue, Bennet fell asleep last night at about 7:00ish, and as night approached, his temperature increased as did his croup cough.  Bennet likes to come into our room most every night and sleep on the floor, and his barking cough made it a long night sleep.  It got to the point that I steamed him in the bathroom with a hot running shower, which seemed to ease his cough for about 2 hours.  I also had him sleep on the recliner, which kept him in more of an upright position, which meant I slept on the couch.  Any time I am not in my bed, I do not sleep very well.  Jake also continues to run a temp.....  so this might be a fun week.

To hit on my workouts, my ankle is healing, but still sore and stiff.  I was able to run for about 1/2 a mile on Saturday and it held up pretty good.  I have also been riding the bike and jumping rope.  Next week, if the weather is nice, I am going to try to increase my running miles.  I also hooked my mountain bike up to my bike trainer today and rode for about 15 minutes.  I was surprised how good of a workout it was.  I will need to put a plastic mat under me, so the carpet does not absorb all the dripping sweat.  It is my goal to ride the bike 5 nights a week in addition to my weights and other cardio. 

In regards to my new year resolution, I am a complete and utter failure.  I continue to drink about 20 to 40 ounces of pop a day (which is less that before the new year), and I have been having a few beers as I watch football or basketball games.  This coming week I have told myself I will try harder.  I will let you know how it goes.

Well, our ski trip to the lovely mountains of Iowa has to be postponed.  Jake woke up this morning with a 101.5 degree temp.  Just to be safe, we brought him in to the clinic to check his platelets (his platelets usually drop when his is sick due to the ITP), and platelets were at 4,000 (150,000 to 400,000 is average), so he will need to get medicine to bring them back up.  They also checked him for influenza, as it is going around like crazy, and luckily he did not have that.  It never fails that someone in our family gets sick when we have plans made.  Good thing we are able to reschedule the lessons I had arranged for the boys and Terri.

It has been 4 days since spraining my ankle, and I would say I am about 50% recovered.  I have been able to lift weights on Tuesday and today (Thursday), on Wednesday, I rode the exercise bike for 4 miles.  Walking is still sore, and my ankle is very tender.  We are planning on going snowboarding on Saturday, so I might get a brace or tape it up and hope it feels good.  However, Jake (our oldest) got home from school today and has a fever of 100.2, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.  Most every time we have plans of some sort, one of our kids usually ends up getting sick and our plans change in one way or another.  I actually think I am getting conditioned to not make plans because there is always a good chance they will not work out as planned. 

(Ben)
I have my first injury report to make....  I was playing basketball Sunday night, and as I was preparing to elevate to slam dunk the basketball, I sprained my ankle.  Truth be told, I was not in the process of dunking, in fact I can not even jump high enough to touch the rim.  I was actually running after a loose ball, and as I grabbed the ball, I planted and rolled my ankle pretty good.  My family was present for the second game they have ever attended so they were able to witness my first sprained ankle in about 5 years.  What was cute was Bennet (my 4 year old) immediately turned into doctor and began taking care of me.  He even helped me hold ice on my ankle.  This evening (Monday), he was kissing my ankle to make it feel better.  I did not feel too bad last night after it happened, but I had to wake up in the middle of the night to relieve myself, and I barely made it back to bed.  In fact, I laid in bed for about 5 minutes after returning to bed moaning in agony.  I am doing my part to heal quick because we are going snowboarding this coming weekend at a little ski slope in Iowa, a few minutes from Omaha.  This will be the first time snowboarding for my boys, so I don't want to miss it.

Here is my ankle one hour after the sprain.  Starting to swell. 

Here it is 24 hours later.  Starting to bruise and hurts to walk.  I actually had to take a compression wrap off for this picture which hurt pretty bad.

(Ben)
I want to start by saying I am a weak, weak man.  I have not been very successful with my new year resolution.  I have had beer as I have watched each bowl game, which means I had a few beers about each night ending Monday the 7th during the championship game.  Yesterday, I had 2 beers left in my fridge, I figured what the hell, so I drank them as I cooked dinner.  I figured I might as well get rid of them to get them out of my sight.  Regarding my goal to quit pop, also not going very good.  This one is not all on me though.  Terri often wants to have a pop, today over lunch for example, and I am brought along and figure I will have one because it sounds so good.  So, to summarize, my new year resolution is starting now.

Regarding my workouts, they continue.  I have actually been running on the treadmill more than I ever have.  Ever since the snow storm on 12/19, the streets have about 4 inches of packed snow/ice on them.  I have a rule, I do not run outside until the streets are clear of snow.  Also, with the nice weather, I would either be running through puddles constantly, or jumping around like a kangaroo.  I have also been riding an exercise bike at the Y.  Riding the bike really works my legs.  It feels like my legs are out of shape and in need of more attention each time I ride. My best cardio has come from playing old man ball.  It is 3 on 3 half court and gives me a better workout than I anticipate each time.  Terri and the boys came and watched this past Sunday, and was grossed out by the amount of sweat that was dripping off my head as I switched shoes.


I would also like to take a moment to thank the individuals that have donated to the Wounded Warrior Project:
My parents
Terri's sister Kelly Hay
Terri's long time friend Katie Hotie
My good friend Kris Volker
Terri's brother Jim Archuletta
Our friend and Bennet's daycare provider Darla
And myself

If you have not donated, please feel free to donate by clicking here.  If you have donated, feel free to donate again by clicking here.

I don't nearly blog as much as Ben mostly because I don't have as exciting workouts as Ben and because my eyes are deteriorating. I am hard pressed these days to look at the computer or my phone without getting a headache. I am in need of another eye exam to change to a stronger prescription, my current glasses just aren't cutting anymore :( which leads me to believe that at my next eye exam the doctor will tell me that I am now tethered to glasses for the rest of my life! (Contacts are not an option for me, can't touch my eyeball if you paid me)
Now on to more important things. With the holidays, sick kids and myself being sick I have gotten out of my usual workout routine. I have missed a few of my classes that I attend so I have been working out with Ben at the "Y" in the "weight room". I NEVER go into the weight room, its usually full of guys and I like to stick to my classes and girly stuff.  My first few times in the weight room I felt lost. I would do a few things and then feel like "Ok now what?" When lifting weights in the weight room I would do only a few muscle groups at a time and I would feel like I am forgetting the rest of my body, the workout felt short. I was use to an 45 min. to an hour classes, I was use to an instructor. However, by only doing a few muscle groups at a time you give your other muscles a rest and when you go to lift them the next time they are more able to lift longer and or heavier, so it makes sense to not lift your entire body in one setting. I believe that you get stronger quicker lifting muscle groups at a time. For example, I was going to a class at our local YMCA where you lift weights on every muscle group. The class lasted an hour and after so long of going I wasn't getting the results I was hoping. At first I felt the results then I noticed that I wasn't able to go heavier in weights because this class is designed on reps. I had "plateaued". Since lifting in the weight room I decided to attend the class for their new release session. I was lifting more than I ever was in chest in the class and everything felt easier. I attribute that to lifting weights with less rep and heavier weight and doing sections of muscle groups at a time. Bottom line I got stronger. It's amazing how far I have come since first starting to workout. I thought I would NEVER be lifting weights in the weight room, running, working out alone etc...but like a friend of mine told me it's all mind set, which it totally is! So, to all of you out there debating if you should start working out...YES get off your butt and just do it! It's all in your mind! I don't think I have ever heard anyone say after a workout that they wish they hadn't done it. Usually everyone says they feel better after working out and glad they did it even if they weren't sold on heading to the gym in the first place. It's a new year and it can be a new you!

(Ben)
A few weeks ago I quit drinking pop.  By quit, I meant that I seriously cut back.  At the time, I was curious if I would lose any weight.  For those of you who also wondered if not drinking diet pop would result in a lose of lbs, it did not.  My weight has maintained the pre-quitting level.  Now I am ready to step up and go all in.  I am giving up beer for new years!!!  January 1st was supposed to be my first day; however, I had one more day of Christmas vacation, so I am starting over today.  I am using my mulligan.  This might be a little more difficult than not drinking pop.  I am used to having a cold one when I am cooking, or relaxing, in the evening.  I also am used to having a cold one when I watch sporting events, so there might be a little adjusting to do.  But I am all in, and will keep you up to date regarding my progress.