TOE

TOE stands for Test of Endurance.  

50 mile mountain bike race in the Oregon Coast Range.

Almost 9,000 feet of ascent.

The real men do the 100 mile option.
Eric and his worthy competitor battled it out over more than 5.5 hours to finish separated by less than 90 seconds.

Professional pictures by Oregon Velo

More TOEs

TOE Snapshots

Is it too long?

I wonder if Eric and I will look back at our hair and wonder, "Why did we have such long hair in our 30's?"  I chopped Eric's after the Mac race but mine is still growing.

Everyday life

Mr. Martin

Mr. Martin, as he is known to Allie's kindergarten class, turned 36 one week ago.  He volunteered in Allie's class every Tuesday this year.  He was lucky enough to have his birthday fall on his volunteer day and what could be better than a birthday crown and a class of 6 year old kids singing happy birthday? 

Mr. Poppers

The kids often call Eric Mr. Poppers, he is not so hot on the nickname so they use it all the time to bug him.   They love their Dad and I do too.  Here is a picture from our Father's Day walk, our kids are goofballs. 

Almost

School is almost out (tomorrow is the last day) and I keep finding piles like these in the kitchen.  Sierra emptied her backpack Monday and when I came down this morning Mason had unloaded his.  There are all kinds of treasures to be found in a backpack at the end of the school year. 

GOTR

Sierra participated in a program called Girls on the Run.  This is the best summary of the program taken from their site.

During a sunset run in 1993, after years of questioning her self-worth and being defined by others, Molly Barker, found the inspiration that grew into Girls on the Run. Seeking a way to help girls thrive in a world that often sends them conflicting messages, she began creating a solution—a solution that would start with a small program and ultimately become a movement.

In 1996 she piloted the earliest version of a 12-week, 24-lesson curriculum with 13 brave girls in Charlotte, North Carolina. While it has evolved and the movement has grown, the heart of the program is still helping 3rd through 8th grade girls uncover their extraordinary potential, demonstrate courage, and generally embrace being "fantabulous."

The volunteer-led program weaves training for a 5K run with fun, experience-based lessons that improve self-awareness, build a collection of positive experiences and inspire life-changing confidence through accomplishment.

Inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident.

These pictures are from the race day.   Each girl runs with a buddy and I was Sierra's buddy.  We got all decked out with the color spray, took team photos (those two cute women are her coaches) and got ready to race.  Sierra did great and I had such a fun time running with her.

There were also a few Beaver fun runs for the other kids since the event took place in and around Reser Stadium.  Garrett loved running around the football field and climbing all over the bleachers but when we stuck him in the little kids race he collapsed on the ground crying and had to "run" in on Eric's back.  Mason ran a 1km and ran through the finish in 2nd place.  

Good day, good memories made.

 

Water