MUDDYBUDDY Adventure Race!!

WELCOME to the MUDDYBUDDY Adventure Race!!!!

On October 29th, my pal Jamie Nations and myself embarked on what would be a challenge of gargantuous proportions, the MuddyBuddy Adventure Race. 7 Miles of mountain biking, trail running, obstacle courses, mud pits, and goooooooood Times!!! Below is the story and real life adventure that took place. Special thanks to our personal photographer, the gorgeous and stunning Emily Keith.

Enjoy my friends, enjoy.

Driving to the race, Phil and Jamie, a little pre-race music featuring Jamie's favorite band: New Kids on the Block, always a strong selection, and a little Gun's and Roses; Welcome to the Jungle, my personal request. It's almost go time, we were getting pumped up.

TEAM K-NATIONS preparing for the big race.

Strong, Focused, Athletically Superior, Dashing and well kept...I had no doubt at this point that a "W" was in the works for TEAM K-NATIONS!!

The Champ (me), preparing for the start.

Note, I chose not to go for the full spandex race gear like Captain Intensity did next to me. Wise choice on my side, very wise.

THE STARTING LINE!!
And were off!!! I started out on the bike portion. Cruised out to an impressive lead, in third place after 1/2 mile... little did I know that after this first 200 yards on a paved path, we would ride and run 6 miles up a mountian, and then come down. After the first 200 yards we cruised onto a single/double trail that wound up and down the mountain, the first incline was about 500 yards, I charged it, and quickly fell from third place to 10th place or so as my quads burned on fire from the incline and rocky trail conditions. However, because I am a superstar, I quickly regained comand after the second mile.

Jamie taking off on the first trail run portion, he unforutnately followed in my footsteps and charged the first incline not realizing that it was a long way up, "legs-burning, can't breath, need help" that was our thoughts that first portion of the race! When we converged at the second transition point, I thought we weren't going to make it after looking at the sweat and agony on Jamie's face. But, we persevered and quickly jumped back into the heat of things.

After pounding countless obsticles, cargo nets, balance beams, water, we finally had the finish in sight.

The Final Stretch, that's me and Jamie, two teams back, soon to overtake the leaders!!

The Sprint to the finish line, and the Mud pit.

THE MUD PIT!!!!

and who knows what other nasty things

That's me in the lead, looking back to urge my partner on, pretty Narly!

WE FINISHED!!!

slurping down some gatorade and catching our breath.

Debriefing and going over our race strategy at the finish line.

We actually don't know what place we finished, as we had staggered start times and ran in heats. I prefer to believe we got first place in our heat, but we'll see.

Team K-Nations, picture time, you bet!

Me, covered in Mud, dripping mud from the mouth, ate some mud I'm quite sure, solo shot.

Jamie, muddy, solo shot.

Taking pictures with the Landrover Frogs Mascotts.

Muddy and dirty we headed off to the "showers."

And so it all ends at the wash down station. 100 plus fellas at any given time, stripping down and washing off mud, really dirty, no water pressure, .... Until next year.....memories.

2006 Hunting Trip

The 2006 Hunting Trip.

Deano's Ranch In Asotin. On October 13th-15th, I headed to Asotin Washington to go Deer Hunting with my Dad and Brother In law Tommy. It was quite a good time. We went to my dad's good friend Dean's place (from here on referred to as Deano) , which is basically a deer farm, there are so many. Deano was a great host and deer guide, and chef. can't thank him enough for a great time. Below is the story, enjoy of the whole weekend. Enjoy!

The Field, Home of the deer.

The ravine, where the final hunt was executed.
THE STORY:

Myself, from here on to be referred to as "hunter extrodinaire" and my Four Point.
After about 12 minutes from walking outside of Deano's back deck, we saw the deer, many of them. Deano shuttled myself and another fellow around the field, I jumped out onto the side of the field, and as I like to say, "Sighted my target, and delivered" Unfortunatley, I shot the dear in the leg, not exactly a kill wound. Thus proceed an hour of tracking the deer with Tommy, until we found him again down in a ravine, where I finished the job, with Marcsman like effeciency. Good times, we'll enjoy the meat.

We had to carry/drive the dear out of the Ravine, and back onto the Field

Deano, Hunter Extrodinare (me), my Pops, My four Point Deer.
After my successful morning, we headed out to find a dear for Tom, we piled into a 1947 Jeep, that has suspension equivalent to a cement truck. very bumpy ride, but a sweet ride indeed.

Tommy getting ready for his big hunt.

My Pops in the driver seat, I am convientely located in the back, where there are no seats, and metal plates to sit on. I guess that' what I get for being the low man on the totem pole.

Tommy with his nice three point.

After about 25 minutes of driving around, a dear popped up in front of us, Tommy jumped out, took three shots, and the dear took off. Tom and I pursued on foot. We realized Tom had injured the dear, and when we found it, I assumed it was dead. Put my foot on it and called Tommy on up. As he approached he quickly informed me that my assessment was incorrect and the dear was very much alive and getting ready to run! Tommy ended it there.

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS FOOTBALL!!

After the morning of Hunting we headed over to Pullman for WSU vs. CAL football game.

The "Boys" at the game, Dean, Tom, ME, my Dad.

Alas, WSU in scoring position, but yet again, unable to score. At this point in the game, my bloodpressure and frustration level was about 300 over 150. I hate to love the Cougs!
And so it all ends. a great trip a great time. A

Special thanks to my Dad for making it a great weekend, and for skinning my deer, and making it into meat for me, Memories I will never forget.

Phil & Emily's re-decorated apartment!

We are lovin' our new beachy style and can't wait to have you all over to enjoy!

You might be wondering about our artwork over the sofa...I designed it on the computer and Phil painted it himself. This is just the beginning...who knows what else we are capable of!! :)

Virginia Beach Vacation Summer 2006

The Beach Bums! Phil and Emily.
This summer we got to take an awsome vacation to Virginia Beach with all of Emily's extended family. I think about 21 of us loaded up and crammed into this amazing beach house in Crotan Virginia Beach. We had a hoot! Emily's parents, her sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, and all were there and we just had a great time. We stayed for 1 week, the weather was perfect, no humidity, about 85 degrees, we couldn't have asked for any better weather. I got to go surfing with my pal Dave Hummel who moved back to VB from LA a couple months ago and he took me to Hatteras North Caroline for a day surf trip. Emily really enjoyed spending quality time with all of her cousins and we came back feeling refreshed. Below are some of the pics...
Emily and her sister Laura Kate from the beach house deck.
All the cousins, plus me, yes the one with his eyes closed, although still quite dashing I might say.
Emily and her cousin Caroline posing for the camera.
Yours Truly! and my beautiful wife, taking a little stroll on the VB Boardwalk.
The Girls out on the town at the Virginia Beach boardwalk. from left to right: Katherine, Sarah, Emily, Laura Kate, Caroline
The family sing a long. Emily's dad playing the guitar and the rest of us trying to sing, we weren't going to win any prizes for staying on key, but we sure had a great time.
The Beach, from the upper deck of the Beach House. That's where I tried to surf each morning, not much on the waves, but still had a good time.
Emily and her sister Laura Kate baskin' in the Sun
Emily, Papa English, and our friend Sarah Hummell with her son Dave Jr. and her nephew Anthony.
Check out these HOTTIES!!
Down at the beach, Emily's mom and cousin Caroline.
Our last night at the Beach House. Farewell.

Road Trip 06'

Road Trip 06" Me and my two pals, Jared and Shane took a road trip from LA to San Francisco to go to the 49ers vs. Eagles Football game.Here we are overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a wonderful 2 hour detour Jared advised us on!!Sight's were nice, the extra two hours to tack onto an already 6 hours driven wasn't that exciting. Jared no longer has navigating input.

A little tailgating in the parking lot before the game.


The Fellas enjoying the game.

Great Game!