Bourbon Chase

At the beginning of summer Jennifer was contacted by some of her friends in the NICU about running something called the Bourbon Chase. I had heard about this before, but never actually thought about running in it. The team was looking for 2 people to finish out their group of 12. So, we told them we were in and then Jennifer started trying to figure out some kind of workout plan. The plan consisted of running multiple days in a row each week instead of spacing them out. We were officially team members of Baby Steps!

For people that don't know anything about the Bourbon Chase, I am about to try inform you. It is a 203 mile relay race around central Kentucky. It runs through a number of the bourbon distilleries, which gives it the name. The 12 person team is split into 2 groups and they ride in separate vehicles. This allows one carload (6 people) to be out on the trail and running, while the other car of 6 people is resting, eating, or sleeping. Jennifer and I were both in the second car and she was runner number 8 and I was number 9. During the 30+ hour race each person runs three different legs of the race, all of varying distance and difficulty. You never really realize how hard the rolling hills of Kentucky are until you actually run them. It was definitely not a flat course.

Our first leg of the race for our van started at Maker's Mark. We had never been here before so we did a little bit of exploring. We checked out a barrel house and saw tons of bourbon just waiting to be bottled up.

Before the race was to begin. We were both anxious about what to was become.

Our group of six runners before we were about to start our journey together. All the girls were nurses in the NICU and myself and the other guy were both married to NICU nurses. 

Barrels of Kentucky bourbon.

I took this picture just because it is funny to me. I am running in a race called the Bourbon Chase and I have never even drank a drop of the stuff. Most of the people were looking forward to the drinks at the finish line, but not us.

Maybe someday we will go back out to the Maker's Mark distillery for the real tour. It was pretty neat from what we did get to see. 

Jennifer accepting her first exchange of the slap bracelet.

 We passed her on the way to the next check point where she was going to hand off to me.

While I was waiting in line to start my run I turned around and saw this man. I didn't know him, but I did know the shirt. It was of a friend of mine that I had taken care of in the hospital. It was a nice little distraction to talk with a stranger about an awesome young man before starting my run. 

Jennifer passed on the "baton" or slap bracelet to me and off I went for my first run. My longest run was my first one at 8.9 miles. I was at least glad that my distances were in descending order, unlike Jennifer's which were in ascending from shortest to longest.

Jennifer was able to capture a picture of me heading into the hand off area. I felt really good during the whole run which was located mostly on interstate with cars zooming by all of us runners.

I was so happy with my time and pace. The 8.9 miles took me 1 hour 16 minutes and 34 seconds for an average pace of 8:37 per mile. Not too shabby for a bigger guy. Prior to starting my leg we noticed other people writing on the exterior of their vehicles. The thing that seemed the most interesting to me was when people were documenting "kills". I had to find out what this meant. Someone told me that a kill was when you passed someone on the course. This of course was a motivation for me, so I counted my kills too! In this 8.9 run I killed 20, while I was killed 4 times. I was pretty excited about that and it gave me something to look forward to on my next legs of the race.

After the rest of our van finished their first run we decided to get something to eat and head to our Airbnb to get some rest. As we were leaving the hand off to our other car we found out that one of the people in their car had gotten sick and wasn't going to be able to finish the race. We were all worried if we were going to be disqualified or if we could finish the race. Turns out that all we had to do was have a "ghost" runner. For the last two legs that our team mate was unable to complete they would have to wait the amount of time that it would have taken her to finish those miles. Or if someone felt compelled they could step in and run the extra miles in her place.

We all had some pizza to eat and about 2 hours later we woke up to get back out and start running again. Another team mate got sick during our rest time. She was vomiting and didn't think that she could continue the race. She was really bummed about this because she had been so excited about this race for while and now she wasn't able to finish. We contacted the race officials and told them we had another member of our team sick. They gave us the same options as before with a "ghost" runner or someone could run additional legs of the race. We left her at the Airbnb so that she could get some more rest and not be trapped in a car for a long period of time. Off to our next legs of the race!

Our next run just happened to be about 3 o'clock in the morning. I again missed Jennifer at the hand off again. She is in the red pants and just starting out her second run.

This is all I could see of Jennifer as she was approaching me for the hand off. Thankfully I remembered what she was wearing because I couldn't see her face as she was approaching.

I felt really good on this leg of the race too! I did 5.1 miles in 43 minutes and 6 seconds. On this run I was again on the interstate and it was pitch black for the majority of the time. That is except for when the oncoming traffic was shinning their lights into my eyes. I had to wear a head light, reflector vest, and at least one flashing light. This time I was only able to "kill" 7 and I was killed 2 times. 

I handed off to the next runner and hopped in the car. I however couldn't get past the thought of having a "ghost" runner. The person that had to sit out for sickness was runner 11, which was two spots after I ran. I didn't say anything to anyone in the car, mostly because they were all resting, but I really wanted to run it. So, when we got to the check point I got out and told them I was gonna try and run it.

I kept up a really good pace considering I had just ran shortly before that. I finished 4.3 miles in 35 minutes and 37 seconds with a 8:38 minute per mile pace. The run ended at Four Roses distillery. I "killed" 11 and was killed 3 times. Again this run was in darkness, but this was the first time that I got to run on the back county roads. It was mostly down hill and was a really enjoyable run in the darkness.

After our group finished our second legs of the race we headed back to the Airbnb to clean up and pick up our team mate. We decided to take a quick little group picture before heading off to our last and final starting area. 

Jennifer marking off her legs that she has run so far in the race. We had done this as a way to stay motivated about getting to mark things off of our to do list.

We headed out from the Airbnb and went to find somewhere to grab breakfast. We ended up close to our next check point in Frankfort. We stopped in at a Panera for a lite breakfast. If you can believe this it was actually my first time eating at a Panera. I didn't want too much on my stomach so I only ate a bagel and had some water.

Jennifer taking off for her last run.

This time I finally got to the hand off area early and was able to snap some better pictures of Jennifer. Here she is finishing up her last leg. This was her longest run at about 8.7 miles. She told me that she was struggling, but so glad to be done with it.

Initially my shortest leg of the race proved to be the toughest on me. My legs were struggling to get up the hills and I just felt really slow. I was surprised to find at the end of my race that I finished in a 8:44 minute per mile pace. This time I only had 4 "kills" and was killed 2 times. I actually sprinted at the end because someone was catching me and I didn't want to be killed right at the finish line. 

I had told my team mates that I might be up to running the last additional leg that we had open. However, after this leg of the race I told them that I was officially done. I didn't think I had anything left in the tank. Another runner in our group stepped up and said that she would do it.

For the finish of the Bourbon Chase it ends in downtown Lexington. When your last runner comes around the corner you all join them and cross the finish line together. 

Both vehicles finally united again. This is team Baby Steps with the exception of our first member that got sick and actually ended up in the emergency room. Thankfully she was ok, but she was diagnosed with bronchitis, laryngitis, and pneumonia.

Our team shirts for Baby Steps had this saying on the back of it: "Even Baby Steps get you to the finish line." I don't think we took baby steps, but we did in fact make it to the finish line.

So thankful that Jennifer talked me into doing this crazy event. I had a lot of fun and would definitely contemplate doing it again. Jennifer said there was no way she would ever want to do it again!

Van 2 of Team Baby steps along with our driver. I only knew 2 of the other people in the car when we started, but I gained 4 new friends along the trail.

Pretty nice medal. It just so happened to be the 10th anniversary of running the Bourbon Chase. 

One last picture of all of us pilled into the car for a ride back to our own personal vehicles. It seemed like a lot longer than 30 hours ago that I met some of these people but that is what it had ended up being. 

I definitely got my exercise in for the day. The most interesting thing on my watch was actually the hours standing. At seven o'clock at night I had already stood for all 20 hours of the day. 

The Bourbon Chase was an awesome experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is up for a difficult challenge. Like I said earlier I would do it again, but at this point I don't think I am going to sign up again at this time for next year. Jennifer and I have other races and things that we want to try and accomplish. Our next races are coming up in February out west in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. We are actually going to run 3 half marathons in a week while we are out there. I will keep you all updated as I am still trying to get in the best shape of my life. Thanks for reading and God bless!

Halloween 2018

We started off this Halloween season with some seasonal cookie decorating. The kids loved making the cookies and even enjoyed eating them even more.

Decorating cookies.

Some of our finished cookies.

We all picked our favorite decorated cookies and put a poll up for people to vote. Brinley's ended up winning the vote which was the blue and pink jack-o-lantern in the top right corner. Mine was in the top left as a decorated pumpkin. Jennifer's was the witch and Landon's was the bat.

The YMCA also had a family fall festival and it included face painting. Brinley loved the butterfly.

Landon got a ghost and he was pumped because it turned out looking like one of the ghosts from Pac-Man.

They also had a smore station outside and the kids were so excited about roasted a marshmallow.

The Sunday before Halloween they had a parade downtown which is also known as the Thriller Parade. The kids really enjoyed seeing all the dancers and even said that they wanted to try and do it next year.

Next thing to do was carve up some pumpkins. The kids were so excited about getting to do this again. They wanted to pick some of the most difficult designs, but Jennifer wanted to pick some basic designs because it was a school night.

Landon getting his carving skills better.

Brinley finally letting mommy help her so that she can get done sooner.

Brinley's cat on the left and Landon's scary smiling pumpkin on the right.

Jennifer and I put the kids to bed and then finished up our pumpkin carving. 

All of our pumpkins out on the front porch. Clearly I did the Snell Yeah carving in honor of Benny Snell and the football Cats. Jennifer did the pair of bats on the far right.

 The city decided to change the date of trick-or-treating due to bad weather predicted on October 31st. That made me a little upset because I had specifically asked off for Halloween and now I was scheduled to work. Thankfully I had an awesome co-worker who came in a couple of hours early for me so that I could get out with the kids. Our family costume wouldn't have been the same if I hadn't been able to show up.

Jennifer had told me that she just wanted to let the kids pick what ever they wanted and get them their costume. That didn't sound as good as family costumes. After much consideration we landed on the winner. Can you guess it just from Brinley's outfit. She was extremely excited to be Dorothy!

Someone on the other hand was not as excited about being the Tin Man. Jennifer sent this picture to me one day while I was at work and said she didn't think that the family costumes were going to be a success. I asked her to give me a little time to get him on board with the family.

We're off to see the wizard! This year we decided to do another family costume, and The Wizard of Oz was the winner. Jennifer had refused to hand make our costumes again. So, this year we bought our outfits.

The kids on my make shift yellow chalk road. Brinley got so many compliments on her outfit, especially Toto. Landon got into the part and actually ended up loving his outfit. I found the music from the movie on my phone and would play "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" in between houses. Landon kept asking me to skip with him to the next house.

Mimi and Pap showed up to see Dorothy and the Tin Man.

We even saw some witches feet that seemed like a perfect picture for Dorothy.

We even ran into our neighbor Willow. We could have even asked her to be a part of our group as Glenda the good witch.

Grandma and Grandpa with the kids.

I don't know why I do this every year, but I find it completely fascinating to see what the kids get in their Halloween buckets. The only surprises this year were what appeared to be left over Easter chocolate eggs. I threw those away.

Landon's candy stash. He was so excited about all the candy that he got.

On actual Halloween the day started off with school. Landon wore his ghost shirt. I think this might be his last year getting to wear it. It is a 3T, but it still fits the little guy. 

Brinley was wide eyed for school this morning.

 I had found multiple options for indoor trick-or-treating for the night of the 31st, but I figured the kids had enough candy and we could just enjoy hanging out with each other instead.

We started with dinner at Malone's where Brinley ordered her first ever steak meal. She loved it!

Next, for a little treat we headed over to Krispy Kreme. They had a deal where if you dressed up you could get a free donut of your choice. I had packed a little outfit for the kids, so Doc McStuffins and Buzz Lightyear got themselves a donut.

Then we headed downtown to Transylvania's campus to see all the pumpkins. There were a lot of interesting pumpkins and a few really good designed ones. The kids always enjoy picking out their favorite ones.

The kids were being quite silly.

My crew!

I hope I never have to see this sight in real life.

After we got home we decided to watch a movie together before getting to bed. The kids both wanted to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The kids had so much fun this year with all of our different activities. I can't wait to see what I can get them to dress up into next year. I for some reason just love coming together on a family theme. I didn't get to actually do what I wanted and tell the kids the morning after Halloween that I ate all of their candy so that I could post it on youtube for the Jimmy Kimmel show because I had to work. I did it the next morning and the results were really awesome. I was expecting the kids to go completely crazy that I ate all of their candy, but instead Landon said, "We trick-or-treated for nothing!" and then Brinley tells me that she was ok because she had hid some candy in her backpack. Best of all then she shared with her little brother. I was totally surprised by their natural reactions. I then brought all of their candy back out and told them that I was just pretending that I ate all of their candy. They were really happy then!

You can watch it here if you didn't see it:
I ate my kids Halloween candy

I hope all of you had a wonderful Halloween. Thanks for reading and God bless!