Couch to 5K

Jecia invited me to be on her team for the 5K Color Run February 16.  I accepted and she found me a "Couch to 5K" training program.  Now I want to be clear, I walk 2-3 miles on Monday and Wednesday and do a 45 min interval training on Tuesday and Thursday, so I am not a total coach potato.  I knew I could easily walk a 5K, but actually running is another thing.  So with six weeks to D-Day, I got started.

Week One
Jecia joined me on my first workout with iPhone in hand.  Five minute walk to warm up.  No problem!  Alternate 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes.  I thought I was going to die!  The first 60 second run was excruciating; the succeeding segments were worse.  Jecia kept up a lovely conversation while we ran.  I was unable to speak. I  learned lots of things on our excursion.

1. Runners are nice people so we greet everyone we pass.  Jecia offers a cheery "good morning", I manage a weak wave of the hand.
2. There was a loose brick on the fence by the old junior high bus stop where the wild girls hid their cigarettes.  Jecia was glad when they moved the stop across the street, so they could no longer smoke while waiting for the bus.
3. Giving silly names to landmarks helps the time go faster.  The out of service black and white police cruiser around the corner is a Po because it is only half a Po Po.
4. I love the 90 seconds of recovery between the run segments!

Week Two
Now I am a veteran runner, I carry my own iPhone and even know how to use the stop watch.  I run three minutes (triple the time) and walk 90 seconds, then run 90 seconds and walk 90 seconds and repeat until I arrive back at the house. I can identify every incline, no matter how slight.  I try to run the down hills and walk the uphills.  It doesn't really work because the beginning and end are uphill.

Week Three
Now I am alternating 5 minute and three minute run segments with recovery walk times of half that.  I thought it would get easier, but this is the worst week yet.  Even my regular workouts are more difficult.  I really don't know why I agreed to do this "fun run".  There is nothing fun about this!  I could quit now but I already paid the $40.  Jecia and I run on the track at the high school on Saturday in a light rain.  It is an easier surface to run on and it is flat!  I run/walk 3.5 miles instead of the 2 miles I usually do.

Week Four
Something has got to change.  I give myself a pep talk.  Nothing worth doing is easy.  I am not running because I feel good while doing it.  I am running so I will feel good when I am not running. I want to be strong and healthy in my retirement years.  This week is an eight minute run with three minute walk, then alternate four minutes of running and two minutes of walking.  At the end of eight minutes I feel  like I can keep running - but I don't.  I have to save some energy to run the uphill climb at the end. I finish the run and I can still breathe.  This may not be so bad after all!  I ran eight minutes!  Well in truth it was a slow jog, and it was on the downhill section, but it was eight minutes!

Week Five
I realized this week I will only have 6 weeks of training on a 9 week program.  I don't think I will be ready to run the full 5K in a week, but I will run most and walk when I have to.  My longest run was 11.5 minutes.  Not sure of the distance, but I think it was just more than a mile.  Great improvement over my 60 second burst of running on week one!  On Friday, Jecia ran with me and showed me how to use the Runkeeper app she put on my iPhone.  (I didn't even know it was there.)  We ran the first mile in 9:57 minutes; ran/walked the second mile in 13:24, and the last mile in 14:10.  My overall average was a 12:23 min mile.  That is enough to get an A in PE.  It was also my new personal best on Runkeeper!

Week Six
So tomorrow is the Color Run.  It was hard to fit in my running this week as I had early morning appointments.  I still managed to run Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  This morning Jecia and I decided to alter our route and run in O'Callahan Park.  It was a nice run and offers elevation change.  I like to call it a run even though I still walk about a third of the time.  It sounds  better when you say, "I went running this morning." or " I will call you after my run."  or "I run three to four days a week."  With only four events on the Runkeeper, I set a new personal best.  Woo Hoo!  I still like to start with a five minute walk.  I ran 1.2 miles without stopping and we did 2.85 miles at an average of 11:51 minute mile.  (After our 30 minute warm-up, Jecia went to the park to run with friends from the singles ward.)  I shaved 31 seconds off of my mile!  I still don't like running hills or even gentle inclines - unless I am going down, but it is not quite as tortuous and I am better at it.  I am amazed at my body's response to a consistent 20-30 min aerobic activity. 

Jecia picked up our race packets last night so I have my cool Color Run shirt, headband, and official race number.  I am excited for tomorrow.  I think I will buy new running pants for the occasion.

Run Day - February 16, 2013
Darn it!  I wrote a post right after the race, but apparently I did not save it, because I came back to add pictures two weeks later and it was gone.  I will try to recreate... Yes, I did find new black "slimming design" (that was what the tag said) running pants.  I thought I might cut them to make capris, but they are actually long enough so I will leave them that way. 

Marshall acted as driver and we met Jecia & her friend Meagan to carpool to the race.  Great planing and a driver who dropped us off at the closest intersection got us there an hour before start.  It was fun to be right at the beginning of the race with all the energy and excitement.  The weather was perfect for running.  We ran just over 1.5 miles before I needed to walk.  That is a huge improvement over the 60 second bursts I managed six weeks ago!  After about two minutes of walking, I was ready to run again.  After about two miles, I began to wish I had found a porta potty during the hour before the race began.  At about 2.5 miles I had to change to fast walking as the running was too much for my bladder.  (I share this to help other over 40 women who have had children learn from my folly.) We ran the last quarter of a mile and I was focused on my goal - porta potties just past the finish line.  Whew!


Jecia and I just before crossing the finish line



Successful Color Runners!  Jecia - Colleen - Meagan

So my final numbers show remarkable improvement in strength and endurance after six weeks.  I ran/walked 3.13 miles in 34.49 minutes.  It was an average 11:08 minute mile.  (43 second improvement on the average mile - take that Rodger Bannister!)  My fasted overall pace to date and my longest run without walking.  More important, I felt great and more energized after the run.  Jecia thinks she might train for another marathon.  I think I will not.  Still, I will keep running two or three days a week and I might even decide to do a 10 K or team relay race.  It is good to know that it is never too late to improve personal fitness and consistent effort just three days a week makes a big difference in a short time.  Thanks Jecia for the invite to run with you.

Hutchinson Happenings 2012

Hutchinson Happenings 2012 has been condensed

to The Top Ten

in no particular order

1. We had an amazing Christmas with everyone at home. Lots of time together and a family portrait (the reason for our delayed greeting).

2. Caleb received his Eagle rank in Scouting.

3. After saving for months, Jecia paid cash for her first car, a red Nissan Xterra. Very sporty and fun off-road.

4. Jake completed his third semester of law school and ran his first half marathon.

5. Eliza discovered she loves the Oregon coast and crabbing when she and Jake traveled there for their 2nd anniversary.

6. Ethan and Caleb marched with their band in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.

7. Ethan (and the rest of the band) swept every Nevada competition and took 3rd in Bands of America Finals this fall. Think 8 minutes of intense aerobic exercise, carrying a 40 pound instrument, while playing complex music, keeping perfect posture at all times. It was an amazing program!

8. Marshall & Colleen hosted another tour of the Holy Land in June with a wonderful group of people.

9. We started a backyard makeover by adding a brick fire pit that has become our favorite gathering spot.

10. Jecia took Caleb skydiving for his 18th birthday and they both survived. She is the coolest sister ever!

Christmas 2012

What a glorious Christmas! Everyone was home this year. We had a slight scare when Jake and Eliza's Christmas Eve flight was delayed - twice, but they arrived about 8:30 to share our feast.  Marshall made barrel chicken in their honor - a break from our traditional ham.  We stayed up way too late visiting but managed to remember the annual photo in front of the tree Christmas morning. Note that pajamas were replaced by athletic wear this year because that is what they all sleep in, and it seems silly to purchase something they would only wear one night.  It was a big hit with everyone.

Marshall trying out his new camp chair with side table while I admire my new tea kettle. Gifts from the boys.

We had a leisurely Christmas day.  After opening gifts and foraging for left overs,  we went to the noon showing of Les Miserables in the theaters. In the evening we packed for a trip to Ramah and selected wardrobe for our family photo.

Jecia arranged family portraits as a Christmas gift.  We met Cheryl Snow (www.cherlypsnow.com) at the Clark County Museum at 9:00 am on December 26 for our shoot. I love the results!  Thanks for a lovely gift Jecia!  Here are a few group shots.

This train photo was just for fun.

We left for Ramah after our portraits and had a wonderful three day stay.  It was Jake's first trip to Ramah so Jecia and Eliza made sure he got the VIP tour.  We made some of Mother's fudge and it turned out perfect.

This is the creamiest fudge I have made in years. 
The cold weather, humidity and elevation are perfect for this recipe.

We went shooting past the old rodeo grounds.  This is our favorite place for target shooting.

Jecia, Eliza, Jakob, Tanya & Colleen

Ethan, Jecica, Jacob Lewis, Caleb & Jakob

The Eagle Has Landed

Kason Lapointe and Caleb Hutchinson

This was the photo used for the invitation

On June 19 (the day after Marshall and I arrived home from our tour to Israel and Jordan) we held Caleb's Eagle Court of Honor with his friend Kason Lapointe.  Thankfully, it was all planned before we left and we had lots of help from Kason's mom,  Julia, Kelli Nelson (advancement chair in our previous ward) and several other former scout leaders and friends.  It was a great evening recognizing both boys for their achievement.

Caleb with Roy Given, his 11 year old Scout Leader and mentor

Caleb with Dad and Mom and Karl Nelson,

his Scoutmaster when he was a deacon

Pres Ken Gallacher - Master of Ceremonies

Home Teacher, Stake Presidency, Karate Instructor and Mentor

Caleb with his completed Eagle Service Project

Recycle Boxes for the National Park Service to use at Lake Mead

Way to go Caleb.  You have earned the rank of Eagle Scout and you are a great example to our family!

Oatmeal Cake

I remember an oatmeal cake that my cousin JoAnna Hansen Gale would make when we were children. Today I thought about that and decided to make oatmeal cake for our dessert. Being a 21st century woman, I Googled a recipe and found this lovely recipe for oatmeal cake with toasted coconut topping. It was a big hit with the family so Jecia took a picture and suggested I blog and Pin it. In the old days I would have just copied down the recipe in a 3X5 card and put it in my recipe box.

Photo courtesy of Jecia Hutchinson

(and Marshall Hutchinson who had to hold his fork still while she got the perfect shot)

Oatmeal cake with spices and a broiled coconut pecan topping.

Ingredients:

1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats

1 1/3 cups boiling water
1/2 cup butter, soft

1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

.Coconut Pecan Topping:

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:

To Make Cake. Combine oats and boiling water, stirring to blend well. Let stand 20 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter; add sugars and beat at medium speed of electric mixer. Add eggs, vanilla, and cooled oatmeal mixture, beating until well blended.

Into a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add to creamed mixture, stirring until smooth.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 325° for 35 minutes.

While cake is baking, combine topping ingredients in a medium saucepan; mix well. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Spread over hot cake right out of the oven. Turn broiler on; return cake to oven to broil topping for about 4 to 5 minutes. Cool and serve. Serves 9.

Notes:  I added the butter and sugar to the oatmeal/water mix about 2 min after adding the water to the oatmeal and creamed all of it together. I didn't want to wait 20 min.  I also did not have pecans and it was great without them.  Following is the link for where I found the recipe.

http://southernfood.about.com/od/spicecakerecipes/r/bl30826e.htm

Recycling & Scriptures

When you reach a certain age, you notice that you are being "recycled" in church service opportunities. AKA You have served in every organization so now you are getting a second chance to learn new lessons. Two weeks ago I was given another recycling opportunity.

I wasn't surprised by the call to visit with the bishop. I had several impressions during the previous week that I would receive a new call and was pretty certain what it would be. Problem was, I was just getting to really know the Beehives. I loved working in the Young Women program again (another recycling after 7 years in Primary), and I did not want a new calling. When the Bishop extended the call to serve as the Relief Society president, I accepted it, but told him I didn't want it. I have already "been there and done that" and thought I was exempt. I went home with Marshall still trying to get over the feeling that I did not want this new calling and I was not excited about it.

A few hours later I was laying in bed reading from the Book of Mormon. I found myself reviewing chapters from that day's Sunday School lesson instead of picking up where I had been reading on my personal study. This is not something I usually do. The lesson that day had been on I Nephi chapters 1-7. (This is where we discuss how Laman and Lemuel could be such unbelieving, disobedient murmurers when Nephi was faithful and obedient. There was a typical discussion and it was generally agreed that we should all strive to be like Nephi.) I found myself reading a familiar scripture - one that I memorized more than 30 year ago - but on this night I gained a new understanding from the young man Nephi. I realized Laman and Lemuel were obedient. They left their home and traveled into the wilderness with their father. They returned to get the plates. They returned again to get Ishmael and his family. They grumbled and complained about every commandment, they wanted to quit when it got difficult, and they made life more difficult for those around them, but they were obedient to their Father's commands. It was there attitude that was all wrong. They did the tasks, but they did not want to be obedient.

As I read 1 Nephi 3:7, I realized that Nephi did not want to do these hard things either, but he wanted to be obedient. I was overcome with a desire to repent from my murmuring. I was behaving like Laman and Lemuel and this is not who I want to be. I had been obedient and accepted the calling; but I did not have the right attitude. "I will go and do the thing which the Lord hath commanded, for I know the Lord giveth no commandment to the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them to accomplish the thing which he hath commanded them."

Yesterday I was sustained and set apart as the Relief Society president of the Highland Hills Ward. I have no idea what the next few years hold, but I am pretty sure it won't be anything like eight years in the Arabian wilderness. I am looking forward to relearning what Relief Society is all about. Thanks Nephi!

Christmas 2011

In Lieu of a letter this year we present

(in chronological order)

The Hutchinson Family Top 10

10 Caleb was a starting player on the varsity volleyball team as a sophomore and is now playing club volleyball and looking forward to another season in high school.

9 In April, Eliza and Jake both graduated from BYU-I with BA degrees in Political Science

8 Jecia got a great job working for the General Manager of the Regional Transportation Commission

7 Marshall, Colleen, Caleb & Ethan participated in a 4 day pioneer trek near Zion's National Park in Utah and had an amazing experience.

6 Jake and Eliza moved to Moscow, Idaho where Jake started law school and Eliza started working for the University of Idaho.

5 Ethan started high school at Foothill.

4 Caleb decided to try choir this year and is loving singing bass with the Chamber Choir and bass and vocal percussion with Harmonic Intensity.

3 Jecia completed the St George Marathon in her goal time - her first, but not her last.

2 Ethan (sousaphone & tuba) and Caleb (alto & tenor saxophone) marched with Nevada's top marching band winning multiple awards and both boys are playing in the Foothill High School Wind Symphony.

1 Marshall & Colleen had the best Christmas with all of our children at home for four fantastic days!

Fashion Police

Yesterday I was dressing for church when I realized that the shirt I wanted to wear needed pressing. I was wearing a bright, multi-colored skirt and I slipped on the first shirt I saw, a brown and black striped sweater, so I could make my way to the laundry room. At that moment Marshall walked out of the bathroom, took one look at me and said, "I don't think that shirt works with the skirt."

I nearly laughed because Marshall's fashion rules are: 1 anything goes with jeans, and 2 dark socks with suits. Anything beyond that really doesn't matter and he wouldn't notice it even if it did. My response, "So you are the fashion police now?" His immediate reply, "No need to involve the police. This is a citizen's arrest."

Recipe sharing is a wonderful thing.

Today has been a cloudy rainy day so tonight I made Autumn Soup. The first time I had Autumn Soup was December 13, 1995 at a Christmas progressive dinner for our Relief Society. Virginia Chase made it, and it was wonderful. The recipes for all the food that night were compiled in a booklet and shared with the women at our church. I adopted several recipes from that collection, and for the last fifteen years my family has enjoyed Virginia's Autumn Soup on cold winter nights. Every time I make it I think of Virginia, and her husband LeRoy (neither of which I have seen in years) and all the other women in that ward, and how each home we visited that night was warm and welcoming, and the friendships that were as delicious as the food.

No one notices the crowd that gathers in my kitchen to keep me company while I brown and dice and saute. When all the ingredients are in the pot, I shelve the booklet and my guests slip away. After the walk down memory lane, I serve the soup to my family and they devour it. Thanks for the walk tonight Virginia, and thanks for the recipe.

Autumn Soup
1 lb ground beef
1 med onion diced (1 cup)
4 cups water
1 cup cut carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup cubed potatoes
2 tsp salt
1 tsp beef bullion
1/4 tsp pepper
1 bay leaf
1/8 tsp basil

Brown ground beef. Add onion to beef and cook until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients and heat to a boil Reduce heat and simmer for 20 min. Serves 6.

Ethan's 12th B-Day

Today at 1:27 PM Ethan turned twelve. (He pulled out his scrapbook to confirm the time.) It is a landmark birthday. He was sustained in sacrament meeting and ordained to the office of Deacon in the Aaronic priesthood after church. It was his first day to meet with the Deacon's Quorum. Now all the men in our family go to priesthood meeting together. The girls called just as I was decorating his icecream cake. It was 3:00 PM here and 1:00 AM (tomorrow) there.
We continued the family tradition we started Jecia's freshman year of college by singing "Happy Birthday" with the absentee members on the phone. It is so fun to connect with our girls on the other side of the world. I love modern technology!

Ethan checking out new Star Wars Legos for his collection

Ethan on his new bike

A Pinch to Grow an Inch

We have a spot in our laundry room hallway where we chart the growth of the family. Nowhere else in the house is it acceptable to write on the walls, but on this space it is condoned and even encouraged. This tradition started at my Grandparent's home long before I was born. The first marks on our wall were made April 22, 2001. At that time, there was a big gap between Marshall's 6' 1'' mark and that of our children. At odd times we hear comments like, "I think I have grown. Come and measure me." or "Hey Jecia, I think I am taller than you. Let's go measure." This leads to all interested parties converging on "the wall" with Mom or Dad as the unbiased pencil toting judge. A new mark is made, labeled and dated and the verdict announced.

Jecia and Eliza reached their full height a few years ago, so now the boys use them as benchmarks of growth. Caleb passed Jecia while she was on her mission. He was thrilled to have her come home to a "big" brother. Ethan has yet to surpass Jecia, but it won't be long. Eliza was still 1/2 inch taller than Caleb when she left for Jerusalem in January. This morning Caleb felt certain that growth had occured. With pencil I hand, I measured marked and recorded the official results. And the winner is... Caleb by three quarters of an inch (5' 10 3/4 "). He's grown an inch and a quarter in one month. The upside to all of this is that he wears shorts 11 months of the year so I don't have to buy him new pants every two months. Shoes are another story.

An Amazing Husband

I have the most amazing husband! Four days after Joseph's funeral I left for an eight day Western Caribbean Cruise. It was the kind of trip that people dream of and take perhaps once in their life. The timing and circumstances made it diffucult for me to be excited. I went with my sister Yolonda so we could complete a seminar required for a travel certification. Marshall stayed home with the boys. (One more reason I was not very excited.)

The cruise was wonderful. The MSC Orchestra is beautiful. The weather could not have been better. The ports were lovely; Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman & Cayo Levantado. Many times each day I wished Marshall were there to share an experience.

I arrived home about 7:30 PM Sunday and he met me at the airport. I was soooo excited to see him. He was even more excited to see me. He recounted the adventures of the week. Up each day to get the boys off to school before he left. Home in time to make dinner while helping with homework then off to karate or Scouts then home for showers and bed to be ready to start the day again. There was no down time or break! He spent the weekend cleaning the house, doing laundry and repairing and repainting our kitchen stools. He was worn out and glad to have me home! I was equally glad to have returned and we have both enjoyed a greater appreciation for each other for the last few days. That will be the last cruise I do without Marshall. He is just too amazing to leave behind!

Some Days are Better Than Others

Today my heart is breaking. My brother, Joseph Ansley, died this morning in a work related accident in Arkansas. I've shed tears of sorrow and been touched by stories shared by people who knew him. The minister's wife who works at his bank, his coworkers, the neighbor and her daughter, even the coronor in Havannah, Arkansas all speak of his friendship and kindness. His best freind described him as the one who always lifted him. He said, "We became old and settled for life, but Joseph never gave up on the dream."

The planning and details kept me busy today. We have been coordinating things over the phone with my brother's and sisters, our mother and Cristi. Being busy is good. Now it is quiet and the tears are flowing. I just didn't see this day on the itinerary.

The funeral will be in Ramah on Monday, Jan 19 at 10 am (four days before his 49th birthday). Tomorrow I will start a memorial DVD, write the obituary and draft the funeral program. Joseph, give Mother and Grandpa a hug for me. I love you.

Ancient of Days and Holidays

Today Jecia and Eliza arrived in Jerusalem. As I write this they probably just finished dinner and are sitting in on an orientation in the BYU Jerusalem Center. (Jerusalem is 10 hours ahead of Pacific Time) It has been very exciting the last few days to help them prepare for departure and to remenisce on the experiences I had while studying there 27 years ago. Wow! That makes it sound like I am ancient of days. If you would like to follow their expereince you can check their blog http://www.hutchjerusalem.blogspot.com/

We had a great holiday with everyone at home. I treasure this time together as I know that there will be less of them as the girls move into new phases of life in the next few years. Christmas was wonderful. We had missed Jecia the last two years while she was on her mission. The kids had the most fun with the new Rock Band that Caleb and Ethan recieved. I had no idea that Jecia and Eliza were studying Rock Band at college, but they demonstrated their proficiency. The four of them were very entertaining as the Blu PJs. They may never see their names on a marquee, but they were at hit at home.







We left for Ramah on Dec 26 and enjoyed a five day visit. The recent storms left a foot of fresh snow that was our chief source of entertainment. It was great to visit with Mom, Yolonda, Tanya and Parley and families. We played in the snow, ate too much and watched movies. It was the first time we had gathered at Mother's house since we bought it. I was grateful for the hours Marshall & I spent crawling in the attic to install a new gas line as I adjusted the thermostat on the heaters that kept the house warm and toasty. I love modern conveniences.

New Year's Eve was another great family celebration. Caleb turned 14 and could have attended the multi stake dance, but he opted to stay home with the family for our annual celebration. He even invited his friend, Andrew Dakus to join us. It is funny how a simple activity turns into a tradition. When the girls were young I decided to make some inexpensive appetizers, put together puzzles and watch a movie on New Year's Eve. Of course party hats and noise makers are manditory.

This turned into an annual event and has now become a tradition the even the teens don't want to miss. We paused the epic drama "Lawrence of Arabia" just before midnight to countdown the new year and set off fireworks. Everyone had a blast!

The first few days of 2009 were spent doing last minute shopping and packing for Jecia and Eliza. One suitecase each weighing 50 pounds wtih everything they would need for four months. Difficult, but possible. We departed at 4:00 AM on Monday, Jan 5 to attend a manditory orientation in Provo at noon. It began snowing as we arrived in Provo and by the time we returned to the van t 4:00 there was a fresh blanket and it was still coming down. The drive to the Taylor's in Bountiful took 2 hours and we were worried about their 9 am flight on Tuesday. The weather in SLC cleared enough during the night to allow incoming and outgoing flights and they departed without delay. Marshall & I got into the van and headed south while they jetted to JFK. Now they are in Jerusalem and the Ancient of Days mom is back home enjoying the boys that are still here and grateful that motherhood does not end when the kids leave home. Seeing the amazing people my children are becoming and enjoying their life experiences as a parent is immencely rewarding.

Today I've Joined the 21st Century

It's official. I have joined the 21st Century. I now have a blog. I don't have a clue how to use it, but I have one. I will figure it out and when I do, I will share it with the world. (Or at least my little corner of it.) More to come as I get up to speed.