Morgan Family Week in Review - 23-29 October 2011

29Sunday – 23 Oct 11 – Sunday morning we were able to sleep in as Meka stayed the night and got up with the boys. I got up and made 2nd Breakfast and then we all went to church. Taught Lesson 39: Lengthen Your Stride for my Sunday School class. Came home to watch some football, Dallas is playing the Rams today. Finished off the day by heating up the leftover Rudy’s for dinner.

Monday- 24 Oct 11 – Monday was a day off for me and for Tara. Tara had a 10 am with Allison and then we headed downtown to have lunch at Fogo de Chao. After lunch we headed up north to Georgetown to see the new version of the Three Musketeers. When we came home, we gathered up all of the kids and we had Family Home Evening. We sang a song, had a prayer and then we worked on Thank You notes to Uncle Sid and Aunt Karen thanking them for the wonderful time we had this past summer. Then we closed with a song a prayer.

Tuesday -25 Oct 11 – I worked at the office and for lunch five of us headed to 5 Guys Burgers. I forgot my school bag so Tara and I did a handoff in the parking lot of Sprouts and then I headed up towards school. After I had my bag in hand, I headed to MFC to get a treatment on my leg which has been bothering me since the marathon. Then I stopped by the Outlet mall to check out the renovated Coach store and saw the most wonderful Men’s Black Laptop bag which was $298, which was on clearance at 50% off and plus another 30% off. Called Tara and told her that is what I wanted for my birthday present this year. Afterwards I headed up to school to teach my MGT 4375 class.

Wednesday – 26 Oct 11 – I got up and had a short work out with Jill (Pushups, situps, and a three mile walk). Then I headed into the office until lunch time and then headed to LCM for one more massage. Afterwards, I headed over to WalMart to put the electronics for Christmas on layaway for Phoenix and Zion. Then I went home to work for the remainder of the afternoon. Afterwork I took Phoenix to his soccer practice and then we came home. Kirsten Banks stopped by before dinner to borrow our double jogging stroller.

Thursday – 27 Oct 11 – Up at 4:30 and out the door at 5;15 so that we could be at the North Austin Medical Center at 5:30 to prep for Tara’s back surgery. We were checked in at 5:45 and in our own room. They came and wheeled Tara out for her surgery at 7:45 and told me to wait in the waiting area. I went to the cafeteria and had a quick breakfast and then had several calls for work while I was waiting. Dr. Stovall came out about 10:30 and said that the surgery was a success and that Tara’s spinal nerves were wrapped around more of her vertebre than what they had previously thought. He told me they would call me once they got her to a room. After that I left the hospital and went to JCPenny to pick up the towels we had ordered as our family Christmas gift. The hospital called while I was on my way back to say that she was in room 439 on the Ortho wing. I stay with Tara who was out of it until about 2:30 and then I went home to check on the boys and to take a shower and head to school to teach that night. That evening Kelly Lowe and Beth Delis went to visit Tara in the hospital and take her something to eat.

Friday – 28 Oct 11 – Once Sartita got here at 7 am I headed back to the hospital at 7am to be with Tara. The PA came to check on ther at 7:45 and then Dr. Stovall came to check on her at 8:30. Tara was released at 11am and then we headed home for the remainder of day. That evening Kathy Lugo and Katherine Bolliger brought over dinner.

Saturday – 29 Oct 11 – Saturday morning I got up with the boys and took them to Primary Practice at 9am, and dropped off Exodus with Madi and then went to Sam’s to get some sample of the Christmas Card for this year. Then I picked up all the boys and we came home to eat lunch and then relax for a little while. Phoenix and I left for a 2pm game and then we came home and fed the boys nuggets and then got ready for the Trunk or Treat. Tara stayed while Sarita and I took the boys.

Running Journal - Non-Runners Marathon Trainer - Week 16

OMG!!!! I can't believe that this week is finally here. My body is healing up and my aches and pains seem to be subsiding. I was supposed to go to see Dr. Morris on Monday but did not make it due to a meeting at work. On Monday morning Jill and I ran 1 mile, walked 1 mile, and then ran the last mile. Was feeling good physically, but just not in the mood to be up this early in the morning. Then on Wednesday we ran the full three miles and believe it or not it was the fastest time for 3 miles during the 16 week training program. We were not trying to push ourselves, it just happended without thinking about it. On Thursday morning I was by myself when I walked the last training session of three miles. As I reflected, I thought was an accomplishement it was that I had completed all of the 16 week program except for missing one 8 miles run when Tara had her procedure at ARA and only jogging four of five miles on a day when I had to get back to the house to for a work call.

Friday – 21 Oct 11 – Friday morning I slept in as my first meeting was not until 8am. Tara had an appointment with Allison Webb. At lunchtime, I headed to the airport and picked up Christin Carbiener, who flew in from Phoenix. We stop by Mighty Fine at the Arbor Walk and then came home so that I could get in a few more hours of work. After work we headed up the Rouge Running to pick up my race packet and then to HEB to pick up dinner for the Gary and Marlene Peek. We came home, showered, and changed clothes and, Tara, Christin, and I headed down MOPAC for a 6:30pm reservation at Chez Zee. We met Jon and Suzette Seldon for dinner and have a wonderful time. After dessert we came home and I started to prepare for my race the next day.

Saturday – 22 Oct 11 – I arose at 5:50am and jumped in the shower and got all my things ready for the race. I headed over to Brushy Creek Lake Park at 6:15 and arrived at 6:30. I met Christopher Webber at the Splash Park. The race started a few minutes after 7am and Chris and I settled into a nice 15 minute pace. Chris ran the first 8.75 miles with me and kept me going pretty steady. At the first loop, Tara was waiting for me to switch out my IPhone with the Ipod Classic and so I was on my own for the next 8.75 miles. I was doing fine, but noticed that I was moving a little slower, but felt pretty good overall. None of the nagging injuries that I had been hampered with the past eight weeks were bothering me. I finished the first lap in 2:17, but the second took over 2:30. At the start of the 3rd lap, my friend Christin joined in the fun to finish the race with me. It was so going, but we talked the whole way while listening to music and crossed the finish line at 7:17.



I had finished my first marathon. Waiting for me at the finish line, were Tara, Phoenix, Zion, Exodus, Meka, the entire Hinze family, and Kyle Eli (my friend Jill would have been there but she could not find the turn in to the park and made it a little later). When I crossed the finish line, I broke out in tears of joy and pain. I had finished my first marathon and all of the people that I loved were there to see me. It was wonderful. Several of the other racers actually met me about .2 miles from the finish and jogged in with me while telling me I could finish. My only wish was that my father was still living so that they could have shared in the accomplishment. I received lots of accolades on my Facebook page. When I got home I was given another surprise. My wife had made the following for me:



It made me tear up again. Then I took a quick shower and Christin and headed into Austin to LCM to have a much deserved massages. On our way home we stopped by Rudy’s to pick up dinner for everyone. We didn’t get home until about 6:30pm which is about an hour later than the boys are used to eating so of course they were starving. We all got full on the best barbeque in Texas and then to wash it all down we all loaded in the minivan and headed to The Yogurt Experience for dessert. On our way home Suzette called Christin and wanted to meet us at the Crate and Barrel at the Arbouretum so we came home and loaded Christin up and headed down the toll to drop her off. I was so hungry and wire when I came home after a quick stop at HEB, I ate again and then I stayed up until 12:15am watching television.

Sunday 23 Oct 11 - One day after the maraton and my body was in some real pain. I noticed three over four blisters on my feet and all of my joints were hurting and I was stiff all over. The one thing that I did notice was that that my IT Band which had been hurting for almost six weeks was fine. I made it to church and then came home and camped out in front of the TV for the remainder of the day. During my chruch lesson the subject was about lengthening your stride by Spencer W. Kimball. It kept me thinking about two of the runners in front of me who were able to run/walk the entire marathon and they finsihed almost an hour in front of me and feeling much better than I did. They had mentioned after the marathon that they were utilizing the Galloway method and that I was more than welcome to come and train with them on Wednesdays and Sundays. They had also metioned that only on 1/10 of 1 percent of the US population had ever finsihed a marathon.

Monday 24 Oct 11 - Took the day off and spent time with Tara. We went to lunch at Fogo de Chao and then to see the new Three Musketeers movie in Georgetown. I was still sore but moving a little better. Several people on FB suggested that I walk for a little while on Sunday and I should have taken their advice.

Tuesday 25 Oct 11 - Had to go into work today, but felt much better. After work I headed to Dr. Morris's office for a treatment on my leg as I have noticed a lump on the back side of my thigh slightly above my knee.

Wednesday 26 Oct 11 - Had a massage to work on the lump on the back side of my thigh. If it has not gone away within a week or so, I will go in to see Dr. Diaz or the VA and possibly have an xray.

The bottom line is that I am ready to start working out again. I am signing up this week to run in the Georgetown Turkey Trot (5 miler), and the 2012 Resolution Run on the 1st of January. I plan on competing in the Austin Marathon on the 19th of February 2012 and I plan on using the Galloway training method with the goal of finishing in 6:30 or less.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 16-22 October 2011

Sunday – 16 Oct 11 – We all got up and I made a big 2nd Breakfast for the boys. Then we all headed to Church. I taught Lesson 38: Spencer W. Kimball—Model of Forgiveness to my Sunday School class and then came home and had a nice relaxing day. Watched Football (Dallas Disappointed) and then we had Chef Salads for dinner and some yummy pumpkin bars for dessert.

Monday – 17 Oct 11 – Got up and ran 3 miles with Jill in Georgetown and then we started our 1st day of the 100 Pushup Challenge. Tara had a 8:45 appointment with Dr. Stovall to talk about what we should do about her back pain. The appointment went well and we went home to decide if and when she would have surgery. Worked all day and then met my team at Homefield Grill after work because one of our old team members, Julie Diep, was in town for a few days.

Tuesday -18 Oct 11 – Tara had an appointment with Allison Webb at 11am. I worked at the office all day, and then had to go and teach my MGT 4375 Course, Organizational Behavior and Human Relations.

Wednesday – 19 Oct 11 – On Wednesday I received a call from Phoneix’s Vice Principal because he had acted up in class, threw a pencil, and was being noncompliant with the substitute in his class. I picked him up early that day so that I could take him to an appointment with Allison Web. Afterwards, he headed over to La Frontera to see Dr. Morris for one last treatment before my marathon.

Thursday – 20 Oct 11 – Tara took Phoenix to 1st Grade Reading night at 6:30. I taught my MGT 4390J, Organizational Change.

Friday – 21 Oct 11 – Friday morning I slept in as my first meeting was not until 8am. Tara had an appointment with Allison Webb. At lunchtime, I headed to the airport and picked up Christin Carbiener, who flew in from Phoenix. We stop by Mighty Fine at the Arbor Walk and then came home so that I could get in a few more hours of work. After work we headed up the Rouge Running to pick up my race packet and then to HEB to pick up dinner for the Gary and Marlene Peek. We came home, showered, and changed clothes and, Tara, Christin, and I headed down MOPAC for a 6:30pm reservation at Chez Zee. We met Jon and Suzette Seldon for dinner and have a wonderful time. After dessert we came home and I started to prepare for my race the next day.

Saturday – 22 Oct 11 – I arose at 5:50am and jumped in the shower and got all my things ready for the race. I headed over to Brushy Creek Lake Park at 6:15 and arrived at 6:30. I met Christopher Webber at the Splash Park. The race started a few minutes after 7am and Chris and I settled into a nice 15 minute pace. Chris ran the first 8.75 miles with me and kept me going pretty steady. At the first loop, Tara was waiting for me to switch out my IPhone with the Ipod Classic and so I was on my own for the next 8.75 miles. I was doing fine, but noticed that I was moving a little slower, but felt pretty good overall. None of the nagging injuries that I had been hampered with the past eight weeks were bothering me. I finished the first lap in 2:17, but the second took over 2:30. At the start of the 3rd lap, my friend Christin joined in the fun to finish the race with me. It was so going, but we talked the whole way while listening to music and crossed the finish line at 7:17.



I had finished my first marathon. Waiting for me at the finish line, were Tara, Phoenix, Zion, Exodus, Meka, the entire Hinze family, and Kyle Eli (my friend Jill would have been there but she could not find the turn in to the park and made it a little later). When I crossed the finish line, I broke out in tears of joy and pain. I had finished my first marathon and all of the people that I loved were there to see me. It was wonderful. My only wish was that my father was still living so that they could have shared in the accomplishment. I received lots of accolades on my Facebook page. When I got home I was given another surprise. My wife had made the following for me:


It made me tear up again. Then I took a quick shower and Christin and headed into Austin to LCM to have a much deserved massages. On our way home we stopped by Rudy’s to pick up dinner for everyone. We didn’t get home until about 6:30pm which is about an hour later than the boys are used to eating so of course they were starving. We all got full on the best barbeque in Texas and then to wash it all down we all loaded in the minivan and headed to The Yogurt Experience for dessert. On our way home Suzette called Christin and wanted to meet us at the Crate and Barrel at the Arbouretum so we came home and loaded Christin up and headed down the toll to drop her off. I was so hungry and wire when I came home after a quick stop at HEB, I ate again and then I stayed up until 12:15am watching television.

Running Journal - Non-Runners Marathon Trainer - Week 15

Can't believe that I have been running for 15 weeks straight. My side still aches, but I actually looked forward to my long run this past week. I only had to get in 8 miles and then head to JCPenny with the family for our Christmas picture. This week I had Monday and Wedenesday treatments on my IT Band with Dr. Morris. The weather is finally getting cooler in the morning, but running in the afternoons is still not an option.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 9-15 October 2011

Sunday - 9 Oct 11 – Sunday morning we were able to sleep in as Meka had the boys. I got up about 8 and we all took showers and then I make breakfast for everyone. We all went to church and I taught lesson number 37 about Spencer W. Kimball to my Sunday School Class. After church we came home to relax and enjoy and afternoon of football. Tara had picked up earlier in the week a family-sized chicken pot pie from Costco that we had for dinner.

Monday – 10 Oct 11 – Monday morning I ran three miles in Georgetown with Jill. Phoenix was home today due to an in service day for the teachers. Tara and I had a 10:40 am appointment with Phoenix’s teacher, Melinda McBride. We ended up talking to her for almost an hour. It was good to know that his teacher really cares about him. Afterwards I had a preventative Chiropractic appointment with Dr. Morris. During my lunch hour I headed up to the Round Rock Discount Theater to purchase tickets for the 2:30 showing of The Smurfs in 3D. When I purchased the tickets I ran into Michele Thorley from the Austin Ward. I was able to get to talk to her and Andrew and found out that Andrew was the Bishop of the new Zilker Park ward.

Tuesday – 11 Oct 11 – Tuesday morning I headed into work and then after work I went to see Abduction in Cedar Park and then to my office at school.

Wednesday 12 Oct 11 – Wednesday morning started with a 5 mile run with Jill and then home to get ready for work. Worked in the office in the morning and then went and visited my mother during my lunch hour. Wednesday Phoenix had an appointment with Allison. On Wednesday afternoon, I had another appointment with Dr. Morris. Then came home and we all had dinner together. Tara had a Compassion Service Meeting at the church from 7-830 and it was lights out for both of us at 9:11 pm.

Thursday – 13 Oct 11 – Thursday morning started with a 5am wake up and trip to Shipley’s. I have made it a tradition when I substitute Seminary I always bring donuts. It was great lesson on Patriarchal Blessings (Genesis 49). Attendees in my class included: Natalie Flaten, Megan Matheson, Jeremy and Brianna Sitze, Jennifer Waldorf, Alex Beck, Cody Gibby, Baily High, Ashley Rawlins, Lindsay Woodfield, Ximena Briceno, and last but not least (and a few minutes late), my nephew, Benson Hinze. I really felt the spirit teaching the class this morning and I hope that I was able to hit home the objective of the lesson how our Patriarchal Blessings can serve as a Liahona in our lives. Afterwards I came and changed clothes and ran 3 miles with Kirsten Banks while Tara watched the kids so that the Zion and Exodus could have play date with Malcolm and Aubrey. Thursday night I was involved with a deployment at work which last from about 5:pm to almost 10pm.

Friday – 14 Oct 11 – Friday was an easy day at work and at home and since I worked until 10pm on Thursday night, I knocked off from work at about 1 pm. Friday night Tara and I went to Lakeline mall to go to the ATT store to see the IPhone 4GS and the grab some dinner at the Chinese Restaurant in the Food Court. After dinner, we made a short shop at Wal-Mart and then we went to visit the Banks for game night. We did not end of playing any games at the Banks but we had a great time visiting and talking with them for a couple of hours.

Saturday – 15 Oct 11 – Got up at 6 for my last long run of 8 miles at Brushy Creek Lake Park. Then I went home and took a quick shower and we all got dressed and headed to JCPenny to take our family picture for Christmas. After the pictures I took Phoenix to his soccer game and then I went to McDonald to pick up some lunch. After we got home I headed to LCM for a one hour massage. Actually came home and watched a little of the UT game. That evening Tara and I went to a different JCPenny and ordered our family Christmas gift (new towels for the house), and then went to dinner at Wing’s-n-More on Howard Lane and used the .50cent Restaurant.com Certificate. After dinner we went to Target to purchase Zion’s birthday gift for next month, and made one last stop by HEB before heading home.

Running Journal - Non Runner's Marathon Trainer - Week 14

This was a pretty good week. My IT Band was still nagging me, but the run were all pretty easy. My Saturday run start ok, but then about a mile and a half in I started to walk because my back was hurting, my hip was hurting and my foot hurt. I walked for about 3 or 4 mintues and then I started to run again and was able to run the last 8 miles.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 2-8 Oct 2011

Sunday was a days of watching Conference and Football and also cleaning and organizing the toys in the front room. Wanted to get to our 72-hour kids, but we ran out of time. We also decided that we needed to get Phoenix's behavioru under control. We checked his folder from school and in the first 28 days of school he came home with negative reports 1 out of every 3 days. Tara and I decided that each day that he recevies a negative report that he has to be 'restricted' to his room for one hour with one book on his bed. We all had a great spaghetti dinner and then finished with the toys in front room. We ended up throwing away a 3 or 4 bags of junk, designated several larger items to give to one of my hometeaching families, and put away alot in the toy box in the front room.

Monday morning I ran 5 miles with Jill and then worked from home the rest of the day. Tara had carpool this week and then had an appointment with Allison at 1pm. Phoenix came home with a negative report so he had one hour of restriction.

On Tuesday I went into the office and my manager announced that she was taking on a new role so her last day was on Friday. We had a short 1x1 to determine whether I would be taking the Product Data GFO role or would someone else. Pheonix has an hour of restriction today. On my way home I stopped by Walmart and then I had to stop at the carlot on 620 that is working on The Beast to see how much it was going to cost to get her running and inspected.

On Wednesday, I went into the office after my morning run of 8 miles by myself in the neighborhood in which I tweaked my IT Bang again. I stopped by Round Rock Donuts on my way in. For lunch I had a 1x1 with Sam Delis in the RR2 Cafeteria. Tara has her weekly Chriopractic appointment and then stopped in the Rehab hospital to visit Marlene Peek. Afterwards she had to make a trip back to see Dr. Hartman in Cedar Park. Phoenix had an hour of restriction today. After work I went to see Dr. Morris for a treatment and then I came home so that Tara could take Phoenix to soccer. When Tara and Phoenix came home, I went to hometeach the Banks Family.

On Thursday I worked from home and walked my required 5 miles with Kirsten Banks. Tara spent the day teaching Kelly how to make the dough for yeast and cinnamin rolls. Tara also made split pea soup for her Relief Society Enrichment at 7pm. Phoenix had got a sticker in his folder today. After work I met the SLAO members at Showplace Lanes and we held our meeting and then we all bowled for 2 hours. We had a great time since it had been almost a year since I last bowled.

On Friday I had a volunteer activity at the Down Home Ranch with my team from work. We moved and set up about 5000 poinsettas in preparation for selling at Christmas time. Tara took the boys to Barnes and Noble on Friday morning and then she had an afternoon appointment with Allison. After I was down out on the ranch, we all had lunch at the Southside Market in Elgin, and then I hit WalMart and CVS. Phoenix had two warnings today at school, but he ended up getting a sticker. This meant that he got to have his cousin Xander spend the night (he lost the privledge of attending two birthday parties on Saturday for the three negative reports). When I came home, I mowed the lawn and then spent about 2 1/2 hours cleaning the back yard.

Saturday morning I got up will all of the boys and Xander and then Tara got up at 7am and I went for a 9 miler at Brushy Creek Lake Park. Afterwards I showered, ate, and watched a few minutes of the UT/OU game and then headed to Austin for a massage.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 25 Sep - 1 Oct 2011

Sunday – 25 Sep 11 – Sunday
morning Tara got up with the boys and then I got up and the boys and I showered
and then I started working on breakfast while Tara took her shower. Meka came
over at 10 and we all went to Church together. I came home after Sunday School
and Tara and the boys came home 45 minutes later. Tara made pork steaks and
homemade rolls for dinner and took the time to deliver her friend Kelly a plate
of fresh hot rolls. After dinner we all sat down and finished the season of
America’s Got Talent (AGT)! It was so neat to see Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. win
it all…..a true rags to riches story.

Monday – 26 Sep 11 – Monday
morning started with a short 5 mile run, and then I came home to start work for
the day. Then at 9:30am Tara and I had dual appointments at Great Oaks Family
Practice to talk to the NP about several issues that have been nagging us. Then
I headed back home to get some work done. At lunch Herman Horn came by the
house to do a 2^nd Interview as one of his case study participants
for his dissertation. In the afternoon Tara made homemade chicken noodle soup
and I had to go see Dr. Morris for another treatment on my IT Band which was
acting up from the beginning of my run on Saturday. Came back home and had
dinner and watched some football while I waited to have a 9:30 call with China.

Tuesday – 27 Sep 11 – Tuesday
morning Tara had to have a diagnostic procedure done at ARA which took a total
of about five hours and then she needed to be on bed rest for the following 24
hours. We came home and between Meka and
me we were able to take care of the kids.

Wednesday – 28 Sep 11 – Exodus
did not like the fact that Tara was in bed and he cried out every 15 minutes
from about 1 to 3:30 am. Needless to say I did not make my 5:30 run. I worked
from home on Wednesday.

Thursday – 29 Sep 11 – I ran
at 4:30 in the morning with Kirsten. Things returned to normal and at 8:30 am
Tara and I went to Great Oaks to be Guest Readers in Phoenix’s 1^st
Grade class. Then I headed into the office for the rest of the day.

Friday – 30 Sep 11 – On Friday
I worked during the day from home. That evening Tara and I went up to ToysRus
and then picked up some dinner and came home.

Saturday – 1 Oct 11 – Got up
and headed out for the last of my long runs. It took over five hours, but I
finished my 18 miles without any problems. After my run I went home and had a
quick shower and then went to LCM for an hour of heaven. After my massage, I
grabbed a gyro at Phoencia and went to see Phoenix and his Mustangs at their
2pm soccer game. We came home and chilled in the afternoon and then that
evening Tara and I went to Cedar Park Regional Medical Center to visit Marlene
Peek. After Gary and I administered a blessing Tara and I went to diner Rosa’s Café.
Then we headed to HEB and did our weekly shopping.

Running Journal - Non Runner's Marathon Trainer - Week 13

This was not one of my best weeks. Jill and I ran our 5 miles on Monday in Georgetown. On Tuesday which was normally a day off, I had to take Tara in for a procedure and when we got there the doctor said that Tara would need to stay in bed for 24 hours after the procedure. I had not planned for that and the baby was up all night on Tuesday night going into the Thursday which meant that I did not make my run on Wednesday. Then on Thursdays I was due to run 8 miles and due to work commitment, time, and my side hurting I only finished four of the 8 miles today. Made sure that I relaxed and stretched and hydrated on Friday and got to bed early on Friday night. My run on Saturday was great. I started at 5:30 and was a little tight for the first three miles but then I hit my zone and was able to do all 18 miles with no problems. Luckily I had a massage set up for noon after my run as a reward.