Random info about me

I was recently tagged by my friend Andrea in a blog that I am supposed to do this. Part of me thought it was a cool idea and part of me didn't. I'll probably only do part of this. I figure I'll post some random things and answer the questions but I'm not sure I'll pass this on by tagging 11 people. So here are the rules I was given. 

The rules:

1)  Post these rules.
2)  You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3)  Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4)  Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5)  Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
6)  No stuff in the tagging section about “you are tagged if you are reading this.” You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

So let me start off with the 11 random things about me. These may or may not be related to running. But I run this so it's ok.

1. Despite living in Colorado Springs for the first 18+ years of my life I never made it to the top of Pikes Peak until after I moved away. Sure, I would go up barr trail from time to time or use it to come down from the top of the Manitou Incline but I never ran, hiked, or even traveled by car to the summit. I remember very clearly when I was about 12 or so, I was climbing a tree in our front yard and my family was taking our exchange student (from Spain) up Pikes Peak. They offered to take me along and I decided that climbing in the tree was more fun. Finally, a few years after moving away, while I was visiting a friend we drove to the top. Then, to say we did it, we ran down the trail about a 1/2 mile and back. 
2. I'm a mutant. Besides my having red hair and freckles (ginger) [side note: I laugh when I think of Ginger Ale because of South Park], my left ear sticks out a little more than my right ear. I'm convinced that this is primarily because for most of my life I have been much more comfortable sleeping on my right side than my left. I also have super large varicose veins and a retarded tongue that I cannot point upward.
3. I qualified for the Boston Marathon on my first marathon. I didn't have any idea what the qualifying time was and had no idea what I was capable of. I started with a friend who was aiming to run 7 minute miles and I was just going to stick with him for as long as I could. He dropped off about the half way point and I bonked pretty bad at mile 18 but I did it. It is still my fastest marathon ever at just under 3:08.
4. I have only broken one bone in my life and I still hold that it was not my fault. The day after thanksgiving when I was in 6th grade we went sledding with my cousins. One cousin thought it was a great idea to push my down the hill despite the fact that only my lower half was on the sled. There was (what at the time seemed like) a huge drop off that I went off landing on my shoulder (it was probably only 18 inches). I cried back to my cousin's house. Then I had to wait 3 days until we got home for the doctor to put a brace on it. That was the first time I passes out. 
5. I am an Eagle scout. It may seem dorky, but Boy Scouts is one of the reasons I love camping and being in the mountains. I also went to the National Scout Jamboree in 1993.
6. I'm a "Mormon". I am not always the best at it but I try. The church's official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Some people think we have horns but apparently mine haven't come in yet. If you want to learn more check out the website or speak to a member. Please don't hate me for my religion. I don't hate you for yours. And please don't blame my church for stupid things I do. From 1999-2001 I served as a missionary in Portland, Oregon with the Spanish speaking community which leads me to ...
7. I speak Spanish. I learned it for my church mission but when I got home I learned all the things I was doing incorrectly and was able to earn a BA in Spanish. I didn't want to be a poor teacher so I got a MS in Instructional Technology. Now I'm a poor ($-wise) Instructional Designer.
8. What scares me most about triathlons is the bike. I have a crappy one so I don't ride much. During my Half IronMan I stood up for the last 10-15 miles of the bike because the seat was hurting me. Not enough saddle time obviously. 56 miles is a bit more than 20. I consider myself a runner who can swim.
9. I grow a beard from Thanksgiving to Christmas every year. So far I've been able to do t through school and a few jobs. I am always clean shaven from Valentines Day to March 7th per my wife's request. Feb 28th is my wife's birthday and March 7th is our anniversary.  The rest of the year the beard comes and goes depending on my mood. This brings me to...
10. I hate to be clean shaven for a race or a long trail run. I just feel like I'm tougher with a little scruff or a beard. 
11. I have somewhat of a talent for memorizing song lyrics. I can recall the words to songs that I haven't heard for years. My wife thinks I'm better at it than I am. I'm better with mainstream music. I can turn to almost any music station on the radio and sing along. Often I can tell you the artist. I have won dinner from a few friends who challenged my knowledge. But I know a lot of people are probably as good if not better than me at this. 

Ok, so the 11 randoms are done. Now here we go with Andrea's questions. 

1. What was your most emotional race finish and why?

State cross-country championships my senior year. We won every race leading up to it but choked/ were sick/ passed out at the finish line and cam in 4th as a team. Super heart breaking.

 

2. Where in the world would you want to run/swim/bike?  For fun.  No race.  Just fun.

Run: NYC Central Park, Swim: I want to swim across Bear lake, Bike: I dunno 

3. Who do you miss?

I miss my Grandpa who passed away when I was in 6th grade and my best friend from HS. Haven't seen him for way too long.

4. What is your favorite t.v. show?

I'm not a TV snob. I like lots of things but Simpsons has been a favorite for a long time.

5. Are you worried about doing things right?  Or doing the right thing?

I try to do the right thing as much as possible. I know I screw up all the time but I think it's important to try when it counts. When it doesn't matter I'm pretty laid back.

6. What's your happiest childhood memory?

The one that comes to mind was learning to ride a bike (funny, considering some of my responses above). I never used training wheels and never had the whole "Dad holding the seat" thing. I just got on my sister's purple bike with banana seat and all and kept trying until I got it.

7. If you knew that everyone was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? 

With existing travel constraints I would call most of my brothers and sisters and visit my parents. I'd be with my wife and son already.

8. What extreme sport would you love to try or be able to do?

For the last decade+ I've thought that kite boarding would be a blast.

9. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?

23

10. What would you tell the 10 year old you about the you of today? What would you tell the 10 

year old to do differently?  

Don't waste time being mean to other kids. Don't be afraid to be yourself and learn to approach strangers as if they were already your friends.

11.  What, if anything,  have you learned from ME?

Aside from all I learned about you, I've learned/reinforced to enjoy the time I have with the people I love while they are still around. I've also learned/ am learning the patience to recover from injury and the joy of swimming.