Forest Recon

Date: February 19, 2011

To:  All with proper clearance

From: TeamBoyd Commander

Subject: Special Ops – Forest Recon

TeamBoyd was left to its own devices today as Holly was off to have some fun with her friend Shanna.  In true TeamBoyd, fashion we decided that we should go see what trouble we could round up in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest.  So we loaded up the Adventure Dodge with snacks, clothes, a sling shot, and our sleds and headed to the hills.  Enroute we called Grampa to see if he was wanting to jump in.  Unfortunately he was tied up building a fence for someone so we put Kent in the rear view and looked to gain some elevation.

We headed up Hwy 410 past Greenwater along Forest Service Rd 70 to see what we could find.  The snow was pretty scarce as we started up the mountain so we pushed on to find the white stuff.

Along the way the snow began to accumulate and we passed a cool waterfall the boys wanted to stop and see.

After checking out this icy creek we crested a small rise and finally hit deep snow and a beautiful sunny day.

The plan was to get to the snow and then do some sledding and what have you.  This is what the truck looked like at the spot that would have fit the bill perfectly.

However I have always been a guy that thinks it should get just a bit better around the next corner.....

Well, here is what that gets you and has gotten me many, many times.

Yep, the AD was sunk up to the axles in snow and all progress, forward or backward, was most certainly at a stand still.

I geared up the boys and set them loose with the sleds while I got busy digging myself out of yet another "situation".  It took a good 45 minutes to an hour to get the rig out because I didn't bring a shovel.  Who needs one when you never get stuck.....

The boys had a great time in the snow while I worked.

Eventually the truck was freed from its icy tomb, and I backed it down the road to solid ground.  By that time the crew had run out of gas.  I put them in the back of the truck and attempted a couple of group shots.

You might think that I captured this shot just as the boys realized that a plane was falling out of the sky or maybe Mt.Rainer had just erupted but no, this is just the look they have when it's too sunny outside.......its been a long grey Winter!

After stripping off wet clothes we loaded up in the Dodge and headed back to civilization and the beckoning call of hot Chicken McNuggets.  We did make one quick stop to look at the river, but then pushed on for Enumclaw.

 About half way back home the scene in the back of the truck looked like this..

I consider any mission that puts them in a coma for the ride home a successful one.

Still waiting for Spring...TeamBoyd - over and out.

Livin' Right?

Date: January 25, 2011

To:  All with proper clearance

From: TeamBoyd Commander

Subject: Special Ops – Speed Check

Today I thought I would take the boys to the Sportsman Show at the Puyallup fair grounds.  Now normally I would not brave taking the entire crew to such a packed event without back up, but I felt like with tons of people, a free fishing pond, dogs jumping into water tanks, and whole litters of puppies, what could go wrong?

Well, the first thing would be the WSP with his lights going in my rear view mirror.

Now unfortunately this is not the first time I have had "Johnny Law" in my rear view, but it has been a pretty long time and a first for the Adventure Dodge.  I pulled over and was fully resigned to my fate of a speeding ticket.  The officer came to my window and told me I was doing 74 in a 60, and then he sees the pack of boys I have loaded in the truck and right about then Cole busts out with, "Wow, I want to be a policeman when I grow up.  You're super cool."  I kid you not!  The officer even asked me if I told him to say it.  He ran my info and came back to inform me that they have the plane running today and they don't let people off because they have to justify the use of the plane.  I say okay as I had given up hope long before now.  Then he said, "But your kids are pretty cool, so slow it down for me," and hands me back my registration.  Thanks for the break WSP, and way to go Cole, I owe you a big one!!!

The officer even gave us stickers (Chase still had his on for bed) and tattoos.

The Sportsmans Show was good times and we saw lots of great things.  I was pretty busy keeping everyone moving and out of trouble, but I got a couple of shots.

I said I took all the boys, but I didn't say that I had at least one hobbled.

TeamBoyd signing off and still waiting for Spring to get here!

Are you fit for duty?

Date: January 25, 2011

To:  All with proper clearance

From: TeamBoyd Commander

Subject: Special Ops – Fitness Check

Okay, so TeamBoyd has posted a few training runs, and we are waiting anxiously for spring to get here so we can hit the mountains / lakes / streams.  Cole doesn't know it yet, but his first BB gun will be bestowed upon him during our inaugural camp out this year.  This will begin his education and training with guns, and even though Mom is still trying to come to grips with this fact, time marches on.  Cole may never be a hunter, and even though most don't believe me when I say it, I really would be fine with that.  If hunting is not my boys' passion then we will become great salmon fishermen and if the boys don't like that then we will be hikers or runners or motorcycle riders or wake boarders or….  I'm here to find what my boys love and teach them what I can about it, support them in their pursuit of it and be ready to do it “full out” (whatever it is).  That brings me in my roundabout way to the subject of this blog.  In order to be ready to roll Special Ops, you have to be able to get out and summit the mountain or swim to that island, or carry a fallen soldier, or one that is just too tired at the dog park.  I came to the realization quite awhile ago that I was no longer fit for duty in that regard, not by a long shot.  I have an entire team of boys coming at me full steam and I found myself in a condition that was unacceptable.  How can you go on adventures and teach your boys to push themselves and try things that seem hard and work at it until you conquer it if you yourself don't do that?  The tough answer is…you can’t!  It’s a nasty pill to swallow as we can all get very busy with other “good” things that also support our families or commitments.  I have been gnawing on this bitter pill for about a year now and I have almost choked it down.  Bottom line is I had to come face to chubby face with the real deal and say “I have had enough”.  Then I started moving.  I did the couch to 5K program which starts out week 1 doing a brisk five-minute warm up walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.  Seems like a joke now but I remember “running” those weeks and feeling like it was tough.  Coming home and telling Holly that I jogged but having to measure my progress in seconds.  After a few weeks I got to report out in minutes and then finally miles.  Since those days I have completed many, many 5K’s.  I have completed a sprint duathlon and then an Olympic length one.  Then on November 26^th I finished the Seattle half marathon (that was tough).  I ran a 5K on January 1^st to kick off 2011 in what is now TeamBoyd style.  I completed it with a personal best pace of 8:11 min/mile.  Still slow compared to runners, but for your comparison please note that I came wheezing across the line at a little over an 11:00 min/mile pace for my first 5K almost a year earlier.  Hopefully my boys won’t even remember fat dad when they're older, but I can show them pictures and we can jointly laugh at that guy.

During my journey I have read a few different diet philosophies and training methods and I have adopted a few tidbits from many of them as my own.  One of those gems is:

·         If you really want to do something and you’re committed, tell everyone!

It’s always harder and more shameful to skip a race or chow down at dinner if you’ve publicly declared to the world that you are all about the exact opposite of that.  So here I am telling all of you!  I plan to do a bunch of races and different things this year but mark my words on these:

I will hike to Camp Muir and back before summer is over.
I will complete the STP bike race, July 9-10.

Mark it down; tell me you’re watching me to see if I do it.  Punch me in the teeth if that weekend goes by and come Monday morning I’m not sporting my finisher shirt….you have my permission.  I would rather get my teeth fixed then have to again climb out of the hole I’m just now clearing.

Here are some of my "favorite" photos from the past few years that make me cringe and think about lacing up my running shoes…enjoy!

10K Training Run, 1.22.11, 0900 Hours

Date: January 22, 2011

To:  All with proper clearance

From: TeamBoyd Commander

Subject: Special Ops – Training Run

TeamBoyd continued training with the FSRC (Fort Steilacoom Running Club) as part of their 2011 Resolution Series.  Target distance for this run was 10K, target time to complete the run was 55:48 minutes (9 min/mile pace).  Route was to be based around an urban assalt course in Steilacoom, WA.

Course Completed:

Race Results 55:01 (8:40 min/mile pace):

Training goals achieved!

Chad E Boyd, Commander

5K Training Run, 1.01.11, 0900 hours

Date: January 1, 2011

To:  All with proper clearance

From: TeamBoyd Commander

Subject: Special Ops – Training Run

TeamBoyd kicked off 2011 with a training run.  Target distance was 5K, target time to complete the run was 27:30 minutes.  Route was to be based around an urban assalt course in Steilacoom, WA.

Course Completed:

Race Results:

Training goals achieved!

Chad E Boyd, Commander

Special Ops Information Briefing

Date: January 1, 2011

To:  All with proper clearance

From: TeamBoyd Commander

Subject: Special Ops – Information Briefing.

            Boyds Will Be Boyds - Special Ops is the covert repository for all missions and adventures that transpire within the team that require a higher level of clearance than our public site Boyds Will Be Boyds.  These special operations will cover all areas from standard training to top secret black ops.

            TeamBoyd is comprised of 7 core members.  To join the team, one must endure a long and rigorous physical training program and an exhaustive written exam, you must also be born a Boyd (really the only criteria).  Currently only two exceptions exist, deep operative “Uncle Josh” due to his unrivaled awesomeness, and Holly due to her unrivaled beauty and the fact that she gave birth to almost half of the team.  Several freelance operatives may make appearances from time to time as our ties run deep with other special ops teams.  We plan to attack 2011 with fervor and abandon, and if you have proper clearance you can see it as it unfolds.

Here are a few missions on the docket for 2011:
·         5K Training run to ring in the New Year, 1.01.11, 0900 hours
·         Return recon to Cave Ridge (5,500 feet elevation)
·         Recon to Camp Muir (10,000 feet elevation)
·         Numerous Bivouac’s throughout the state with team members
·         Complete training goal of a sprint triathlon
·         Complete training ride Seattle to Portland

 Check back often for mission briefings and intelligence updates.

Chad E Boyd, Commander