Half Ass Attempt

So the other night I was all jacked up and ready top have a huge pan of tater tot hot dish.....yep, that's my exciting life, ha! At any rate I got cooking all of the components together. I noticed that both cans of soup that I had purchased were the wrong ones. One of them was that low sodium crap and the other was some sort of healthy cooking something or another. It was a disaster from the start. The next mistake, I made a poor choice, very poor choice with the quality of tater tots. I know, its just chopped up potatoes formed into some little tot looking thingy, they gotta all be the same right....let me tell you, clearly not the case. So now everything is cooked and ready to be mixed together in a cake pan to go into the oven. So off it goes. I start cleaning the house while this disaster permeates the aroma of a great meal that I have grown to love over the years. So I am thinking that the meal is not all lost, once its all cooked it will be as good as always. Well folks, it wasn't. I did manage to choked down about half of the pan for supper and saved the rest for the following days lunch. Surprisingly enough, the reheated leftovers were better the freshly cook mess that I had eaten the night before. I like to cook, it is a great stress release for me, I am not good at it, as this post can attest to; but now worries folks....it has not made me stay out of the kitchen. Here hoping your next meal was better than the half ass attempt that I put together the other night.

Free Rabbit

So I had kind of a weak moment on Sunday, actually 2 of them. I would like to think that I a pretty healthy eater, concerned about weight, exercise, etc. Well, not yesterday. I made not 1 but 2 trips to McDonald's. This is a restaurant that I seldom frequent. The last time I was there I was not even sure if they still carried one of my favorite meals (if we can call them meals) from a past life. This was the #4 Value Meal. For those that do not frequent such an establishment, this is a double quarter pounder with cheese (I get it without onions), french fries and a drink of your choice. The 1st go round I had it with a Light Lemonade, yeah, like thats helping anything. The second time I got the same meal, bare in mind it was about 2 hours after the first stop, but had a chocolate shake to wash everything down. I am happy to say I could not nor wanted to finish the second purchase. I felt sick, I mean really sick. I had a headache, I stunk and everyone knows how I can tolerate a lot of smells and scents (see Smells Like Foot in Here for reference). My skin was oily, I was tired and just felt horrible. Its hard to believe that I used to eat there a few times a week and even harder to understand, at least for me, that people can eat there everyday and think its a healthy meal.

Needless to say, I am off of the fast food wagon again and back to some sense of normal eating. My body is not happy with me, if it could kick my ass, it so would.

To end this post on a good note, I got a new pet over the weekend. During a run I found a helpless little pet rabbit that was looking for a good home. It seemed to be "free" and its owners clearly wanted nothing to do with it anymore. So, below is my new pet, I just need help naming it.

He's just so cute and cuddly, how could not want to take him home with you?

He looks super fast to me, might be a new training partner!!!

Its been a long time....

Hello web world, where have you been? Wait, its me that's been MIA for the past few weeks. I have gotten numerous requests to post, okay only 3 but that seems like a lot to me...I only know about 6 or 7 people.For those that are wondering if the "foot smell" has left big red, I am happy to announce it has, but moved to a van, a much larger area to fester and grown into a whole new scent of its own. Again, not a pleasant scent, but I am told it is better than armpit!!This past weekend I was in IA for the Louis and Clark Half Marathon. Kate, Kelly and I ran it; and Kayla was playing Souix City tour guide; she just didn't know it. The morning meet the 4 us of with a brisk 38 degree chill and a lot of fog. I had been told earlier in the week that I was not allowed to wear pants during this "fun run" The photos will attest to the warmth in the air and how "normal" people would dress for such an event. I had a blast, I was able to run with Bratzy for the first mile or so and Sully until about mile 12 when she informed me that she was no longer talking. For those that are unaware, I like to talk, sometimes a lot and usually about nothing of any importance; which is why I like to blog....just random crap about nothing I think NBC had a sitcom on a few years ago, something to do with a show about nothing, if I think of the of the name I'll let you know. The colors though the park area of the run were great. It was the mile or so climb that sucked. I had ran a total of about 12 miles since my last race, the longest run being probably about 6 miles, so when asked about partaking in such an event, hell, why not. My IT bands are killing me, I can't hardly walk. Now I ask myself, "What was I thinking"

In classic Marv fashion, the post race meal was coffee, a french toast muffin, beer and food at Chilis. Perhaps one of the best post race recovery meals I've had in quite some time.

The stitches were taken out of my hand yesterday, so it is back to the pool tomorrow morning for me, and than to slowly work on easing back into the swing of things, just as most of the training folk I know are starting to really enjoy the off season and few that aren't done for another couple of weeks. So I will make a deal with you, if you need a beer, a buddy to eat fried cheese with, milk and Oreos or a whole mess of ice cream....call I'll be your guy.

My first Weaver sandwich, I feel like a freakin' giant

I still had someone to talk to at this point of the run, THAT made much easier

Where's Walldo? Can you spot the moron?

Smells Like Foot in Here.....

So, its been a little while since I posted anything; sorry for the delay. A lot has changed for me in the past few weeks and my mind has been in other places than the blog. I am working on moving forward and restarting my life, all of this is a good thing for all parties involved.

For the past week or so, I have left some of my training stuff in "Big Red." Now for those that have seen the truck, its not big, very utilitarian, so it should come to no surprise that it might pick up and hold onto odors for a while. Well, foot is not an odor I overly enjoy. Warm apple pie, lilacs, oranges, etc; these are scents that I enjoy. Foot, not one of them!! But do I do anything to change this new aroma/love affair that I have began? The answer my friends is, Nope! So again, this morning, I will jump into the truck and head to the office. I have a pair of old training shoes, this past season's racing shoes, cycling shoes and some clothing. The clothing shouldn't be the problem, but I found out this year that I am one of those stinky sweaters. Not sure when this happened to me, and I offer a heart felt apology to those that have been surround by my stench; I didn't know! I mean, come on, its me; how could I stink, ha! A little rambling, moving on. I seldom wear socks when I run, causing some great foot scents to develop in my shoes. Growing up I never wore socks in my skates either, ruined a brand new pair in about 2-3 weeks from sweaty feet and odor. I think the best way to describe my new car freshener smell, smell a good cheese or even milk that is about 6 months past the expiration date. You know the milk has curdled and the cheese has turned green and grown hair. You always smell it, its like a bad car wreck hard to not stop and look. So you smell these oddities and think that it smells terrible. Often so bad its hard to describe, not anymore my friends, not anymore. You now have the ability to say "Holy...that smells terrible, phew, just like foot."

Rolled pants, letting air flow to not have a pungent foot smell, very very classic

A Real Soaker...

So, I have come across some free time as of late, feeling out of shape and in need to get back at it after watching IMOO last weekend. So I put the beer and frozen pizza on the back burner for a while and started to do some lite training again. I have yet to get in the pool, but that will come on Monday (so Dennis and Jim, you best be ready) I'll be the guy in Lane 1 that looks like a fish out of water. If I splash too much, I am probably in need of help, so please through me a line, ha! Got home from work last night, an absolutely perfect night and set off on a run. I did run in Madison, but for whatever reason last night I decide to increase the pace and see what I had left for fitness. I was surprised! I was out for a little over an 75 minutes and had a few good pick-ups and some big hill climbs. The hills that I found will work great for repeats once I am in full training again. My legs were a little tight this morning, but I thought it was because I had just gotten up and wasn't moving real quick yet. Nope. So mid-afternoon I put on the classic Marv Stevenson mismatch cycling gear and out the door I went. For those that live in the area, you know that it rained off and on all day. Well, because I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, I decided to ride anyway. I did a good loop that lead me out past Fort Snelling, through the park, past the airport, around Hyland Park and back home. The rain came, than went, than came back, like I had some how pissed it off after the first shower by not turning around and going back home. I was caught in Hurricane Ike like weather, but pushed on! I feel I had a good run and ride the past 2 days, now I can just sit around, relax and wait for the excessive training bug to hit again; and out the door I go!

Mad-Town

Not sure how to begin this little blog post. Last week Friday, I packed and loaded all of my stuff and headed to Madison for IMOO '08. First Ironman for me to witness and I was caught way way off guard about the emotions that would come over me. I had no idea what to expect, the look of the racers out working to achieve the end goal. But first a quick weekend recap:


Friday: Dan, Jason, Nick and Casey met at my house to load and start the caravan to Mad-town. As always Dan started busting my ass for the amount of stuff I had packed, apparently I pack like a female. I had all of my swim, bike and run stuff. Plan was to get up Saturday morning and get some fun easy training in; so I felt it was all justified. We arrive to town about 2ish, get checked in and head to State Street, which became pretty much the general meeting spot all weekend. Stopped at a great little bar and sat outside to watch people and get our drink on, which we did!! It got pretty drunk out early on Friday and the stories that followed Saturday morning from people that I didn't even know where town, yet knew about my evening were very very entertaining.


Saturday: My mom and I had previously talked about the Farmers Market around the capital and how cool it was. So that is where I started Saturday. I was more than likely still not so sober as I walked around the market. Figuring a cup of java would do the trick I made my first of many trips to Starbucks, no luck, but good coffee. Went back to the room, took a little nap and than went for a run with Dan and Monster. Dan was in rough shape after Friday night and was looking just to do about an hour of easy running. It ended up slightly longer than that, but we were on a mission for him and Monster to find an ink shop for new body markings. With Magellan in the lead we were bound to get lost, which happened. Why do I follow the one guy that gets lost going around the block? We went out again Saturday night and met up with the girls (Jen, Jmac, CY and Merilee) for another night of fun. Went back to my favorite new Madison bar for more Black-n-Tans. Must of had myself about 1500 Black-n-Tans over the weekend, they were oooooh so good.


Sunday (Race Day): Got up, jumped on the bikes and headed to the swim started. I wasn't moving overly fast yet (see # of Black-n-Tans consumed to answer any questions) so I missed the swim start, but was able to watch a majority of the swim and the lead guys run into T1, they were moving. They run faster out of the water than I run the 3rd leg of the race! Back to Starbucks for coffee and a muffin! Sunday afternoon was spent walking the bike course after we were giving poor info as where to met everyone for the BBQ. No worries though, it was a great day and I was able to see everyone on the bike and they looked awesome. Went back to the room, had a few more cocktails in the free bar, jumped on the bikes and went to watch everyone running. This is where the emotions started. Seeing the sheer determination, grit and up coming pride that each athlete was heading towards was simply amazing. I've seen the races on TV, but to be there is a whole different feeling.


Monday ('09 Sign-up): John, Kate and I got up, packed the vehicles and headed down to registration for next year. I had been on the fence all weekend about getting my spot for '09, but after watching people finish I knew this was a race I must do next year. I got my spot and am now just waiting for an email to sign up and pay, that its the real deal!! I am just smiling thinking about crossing the finish line next year.


The weekend was a total success for me. I took responsibility, self concern and caution and tossed it out the window when I hit town. And for those that were there with me, well, they saw it. To all of the finishers, GREAT JOB!!!

Saturday night crew at the Irish Pub for Black-n-Tans

The long awaited photos of my past. If you are unsure of why these are being posted, read post from a few days ago and hopefully it all makes sense at time

Sunday afternoon at Ma Weekes, following the third place game at McQuad's in Bismarck, ND. This is a group of beat up, beat down guys that just played 4 or 5 games in about 100 degree heat, after drinking all night on Saturday and getting minimal sleep. Oh the days of softball. (I am the guy in the middle with my head down, making sure my feet are still on my body)

A photo from 2005, me getting ready for my first race; Door County Sprint. The race that started it all for me. I had no idea what I was getting into, laughed and pointed at the funny helmets, spandex suits, shaved legs on guys and odd looking bikes. WOW, have the times changed for this guy.

Capt Jack's Prior Lake 2 Miler. What a day this turned out to be. Had a great late season swim with 2 great current friends and met 2 new ones as well. Notice "Super Stud Jim" sans wetsuit. Hes kind of a big deal!!!

21st b-day. I was living on the U of M Campus for an internship to finish school. A very interesting 9 months of my life. Take some small city kid, that thinks he has every thing figured out, and put him in the city. At least I survived.

And than there is this little fatty. Ive been told that they had to tape the refrigerator shut, otherwise I would eat until i was sick. I am 3 in this photo. Again, I apparently just finished eating an entire chocolate cake, and my parents felt it more important to get a photo than a wash cloth to clean me. Come on, I'm 3, help a brother out. I noticed this at work today, for those that really know me, I always have 2 shirts on.....I guess that started early in life.