Kristin Berry and Jeanine Stefanucci

In honor of Steve’s 50th Birthday, Kristin and Jeanine decided to work out every day for 50 days. Though their main goal was to swim 50 meters 50 times in one workout, they also developed larger muscles and flatter stomachs due to their varied training. Below is a list of the workouts that they did for each day of the 50 days. Note also that even though Jeanine was out of town for 10 of the days, they continued to work out and updated each other on their progress by text and phone. This birthday challenge was successful in three ways. First, they met their goal of swimming 2500m (50m x 50) in under 1.5 hours. Second, they have continued to work out nearly every day since the 50th day, which is a testament to the long-standing impact this birthday challenge will have on their health and happiness. Finally, they became great friends during this challenge and plan to tackle many future challenges together.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Lift
Wednesday, September 01, 2010 Elliptical 1 hr
Thursday, September 02, 2010 Swim 700 M
Friday, September 03, 2010 Lift and Swim Band Workout & 700 M Swim
Saturday, September 04, 2010 Hike Snowbird Tram Up & Hike Down
Sunday, September 05, 2010 City Creek Run 50 Mins
Monday, September 06, 2010 Crossfit 50 Jump Rope, 7 Each - One Leg Squats, 5 Man Killers, 20 Ball Slams, 30 Sit Ups - We made it 5 rounds in 20 mins then did 15 lb shoulders 3 sets of 20
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 Swim 1000 M (20- 50's)
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 Cardio and Weights
Thursday, September 09, 2010 Swim and Lift Swim 1200 M, Water Weights
Friday, September 10, 2010 Elliptical/Weights
Saturday, September 11, 2010 Avenues Street Fair Walked the Aves
Sunday, September 12, 2010 J-Run K-Swim J- 3 laps Liberty Park, K-Swim East Canyon Reservoir
Monday, September 13, 2010 Crossfit 50 Burpees, 40 Squats, 30 Ball Slams w/12 lb ball, 20 Push Ups, 10 Pull Ups.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 Swim
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 Weights and Cardio

Thursday, September 16, 2010 Swim Swim 1300 M
Friday, September 17, 2010 Walk and Lift 2.5 miles on treadmill (fat burning), stadium runs, 50 burpees, lifted chest, triceps, and shoulders
Saturday, September 18, 2010 Walk Up City Creek Canyon and back down
Sunday, September 19, 2010 J-Yoga, K-bike and hike J- 1.25 hours of yoga, K- 9 Mile Ride & Hike w/ Kiddos
Monday, September 20, 2010 Cardio and Weights
Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Swim 1 Mile!!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 Cardio and Weights
Thursday, September 23, 2010 Spin & Swim Spin 1 hr, Swim half mile
Friday, September 24, 2010 Cardio and Weights 1 Mile
Saturday, September 25, 2010 Trail Hike / Run
Sunday, September 26, 2010 J-Roller Blade, K-Move Furniture and 50 Burpees
Monday, September 27, 2010 Cardio and Weights
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 Swim 1.25 Mile (2050 M)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 Cardio and Weights
Thursday, September 30, 2010 J-Spin and Run, K-Trail Run 50 Mins.

Friday, October 01, 2010 Cardio and Weights
Saturday, October 02, 2010 Swim 1 Mile
Sunday, October 03, 2010 J-Yoga, K-30 min run
Monday, October 04, 2010 Cardio and Weights Legs and Arms
Tuesday, October 05, 2010 K- Cardio & Abs in AM, K&J - Swim 1 Mile in PM
Wednesday, October 06, 2010 Cardio and Weights Chest and Abs
Thursday, October 07, 2010 Swim 1 Mile
Friday, October 08, 2010 J- 4 mile run, K- 50 Burpees, 40 Squats, 30 Ball Slams w/12 lb ball, 20 Push Ups, 10 Pull Ups, abs
Saturday, October 09, 2010 J- 2.5 mile run. Chest, triceps, shoulders, K- 3 mile run
Sunday, October 10, 2010 J- Run / walk, K- playground cardio, chest, triceps, shoulders
Monday, October 11, 2010 J- 4 mile trail run, K- Legs
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 Swim 1 Mile
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 J- 5K Run
Thursday, October 14, 2010 J- Run 2.25 miles, Lift legs
Friday, October 15, 2010 J- Swim 1 mile
Saturday, October 16, 2010 Mellow Walk
Sunday, October 17, 2010 Swim 50 - 50's
Monday, October 18, 2010 Cardio and Weights
Tuesday, October 19, 2010 Swim 1 Mile

Tiger Funk

Hi Steve,

I’ll see if I can describe this in the required 50 words or less. I’m not typically long on words, but the only thing I’ve done in 50 words or less is tell my ex wife “goodbye”!

I’m sure I spent 50 hours thinking about what I could do as a challenge that would accomplish two things: first, it must be something that would serve justice to a challenge that Steve might take on himself, seeing as I have nowhere near the stamina and strength that I think he does. Second, serve as a genuine challenge to myself – meaning I have to go into this thing not knowing if I’ll succeed or not. This is all simple enough, but trying to get the number 50 in the equation proved to be additionally ponderous.

In Southern Utah we have what is known in some circles as the “vertical mile”: A single mountain bike route that runs 12 miles from 6,000’ to 11,300’ – giving a delta of 5,300 vertical feet with grades ranging up to 14% (albeit a mile is 5,280 feet – the last 20 feet just tightens the screws of death). The normal approach to tackling this trail is to go down (Dark Hollow trail from the top of Brian Head to Parowan), something that I have done a dozen times or more. It’s always left me wondering what it would be like to ride up the trail; but lacking someone calling me on the phone and presenting me with a birthday challenge opportunity, I have never ridden the trail uphill.

Given the parameter of the challenge needing to be something that related to 50, I thought a bike ride that included this 5,000’ vertical climb would be applicable. If I made the last 280 feet, that would be a bonus, and surely the final 20 would be to the death.

I consider myself fairly fit. This is good because I didn’t train for this endeavor. I decided to run off of my current fitness level. I could see there was only a short time to get the challenge done before November 22nd; and get it done prior to the immanent onset of winter at 11,300 feet. This brings to a point: the snow. We had already had a decent dump, and I knew more was on the way; so Saturday I took a reconnaissance trip to the general area of the route to look at the snow level. What I saw was good, I only went to 9,000 feet that day, but the road was passable and I could see through the binoculars that I would likely cross to the south face of the ridge by about 10,500 feet.

Sunday morning dawned sunny and I decided this was the day. I gobbled an extra bowl of oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast, loaded my Moots, and put a bunch of other junk in a bag and headed out. The first 5 or 6 miles was great, I found my cadence and had 2,000 feet behind (under?) me in no time. I also discovered at about the 6 mile mark that I had forgotten to grab a camera and half my lunch that was in the refridge, but I did get away with the gps which allowed me to verify my elevation – the key to the day. By the time I got to 8,000’ I was pleased about my progress and was feeling strong. At 9,000 feet clouds started to move in and it was cooling off enough to warrant an extra jacket. There was snow in the trees on the north face of the slopes but the trail was in good shape. At 10,200’ the ground was frozen where it was wet, which was good for the frequent mud crossings. I crossed my first real snow drift at 10,400’ and the snow in the trees was now everywhere. At about 10,550’ I ran into trouble. Too much snow to ride through, at least where I was. I got off and pushed my bike through six inches of snow for a quarter mile hoping to cross over to the south side of the ridge or get on top where there had been more sun exposure. The trail was pretty steep and would have been a tough ride in dry conditions, there was no way to ride it in the snow. I checked the gps, and continued up the trail until I got to the 10,700 foot level (4,700’gain). I was done. The snow was now a foot deep in many places and my feet were wet and cold (bike shoes were not made for snow trekking!).

So, Steve, I’m sorry to say, I was unsuccessful in meeting this birthday challenge. I really think I was in position to reach this goal, but it will be left as an unknown until next summer (my birthday is in June!). It’s not the first time I’ve been shut out by Mother Nature, and likely won’t be the last.

The ride down was better than any other I had had on this trail, since this time I earned the ascent. I hadn’t seen a person since before I left the dirt road and I hadn’t gotten any cell phone calls (oops, left that at home too with the other stuff!) Once again my trusty Moots performed flawlessly, even while pushing terminal velocity on a 13% fire road headed back to town (Wheee!).

Steve, I hope you’re doing better soon and back to 100% shortly; few things worse than an injury getting in the way of achieving a goal.

…and of course HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY!!

All the best,
Tiger.

1, 2, 3, 50! Made it – 50 words or less! ☺
Other adventures during Fall in Southern Utah

Debbie Beukema

Birthday Challenge: 50 Pieces of Good Artwork by Steve's Birthday on November 22nd

Finished Works (as of Nov. 1, 2010):
1. Blue Daisies - oil on canvas sheet
2. Leetle Peegie - oil on canvas sheet
3. Lotus Bud -oil on canvas sheet
4. BloOrp! - oil on canvas sheet
5. Love You - oil on canvas sheet
6. Parrots - oil on canvas sheet
7. Stealing the Kiss - oil on canvas sheet
8. Ball in Space - oil on canvas sheet
9. Liefde - oil on canvas sheet
10. Butterfly (not shown) - oil on canvas sheet
11. Bearded - pencil on paper
12. Form Head - pencil on paper
13. Braided Lady - pencil on paper
14. Faces of the Debbie - pencil on paper
15. 3 Expressions - pencil on paper
16. Boobies - pencil on paper

In the Process (as of Nov. 1, 2010):
17. Birds over Wire
18. Wren
19. Mojo
20. Greenie
21. Pigeon Madness
22. Hamster Fluff

Note: I've done more, but am only counting the good pieces, as fits my arteeste's temperament.

What has been so great with this challenge is that it's meant that I've had tons of different paintings going on at the same time. I'm learning from all of them, growing from all of them, and it's working fantastic for my little business.

AND... because I have vision... click here and watch me chew 50 pieces of gum at once. Happy Birthday, Steve!

Aidan Cantwell

Happy 50th Birthday. I love you. I am doing 11 pull-ups for 50 days. I am a quarterback and a running back for my flag football team. And this will help me achieve greater things. I also play baseball and I am a shortstop. I will pray for you. Love, Aidan

David and Teya Cantwell

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...faster than a speeding bullet, how can we match the Steve Edwards challenge???

As an ordinary, everyday man, I must keep my secret identity by being JUST a husband, dad and business tycoon- who -while tackling three kids, two dogs and 12 chickens are able to find the time to work out at Gold's Gym- that is, 50 minutes on the bike, for 50 days, while reading my political gar-gin!

And as the world sleeps, Supergirl is busy doing laundry, cleaning house, cooking (all day) coaching volleyball and basketball, volunteering as school librarian, gardening, and acting as chauffeur for three busy kids! But don't let that stop her from taking on the Steve Edwards 50th birthday challenge! My favorite exercise tapes, with running and tennis combined for 50 days. Happy Birthday Cousin Steve from the Cantwell's.

We love you!

Jake and Sophie Cantwell

And let's not forget the Jake-in-ator! He is the newest addition to our family. The kids have promised to throw his favorite rope, 50 times until your birthday! Jake is so excited!!

Then, there is Sophie....she wants no part of this...but she does want to wish you a happy birthday too!

James Cantwell

Happy 50th birthday Steve. I hope you feel better soon. My challenge is to shoot 50 shots for 50 days. I am part of travel basketball team in Reno, belonging to Manogue High School. I hope to become as good of a basketball player in high school as you were. I love you and hope to see you soon. Love, James.