RunRunRun

This fall's theme is RUNNING at the Craig household! With Michael training for his first marathon on October 31st, and Nikki set to do numbers four and five in October, it seems like all we do is work, sleep and run...

In July we did the Seattle Great Urban Race, which is sort of like the TV show 'The Amazing Race' but just a few hours long and all in one city.

Challenges included things like finding a dog's paw to shake, holding a cockroach, building a pizza box while holding hands, etc. And of course, you had to FIND the places to complete these challenges first.

I know you're all wondering...where's Terese?!?!? Don't worry, Terese was there with team-mate Dawn, who you'll remember from Rainier to Ruston.

Both Nikki and Michael ran the Bellingham Bay Half-Marathon as a cold and wet training run in September. Nikki completed her 4th half-marathon within the same 30 seconds on the clock, proving she really only has ONE pace.

Welcome Home Michael!

Michael's 2010 deployment came to a sweet end

at 4:00pm on Monday, July 2010 when the VAQ-140 Patiots returned to NAS Whidbey Island.

Welcome Home Michael!

Komo4 News Video: click here.

The clocks merge...

If you've been watching the clocks on this blog, you've noticed that the 'Nikki' and 'Michael' clocks are slowly but surely moving towards the same time!

Below, from left: Michael, CDR Scott Farr (CO of VAQ-140) and LT Josh Witte on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Eisenhower as it transits the Suez Canal, in the best direction.

(Forgive Michael's pimp hat, his haircut is far too horrible for public view.)

Below: Michael, and his pimp hat, in a stadium in Italy. He's not so great at explaining pictures, so your guess is as good as mine about where this was taken.

2010 Rock n Roll Seattle Marathon

Nikki finished her first full marathon of 2010, the Rock n Roll Seattle Marathon. She beat last year's time by 21 minutes!

Since Nikki doesn't do anything without Terese anymore, of course they ran it together. This is at the start line.

Finally finished! We rocked!

One wave of 35 starting. There were 27,000 runners this year.

Rainier to Ruston Trail Relay

Nikki and three of her friends...Terese, Janine and Dawn ran the Rainier to Ruston race last weekend. Rainier to Ruston is a 51 mile trail relay from Mt. Rainier to Tacoma, WA. It was very fun!

You can check out the website here: www.rainiertoruston.com

At the start, Mt. Rainier:

The front of our team vehicle. Our team was Benz and the Beanstalks...because Dawn is regular sized, and Nikki, Terese and Janine are all freakishly tall.

Nikki running in downtown Tacoma:

Finished with my legs:

At the finish line, Ruston Way in Tacoma:

Halfway There!

We recently celebrated the halfway point of this deployment.

The VAQ-140 wives enjoyed dinner, drinks and dancing...putting it all on the husbands' tab.

(The guys ate boat grub and flew missions.)

First Race of the Year-Whidbey Island Half-Marathon

Nikki ran the Whidbey Island Half Marathon on April 11th. It's her first of many road races this year. (Check out the schedule at the bottom, which will of course change often!)

Terese, Nikki and Thelma at the start of the race (Thelma's husband is Michael's boss.)

The half-marathon route ran through the Naval Air Station. Here is the Commanding Officer of NASWI, Capt Gerral David and his wife Anne, up VERY early and cheering on all the runners.


At the finish, another medal for the collection.


Nikki's friend Becky, and her daughter, who both walked the half marathon. (Becky's husband works with Michael.)


Nikki's friend Janine finishing the full marathon. Last year, Whidbey was Janine's very first marathon: http://mpnac.blogspot.com/2009/04/whidbey-island-half-marathon.html


Tree, Terese, Nikki and Janine. All navy wives, all marathoners!
Races Scheduled for 2010 (click on the name for more info):

• May 16: Rhody Run 10k, Pt . Townsend, WA (Nikki)
• June 5: Rainier to Ruston Trail Relay, Mt. Rainier, WA (Nikki, with Terese, Janine and Dawn)
• June 26th: Rock n Roll Marathon, Seattle, WA (Nikki)
• July 1oth: Warrior Dash, Location TBD (Nikki)
• July 31st: Great Urban Race, Seattle, WA (Nikki, and maybe Michael!)
• September 26th: Bellingham Bay Half-Marathon, Bellingham, WA (Nikki and Michael)
• October 17th: Nike Women's Marathon, San Francisco, CA (Nikki)
• October 31st: Marine Corps Marathon and Nikki's induction into Marathon Maniacs, Washington, D.C

Zion National Park, Utah-March 26th-29th 2010

Nikki went to Zion National Park over her birthday weekend to catch up with Renee and Pete on their US tour, now in it's third year: http://bbbtour08.blogspot.com/ Nikki was SUPER excited to visit Zion, especially since Michael had been there a couple of years ago.

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Nikki's friend Terese came along as well (you'll recognize her as a fellow outdoors enthusiast from other postss) and we all had an AWESOME time.

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Michael had the opportunity to visit Zion during the summer of 2008 when he was working out of Nellis Air Force Base in nearby Las Vegas, NV. Here he is at the top of Angel's Landing, the park's most famous trek:

( Why yes, Michael still DOES own a shirt from a Bologna Bash that was NINE YEARS AGO.)

The Angel's Landing Climb was the scariest thing Nikki has ever done, as evidenced by the tears, shaking and repeated Finding Nemo references that Renee, Pete and Terese can attest to. This part here is called the "Leap of Faith." On either side of this two-foot trail is an 1800 cliff:
But, we all made it up to the top safely. From left, Pete, Renee, Nikki and Terese.


The view was amazing. Zion National Park wins in Nikki's book for "Most Beautiful Place Ever."


Nikki at the bottom of the canyon. You can see the ridge we hiked across and the arrow points to Angel's Landing.

Thai food and birthday cake after a very rewarding day.

Combined Air and Space Operations Center Doha, Qatar

For a few weeks during this deployment,

Michael is working at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) in Doha, Qatar.

"Located in the Air Forces Central theater of operations, the CAOC provides the command and control of airpower throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and 18 other nations.

Serving as the operational bridge that integrates and synchronizes strategic decisions to tactical level execution, the CAOC is comprised of a vast array of people, programs and processes that execute day-to-day combined air and space operations and provides rapid reaction, positive control, coordination and deconfliction of weapons systems.

Functioning as the nerve center of the air campaign, the CAOC plans, monitors and directs sortie execution, close air support/precision air strike; Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance; airlift; air refueling; aerial evaluation; air drop, and countless other mission critical operations. The CAOC is a true joint and Coalition team, staffed by U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Coalition partners.

-Info and Photo courtesy of the United States Air Force: http://www.afcent.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=12152

On one of Michael's first days at CAOC,

he had the opportunity to meet

Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead:

Admiral Roughead and CAOC staff. (Michael is far left)

VAQ-140 Patriots Change of Command

The VAQ-140 Patriots had their airborne Change of Command on March 18th, 2010

Click here to read about it: 'Patriots' Change Command Aboard Eisenhower

Keeping Busy Back Home

Nikki has been keeping busy back home this winter:

Poor baby Maya getting a bath after a muddy trail run. This isn't her idea of fun!

Snowshoeing at Mount Baker with friends and marathon-training-buddies Janine and Terese

It's harder than it looks. Trust me.

With Mickey Mouse at the 2nd Happiest Place on Earth

100,000 firecrakers at the start of the Firecracker 5k in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Happy New Year!

Nikki's Dad completing his first 5k. Go Dad!

Happy Birthday to Michael!

Today, March 4th, is Michael's 28th Birthday! If you'd like, you can e-mail him at mpcraig@uwalumni.com to wish him a fantastic day.

(Ok, in his time zone, for about 10 more minutes, phew, made it.)

Operation Enduring Freedom: 31 January 2010

Michael and the rest of the crew after an OEF flight on

31 January 2010From Left to Right: LCDR Thomas Lovett, LTJG Shane Salvatore, LT Michael Craig, LT Josh Witte

USS Eisenhower Relieves USS Nimitz to Continue Navy Support to Coalition Troops in Afghanistan

This is all we've got for the month of January, things are moving along for Michael, but pretty slow back home.

From USS Eisenhower and USS Nimitz Public Affairs:
GULF OF OMAN (NNS) -- The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) relieved the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group as Commander, Task Force 50 Jan. 25."The Eisenhower Strike Group is ready to support any requirement for troops on the ground in Afghanistan and execute the U.S. Maritime Strategy in the region," said Rear Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, Eisenhower Strike Group.

"The Eisenhower, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, and all the ships in the strike group are committed and ready to continue the superb effort that Nimitz Strike Group carried out to increase security and stability throughout the region."

"The Nimitz has done an amazing job, and the Sailors aboard Ike are trained and ready to fill behind them," said Capt. Dee Mewbourne, commanding officer, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). "Taking over from Nimitz, we will continue to improve the security and stability in this part of the world through the outstanding professionalism of our Sailors.

"The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has operated in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations since Sept. 18. with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 aircraft flying more than 2,600 combat sorties and 15,296 cumulative flight hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

"I am very proud of the Strike Group's support to coalition forces in Afghanistan, our aircraft launched and executed with thoughtful precision, fused to the directives of the supported commander," said Rear Adm. John W. Miller, commander, Nimitz Strike Group. "I am equally proud of our contribution to counterpiracy operations off the Horn of Africa, protecting critical Iraqi infrastructure in the North Arabian Gulf and the wide range of support provided to ensure maritime security here.

"Through our operations and training in 5th Fleet, we enhanced cooperative relationships with our regional partners who are key to the Maritime Strategy," said Miller.

Ships of the CSG endeavored to create a lawful maritime order by deterring piracy, protecting critical infrastructure and conducting Maritime Security Operations throughout the region.

"Everyone in the Nimitz-CVW 11 team contributed during our time here on the line," said Capt. Paul O. Monger, Nimitz' commanding officer. "We generated a 99.62 percent sortie completion rate for OEF, our aircraft were there for coalition forces on the ground every day – that was due to the collective efforts of everyone on board. We saved lives and helped bring security and stability in the region.

"Like Nimitz, Eisenhower will provide 30 percent of the close air support missions flown to protect coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan.

Eisenhower CSG is comprised of Dwight D. Eisenhower, embarked Carrier Air Wing 7, embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66). Ships assigned to DESRON 28 include the destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Carney (DDG 64)and USS McFaul (DDG 74). These ships will be assigned to tasks forces throughout the region aimed at improving regional and maritime security.

Squadrons from CVW 7 include the "Puking Dogs" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, the "Jolly Rogers" of VFA 103, the "Rampagers" of VFA 83, the "Wildcats" of VFA 131, the "Night Dippers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 5, the "Patriots" of Electronic Attack Squadron 140, the "Blue Tails" of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 121 and the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40.

Helicopter detachments include the "Proud Warriors" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 and the "Swamp Foxes" of HSL 44.

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

Fair Winds and Following Seas...Again.

Michael deployed last week for his second deployment aboard the USS Eisenhower.

Below is the press release from the USS Eisenhower and a picture of LCDR Brian Graves, of VAQ-140, taking off of the USS Eisenhower.

(The fog you see off the water is because the water is about 30 degrees warmer than the air.)

From USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployed Jan. 2 for a six-month deployment in support of 5th and 6th Fleet operations.


IKE CSG is made up of Commander, CSG 8; the aircraft carrier IKE, homeported in Norfolk, Va.; Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW) 7; Commander, Destroyer Squadron 28; the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), homeported in Norfolk; and the Mayport, Fla.-based ships, guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) and guided-missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG 64) and USS Farragut (DDG 99).


IKE CSG missions focus heavily on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts that help establish conditions for regional stability.


"I'm extremely proud of the men and women of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group," said Rear Adm. Phil Davidson, commander of IKE CSG. "They've exceeded all expectations in a very short amount of turnaround time. We are ready to go over the horizon and support the troops on the ground in Afghanistan, support the nation's Maritime Strategy, and protect our nation's interests."


The deployment is part of an on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations in international waters around the globe.


IKE CSG consists of approximately 6,000 Sailors who, over the last four months, have successfully completed refresher training and certifications to ensure they operate effectively and safely together. "IKE returned from a successful combat deployment last summer. We spent most of November (2009) at sea training during a challenging Composite Training Unit Exercise, and we spent December (2009) making sure the ship, our Sailors and our families are ready for this deployment. This is an amazing ship, but what's even more amazing are the young Americans who bring it to life," said Capt. Dee Mewbourne, IKE's commanding officer.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

More of the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon

Running by the capitol. Finally done!

Bling


Michael and Nikki by the Marine Corps Memorial at the finish