A Boy and His Beard.
Jul/100
Over the past year, while I was abstaining from shaving, I received many questions about my ever-growing beard. The most popular inquiry, I believe, was: why are you doing this?
Most people weren’t satisfied with my initial response of, “Why not?” So, on a few occasions, I had to explain myself fully — as I am about to do here.
First and foremost, it should be said that not shaving for a year, or growing a large beard, isn’t much of a big deal. I was actually pretty surprised at how much attention it got me, and how people seemed to always be interested in what was going on with my facial hair. I think, in a special way, it became a journey not only for me, but spectators as well.
My motivation was simple — to not shave for an entire year to see what kind of beard would emerge. My dad is my facial hair hero — able to grow a complete beard by 3pm. My mom’s side of the family is more smooth (and not just by choice). So, I was hoping for paternal proportions, but preparing myself for somewhere in between (which is about where I hit — pretty good length, with some sparse sections that didn’t grow as full as I’d hoped).
While I can’t say the journey was something spectacular (it’s a pretty passive experience, except for the occasional mustache trim), I was somewhat fond of the outcome. I didn’t feel especially sad when the time came to part with the beard, but looking back now, I can’t help but feel a special bit of nostalgia. After all, the beard and I had many exciting adventures over the past year.
I’d like to give my thanks to friends and family who supported the yeard (especially my amazing wife). I imagine it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experiment, but it was fun while it lasted.
Ode to the Yeard.
Jul/105
Trevor and his Yeard.
But let’s go back in time and revisit the status of Trevor’s facial hair a year ago… Here is Trevor, as he was over a year ago, around the time he decided to grow the Yeard.
He picked summer as his starting point (and ending point) because that would give him the full beard for the winter, and release from the full yeard come the following summer. We don’t think he even went 100% clean shaven to start, as he traditionally maintained a scruffy goatee and mustache ever since we got married. Our 10K race for Compassion also became the appropriate ending point to the Yeard. Trevor ran the race with one very impressive beard. On more than one occasion he overhead people admiring his facial hair accomplishment. After the race, it was only fitting to celebrate Independence Day by becoming independent from the Yeard.
Pictures on the 4th of July. Check out that ‘stache!
It measured nearly 6.5″!
Being silly one last time with the Yeard…
Shaving it off! Whoa!
Trevor now, with already 1 week’s worth of scruff coming back!
I gotta say, it was a bit traumatizing to face him with such a drastic, and unfamiliar, change of appearance. Even our niece Natalie had a hard time recognizing him as her goofy fun-loving uncle, and we don’t blame her! But the venture into hippie land with a no-shave year experiment was successful. We think Trevor deserves the award for Best Yeard Evars.
10K Training
Kristi's Training Mileage:
Trevor's Training Mileage:
Good Reads
Kristi's read shelf:
Trevor's read shelf: