Endurance Racing And Beyond: November 2010

So… I’m back. I have to admit – two weeks ago (wow, I can’t believe it’s been that long) I was 99% committed to ending my blog posts. I just wasn’t feeling it anymore. Everyone knows I think this stuff is cheesy and after the Marine Corp marathon debacle, I needed a major break from endurance everything. No, I’m not planning on quitting or getting out of the game, I just wanted to step away for a little bit to A. erase the memory of the recent marathon and B. let my mind experience a true offseason.

But here I am. Back to blogging.

This time it’s for good reason though. I’m physically back and slowly but surely getting my sanity back. Thank you, Las Vegas, San Diego, and my amazing friends.

A few months ago, I planned an epic trip out west for a reunion with friends in Las Vegas and some quality time with the best friend in San Diego. The trip was originally supposed to be a celebration of a long and successful 2010 racing season but later (post-marathon) became a ten day adventure to relax, escape and be social. I rarely looked at or carried my phone, I did whatever I wanted, and I had some of the most fun in my life. Here’s a quick recap:

Vegas was, well, Vegas. It’s a sad sad place when you’re there alone but when you’re there with great friends you haven’t seen in years, it’s EPIC. Between running a total of 17+ miles in one day just for fun (it’s crazy what the body and mind enjoy doing when you’re in offseason), almost dying by being adventurous…err stupid, and sipping on an assortment of adult beverages while lounging poolside, gambling, and partying, Vegas was exactly what I wanted/needed it to be. Just plain fun. I can’t exactly post ALL the pictures but below are a few to sum up the Vegas trip.

As for San Diego… well that week was just bliss. When you’re staying with someone who lives just a couple miles from what a simple Google search lists as a few of the “must see beaches in California”, you know life is good. I worked out more than expected, I chilled on the beach as much as possible, I met some great people, and I embraced the laid back lifestyle of SoCal. All in all, it was seven days of new adventures and carefree reflection. Oh, and tasty fish tacos.

The moral of the post – never underestimate the wonders of an offseason. No races on my mind, no training being planned, NO NOTHING. And on top of all that, I actually WANT to run and swim and workout as much as possible. It’s back to being 100% fun.

Stab Wound...errr (Stupid/Sober) Near Death Experience with a Fence Post