RECOVERYAND WHY IT DOESN'T SUCK TO LIVE WHERE I LIVE

i'm enjoying my post-vineman recovery time. while i'm ramping up the run mileage for the new york marathon, i've made a conscious decision to not have a structured schedule for any other workouts. it's weird!!! for months, i've had my training schedule entered into the calendar on my phone. i've known exactly what workout i'm to do on any given day for weeks in advance. although it's always been open for improvisation when work doesn't allow for what's on the roster, i've considered it a success when i can stick to it at about 70-80%. i honestly don't know ho you iron moms and dads do it!!

so before i officially embark on the training odyssey to ironman brasil in october, i'm taking some official "off time". who knew that training for a marathon (#10 btw), would be considered down time, but it's been nice to only run 3 times a week and occasionally ride or swim when i feel like it. don't get me wrong, i do feel like it all the time, but to know there's nothing on the schedule and to just go out and do it when i have time and want to is a whole other way to approach it all.

off time has also allowed me to go out and watch a race or two. that's right, it's not only fun to race but to support your friends from the sidelines at one of their races. sunday was day 2 of the international surf festival at manhattan and hermosa beaches. basically, it's two days of fun on the beach and in the water and a celebration of living here in so cal. again, i don't know how you guys on the east coast do it!! no doubt, we have it good here in cali. our tri season pretty much never ends if we don't want it to!!! the festival included a 2 mile swim from hermosa pier to manhattan pier without a wetsuit. some opted for the wetsuit, but couldn't be considered in the official rankings.









and from the "next time you wanna complain about anything, remember this" files, take a look at this guy:


i turned around to see this man coming out of the water. can't recall seeing anyone hand him his canes. did he swim the entire 2 miles holding them?? either way, i was overcome with that same feeling i get so many times while participating in this sport. that feeling that says "i'm alive. i'm alive. i am lucky for every day that i can get up and swim in the ocean, for every day i can ride a bike or run, and for every finish line i cross. anytime i wanna complain about the early mornings, the cold water, i need to remind myself that nobody is forcing me to do this. i am so truly fortunate for every opportunity to do what i love and meet so many great people who love it too. so thanks, swimmer #F378, thanks for the reminder...

for full slideshow click here: