Wednesday, June 16, 2010

My Current Training Plan: Make It Up As You Go.

Ahhh. Home sweet home. There's no place like home. And all that stuff...

So we had a fun weekend in California with Scott's family. Moana was the hit of the party once again... what a social little thing she is... she was surrounded by her grandma and grandpa and aunts and uncles and 7 cousins and she could NOT have been happier! She especially loved her 9 year old cousin, Erica, who was the only other girl cousin is this family full of boys. And Erica loved Moana too. It was just so cute to watch the two of them play together at every opportunity. Erica had an ability to keep Moana from melting down at times when she otherwise definitely would have- picture the scene- it's an hour past bedtime and we're all still out at a restaurant eating at a long table filled with a bunch of adults... not exactly a toddler's preferred activity... but Erica could entertain her for hours right there on the floor and it was perfect. I didn't even have to drink (that much) wine to stay sane.

And it was fully best case scenario on the plane. Both ways! Moana slept for a couple hours on each leg of the trip and was otherwise occupied by Elmo on the portable DVD player and drawing on the etch-a-sketch. I think it's best to have very low expectations on these kind of things and then be pleasantly surprised at how easy it actually is.

So besides all the fun socializing with the family, I got to go on a couple of great runs while we were there. The first night we stayed with Scott's sister in Menlo Park. I was directed to a park to go running... trail running... oh how perfect! The training plan I wrote for myself for this week called for something like, "If you feel like sleeping in and skipping it, fine. But if you find yourself enjoying a wonderful run on beautiful trails on a perfect blue sky day, then go ahead and explore the narrow trails." So that's what I did. This preserve area had a couple of main fire roads that were wide and wound their way through the park... and then there were other narrow paths that split off from the main road. I resolved to always take the narrow trail when presented with the opportunity. 7 miles later, with dusty ankles, I found my way back to my car and was all smiles for the rest of the day. I had decided that I could definitely live in northern California again.

The next night we stayed with Scott's parents in a retirement community in Walnut Creek. I got up and ran first thing, before it got HOT, and found the roads to be so nice in this area. Wide shoulders with bike lanes and plenty of cyclists out riding... another good morning for running in California. I could definitely live here. Ok, maybe not in the retirement community, but northern California was winning me over with its blue skies and warm weather and perfect roads.

Sunday we traveled down to Monterey and met the whole family for a reunion in Pacific Grove. And while it was nice there for sure, um, what happened to the HOT? Oh my it was so cold. So cold. Like shivering teeth chattering cold. And windy. I take it back. I could not live here. These temperature swings were too much for me. I followed the other option in my training plan when Monday morning came... slept in and skipped it. BRRRRR.

BUT, 2:00ish came around and while it was still not warm, my teeth weren't chattering anymore so I put my long sleeve running shirt on and headed out the door for a little jog along the coast. I told Scott I'd be back in less than an hour. But I gotta say, oh my what a beautiful gorgeous perfect run! I started out at Asilomar Beach (for those of you who know the area) and ran along a little sandy dirt trail that hugged the coastline... stunning views of the Pacific and that coastline! 3 miles later I was NOT ready to turn around so instead I followed my training plan that went something like, "If you find yourself with a very rare opportunity to run along an amazing coastline and you feel good, go as long as you want." So that's what I did. Sort of, I probably would have gone even longer had I brought any water with me (see, now I was thankful for the cold temps b/c I could run 10 miles without any water) but forced myself to turn around at 5 miles so I wouldn't end up too parched at the finish. But seriously, this was one of the best runs I've ever had. It was so so so nice.

I like making up my training as I go. One of these days I'll get back on a real plan, but for now I'm enjoying a bit of spontaneity and just doing what I feel like... And right now, I feel like I'm just glad to be home. Balmy humid air with a little breeze (and NOT cold). Ahhh. I like visiting California, but living in Hawaii is what fits.

16 comments:

jessithompson said...

Sometimes it feels so right to just go with the flow. Good for you.

cherelli said...

Sounds like a great holiday - I hope the flights went well with Moana this time. Happy "Random" training!

Jennifer Yake Neuschwander said...

Just read your last several blogs. So sorry about the flat at Honu. I must say I love, love, love, how you executed the finish throwing your hands in the air and celebrating all you overcame and accomplished. I found myslef choking back tears about 15 seconds later. Glad you had a good time in Nor Cal

Kate Parker said...

A cool run sounds like heaven right now!

Although, so does living in Hawaii, too. :)

Kate Parker said...

A cool run sounds like heaven right now!

Although, so does living in Hawaii, too. :)

GetBackJoJo said...

You are a Hawaii girl!
I love that CALIFORNIA was cold. hahaaha!
Glad you are home and happy. Happy random training. :)

Running and living said...

So funny Cali is cold for you, though I agree San Fran can be a bit chilly. Did you read Matt Fitzgerald's new book Run, the mind body approach to running by feal? He makes the point of how most elite runners are creating their training plans as they go. It's a great great book, a must read. Thanks also for the tri advice! So helpful. Can you imagine being disqualified for changing clothes in public? LOL

X-Country2 said...

I love runs like that. Can't wait to capture them again!

Katie A. said...

I could see all the places your ran right in my head! And you're right, especially in the Bay Area, we have a ton of micro-climates that can keep you guessing! So glad you enjoyed yourself and the fam! Enjoy the stress free, plan-free running!

Ange said...

It's so key to have those breaks from Structure and just train to train and enjoy it. If we didn't do that...we'd all go nuts. Your run along the CA coast sounds lovely. I lived out there for a short time and thought it was beautiful too.

Regina said...

Adventure is good for the soul. I LOVE CA and would move there in a heartbeat. It doesn't hurt my sis is there and we are very close. Unfortunately ,there are commitments that keep us here...for now. Hubby would like to move to HI, I say, 'hells yeah!" to that too, but not sure what I would do there...as in make a living.

your trip sounds great! It is always nice to have someone else to entertain your kid..ha!

Lindsay said...

Sounds like a great time. good luck with your training.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love your blog.. It makes me want to go out and run NOW! It's about 94 today in FL. Uggh. Maybe the gym would be a better option ;0)

Rebecca DeWire said...

Sounds like a good trip and how awesome that Moana has older cousins to entertain her.

Angela and David said...

Sounds like you had a great trip. Northern California is fantastic. And I can't believe Moana fell asleep on the plane. No way in hell that would ever happen with Zach.

Charisa said...

Sounds like a great training plan :)