Vacation Goodness
Wow, I haven't updated this thing in forever.
I got back Friday morning from a whirlwhind 8-day tour, in which I slept in 5 different time zones. The jet lag never got too bad . . .
First stop was Chicago, to see the family. Had a wonderful visit--I packed a lot into 2 days, including some time just lounging around. I got to follow my brother to work, see a great stage production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and eat a lot of good food. I got in just after noon on Thursday, and left for Cleveland early on Saturday morning.
Once in Cleveland, we took a bus tour of the marathon course, which itself took an hour (to cover 26.2 miles). That was followed by a big lunch, some hanging out, and, in the evening, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame fundraiser for their education program. That was fun, actually--quite a range of one- and two-hit wonders, including Tom Cochrane, Dr. Hook, Ton Loc, A Taste of Honey, the lead singer of the Stylistics (whose name escapes me), Billy Squier, Mitch Ryder, and, to close, Ronnie Spector. So quite a range, from the 60s to the 90s. And Paul Shaffer was the bandleader.
Race day itself, Sunday, started early, around 4:30. We drove into Cleveland from Kent, and started the race at 7:00. I was running pretty strong, and was making really good time before the 20-mile wall. Even after that, I was making decent time. Then around mile 24, I was on the final hill, and decided I'd treat myself to a walk. Big mistake. Once I tried running again, my quads cramped up on me, no matter how much I stretched them. Strangest thing--I was well hydrated too. So, I ended up walking the last 2 miles, and running the last few steps across the finish line, grimacing in pain. I was shooting for 3:45, and finished in 4:19, 11 minutes slower than my best time--oh well. I'm still a 4-time marathoner, and there will be more races for me. I'm thinking of going back to the drawing board as far as training goes anyway--vary my routine a bit, do some work on nutrition. There's always room for improvement, and I'm far from an expert at this.
After the race, I took a LONG afternoon nap. There was some celebrating that evening, and a lot of eating. I caught a 6:00 a.m. plane to Denver, so we had pretty a much a full day in Denver when I got there. Which we spent chilling out mostly--we did see the state capitol, which the civics nerd in me always enjoys, and check out a microbrewery (yummy). Tuesday, we went to some wineries, most of which were closed, sadly. We did find one that was open, and the wine was pretty good! I'd never had a white merlot before, but it was tasty. We also checked out the Stanley Hotel, made famous by The Shining (although the classic Kubrick film used the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood). Before heading home, we walked around downtown Boulder, one of those nice liberal college towns. We need more like it!
On Wednesday, I got to see the inner workings of a coffee shop :) Then we went to see Blades of Glory, which I found pretty funny. I've done a complete 180 on Will Ferrell, thanks to Old School and "I need more cowbell." I had a wonderful time in Denver, albeit too short a visit!
I spent that night in Seattle, at the home of an old college roommate who is now a prof at UW. How the time does fly. We hadn't seen each other in 5 years, so we grabbed a couple of beers on the way home. He and his wife are expecting their first child this summer, which is exciting! I slept for a couple of hours, then caught an early flight to Anchorage.
In Anchorage, they were all out of economy rental cars, so I got stuck with a PT Cruiser. I went downtown to meet a law school classmate for coffee, then a friend for lunch. I followed that with my first eye exam in 6 years, then a new pair of expensive, stylish glasses, then an order at the Brown Jug. Quite the busy afternoon--I didn't even go load up at Costco. Then I drove out to the Mat-Su valley to stay with some good good friends. It was a great evening, and yet another short visit. If only there were more hours in the day!
So I got back to Bethel early Friday morning, feeling quite groggy. Then I got a 3-day weekend to rest up from my vacation--I even got a short run in. Let the marathon recovery begin.
Soon I'll be back to commenting on the rest of the world. Opinions? I got a million of 'em.
I got back Friday morning from a whirlwhind 8-day tour, in which I slept in 5 different time zones. The jet lag never got too bad . . .
First stop was Chicago, to see the family. Had a wonderful visit--I packed a lot into 2 days, including some time just lounging around. I got to follow my brother to work, see a great stage production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and eat a lot of good food. I got in just after noon on Thursday, and left for Cleveland early on Saturday morning.
Once in Cleveland, we took a bus tour of the marathon course, which itself took an hour (to cover 26.2 miles). That was followed by a big lunch, some hanging out, and, in the evening, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame fundraiser for their education program. That was fun, actually--quite a range of one- and two-hit wonders, including Tom Cochrane, Dr. Hook, Ton Loc, A Taste of Honey, the lead singer of the Stylistics (whose name escapes me), Billy Squier, Mitch Ryder, and, to close, Ronnie Spector. So quite a range, from the 60s to the 90s. And Paul Shaffer was the bandleader.
Race day itself, Sunday, started early, around 4:30. We drove into Cleveland from Kent, and started the race at 7:00. I was running pretty strong, and was making really good time before the 20-mile wall. Even after that, I was making decent time. Then around mile 24, I was on the final hill, and decided I'd treat myself to a walk. Big mistake. Once I tried running again, my quads cramped up on me, no matter how much I stretched them. Strangest thing--I was well hydrated too. So, I ended up walking the last 2 miles, and running the last few steps across the finish line, grimacing in pain. I was shooting for 3:45, and finished in 4:19, 11 minutes slower than my best time--oh well. I'm still a 4-time marathoner, and there will be more races for me. I'm thinking of going back to the drawing board as far as training goes anyway--vary my routine a bit, do some work on nutrition. There's always room for improvement, and I'm far from an expert at this.
After the race, I took a LONG afternoon nap. There was some celebrating that evening, and a lot of eating. I caught a 6:00 a.m. plane to Denver, so we had pretty a much a full day in Denver when I got there. Which we spent chilling out mostly--we did see the state capitol, which the civics nerd in me always enjoys, and check out a microbrewery (yummy). Tuesday, we went to some wineries, most of which were closed, sadly. We did find one that was open, and the wine was pretty good! I'd never had a white merlot before, but it was tasty. We also checked out the Stanley Hotel, made famous by The Shining (although the classic Kubrick film used the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood). Before heading home, we walked around downtown Boulder, one of those nice liberal college towns. We need more like it!
On Wednesday, I got to see the inner workings of a coffee shop :) Then we went to see Blades of Glory, which I found pretty funny. I've done a complete 180 on Will Ferrell, thanks to Old School and "I need more cowbell." I had a wonderful time in Denver, albeit too short a visit!
I spent that night in Seattle, at the home of an old college roommate who is now a prof at UW. How the time does fly. We hadn't seen each other in 5 years, so we grabbed a couple of beers on the way home. He and his wife are expecting their first child this summer, which is exciting! I slept for a couple of hours, then caught an early flight to Anchorage.
In Anchorage, they were all out of economy rental cars, so I got stuck with a PT Cruiser. I went downtown to meet a law school classmate for coffee, then a friend for lunch. I followed that with my first eye exam in 6 years, then a new pair of expensive, stylish glasses, then an order at the Brown Jug. Quite the busy afternoon--I didn't even go load up at Costco. Then I drove out to the Mat-Su valley to stay with some good good friends. It was a great evening, and yet another short visit. If only there were more hours in the day!
So I got back to Bethel early Friday morning, feeling quite groggy. Then I got a 3-day weekend to rest up from my vacation--I even got a short run in. Let the marathon recovery begin.
Soon I'll be back to commenting on the rest of the world. Opinions? I got a million of 'em.
posted by Country Lawyer @ 09:13
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