Mid-Season Siesta (Vacation)

I'm currently on vacation in Northern Minnesota for 2 whole weeks. Yes, two weeks away from work, city life and even away from training a bit too. I'm using this vacation as a mid-season break from training in hopes that my body will rest up and be ready to get back into training on the 12th of August, when I get back. Mid-season siesta!

I figured that I started structured training the beginning of April and won't end until December 2 (CIM), so I needed a little break to prevent burnout and injury. I know my body well enough that if I don't take some down time in the middle of 8 months of training, I'd blow up mid-Fall and hate marathon training, so hopefully with this break I'll coast right through it with no issues and renewed enthusiasm toward training.

Dock time

While on vacation, I haven't been totally sedentary, although I've taken more naps in the past week than I have this entire year... I've been running fairly regularly on the one closest county road on mainland. Our cabins are on islands, so whenever I want to run, I have to get someone to drop me off at the marina, then call for a pickup. Not that big of a deal, but still one more thing to plan for when planning a run.

Emerald Isle. Viewed from Pine Island.

My family has been nice in catering to my running needs. For example, last Sunday, we went to town for church and instead of helping with grocery shopping after mass, they let me start running toward the marina and would pick me up when they drove by. I was able to get in 5.5 miles. Another time, we were driving to my Uncle's cabin and instead of driving with my family, I ran. Just gotta fit it in where I can!

Waiting at the marina to be picked up post run

Running here is tough work though. It is hotter, hillier and more humid than Seattle. I've stopped looking at my pace on runs because it's just not comparable to what I run in Seattle. Have to remind myself that it is normal to run slower in heat. I'm just happy to get in the mileage and truck up the hills. I swear, there is not flat road here; it's either up or down. Also, no matter how short my run is, I've been carrying my handheld bottle full of ice water + Nuun. I have never sweated so much on a run - need that electrolyte replacement!

Elevation chart of Co. Rd. 77 in Tower, MN

I'm supposed to be swimming while I'm here which would make sense because we're ON A LAKE, but so far my swimming consists of wading into the water, paddling around, floating on my back or treading water, far from the real swimming I'm supposed to be doing. My lame excuse is The problem is its rarely calm here, which makes for tough swimming. I know swimming in a rough lake will make me a stronger swimmer, but I don't feel like I'm getting stronger when I feel like I'm going to drown... Plus, I need someone to swim with me or canoe next to me so boats steer clear and I haven't conned anyone to going with me, yet.

This doesn't do the water chop justice. Believe me, it is.

Overall, I'm trying to balance vacation and working out. I've been drinking beer(s) every day and eating 'vacation food', but staying active enough to balance it all out.

The Big Bamboozler pizza from The Vermilion Club

When I get back, it's full on training for the following races:

• Lake Union 10k - Aug 19th (Tentative)
• Labor Day Half - Sept 3rd (Tentative)
• Waterfront 15k - Sept 8th
• Black Diamond Olympic - Sept 15th