Holiday Fun

I can't remember the last time I had two weeks off from work. It's been epic! I love the Holidays, and this year my wonderful wife busted out all the shopping online, super-early in the season, so there was really nothing left to do except some assembly and wrapping, oh, and lots of time to enjoy beverages, eating great food, and playing games with the kids.

Spending everyday with the fam has been outstanding. We've had great weather for running, riding, and going to the beach, and to top it off, the Chargers came back from the end of the season dead and crushed the Broncos.

Me, my dad, and his wife's grandkids also did a fun little 5K downtown, which was followed by the Holiday Bowl Parade. I've lived in San Diego most of my life, and had never gone to this parade before. I'm not much a parade person, but this one was really fun with the floating balloons and all, and of course some outstanding SD weather.

Hope your holidays have been great too, and that you and your families have a Happy (and safe!) New Years!

Rest : the wonder drug

In the weeks following the Silver Strand Half Marathon, I'd been very bummed out. Running while compensating for a blister on that day really messed me up.

On two runs attempted in the weeks following, even though I ran short distances at very moderate paces (tortise-like paces compared to some people I follow), I was having extreme pain in both knees, and my left hip. I was really worried that I'd done something very bad. On the third run attempt it was so bad that I had to stop within 1oo yds - my wife and kids were surprised to see me back, and I was depressed. I didn't want to talk or write about it for fear that doing so would make it real.

So, I stopped running, and hoped that with some rest, my body could heal itself, but in my paranoia, I doubted that it would. I was really worried about my left knee in particular, thinking that maybe I'd tore a meniscus or something.

Fortunately, the busy schedule with Thanksgiving, my kids campouts, etc. have managed to keep my mind off of it a bit, but then...

Getting the early registration notice for the Wildflower triathlon brought the worries back to the forefront. Should I shell out $220 (wow) for a race that I might not even be able to do? What about the CA 1/2IM? As you can see, I'm a worrier.

This past week, though, brought some happinees since I've been pain-free while walking, and the weather has been fabulous. This morning I felt like I've given it enough time, and decided to give it a go again.

Wow, soooo much better. Yeah, there was a little pain in the left knee during the hill climbing parts, but I feel like it's going to get better, and the hip and right knee were totally pain free.

I had forgotten how much I missed my morning runs down along Cardiff to the Solana Beach sign and back, and this morning was absolutely glorious. Wind free, quiet, and extremely clear. What an amazing sunrise, and the clarity and peace that comes to my head cannot be beat.

After the run, I was like a giddy school kid after a goal-scoring soccer game.

So, my Christmas present has come early this year, and I'm thankful that the gods of rest have smiled upon me.