Enjoying The "Off-Season"

It's been a nice couple of weeks of recovery after IMC I haven't done any swimming and only some casual biking and running with friends. Amber and I have almost finished our yard projects for the year and I have to say our house looks a lot better than it did just six months ago. We've completed our deck, landscaped the back yard with rocks and trees, bought a new BBQ and patio set. Next year we'll complete the front yard and over the winter we'll paint the interior of the house.

I haven't felt any pressure to do any sort of training and I know my body is thankful. It's the first time in a long time that I have felt like I'm healthy. This summer it seemed like I was always fighting some sort of cold or flu and my body was struggling to stay strong while completing some tough training days. I am very thankful that I had a terrific race and I obviously don't do well without having a big goal to shoot for because I only made it one week before deciding on my next big race, the Las Vegas marathon!! I'm really excited, I've never been to Las Vegas and Amber is taking a group of her "learn to run stronger" girls down for the 1/2 marathon so I thought I'd tag along and concentrate on finishing a marathon for 2009. I've completed at least one marathon every year since 2000, 7 Calgary Marathons (2000-2006), 1 Kelowna Marathon (2007), and 1 Boston Marathon (2008), this will be #10! I'd like to do a "destination marathon" every year with AD, it's a great way to see new places and definitely a bonus to not have to lug around your bike on a couple plane trips.

I have a 10km race in a couple weeks in town and I'd like to set a new PR, I know I'm capable of running under 36 minutes I just have to work on a little more speed. After that I'll concentrate on putting in some distance work and I should peak again by December 6th. I'm not too concerned with setting a PR in Vegas, I just want to go there and have a good time with Amber. Placing in the top ten would be nice but is secondary to catching some awesome shows and losing a $100 bucks gambling (that's all I can stand to throw away and not be completely upset with myself).