Training Camp!

I love surprises, especially when they are fun getaway weekends planned carefully with fun for me in mind. Duke did an outstanding job of planning just that. He was so excited giving me hints and clues for weeks before the 3 day weekend getaway. One of the clues was, “KaBoom!” another was to let me know we were bringing our mountain bikes. Usually I am a great guesser but for some reason absolutely nothing was coming to mind. After he practically gave me the directions to the location I finally figured it out. KaBoom of course was for cannon an obvious clue since he loves Cannon Beach.

So Friday morning with our mountain bikes, rain gear, camera gear and goodies to eat all packed we headed to Cannon Beach, OR. We arrived just after 1pm to a gorgeous sunny afternoon. From our room we had a view of puffy clouds in the sky, people setting up for an on the beach wedding ceremony and little children running barefoot at the ocean’s shore. I was ready for a long walk on the beach.

I must explain a little more in detail why Duke picked this scenic spot for a long weekend getaway. For those of you who haven’t been to this particular beach; it is very picturesque with Haystack Rocks jutting out of the sand near the low tide mark and it is a very long flat beach with the shoreline covered by private homes and beautiful hotels. One of the reasons Duke picked this particular place was so I could have the perfect location to start training for a triathlon, a mini one that is, with a ¼ mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 2 mile run.

If you recall from a previous email, I get severe shin splints when I run. For those of you who have never experienced shin splints consider yourself blessed. They are extremely painful and once you get them they keep you wake at night throbbing. Also as explained in the previous email, I was able to run on sandy beaches after walking as a warm up. So Duke planned this weekend as a celebration to start my training. So train I did.

We started with a swift walk on the beach with lots of activity surrounding us. Since it was a beautiful day everyone was out enjoying it. We walked for about an hour and then I ran a short distance a couple times until I was completely out of breath (out of shape!). After a short rest in our room we rode our mountain bikes into town to do some window shopping and to go out for dinner.

This was our first experience with riding our bikes on the beach and it was soooo much fun. You didn’t have to worry about traffic or staying on the trail. You were free to go anywhere you wanted. So I zigzagged my way down the beach on the hard packed sand. Then I did circles, around and around; making the circumference smaller and smaller until I could turn any tighter. I went fast and I went slow. I followed the ocean’s edge and I went through the streams. All while I had a big smile on my face! Duke loves it when the kid in me comes out and she was beaming.

Riding our bikes back along the beach in the dark after dinner while the waves pounded the shore in the distance and the stars twinkled in the sky was another great adventure. Once we reluctantly (I was having too much fun on my bike) arrived to our hotel from dinner I enjoyed a nice hot Jacuzzi bath. Heaven!

The next morning we woke up to clouds and a slight breeze. I however was feeling great and ready to go for our morning walk. After spending two hours walking and running we went back to the hotel and had the best scones in the continental breakfast. They were yummy!!! Cranberry and white chocolate. I didn’t know if this was a training weekend or an eating weekend since I couldn’t resist the scones or the cookies they had in a cookie jar set out for hotel guest, more yum!  But we did need to get some real food in our system so we headed into town on our mountain bike to have breakfast.

Keeping up with training, we took a long bike ride after breakfast while fighting a slight headwind. I was working pretty hard to pedal against the wind and looked forward to taking a nap back in the room. I must also mention that I know how to nap very well. Basically once my head hits the pillow I am out and sleeping soundly. This afternoon was no exception, I slept for two hours, and when I woke up I was afraid that I had slept the whole afternoon. Thankfully I hadn’t, it was only 3pm. I took a shower and Duke and I went into town, this time by vehicle since it looked like it might rain.

We walked around town a bit and saw some wonderful galleries. Cannon Beach has become quite an expensive destination resort town. The prices are high and the quality is too. Tonight Duke not only treated me to dinner but also to a wonderful small theatre play. It was a 3 actor comedy that was funny and very well done. I had a great a fulfilling day.

We woke up Sunday morning to a dramatic change in the weather. Not only had the wind picked up considerably but it was raining too. I was not the least bit discouraged. I was here to train and I had brought the clothing for this type of weather so with warm tights, smart wool socks and tennis shoes, Capilene, fleece and a rain coat on top, and gloves and a hat I was off to face the elements. I wanted to head into the wind straight off so it would be easier to walk back, so instantly the front of me was wet from waist to toe. The raincoat was doing a great job on my upper half. I walked with my head down, only seeing 10 feet in front of me so the rain wouldn’t sting my face. When I approached a stream heading down to the ocean I cautiously jumped over it not to get my shoes too wet. After the second jump I felt the cold water enter my shoe and from then on walked through the steams purposely not caring about the extra moisture in my shoes.

When it was time to turn around it seemed like a completely different day. With the wind and rain now at my back I was flying as I ran joyfully down the beach. My stride was long, my head high and my pace fast; at least it was until I was out of breath. I spent the rest of the morning running and walking as if I was unaware of the storm at my back. Needless to say the beach was mostly deserted this morning with only a few brave souls joining us. Returning once again to the warm haven of our hotel room, I enjoyed a hot Jacuzzi and breakfast in the tub!

It was sad to leave my first train site just after breakfast after such a great start. I must admit that I am a little sore, but not on my shins. I look forward to all my other training destinations that will help prepare me for my first Triathlon.

Thanks My Duke!