Checking in from Saipan

Some like to think of vacation as a time to relax and do nothing. For me, it's a chance to do all the workouts that I normally couldn't do. For two weeks I can live like a professional athlete; get up go for a run, eat breakfast, go for a swim, take a nap and then maybe do another workout, then head down for dinner.

The last week I've been in Saipan visiting my brother. Since landing last Sunday I've had the opportunity to participate in a lot of these activities. I'm mostly proud of the fact that I've actually been able to fit this in between all the eating and drinking we've done! I'll post pictures next week, but here's my log for the week:

Thursday 11/16: Early morning core workout with my coach. Feeling stronger in some aspects but since my core is so weak, my lower back is really suffering. I'm thinking I need to consider seeing a physical therapist to have it checked out, as I think it's affecting my right hip too.

Friday 11/17: Traveled from LAX to Japan (11 hour flight) then "puddle jumper" to another Japanese airport, then off for the 6 hour flight to Saipan. Absolutely NO chance to fit in a workout and what really sucked is the video on the plane didn't work from LAX to Japan, so no movies the entire time. I read an entire 400 page book during the trip. I land at 1am SUNDAY Saipan time and head home with my brother and his wife.

Sunday 11/18: During the trip lost a day. I wake up early morning to go on a 4 mile hike with my sister-in-law and their dog Shelby. Afterwards, I head to church with my brother and then afterwards over to PIC for brunch. He hits up the volleyball courts for a beach volleyball tournament, and I hit the "pool" (ok the 75 degree ocean in front of the resort) to swim the Tagaman Triathlon swim course. Beautiful! I don't think I'll ever have a more amazing view while swimming again! After the tournament, we pick up "Spicy Thai"and hang out at Russ and Kanae's house. My main goal for the day is to stay up until 10pm, Saipan time.

Monday 11/19: Wake up for a run down to Laupau Bay again with Kanae. It's a 3 mile hard run-downhill the way out and ALL uphill on the way back. Once done I head back to PIC where I lounge around reading for awhile. By afternoon I get up to do my core exercises on the grass area on the property. Afterwards I head out for a swim for 20 min. For dinner we eat potluck with Russ and Kanae's Bible study group.

Tuesday 11/20: Mike arrives early this morning. We meet him at PIC and then head out to meet my brother's friend for a swim. This swim is pretty amazing too... the "tank to tank" swim. Basically you swim to two WWII tanks that are in the harbor. It's a pretty difficult swim with the choppy weather, but we have a blast. That night we eat down at the Seaside Gallery and enjoy steak with LOTs of wine. Russ and Kanae join us for a nightcap, then Mike and I close down the Buoy Bar with some swing dancing (to a standing ovation!).

Wednesday 11/21: Wake up and run a 4 mile run from PIC. Afterwards head down to the beach for the "beach clean up" day. After breakfast I hit the Tagaman swim, and then convince Mike to join me for my core workout on the beach. We hang out and relax the rest of the day until it's time to head to Russ and Kanae's house for dinner: Grilled shrimp, salad, and homemade chocolate cookies with some fabulous wine! Great preparation for the brutal Turkey Trot tomorrow!

Thursday (Thanksgiving) 11/22: 5:15am wake up and head down to the start of the race! I'll post pictures later... basically this race is ALL uphill... seriously 4.2 miles up, up, up to Mount Tapachau the highest point in Saipan! It took me 55mins to complete and I got first place in my age group (won a turkey!). Kanae also placed in her age group, while Russ (injured groin) and Mike (not a runner) cheer us on. I'm not kidding they had a hill called "the bitch"! Ate plenty the rest of the day and visited three amazing houses for Thanksgiving. People here are so friendly! It's SO unbelievable how welcoming they are! First to the Mister's house for ""lunch", then to Russ's boss's house for a visit, then lastly to Rex's beautiful house for dinner.

Friday 11/23: I treat this day as my "day off"". Mike and I wake up, go to PIC for breakfast then off with Russ to pick up our Scuba Diving equipment. Originally Russ mentioned not taking us to the Grotto since Mike and I are relatively new to scuba. A last minute change of heart (we'd heard someone almost died at Laulau beach-where he originally intended to take us) and we are loaded up and heading exactly where he said might be too challenging for us. Now, I haven't been scuba diving since 2000 in Sydney... so I'm rusty and the brief refresher class Wednesday didn't really sink in yet. We go to the Grotto and from above Russ gives us instructions on where to stay away from (""the washing machine""), which happens to currently have a man in it! We walk down with our gear on, and suddenly it's as if we have walked upon a horror film. People screaming, kids crying, blood coming from two different people, a Chinesee woman fully dress is soaking wet and missing her flip flop. Basically a tourist fell into the washing machine and some others went in to save her. No one was killed, a few injured and plenty of scared to death folks all clung to the rock. We walk by this as if it's an ""everyday""occurrence. My feet are shaking as I put my flippers on with all the madness. Fast forward a few minutes and we are underwater to a peaceful world. Other than a few problems with the amount of weight I"m carrying on my belt, the dive was amazing! Afterwards we head out for some sight seeing: Last Command Post (with Japanese tanks and machine guns from WWII), Bird Island to hear about some of Russ's Adventure racing mishaps, and to the American Memorial museum to learn more about the Island's history. Off to an Italian restaurant for some lunch (learn of Mike's food habits).... and back to PIC to sleep some. That night we meet up with some of Russ and Kanae's friends (Angela and Bill) for dinner at a "fusion"restaurant" in a house that was converted into a restaurant. Fantastic food!

Saturday 11/24: Up at 4:50am to meet Russ's friend, Nate for a 13 mile run. We started at Last Man''s post and headed up for 1-2 miles (thought I was going to die with the camelback and hills). After going up, we hit a trail run in the jungle. Run past Bird Island, and by Banzi Cliff, past some WWII bunkers, and through the property of the original DHL owner's house (he died in an airplane accident-his second one-and the property was overtaken by the jungle). Finish that run in 2:10... back to PIC for a quick swim on the Tagaman loop to loosen the legs, and off for a hike at Forbidden Island. Here it was a long hike down to some tadpools. We hiked up to a water cave and then after some pics, headed up the hill again. This night we went to ""Len's"" a Japanese restaurant, and enjoyed some great exotic food (really tested Mike). Afterwards we headed to the Hyatt for a night show at the Sandcastle... and that's where Mike finally got his ""cheese"". It was a blast!~

Sunday 11/26: Wake up eat some breakfast and then finally surrender to a nap/relaxation. Meet Russ and Kanae at noon for their friend''s wedding down by the beach front. After eating a ton of food, we wrap things up to get ready for the afternoon Triathlon I planned on doing with the local tri group. I chose the short course since I had ran far the day before, it was raining hard, I was riding Russ's bike and figured the heat would zap me! There were about 10 of us total and it cost $10 to participate. The swim was an out and back to the buoy, I think 500 meters (took me about 9 minutes and I was second out of the water). Off on the bike which allowed me to catch the leader (on a mountain bike and part of the relay)... pretty cool, I've NEVER been the leader of the pack. Trying hard to maintain my lead I knew Stuart the man who won the Turkey Trot the day before was right on my tail... and he was doing the LONG course! He passes me just as I missed the turn on the bike, and I come in to transition "first" for the short course. (Transition is my brother's truck!). Off on the run, my sister-in-law with me, but I was warmed up by now and amped I was in "first" place". I ran the 4k in 19 minutes and took "first"". To celebrate... a warm beer and help baby sit my brother's friend, Tyce, his three kids. Afterwards back to Russ and Kanae's house for leftovers and some Monty Pythons... and home to crash!

(Today) Monday, 11/27: I need to get my core workout in and maybe a swim. Mike and I have decided a massage is necessary (especially since my lower back is tight) and then sunset cruise tonight. A typoon might be coming in, so we are unsure of how that will pan out...

This coming week:
Run 3-4 time (hash run for one)
Tank to tank duathlon (Saturday)
Swim 4 times
Core workout 2 times (one more on Sunday when I get back to the states)
Bike-mountain biking at least once
Eat more
drink more
and continue to enjoy vacation!

Pictures will post later....