Vacation Time

By Cliff on July 20, 2009 |

Here is a snap shot of my past week.

Friday – Get to work for 7am to start the day early. Boss doesn’t realize it. Leave at 11am for the drive to Moncton. Get stuck in traffic in Montreal, lose 40mins. Drop Figs off with Amanda’s mom in Fredericton. Get into TJ’s place at 12am. 12 hours of drive time.

Saturday – Wake up and go for a run with TJ. He shows me his favorite running route. We then go out for breakfast. We’re the only ones in the entire place and get the worst service. Breakfast sucked too. Amanda and I drive to Baddeck to see a wedding. We arrive 20mins before and have to dress in the parking lot. Wedding goes well, bride and groom are happy, and we party East Coast style into the night. I manage to squeeze in an hour ride; rehashing my Cabot Trail journey.

Sunday – Awake to a croaky belly but go for a run with Amanda. We then go to a nice cafe and eat breakfast. Another 5 hours of driving and I now have traded Figs for Amanda. I am now home in Wentzells Lake to get caught up on “the happenin’s”.

Monday – Run with Figs in the AM. Damn dog is losing half of his fur. Pretty lazy day (just like the tour!) wash car and go for a swim in the PM. TJ arrives at swim with his see-through shorts. Not cool.

Tuesday – Start the day off with a 3.2 swim (across the lake and back and again). Dad goes in the canoe while TJ, Ma and me swim. Follow the swim up with a 9K run with TJ and Figs. Norma Jean makes us waffles which are very good. TJ sets off for his 6 hour ride which I join at the 2 hour mark. We ride all over the Lahave and end with a TT practice in Second Peninsula. We both demolish ourselves and go eat at our Nanna’s. Before leaving Lunenburg we ice bath our legs.

Wednesday – Awake to a large appetite. I run with Figs and sit for most of the day. Time trial in the evening which is a 5K out and back course. TJ and I are the center of attention at the time trial as he holds the record and I want to break it. We run beforehand with Figs and watch as many people participate. I win the TT but no record. Afterward TJ goes home and I, to Tim Hortons for timbits for my dog.

Thursday -I get up and go to the market in Lunenburg with my Nanna. I get organic cookies, spinach, dog treats and jam. I do an easy 15K run in just under 1:10 and take off for home. I feel tired today so I decide not to participate in the BTC practice. I get to be the guest speaker and talk about running off the bike. Dad asks the most questions. What a surprise.

Friday – Go for a run with Figs. Then it’s off to Shelburne with my Dad and dog to visit my 92 year old grandfather. He’s seen better days but is still trucking along. We clean his monster Caddy and eat lunch. In the PM Dad and I meet some of the BTC people for a swim at night. Three of us decide we should race and Dad wins. I get second after fighting with the other guy in the water.

Saturday – Track workout consisting of 400,800, 1000ms x 3 with 90s rest in between. Figs does most of it with me but then decides to cut corners and meet me at the half way points. Mom, Dad and Norm show up at the very end so I do another 400 (in 75s). We all pile into the car and drive to Rissers Beach to look at possible tri sites for their group. Along the way we pick up Norm’s boyfriend Alex. Afterward we enjoy a lunch at LaHave Bakery. It’s then my turn to leave and I start the trek west stopping in Freddy then Harvey, New Brunswick. What’s in Harvey? A Girl Guide’s camp with Amanda’s family celebrating her aunt’s birthday. Lots of holiday cheer (and beer). Sleep in cabin marked “councilor”.

Sunday – Ride back to Freddy Beach meeting Chris on the way. He tells me this is his longest ride since September. We ride for almost 3 hours. I reminisce about my days of Freddy. The ride ends and I go meet Amanda at her Mom’s place. Shower, eat, quick stretch and we’re off to Ottawa. Another 10 hour drive and another vacation all gone.

Thanks to everyone who made it fun. Hope to be back soon!

Happy Trainin’

Cliff