to paddle or not to paddle

When I tell people my background (racing kayaks) they are usually surprised and immediately ask "do you still paddle ever?". I would love to say yes, the truth is I've been in a boat twice since 2008 Olympic Trials. Its not like I purposefully avoided a boat I've just taken a different direction with my life. I've run a marathon since then and competed in Crossfit and Jiu Jitsu, but not of my new sports have taken me off shore. During my paddling career sometimes getting on the water seemed just awful (especially when the weather wasn't on our side) and I would think about what it would be like after I stopped. I fantasized about doing pilates, yoga and running and having girly muscles. Its funny, because now I'm there. I do yoga and run, and I'm very happy doing yoga and running.

I woke up this morning and went for a run behind the convention center along the water. There is a point on this tiny peninsula where you run out and you're about to turn the corner, the wind is blowing from both directions, there is water on your right and water on your left and you almost feel like you're on the water...for about five seconds I miss paddling and wish I was in a boat and I almost reconsider retirement.

26.2 before 13.1

I presume normally runners run 1/2 marathons before they run fulls. I think I was afraid of hating the 1/2 marathon and not wanting to run a full so I jumped into the full.

I ran Rock & Roll full marathon in June 2010 and I loved it. My training wasn't super disciplined however I had worked up to a 23 miler so mentally I knew I could complete 26.2 as long as my nutrition was good and that I didn't have a fluke of a bad race. Oddly enough the most painful part of the race was a major cramp in my shoulder which had me shed some tears. I must have unknowingly been holding tension there which came to a peak at the end.

I signed up for Carlsbad Marathon in October and I struggled to get my mileage up. I got up to 10 miles in November and then my training plummeted after Thanksgiving and then getting sick. I decided to run the 1/2 marathon instead. With my longest run being 6 miles prior to the race I finished in 1:58. I'm happy with my time and of course I have regrets for not training for the race.

Now I'm thinking whats next? I've loved running lately and I'm open to other things. Maybe an off-road marathon? Maybe a triathlon? I would love any recommendations.

Rock & Roll

A few years ago, when I was training kayak, the thought of running a marathon was far from a goal.

"I will never run a marathon for fun. I don't see anything fun about it. 200 meters (50 seconds) is fun for me."

Now, its 2010, I've been a retired kayaker for over a year and a half and I'm contemplating participating in a marathon. Or at least, training for one.

"Hmm...I wonder what it would take exactly...is 18 weeks long enough to prepare?"

Last year I trained for the Crossfit Games, which was incredibly rewarding. Now, I'm interested in something totally different.

My athletic existance always revolves around the edgey wild sports. Jiu Jitsu tournament? Count me in. 30 Overhead squats with a 400m run? Perfect. Racing 500 meters in a kayak with four other people in Poland? Rad!

Run a marathon? Hmmm. I never really thought about it.

Now its time to think about it.

My need for speed, admiration, and my bull dog spirit has mellowed out. I would feel complete just finishing a marathon.

Running a marathon is simple, you keep running even when you don't want to anymore. Something about that is calling to me right now. I will sit w/ it for a bit.