Each summer, my daughters and I head up north to visit family and escape the oppressive heat and humidity in Houston. Typically this is the time during the my season when I take a mini mid-season break from training so I can hang out with my girls and enjoy water-skiing.

However, with plans to race Ironman Wisconsin, I could not afford a two week break from training. In addition, water-skiing inevitably finds muscles that have not been used all year and each year I find these muscles less forgiving.

So this year, I decided to send the girls to the lake to stay with their grandparents (thanks, Mom & Dad!) while I stayed with my sister in Wisconsin. This was a perfect opportunity for me to work in some solid training leading up to IM Wisconsin, make a trip to Madison to check out the course (watch out Keith, Ben is riding well), and get a break from my daily parental duties.

I arrived in Minneapolis at the tail-end of a heat wave. It was hot, but it was not any worse than the conditions I am used to in Houston. More importantly, a cool-front was moving in and the forecast called for ideal training conditions. I was elated to be able to sleep in and not have to worry about working my training in around my daughters’ swim practice schedules.

The first morning I found this incredible state park nearby that had miles of running trails and I did not start my long run until after 9 am (and I did not melt or feel like I was running in a sauna). I came home to a quiet house, ate, and sat down. I sat for hours and watched television. I even got to watch what I wanted to watch and I made sure to avoid any station that had a reference to “toons” in its name.

Training session #2 for the day came up, and I found myself not having to scramble for an afternoon ‘pick-me-up’ at Starbucks. I was rested. For dinner, I ate my meal sitting down and the food was still hot! I had adult conversation and I was not rushed. I even went to bed when I wanted to go to bed (which is early) and I did not have to worry about an hour-long battle to get others to sleep. I think I even had a few moments of boredom that day.

I was definitely enjoying the break from my normal routine, but it was not long before I realized that things can actually be too quiet. I missed the non-stop chatter around the house, the impromptu hugs, and the barrage of “I love you Mommy” (even if it is only to manipulate me so they can get their way).

Yes, I was eating hot meals, but I found them lonely and the adult conversation not nearly as interesting as the stories my daughters would tell. I also discovered that hearing me sing aloud in the car was far more torturous than having to hear myself repeat, “Do NOT look at each other.” and “You do not want me to have to pull over!”

Our time up north flew by, and upon our return home it did not take long for things to return to normal. I am back to packing school lunches, attending school functions, and assuming my role as taxi-driver for my girls. However, this vacation has done for me what a post-season break from training does by renewing one’s body and spirit.

I even knew my daughters were ready to resume their routines because when we went to one of our favorite restaurants (Chipotle) the evening we returned home, one of them exclaimed, “Oh, finally a normal meal. I haven’t been out to eat in so long!”

Happy Training.