News from NM

You probably already knew that there wouldn't be posts from the field during a New Mexico vacation. It is New Mexico, after all, Land of Enchantment. I was overzealous in promising live updates. Between the jam-packed NAI conference schedule and our subsequent crammed-full vacation itinerary--along with spotty and unreliable wireless internet connections--it just didn't happen. Obviously.

Unfortunately, I didn't run once in two weeks. My body responded well. My brain got a little nutty over it, but overall, it was a good mid-season rest. This is not to say fitness was forgotten; there was still plenty of time in a bike saddle or hiking boots. This was a trip for healing and strengthening body, mind, and spirit.

Here are some teasers:

NAI Field Session
Bosque Biking (30 miles, paved trail and single-track offroad):


Our group of 40 or so pulled out of the downtown Doubletree Hotel parking lot giddy with excitement. As we carefully rode down trafficky streets, someone commented, "This feels like a Critical Mass ride," and most everyone mumbled in agreement. First stop was Old Town Albuquerque, which was gorgeous bathed in yellow cottonwood leaves.

After 15 or so miles on paved path similar to Little Rock's River Trail, we cut below the Rio Grande levee and entered the bosque (forested desert riparian zone) for some nice single-track. We rode fast. It felt like a BMX course. I could have just done this all day and gotten my money's worth.

Ok, and then there's something to be said for alllllll those Saturdays I've practiced getting up early to run. It took three tries to get a good weather day for a hot air balloon flight. All three days we had to get up at 4 a.m. and be ready. Two of those days included an hour+ drive to Albuquerque from Santa Fe. The first two days were too windy for the pilots to feel safe about going, but they didn't make the call 'til that morn.

Each time, I was not exactly hit-the-ground-runnin' when the alarm went off, but did haul out of bed and get dressed and coherent enough to be good company for J. She was proud.

On the third try, our very last day in NM before having to hit the highway home, we were thrilled to drive into town and see all the flags hanging limp on their poles. No wind. We flew.