Rant or Rave: All Inclusive Resorts

I’ve never stayed at one myself but two winter destinations on my bucket list (Cancun and Dominican Republic) offer many such resorts.  In the Caribbean, it seems that there are more all-inclusive resorts than standard hotels.  I’ve done some research on this subject, so I feel somewhat qualified to give advice to my fellow travelers.  Is it worth it?  That depends on what you are looking for. 

Advantages:

Convenience is by far the biggest plus here.  Often, you can simply take a shuttle directly from the airport to your resort.  No need to rent a car or even take Uber.    You will be transported to a luxurious gated community and can do pretty much whatever you want as well as eat and drink free of charge once you get the coveted wristband upon check-in.  Typically, the resort has multiple restaurants and bars as well as free room service.  In other words, you won’t even need to leave the grounds of the resort.  Just leave your wallet in the hotel safe and use the credit card for small souvenir purchases.  Safety is another important factor.  If you are visiting a third world country with a high crime rate, you may not feel it is safe for you and your family to go outside the resort.  Inside, you can bet that it will be well patrolled, and you won’t get very far without a wrist band.  I certainly would not allow a teenager to roam the streets of a foreign country unsupervised even if he or she is with a friend.  Remember Natalee Holloway. 

Disadvantages:

To me, the biggest disadvantage is the lack of authenticity.  I can imagine a couple returning from a Jamaican all-inclusive resort and commenting about how much they loved the country.  Nope.  You just loved your resort.  Most hotel guests are either American or European so outside of the resort staff, you will have little to no opportunities to interact with locals and take in the culture.  If the same resort had a location in the Dominican Republic, you could have had pretty much the exact same experience there.  I’m sure that many resorts offer excursions to nearby attractions, which is good, but it also locks you into a specific schedule.  If the buses don’t run several times per day, it could be big trouble if you miss the ride back.    

Hidden Fees:

Often the quoted price is a very reasonable $200-250 per night.  That said, you get what you pay for.  There could be an additional charge for multiple guests in a room as well.  Unless it is a 5-star resort, you can bet that food will be mediocre and it may not even be fresh either.  Drinks will be small and watered down too.  Extras such as souvenirs, sun tan lotion and even wiFi probably will NOT be included while excursions to nearby hiking trails will certainly be extra.  Some resorts are family friendly while others are adults only and catered toward honeymooners and other young couples.  I doubt that very many will be catered to singles. 

Me:

I would personally opt for the standard hotel even if I must walk a few minutes to the beach.  I prefer the authenticity of the local culture.  If a country has a Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory, I am not going even if it’s just to a resort.   I don’t care how beautiful it is.  In a resort tailored to couples, sitting alone at a restaurant table would be quite depressing.  I really don’t care about the fancy spas or getting pampered with a massage.  Just give me a basic room that is clean with a comfortable bed, TV, fridge and microwave and that’s all I need.  I’m primarily there for the beach but I do want a strip of authentic restaurants and fun bars within walking distance.  If I am with a girlfriend, yes, I would be willing to compromise and stay in an all-inclusive resort.  I would want it to be within walking distance of local attractions and would like to eat one meal outside the resort per day. For example, if I’m in Cancun, Mexico, I want a serving of real Mexican food, not a pizza or chicken buffet.  Fair enough? 

Reason for Optimism?

Seven days ago, I quit taking TRS after my system began to completely reject it.  The first 3 days went according to form.  I showed the usual incremental improvements from day to day.

Day 1- 2@9:50. Would have been over 30 minutes for 3 miles.
Day 2- 3@8:19- All out effort to get under 25.
Day 3- 6.5@8:30- This one was encouraging.  My pace was not significantly slower over more than double the distance.  I dialed back the effort as well to ensure a comfortable finish.  After all, this was my longest run in 10 weeks since the race in New Hampshire.  I had more in the tank and managed a 7:50 pace over the last half mile.  I'm sure that I would have faded in the last 5K but this pace would bring me home in 1:51 for a half mary.

I took off the next 4 days over the Christmas holiday but I kinda wish that I had done 1 junk run to keep the legs moving.  At any rate, I did not notice any demand for the TRS even after a full week off the stuff.  Also, I came off caffeine and did NOT NOTICE any real withdrawal symptoms or adrenal spike.  Excellent news there.

The moment of truth would come on the afternoon of Christmas Day after 7 days off the TRS.  I REALLY did not want to see a strong negative reaction to it.  There's no reason why a single spray should trigger such a reaction.  Add to that, without the TRS, the sensitivity to the other pills will most probably kick in with a vengeance after several weeks off it.  Though I did not run, I felt no difference after the first spray.  Emboldened, I tried 2 more.  Once again, NO NEGATIVE REACTION.  If anything, I may have felt slightly better. 

Going forward:
I'm going back off the TRS until the end of the week.  At least one day will be completely free of pills.  I don't expect to set the world on fire in my workouts.  I just want to avoid a relapse.  Early next week, I will try going back to the TRS with the dreaded better with or without test.  What I hope to see is slightly better WITH the TRS but not enough to be considered significant.

The best sign that a health plan is working well is when you do NOT notice any real differences from day to day but over the course of several weeks, improvement becomes evident.  Think of it like an hour hand on a clock.  You can't even tell that it's moving unless you look closely for several minutes but if you come back to the room 6 hours later, its position completely reverses. 

I've been burned too many times by false hopes so this is just the first step.  I won't get my hopes up unless I can make it through January without a major relapse.  Next race is Utah on President's Day weekend for state #45.

Body is Rejecting TRS

How about this episode?  I took 3 sprays of TRS on Monday evening and it KNOCKED ME OUT!  I had to go to bed at 7 PM and did not/could not get up until 7 AM when it was nearly time to get ready for work.  Needless to say, running was out of the question.   A single spray that evening triggered another noticeable negative reaction but it was less severe.

The next day was better.  Free of TRS, I opened with a 10:21 Mile at Montreat in the morning but improved to a 26:42 (8:54 pace) for 3 miles at Gold's.  I tried another 1 spray.  Again, I said ONE spray a full 24 hours after my last dose.  It knocked me out again and the ill-effects were nearly as severe.  I tried to run the next day and slipped to a 19:40 for 2 miles (9:50 pace).  If I had gone 3, my time would have been over 30 minutes.  So, I slipped by more than 60 seconds per mile BECAUSE OF ONE EFFING SPRAY!!!  I don't think caffeine is a factor.  In fact, it actually HELPED me get through the day.  This is nothing new for me.  I've dealt with similar reactions to pills for many years.  Right now, TRS is the only treatment that triggers such reactions.  The rest are non-factors.  I won't feel much difference if I miss a dose or if I take extra.

Needless to say, I will not be taking any TRS until further notice.  What will happen?  I do have reason for hope.  Only a few months ago, I had similar reactions to Glycine and DIM.  Now, both are non-factors.  Perhaps, the same will happen with TRS.  I've said this over and over again and it never came to fruition but I do think there is a good chance that I will get a permanent resolution one way or the other within the next month.

I see 3 possibilities:
1.  My body will once again demand TRS after a few more days and I will continue to have all these episodes until further notice.  This could break my will forever.  Sadly, this is a real possibility.  Word on the street is that I am peeling off layers of toxins and the stuff that is being eliminated now is even worse than the previous layer.  I'll need mega doses again and have to make constant adjustments.  OUCH!  I cannot take this anymore!

2. Permanent intolerance to TRS.  This one seems unlikely.  It is NOT an acceptable outcome even if I can get by okay without it.  There is NO reason why 1 spray of TRS should trigger a reaction, especially not after it was actually effective and necessary just a few days ago.  That is NUTS!  I believe that there are still toxins in my system.  If TRS is not tolerated, nothing will work.  It is the ULTIMATE IN CRUELTY for me to discover the key to solving the sensitivity yet end up intolerant to the solution.  The sensitivity to the other stuff will probably come back before too long and I'll be right back where I started from.  YUCK! 

3.  Now, the happy ending.  After a few days-few weeks of intolerance, the TRS will once again be okay for me.  The difference will be that a few days off it will not be noticeable and if I go over the recommended dose for a couple days, that will also be okay.  TRS is the only treatment that I currently take that triggers a reaction.  If the TRS does not trigger the reaction, my condition is under control!  I'll be able to train regularly and get back to respectable times within a few months.  I can date and have a social life as well.  Still, I must say that I may never be the same again.  Losing so much of the prime of my life is NOT something that I can overlook and say it was okay.

PLEASE LET ME GET A RESOLUTION!  If I get a grim diagnosis, that would be easier to deal with that all the BS false hopes.

Verdict on Forbidden Drinks With TRS

After the post-Thanksgiving relapse, I got back on track last week with a determined effort to keep the diet clean and simply give my system a rest from the detox every 7-10 days.  No TRS and no other pills either.  I wasn't horrible after the missed morning dose but by the end of the day, I was hurting and demanding at least a few sprays.  By the next morning, I had an insatiable need.  5 sprays helped, 10 sprays were better but I was still nowhere near where I needed to be. 

Over the next few days, I got the usual incremental improvement from the high doses (10 sprays AM, 5 sprays PM) and made it 5 days drinking nothing but water.  On the 5th day however, things began to unravel.  I managed a 24:56 for 3 miles (8:19 pace) at lunch, which was a modest improvement over the previous day but a bit slower than I expected to be at that stage.  Something felt off too.  My mood remained low and I was fading down the stretch in my workouts.  It looked like I could go sub-24 early but had to fight to hold the sub-25.  Normally, I run negative splits when I am improving.   Still, I began feeling somewhat better over the next few hours but got decidedly WORSE after my evening dose of TRS.  Again,  this was only 5 days after my previous missed dose so it should be too early to have another reaction, right?  To play it safe, I would go with just 5 sprays going forward.

WRONG!  I had hoped to run maybe 6-8 miles at whatever pace today with the group but did not even attempt it.  It was IMMEDIATELY apparent that the TRS had caused another relapse.  Looking at yet another weekend in the dumps, it was not surprising that I cheated.  What happened next was very interesting or you could say NUTS!  After the first can of Red Bull, I actually began feeling better and was once again able to tolerate at least a few sprays of the TRS.  I wondered what would happen if I drank a 2nd can.  Not surprisingly, it made things WORSE again and I became INTOLERANT to the TRS.  Does this mean that low doses of caffeine are actually necessary to tolerate TRS but I must keep it to a narrow range such of 1 can every 3-5 days?  I sure hope not!  Here's my new plan going forward and what I expect/hope to see happen:

I will TRY to remain abstinent but I know for sure now that one or two cheat days per week won't hurt me AS LONG AS I DON'T BINGE!  Going forward however, my need/tolerance for TRS will DECREASE with every day that I am abstinent.  I may still need a missed dose every so often.  It will be NO more than 5 sprays per dose in both the morning and the afternoon no matter how much I need it after the missed dose.   When I need a missed dose, I must NOT cheat!  The need for the TRS will kick back in soon enough even without the caffeine.  When it does, the dose will be lowered by 1 spray.  Instead of 5 in the morning and evening, it will go down to 4.  I can guard against a relapse on race day by taking a missed dose 2-3 days before the big day. 

My ultimate goal is to get to a point in which I can go 3 days without the TRS and still feel okay.  At least below the Mendoza line.  Then, the effects of a single dose or 2 become negligible just like all my other pills.  This year has royally SUCKED but one MAJOR positive development is the decreased sensitivity to the other pills.  I can skip all my treatments except the TRS for several days and barely even notice.  That would have been unthinkable just 2 years ago.  Can it be possible for this scenario to occur?

-I take 2-3 sprays of TRS for preventative maintenance but a single dose has little noticeable effect.
-Same is true for Magnesium, Methyl Folate, B-complex, B-12/Liver, ADHS and CBS/NOS. 
The latter case has already happened.  I could be just 1 step away.
I've said it too many times and still stand firm.  My demands are hardly unreasonable.  Here's all I want:
-Stable cocktail of pills (it will never be zero because of genetics)
-Decent-adequate energy every day
-Steady group to run with on the weekends.  I don't care if it's the 7:00 pace group or a 10:00 pace group.  I just want the camaraderie back.  Yes, I know that someday I will be too old to run but let's hope that doesn't happen until at least my 60's, not before I turn 40.
What I just described would be considered to be "under control of my health."  In such a scenario, yes I can date and have a social life.

Going to Puerto Rico

This was pretty much on an impulse.  I'm NOT racing in Utah next month.  As it stands now, I have virtually no chance of a respectable showing.  I've learned that the sugar/caffeine/alcohol is indeed A problem but not the only problem.  I need to abstain from those 3 AND skip 1-2 doses of TRS every 7-10 days.  In theory, that should stop the relapses but I have little faith that it actually will.

As it is, the plan for Utah is to fly into Salt Lake but race in St. George (SW corner) only 2 hours from Las Vegas and make a loop back to Salt Lake while catching small samples of National Parks.  The weather in St. George should be okay but Salt Lake could very well be cold and/or snowy.  If I wait until February, the average high temps are 5 degrees warmer (45 vs 40 in SLC).  Yes, there is still a risk of snow but it's less of a chance.  Add to that, the course that I would run in February is about 500 ft net downhill and there will be more daylight to view the amazing scenery.  It's a no-brainer to wait until February.  If the weather in Salt Lake is bad, it will cost a lot of money but I can switch my plans and fly into Vegas instead.  I DO want to hit Utah early in the year, which makes it a lot easier to finish all 50 by the end of the year.  It really is imperative that I do that because my days as a runner look to be numbered.  It pains me to say it but I don't even enjoy it anymore.  It feels more like a chore than a fun activity.  Getting my health under control would change everything.

Why Puerto Rico?
Several reasons.  It's affordable and easy logistically.  I got a direct flight out of Atlanta for just $300 and can take a cab to my hotel on the beach for just $10.  My hotel is actually a condo with an ocean view.  I'm sure it will be bare bones but I don't care.  As long as it's clean and has a bed, fridge and microwave, I don't care about the extra perks.  I won't be spending much time inside anyway.  I will not be staying in San Juan.  Hotels are ridiculously priced and there is a festival that weekend so it will be jam packed.  Instead, I will stay in the municipality of Carolina on Isla Verde Beach.  The beaches here look better anyway than the ones in San Juan.  The best place for surfing is actually on the west coast in the town of Rincon.  That would require a rental car.  No thanks for now.  If I like it, I can always come back and do more exploration another time.  As it is, the beach as well as many restaurants and bars will be within walking distance.  I get in early afternoon on a Friday and leave early afternoon on MLK Day so that's a good chunk of time and only 1 day off work.

What to expect?
Unlike Miami, there is virtually no chance of a freak cold front even in mid-January.  Temps are almost guaranteed to be in the low-mid-80s.  Rain is possible but this is the dry season so chancing it on the weather is not much of a risk.  Sand will be light brown with crystal clear water and tropical palm trees.  I expect that the water will be bluer than Miami but not as blue as Cancun.  As far as the surf, word on the street is that the waves will be gentle but surf-able.  In fact, there is a beginner surf school near my condo.  I will bring my inflatable boogie board.

Culture?
Puerto Rico is a US territory so my new passport will not be needed and US dollars are the currency.  Still, it will most definitely have the vibe of being in a foreign country.  People in tourist areas can speak English but Spanish is most definitely the dominant language.  The Puerto Rican accent is very distinctive so DuoLingo will not be enough to catch more than a few words here and there.  Still, my Spanish was appreciated in Mexico and I expect that it will be here as well.  Nobody will laugh at my southern accent and I might be a hit because of it.  Puerto Rico will have American chain stores such as Walgreens and even fast food restaurants such as Wendy's and KFC but I'll have to be adventurous and try some real Puerto Rican dishes at least once or twice.

In terms of ethnicity, native Puerto Ricans are a striking mix of European (mostly Iberian and Italian), Native American and sub-Saharan African with traces from the Middle East and North Africa.  I look forward to the opportunity to interact with the locals and who knows?  I might meet a friend.  Seems like a good trip plan.  If Puerto Rico ever votes for statehood, I'll have it covered already.

Training 12/1-12/8

12/1- I drank 24 oz of beer on Thanksgiving and 24 oz of sugared drinks on Saturday.  I kinda had to in order to be social on Thanksgiving and I had to drive late on Saturday.  That's hardly a binge but I still relapsed.  ZERO tolerance to anything but water.  It seems that the caffeine intolerance would not be nearly as severe if I wasn't taking TRS.  At any rate, I hoped to run 6.5 on Lakeshore this morning but had to settle for 1 in a blazing time of 11:20.

12/2- Day 1- AM- Dreaded interval workout.  3x l lap at Montreat.  With no TRS, I managed a 3:31.  Took 5 sprays and improved to 3:07.  5 more sprays left me slightly worse with a 3:14.  Overall time was 9:52.

PM- 2 miles at Gold's in 18:40 (9:20 pace).  Started off with 5 sprays and came through the Mile in 9:11.  Took 5 more and slipped to a 9:29.  This is enough to be considered significant but just barely.  I could feel a difference but it was barely perceptible.  I suppose this is good news.  Taking less TRS will save money and although I will stick with the water only for 21 days, tolerance for forbidden drinks should improve when I take less TRS.  I will repeat this experiment at the end of the week but until then, it's down to 5 sprays twice a day.
Distance=3.0

12/3- Day 2 is often the worst and today was no exception.
AM- Montreat Mile in 10:56.
Began feeling better after noon.
PM- Montreat Mile in 8:40
Distance=2.0

12/4- Day 3.  AM- Improved to 8:13 for the Montreat Mile.
PM- Did NOT cheat on the forbidden drinks yet still relapsed.  It took my 5:18 to do a HALF mile at Gold's then quit.  The culprit was TRS! 

Reaction:
It seemed as though all the trouble that I had with caffeine wasn't really caffeine at all.  That's partially true.  I simply need to skip a dose or two of TRS every 7-10 days to give my system a rest.  TRS+ caffeine WILL be tolerated but beware of the withdrawal symptoms.  If I cheat for more than 2 days, I will still experience the withdrawals. 

I'm done blogging about running until further notice.  Nobody seems to care anyway.

Training 11/18-11/24

One last chance to get back on track.  The glycine triggered a relapse last week and I had to use caffeine to get me through work and that too triggered a relapse.  Fortunately, the withdrawal was not as severe as in the past.

11/18- AM 1 mile at Montreat in 8:51.  Splits were 4:32-4:19.  Ouch.  This was an improvement over yesterday's 9:47.

PM- 3 miles at Gold's in 25:53 (8:38 pace).  About what I expected at this stage.  Added a half mile cool.
Distance=4.5

11/19-AM.  Repeated the Montreat Mile and my time is down to 7:58.  MINUS 53 compared to yesterday but I am not pleased with how I felt.  Afternoons are usually better than the mornings.  Added a half mile cool.

PM- Lakeshore 4 in 32:28 (8:07 pace).  As expected, it was an improvement over the morning session.  I was 15:56 at the half but faded to a 16:32 on the back half.  I bet I'm right on the edge of the Mendoza line now.  Cheated a bit on the diet today but no problem.  Don't make a habit of it.  As long as the pills don't give me trouble, I won't need caffeine.
Distance=5.5

11/20- AM.  Montreat Mile in 7:27.  MINUS 31.  Noticeably better than yesterday.  Shoot for a sub-7 tomorrow.

PM- Gold's 3 in 23:51 (7:57 pace).  I was expecting to finish well below the Mendoza line today but instead, I just barely squeaked under.  Not a significant improvement over yesterday.  Perhaps, it's not an improvement at all but at least it's not a relapse.  I know I've got more in me than this.  Perhaps I got dinged a little bit from yesterday cheating.  I did NOT consume sugar or caffeine today but did drink alcohol tonight.  We'll see if it has any effect.
Distance-4.0

11/21- AM- Alcohol triggered a relapse.  I only drank the equivalent of 2 beers so that's hardly a binge.  The conventional wisdom was that sugared drinks are a no-no but alcohol is okay.  Not so!    There is a clear limit to how much non-water drinks that I can handle.  I had best not push my luck.  Didn't even try to run.

PM- Not as bad as I feared.  2 miles on Lakeshore in 16:50 (8:25 pace) with splits of 8:36-8:14.  Very interesting.  I was better than expected because I did not take any TRS this afternoon.  When I did take it, I was noticeably worse.
Distance=2.0
Reaction:
Forbidden drinks will not trigger much of a reaction UNLESS I take the full dose of TRS.   Very interesting.  Still, I won't get good long-term results without the TRS.    Another piece of good news:  Lithium was a non-factor and so too was the DIM.

11/22- AM-The dreaded better with or without test.  3x1 lap at Montreat.  Started off with a 2:49 naked.  Took TMG, which triggered a relapse just 10 days earlier.  Today, it was a non-factor.   I did the same lap and repeated the 2:49.  That's THE definition of a non-factor.  However, 5 sprays of TRS slowed me up considerably.  I managed just a 3:17 with it (PLUS 84/mile).  I responded by cheating again.

PM- Once again, not nearly as bad as I feared.  3 miles at Gold's in 24:45 (8:15 pace) with splits of 12:29-12:16.  If I had taken the TRS, I would have been AWFUL!  When the withdrawals kick in, we shall see when the need for TRS kicks in.
Distance=4.0
Reaction:
I am basically immune to the pills.  I won't even notice a single day of missed doses.  Pills that very recently triggered a relapse are now non-factors.  I'm sticking with the current formula but see no need to go back to TMG or DIM.  As for the sugars/alcohol, even daily use will not be disastrous but it does cause intolerance to TRS, which remains my best hope for recovery.

11/23- AM- The withdrawal did hit and I needed the TRS.  It seems as though it is not as intense as in the past.  1 mile in 10:08.  That's awful but not too long ago, I'd be looking at 12-13 minutes at the worst stage of withdrawal.

PM- 2 miles at Montreat in 16:54 with another slight negative split.  Getting better from hour to hour.  Hope to go at least MLR tomorrow.
Distance=3.0

11/24- Lakeshore 4 in 37:48 (9:27 pace).  Pretty sorry excuse for a workout.  I'm disgusted and will take next week almost completely off to try to reset this.
Distance=4.0

-27 miles on the week.

Four Relapses

No training updates recently because my running has been absolutely dreadful so far in November.  4 times in the last 4 weeks, I have been FORCED off pills that were, until very recently, NECESSARY for me to function.  I even tried to quit one of them back in September, which turned disastrous after just 4 days off it.  This is par for the course nowadays.  In between, I did manage a 22:36 for 3 miles but as is always the case, I collapse just as my hopes are rising.

Here are the pills that I've been forced off in order:
Lithium
DIM with Maca
Sarcosine
TMG

Both the DIM/Maca and the Sarcosine once greatly improved by sensitivity to the pills and were once thought to be the key.  TMG was once necessary for me to tolerate methyl folate.  What is especially unnerving to me is that I was FORCED OFF!  By that, I mean that the pill triggered an immediate reaction such that I had the usual flu-like malaise with VERY sore muscles and no flexibility. 

Here is what should happen:
The pill will become ineffective and seemingly unnecessary.  After maybe 5-10 days, you are still performing at the same level without the pill but when you do take it again, it's a non-factor.  That's being set free from a pill.  By contrast, I was forced off.  It will take 3 days for it to clear.  Not surprisingly, I cheated on caffeine.  I kinda had to get through the day at work/  Since I am on phone duty, I could not afford to take the day off. 

On the bright side:
I am saving money by not ordering so many bottles of pills.  I cannot see another relapse on the horizon (I've been wrong countless times) because there is a genetic need for all of my other pills.  The TRS is more effective anyways than the DIM/Sarcosine at controlling the sensitivity. 

Here is my current cocktail:
-TRS
-Magnesium
-CBS/NOS caps
-Methyl Folate
-B-complex
-Stand alone B-12 (rotation with Liver)
  I really can't imagine any of these triggering a relapse.  I'm in BIG trouble if they do!  I have the CBS/NOS, MTHFR and MTRR mutations so I NEED those pills. 

Another piece of news that is a relief to me:
The lines on my thumb nails are likely NOT a sign of organ damage after all.  The skin is simply infected from picking at my cuticles.  It's washboard nails, not Beau's Lines.  It was just a coincidence that they appeared at the time my steep decline began.  It is highly doubtful that this poses any real threat to my health.  Sustained improvement must begin NOW!

Rave: Florida Atlantic Beaches

Everyone in the Birmingham area is familiar with the Emerald Coast, a strip of land from Panama City to Gulf Shores with sugar white sand beaches and crystal clear water.  You can go out chest high but look down and clearly see your feet.  It's pretty awesome but there are some negatives.  Even during the off season, prices remain quite high especially if you want to stay on the beach itself.  There are some days in which the surf is pretty good (3-4 ft) but those days are rare.  Expect 1.5 foot waves as the norm and there are days in which it is completely flat.  Swimming in the Gulf is usually comfortable from early May through the end of October.

I took a trip to Daytona last weekend and did not use any time off work because I had Veteran's Day off as a State employee.  It's about 8.5 hours driving time.  I went part way on Friday evening then got in before noon on Saturday.  I had all day Sunday and half of Monday before I had to leave for home.

There are 2 ways of getting there that are about equidistant.  Route 1 is 65 down to Monty then  231 like I was going to Panama City.  Then, it was east on I-10 to Jacksonville and finally 95 south to Daytona.  The alternate route is 280 down to Columbus, GA then pick up 75 at Tifton before 10 and 95.  I took route 1 going down and route 2 going back.  Probably a good call.

Daytona most definitely has a different vibe.  Sand here is off white and HARD.  You will not struggle at all running on this sand and you can even drive on the beach when it's not high tide.  The water is not as clear but the surf is MUCH better.  Conditions were nearly perfect when I was in there.  Well, maybe a tad too rough but I never felt unsafe.  Waves were in the 4-6 ft range most of the time and came one after the other.  I got wiped out several times but recovered quickly and liked the adventure.  Though I was there primarily for the surf, there are several good restaurants and fun bars as well.  I'll admit that I got a little tipsy on Sunday night.

Several people asked me if I was getting too cold.  NO!  Both the air and water temperature were 75 degrees.  To me, it was quite comfortable.  Even 5 degrees cooler would have been tolerable.  Surprisingly, I was one of the only ones in the water but always swam near a lifeguard in case of unexpected trouble.  Here, water temperatures will remain above 70 from mid-March through the end of November.  I actually prefer going during the off-season to avoid the crowds and high prices while the water remains warm enough.  Perhaps October is the ideal month to go.  Surf definitely picks up starting in the Fall and there is less chance of a cold front.

If you go down to Miami, you will find the crystal clear water.  If the current is flowing from the Caribbean,  it will have a more aqua tint rather than emerald green.  Unfortunately, surf is less consistent and can go flat in the summer.  I wonder if there is a spot in between Cocoa and Miami that offers the best of both worlds.  Looking at YouTube, I'm thinking it's Fort Pierce.  At any rate, I will most definitely take more trips to Florida's Atlantic coast in the future.

Here are some pictures from Daytona:

Training 10/28-11/3

10/28- Back to Day 1.  AM- Sunrise 3 miler at Montreat in 26:28 (8:49 pace).  Even pace but no energy and not much left at the end.  I may take a step backwards over the next 2 days.

PM- Just a half mile cool.  A bit of withdrawal but nothing severe.
Distance=3.5

10/29- Day 2 is often the toughest but not so this time probably because I didn't binge on caffeine.
AM- Gained a good chunk of time.  Repeated the sunrise 3 miler and my time was down to 25:32 (8:31 pace).  MINUS 18.  I expect to be in the 24s by the evening and maybe under the Mendoza line by tomorrow.

PM- Gold's 3 and my time is down to 23:49 (7:56 pace).  Below the Mendoza line but I won't even begin to hope until I am below 23 with steady improvements.  Added a half mile cool.  I did celebrate with a Mike's Hard Lemonade this evening but was both caffeine and sugar free.  An occasional treat should not hurt me.  Just don't make a habit of it.
Distance=6.5

10/30- Took the morning off then repeated the Gold's 3 in the evening.  Improved only marginally to 23:22 (7:47 pace).  A gain is a gain and the sum of small gains is a big improvement over the long haul but I am not real pleased with this one.  Have I plateaued?  As recently as February of this year before the detox, I could go mid-22s.  We'll see what happens tomorrow.

2 things could have held me back.  It's possible that I was knicked a little bit by the alcohol last night but at least it didn't trigger a relapse.  Also, I took a low dose of TRS in the morning because I didn't run so I didn't have the full TRS in my system.  Tomorrow is critical.
Distance=3.0

10/31- AM Only had time for a quickie.  Did 1.5 miles in 11:37 (7:45 pace) plus a cool.  I figure that the full distance would have yielded a time similar to yesterday.  Not too pleased.

PM-  Felt noticeably better this session in spite of cheating a bit at lunch.  Gold's 3 again and my time is down to 22:36 (7:32 pace).  MINUS 15.   FINALLY, I am back to where I was before starting the TRS.  Sugars won't hurt me too much as long as I don't binge but it's still best to steer clear because it is addictive.  400 mcg methyl folate IS TOLERATED AS WELL.  That's good.  Just don't exceed that amount.  The difference today was clearly the extra TRS.  That's what I've got to do and DAMN the costs.    Hopefully, I will gradually become less dependent on this stuff.
Distance=5.0

11/1- Weather has turned cold but that's okay.  This will be my last evening run in the daylight until mid-late February due to the upcoming time change.  Did the full 5 on Lakeshore in 40:08 (8:02 pace).  Getting under 40 was not a goal today.  In fact, I deliberately cut back on the effort to make sure I finished the distance comfortably and I did.  Once again, I didn't feel very well in the morning but was a good deal better after the 2nd dose of TRS.  TRS is my last and best hope for sustained improvement.
Distance=5.0

2020 Travel Plans

I turn 40 in September of next year and really want to treat myself to something special.  There is usually a Marathon/10K in Cape Town, South Africa that can be booked as part of a tourism group called Marathon Tours and Travel.  It is most definitely on my bucket list for the 10K.  Yes, I'd like to run another marathon but just can't do it now.  I can barely finish a half nowadays.  For 2020 however, the date of the Cape Town race has been moved to October.  There is NO way that I can do both South Africa and Hawaii (November) in the same year.  I'm warming up to the idea of finishing in 2020 instead of 2021.  At the rate that I am declining, I may not be able to run half marathons 2 years from now so there is a sense of urgency to finish this challenge as soon as possible.  We'll see how it shakes out with my work schedule but it seems doable.

January or February-
Costa Rica.  No race here.  Purely for fun.  I need to get a passport that allows for air travel.

April- Salisbury or Ocean City, Maryland.  This is a 3 or 4 day trip so nothing epic.  I could fly into either Baltimore or Philadelphia.  Baltimore is a little closer but only by about a half hour and Philly could allow a meet up with a friend.  Stops will be made in VA Beach, Richmond and Point Lookout, Maryland.

May- Cottonwood, Utah.  Again, nothing too long here.  I'd like to go to Twin Falls in Idaho and see Moab/Canyonlands after the race.  Probably another 4 day affair.

June- Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  I fly to Fargo and the race is less than an hour away.  The side trip here is Winnipeg, Manitoba and Moose Mountain Park in Saskatchewan, which would take me up to 9 Canadian provinces.  Only Newfoundland would remain.  Probably a 5 day trip but there is a built State holiday so that means only 2 days off work.

July- Spearfish, South Dakota-  Key attractions here are Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills and Badlands NP but this can be done in just 3 days because they are close together.  No need to visit Regina, Saskatchewan or even leave South Dakota if I hit Moose Mountain the previous month.

September- Bar Harbor, Maine.  I may or may not go to Quebec City.  I've already got Quebec checked off after my visit to Montreal and Gatineau.  If I skip it, this could be a quick trip.  I fly to Bangor then it's only 1 hour to Bar Harbor so it's just a 3 day trip.

November- Honolulu, Hawaii.  That's number 50.  I'd want at least 5 days including 2 for travel.

Thoughts:
4 in 4 months could be tough.  I may just have to choose 2 out of 4 for the year.  Any flexibility?  Yes, there are several other options in Utah as well as an alternative in both Minnesota and South Dakota.  Maine can be pushed back to October.  Salisbury and Ocean City, Maryland are both in April but the former is in the early part of the month while the latter is later. 

I suppose that I could go to Hawaii and make it state #48 then finish in 2021 as originally planned.  Sure, I'd like to make Hawaii #50 but I also want to go somewhere really special after I turn 40.
Any thoughts?

Training 10/21-10/27

UPDATE:
A 24 oz. can of Raspberry Tea triggered a relapse.  Sprite made it WORSE.  The former contains just 24 mg of caffeine while the latter is caffeine free.  All sugared drinks are BAD!  1 or 2 cheat days per week are tolerated but not more.  This time however, the withdrawal and the adrenal spike were a bit less severe.  This post starts with Day 2 clean, which is often the worst day of all.

10/21- AM- 1 mile at Montreat in 9:52 and it took an all out sprint to get under 10.

PM- Gold's 3 in 28:27 (9:29 pace).  Improved the pace over triple the distance so I'll take it.  Even pace but didn't have much left at the end.
Distance=4.0

10/22- AM- Sunrise 3 miler at Montreat.  Improved to 25:48 (8:36 pace).  MINUS 53.  1st half-13:01, 2nd half- 12:47.  This was fully expected.  The big question is whether or not I will continue to improve steadily.  I know I can run below 24 but might plateau in the mid 23s, which is not acceptable.

PM- 4 miles on Lakeshore in 32:31 (8:07 pace).  Progressing ahead of schedule.  The Mendoza line for 4 miles is 8:10 pace so I came in under that.  I was around 16 for 2 miles then faded a bit on the back half but did not collapse.  Still too soon to get my hopes up.  If I am still cutting off several seconds every day by early next week, that is a different story.
Distance=7.0

10/23- Unplanned rest day.  I've learned that Lithium interacts with methyl folate and increases its absorption.  It will probably be one of the other that is taken.  Yes, it's a relapse but a relapse that I can accept.  Cheated on the caffeine but a 1 day lapse won't hurt.

10/24- Felt HORRIBLE in the morning as expected but did get a bit better as the day progressed.  Managed a very poor showing out there this afternoon.  Finished 3 miles in 29:31 (9:50 pace) with splits of 13:42-15:49.  UGLY!  Probably still too much MF in my system.
Distance=3.0

10/25- HORRIBLE when I woke up.  Got a little better only after taking MF.  Then Lithium set me back again.  Not able to run.  If I did, it would be a 12 minute mile type of day.  That answers it.  Lithium must be cut out altogether and I must stay on the methyl folate.  Once again, a pill that I could not get along without just 6 weeks ago has become toxic to me.  I can't take this anymore and I see little chance of it getting better.

10/26- AM- Had to miss the group social again.  Not pleased about this at all.  Managed just 1 mile in a time of 9:24.  This was a good deal better than what I could have done yesterday and did manage a negative split (4:50-4:34).

Noon- Repeated the Mile and improved to 8:32.  Splits this time were 4:22-4:10 so the trend is my friend.

PM- 3 miles at Gold's in 26:01 (8:40 pace).  Could have broken 26 if I kicked sooner but no big deal that I fell short.  Splits this time were 13:22-12:39 with a last mile in 8:17.
Distance=5.0

Another Epic Road Trip

10/11- Flew from Birmingham to Manchester, New Hampshire.  It required a long layover in Philadelphia and cost more money, but it was nice to not have to spend a night in Atlanta or fight the Boston traffic.  I spent the night a few miles south in Nashua to save a few bucks.

Massachusetts

10/12- Slept in as long as I wanted and started out going south on US-3 into Massachusetts then took the interstate to the coast.  My first stop was Salisbury, Mass then picked up US-1A back in New Hampshire.  Needless to say, it was too cold for a swim but if it had been 20 degrees warmer, it could have been a fun day out there in the rough surf.   I went for a junk run at Hampton Beach then drove on the ocean road, where I caught glimpses of the waves crashing violently against the rocks.  If not for a sea wall, the water would have spilled on the road.   I crossed into Maine for a seafood lunch then took a scenic walk along the black sand and cliffs of York Beach.  Northern New England has a different and more chill vibe than Southern New England. 

NH Beach

Maine 1

Maine 2

10/13- The race was a point to point route from the New Hampshire Speedway to the State Capitol building in Concord.  Though net downhill, it was a tough but fair course that included a very steep stretch in Mile 9.  It was a beautiful route along mostly rural roads with peak foliage.  My pace was steady in the mid-high 8s through the first half then slipped to the low 9s.  I was still on pace for a sub-2 until the end of Mile 12 then the bottom fell out.  It took over 12 minutes to complete the last mile and I was honestly trying my best.  Probably a combination of under-training and detox symptoms.  Nevertheless, it was a significant improvement over New Jersey the previous month. 

From Concord, it was I-89 N into Vermont.  I made a stop at the Capitol in Montpelier as well as Lake Champlain in Burlington.  The weather had cleared so it was possible to view the Adirondack Mountains from the lake.  I took a ferry to Plattsburgh, New York to save time then determined that I had just enough daylight to make a small loop in the Adirondacks.  There were no real photo ops here, but I did see nice Creekside scenery with several mountain views.  Lake Placid was jammed so I simply drove through and was back in Plattsburgh for the night. 

Lake Champlain

10/14- Crossed the border into Quebec and listened to some radio in French.  As for the language barrier, border towns and large cities such as Quebec City and Montreal are bilingual but in small towns and rural areas, you will be expected to speak French.  I had no problems myself.  You will probably be greeted in French but once they realize that you are an Anglophone, they will have no problem switching to English.  I know a few basic phrases but have limited comprehension.  Still, when I did speak French, it was appreciated. 

Canadian Parliament

Soon, I crossed back into Ontario where the destination was the capital city of Ottawa.  I walked by the Parliament, Supreme Court and the Rideau Canal on my way to the Canadian Museum of History across the river in Gatineau, Quebec.  There is a nice bike trail on both sides with views of the Parliament as well as at least 3 pedestrian brides so it’s surely popular with the running community.  The museum was quite interesting, but I didn’t have time to fully do it justice.  At 4:00, I met up with my friend Arpita, whom I had not seen since college.  We got a selfie together at the Parliament, took a long walk together then got some dinner on Sparks Street.  It was great to see her again and we may do this again someday. 

10/15-Hit the road early to Montreal back in Quebec.  My first stop was Mount Royal and I had the perfect day to see it.  The walk included a rather long trail with a seemingly endless staircase but I did have crystal clear skies and peak foliage.  The pictures here are wall worthy for sure. 

Mt. Royal

 After a quick lunch near my hotel, I was back out headed for Old Town, where I saw the Notre Dame cathedral and the Old Port.  After dinner in a sports bar, I decided to see my first live NHL hockey game in more than 25 years.  The Canadiens lost 3-1 to Tampa Bay but I still enjoyed the atmosphere. 

10/16- Took a quick tour of the Underground City, which is really just a glorified shopping mall but does serve as an extensive pedestrian network that serves the community well when the weather is foul in the winter months.  I did see one runner while I was there.  I was back in America by noon and enjoyed a scenic ride through White Mountain National Forest back in New Hampshire.

NH Lake

Yes, this was an epic road trip.

Training 10/7-10/13

10/7- JUICE PLUS HAS FAILED!  I was nearly 1 minute slower per mile after an extra dose.  That explains a LOT!  Still, it is quite unnerving to know that a food based supplement of fruits and vegetables could cause this type of reaction.  I don't know!

PM- Lakeshore 3 in 25-flat (8:20 pace) with a negative split (12:40-12:20).  I actually feel pretty good about this one.  It was just hours after being leveled by Juice Plus.  No more experimentation with pills.  I will NOT cheat again with caffeine for at least until the end of the month and I will stay on the high dose TRS.  We shall see what the hair test shows about the Titanium.  If I am not better by November, I will see a conventional doctor.
Distance-4.0

10/8- AM- Adrenals have spiked.  1 mile in 10:40.  This is as bad as it will get but the improvement may be slower than I would like.  It is imperative that I do NOT cheat this week on the caffeine.

PM- Repeated the Mile and my time is down to 9:17.  Faded on the back half.
Distance=2.0

10/9- AM- Another Mile at Montreat.  Improved to 8:46 this time with nearly dead even splits.

PM- Lakeshore 3 in 25:25 (8:28 pace).  Even pace with no real complaints.  Unfortunately, the improvements will diminish from here.
Distance=4.0

10/10- 1 mile at Montreat and my time is down to 7:49.  Glad my numbers continue to move in the right direction but I still have miles to go.

PM- Gold's 3 in 23:39 (7:53 pace).  BELOW the Mendoza line.  Splits were 7:43-7:57-7:59
Distance=4.0

10/11- AM- Montreat Mile and my time is down to 7:01.  No doubt that this was worth a sub-7 on the track.  Only 1 minute to go until I am back to respectability but that last minute will be tough to make up.  Splits were 2:20-2:22-2:19.  Just didn't quite have it in me today.
Distance=1.0

10/12- Junk run on the beach in New Hampshire.
Distance-1.0

10/13- New England Half Marathon in Concord, New Hampshire
Distance=14.0

-30 miles on the week

Training 9/30-10/6

9/30- 1 mile at Montreat in 8:42.  That's down from 12:30 the previous day.  Not the least bit excited.
Distance=1.0

10/1- AM- 1 mile at Montreat.  Improved to 8:24 with a negative split.  1st half- 4:21, 2nd half-4:03.

PM- 3 miles at Montreat again.  Finished in 24:57 (8:19 pace).  This time, I was out faster but could not hold it (8:05-8:25-8:27).  Legs had no power at all.  Stiff as a board.
Distance=4.0

Juice Plus arrived yesterday and it's likely a non-factor.  I'll finish the bottle and probably be done with it unless I notice a big difference 2 months from now.  3 options left: Trust the detox process, see a conventional doctor, get the implant removed.  As for option 3, I have ordered a hair test kit but I need to let it grow for a few weeks.  If Titanium comes back high, it's a viable option.

10/2- Unplanned rest day.  Can't run at all.  Culprit this time is an adrenal spike.  YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

10/3- AM- Hated interval workout at Montreat.  3x1 lap:
Low dose TRS- 3:51 (11:33 pace)
2 Thym-Adren- 3:18 (9:54 pace)  MINUS 99
Extra TRS- 3:03 (9:09 pace) MINUS 45
  I must be cautious with the Thym-Adren.  If taken too much for too long, I will relapse again in the opposite direction.  I'll go down to 1 pill tomorrow then quit.  Good news is that extra TRS provided a definite boost.  Mega doses are my only chance to get below the Mendoza line.  Damn the costs.

PM- 3 miles at Gold's in 26:55 (8:58 pace).  Adrenal spike is beginning to calm down a bit.  Pace was steady right around 9 all the way.
Distance=4.0

10/4- 3 miles at Gold's in 25:21 (8:27 pace).  MINUS 31 but I was really hoping for better than this.  In my frustration, I binged on caffeine.  It was only a 1 time slip but I paid the price.
Distance=3.0

10/5- AM- ABSOLUTELY AWFUL!  Took me nearly 12 minutes to run 1 mile.  Interestingly, I was better after drinking lots of water.  I was better by the evening and broke 27 for 3 miles.
Distance=5.0

10/6- Lakeshore 5 in 48:36 (9:44 pace).  Not pleased.
Distance=6.0

-23 miles on the week.

Updates/ Can I Finish in 2020?

Another LOST week of training.  ARGH!  Guess I'm somewhat used to it by now but I really don't know what to do about it.  I do have a couple things I'd like to try but have little confidence that they will be effective:

1. Juice Plus- I ordered from Amazon.  It's a 2 month supply.  This is supposedly the next best thing to eating fruits and vegetables and my diet is a bit deficient in that area.  It was NOT tolerated in the past because of the toxins but this time, I expect it to be a non-factor.

2. See a Conventional Doctor- Again, I still give it about an 85% chance that they will find nothing wrong and will try to push anti-depressants on me.  I'm not going down that road again and the doctor who suggests it will be fired.  Likely a waste of time and money.  One piece of good news is that the Pituitary glandular is now tolerated and the Lithium is pretty much a non-factor.  Whatever did flare up is likely no longer an issue.  I am pretty sure that the lowish T4 level is/was due to the toxic metals.

3. Remove and Replace Dental Implant- That's really a last resort option and it's also likely to be a waste of time and money.  In this case, it will cost me a lot of money.  A hair test could rule out Titanium toxicity.  Again, I really didn't go sharply downhill until about 18 months after I got the implant.

4.Trust the Detox Process- I did expect that it would get worse before it got better but I didn't expect that I'd still be worse off 6 months into treatment.  Good news is that I am no longer horrible without the TRS and can go several days without other supplements.  However, I still need mega doses of TRS to feel anything close to normal.  I remain completely intolerant to caffeine and if I do cross that line, I'm basically laid up for 2-3 days.  It's possible the the toxic metals are causing the Beau's lines but I had hoped that they'd be going away by now and that doesn't appear to be happening.

Now let's shift gears to the remaining states:
I think I am going to enjoy the New Hampshire/Canada trip.  That will put me up to 44 states.  Can I do 6 in 2020 and finish the challenge?  Let's consider it.

45. Maryland- Either Salisbury or Ocean City in April works for me.  I have historical ties to both areas and it's been way too long since I last visited.

46. Utah-Cottonwood in either May, June or September though I'd lean towards May.

47. Minnesota- 2 options.  Fergus Falls in June or Detroit Lakes in September.  Both are near Fargo and would allow me to knock out Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  That would leave me missing only Newfoundland for Canada.

48. South Dakota- Heart is pretty much set on Spearfish Canyon in July though there is another near Mount Rushmore in October.  This is the only state that I visited as a child but not as an adult.

49. Maine- Heart is set on something in Bar Harbor.  There is a race in July, September and October.  It would be wise to wait until Fall because it can be very crowded in the summer.  Even in July, it's likely too cold to swim up there.

50. Hawaii in November to close it out.

Can I do this?  I suppose that I could if I do NOT go to South Africa for my 40th birthday next September.  Odds are that I will choose 3 or 4 next year plus Cape Town and finish in 2021.  I only hope that my health can hold up until then.

Northern New England/Canada Trip Plan

Only 2 weeks out and I sure hope I can get some half decent workouts in by then.  These last 2 months have been my worst ever training wise and otherwise.  Here is the plan:

My original race was Mount Desert Island in Maine.  I waited too long to sign up and now it's sold out.  That's okay.  I have a family commitment the weekend after the original race so that would be too much travel within a short time frame.  The new race is simply called the New England half marathon in Concord, New Hampshire on October 13.  If I can finish, it will be state #44.  It's important to finish this challenge as soon as possible because I have a feeling that my days as a runner could be numbered.  I've just got to hold on until November 2021.

10/11- Take an afternoon flight on a Friday. I get in late but that's okay.  I fly from Birmingham to Manchester, NH.  I'm paying a little more but it's worth it in order to avoid the Boston traffic or having to spend a night in Atlanta. If I wait until the next day and there is a delay or cancellation, I miss the race.

10/12- Sleep in as long as I want.  I'll pick up my packet and probably go to the coast, which is only an hour away.  It will be much too cold for a swim but I still should enjoy that.  I may even cross into Maine just for the sake of doing it.  I could also do some driving in the White Mountains near Mt. Washington.  Going to the peak itself is doubtful as the weather is notoriously bad.  Foliage ought to be near peak by this date.  UPDATE: I'll likely stick to the coast this day.  There is a scenic road that runs along the coast from the Massachusetts border to Maine.

10/13- Race day.  Head north toward Canada.  I figure it will be too hard to reach Ottawa (6.5 hours) and I'm leery about driving in a strange Canadian city in the dark.  Instead I'll stay in either Burlington, Vermont or Plattsburgh, New York on the other side of the lake.  The scenery is very nice.  On a clear day, you can see the Adirondacks.   UPDATE: The plan is to stop in Burlington but spend the night in Plattsburgh. 

10/14- Tour Ottawa.  I definitely want to see the Parliament and the Canadian History museum.  The latter is actually across the river in Quebec.  Bonjour y'all!    I hope to catch up with an old college friend who now lives there.

10/15-Train from Ottawa to Montreal.  I've heard that driving in Montreal is a nightmare and the signage is all in French with many one way streets.  Add to that, my Garmin won't work in Canada.  It's inconvenient but probably a smart call.  I want to see Mount Royal Park and the underground city.  UPDATE: I think I'll be okay driving to Montreal.  My hotel is less than 1 kilometer from the Interstate with no turns according to Google maps.

10/16- Leave Montreal and go back to Manchester for the flight home early next morning.  It will be scenic ride through the White Mountains and the lake country. 

Jersey City Trip Report

I opted to fly direct from Atlanta to Newark.  That went off without a hitch.  Getting to Jersey City from the Newark airport was another matter.  I thought it would be a quick ride on the PATH train with a single transfer.  Nope.  Here was the route:

Air Train to NJ Transit

NJ Transit to Newark Penn Station

PATH Train with a transfer to Newport

With delays, it took nearly 2 hours to travel the 12 miles from the airport to my hotel.  To put that into perspective, I can almost get to Atlanta from Birmingham in the same amount of time.  That still beat having to rent a car and fighting that notorious traffic.  Fortunately, it was only a 5-10 minute walk from the Newport PATH station to my hotel and not much longer to the race start.

The weather was overcast all day but with pleasant 75 degree temps, I did not complain.  Race day was sunny and 80 however so that’s not the best conditions.  It was around 1:30 when I arrived at the hotel, but my room was ready, so I just left my bag then headed back outside.  My first stop was the Hudson River waterfront.  I had read that the best views of Manhattan are actually in New Jersey.  The views from the area near my hotel were decent but unspectacular.  You have to go to Liberty Park to catch the epic views posted above but I would be running through there tomorrow.   

By mid-afternoon, I took the PATH train to 33^rd street in Manhattan just a couple blocks from the Empire State Building.  That was a smooth ride.  It may be easier to get to NYC from Newark via the NJ Transit than it is to get to Jersey City via PATH.  Soon, I was up on the 86^th floor with views of both the Freedom Tower and Central Park in the distance.  Pretty awesome.

  From there, it was a little over a mile walk to Trump Tower for dinner then I attended church at St. Patrick’s.  No need for a subway ride in comfortable weather conditions.  It was now getting dark, so I took a short detour through Times Square just to take in the vibe and energy.  It was definitely a different feel than during the day.  It was a smooth ride back to Jersey City and I got a couple night shots of Manhattan. 

I knew the race would be horrible, but I did improve upon my PW at Connecticut last month.  I managed to keep the pace respectable through about 4.5 miles then had to Gallo-walk it in.  I went with a 4:1 jog/walk ratio.  I probably could have managed a 9:1 but once I knew I would be over 2 hours, I didn’t care if it was 2:01 or 2:15.  I just wanted to remain as comfortable as possible and take in the sights.  In that respect, there was a lot to like.  After a 5 mile tour of downtown Jersey City, we turned into Liberty Park and the Riverside.  The views there were epic.  I got a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan.  In some spots, you can see the skyline of both NYC and Jersey City.  The latter is not too shabby either.  I wish I had brought my camera.  Being a minute slower to take a couple more pictures was a price I would have been willing to pay.  Once again, a finish is a finish and state #43 is done.  I may or may not run Maine next month.  We’ll see how it plays out over the next 2-3  weeks. 

Final Thought:

I made the best of it.  The only thing I would change would be to allow more time in Liberty Park.