Matt and Pete were both correct in their previous posts when they talked about the difficulty of training over the holidays. Well done boys. Much like yourselves, I went, I tried, I failed.
My quest is, how do people do it? How do the Dean Karnazes' and Rich Rolls and Richard Usshers of the world succeed against that most interminable foe, the holiday season? Perhaps they eat turkeys made of tofu and ice cream topped with Gu.
Maybe they ring in the New Year with whey protein shakes and Isostar martinis.
Whatever they do, I'm sure it's a helluva lot more than what the Desert Hacks did over the holiday season. At some point, hopefully Pete, who seems to be on a first name basis with Dean, Rich & Richard (much respect Sneaky Pete!) can ask our heroes about their holiday regimen. Until then, I'm just a guy...I'm a guy who likes fine wine, delicious food and good times. May the training gods strike me down for my weakness.
On the day I left for home, before heading to the airport, I did one of my favourite brick workouts -- cycle 15km, run 3 km, cycle 15km, run 3km, no rest. It felt great and I left thinking that maybe I'd finally get the better of my annual holiday laziness.
After travelling the 11,600km from Dubai to Minneapolis and after a couple sedentary days, I began to feel the dreaded training guilt. My body was railing me for neglecting it. My muscles twitched with anticipation of the next run or cycle or even yoga session. Alas, for the entire time I was home, I continued to disappoint.
That's when I realised...the point of the holiday season is not to continue the breakneck pace of training, it's to go home, connect with friends and family and even -- if you happen to be on your own in Thailand -- relish that rush of freedom that comes from solitary exploration.
While I was home, it occurred to me that endurance athletes spend a lot of time training -- I know we certainly did for the ADAC -- and in the process, things get missed. Things like birthdays, pageants, anniversaries, celebrations, holidays and get-togethers get moved to the backburner because for that moment in time, training trumps it all.
Maybe this is me making excuses for my holiday laziness but perhaps the point of the holiday season is to spend whatever time necessary to reinforce those weakened bridges and focus solely on those around you that rooted, cheered, hoped, helped and prayed for you.
For the endurance athlete, maybe the holidays are necessarily a time of reconnection and reaffirmation of that which truly matters in life.
Mom's birthday (mom, me, nephew Ezra, niece Maya)
For every endurance athlete out there, there is a network of loved ones that -- whether we like it or not -- get neglected as we focus solely and selfishly on our own athletic goals. At least for me, I know this is true. Maybe a lazy holiday season is exactly what was needed to give me a little perspective.
me & my bebe Gladys
For those loved ones, I am certain of only one thing. Whether you're a brother, sister, mother, father, niece, nephew, girlfriend, cousin or friend of one of the Desert Hacks, your support is invaluable and it does not go unnoticed. Thank you.
While I've got everyone in a suitably sentimental mood, I think now's the perfect time to officially announce the new endeavour on which we're about to embark. The Desert Hacks (it might be time for a name change) have been invited to partake in Abu Dhabi's first internationally sanctioned Ironman-distance triathlon! (www.abudhabitriathlon.com)
But, as none of us are Ironmen yet, we'll be competing in the team relay version on the short course. Matt will be doing a 1.5km open water swim; I'll be doing the 100km bicycle leg; Pete will be doing the 10km run. It takes place on March 13, 2010...just 60 short days away. Wish us luck!
Watch this space for more of the trials and tribulations of our training...
were, at best, considerably flawed. Since hitting thje islands, I've managed a damn good hike up to the top of a waterfall - views along made the whole thing worthwhile - one circuit set on the beach and a brief 2 or 3km run this morning.
and Chang beer I've been consuming.
next where lots of 
, 
and 
are on the cards...could be the perfect way to start getting the body prepped again - once back in 
, I intend to get going prety quickly again.