Weekend to die for April 2
After a particularly hectic week at work for both Kitt and I, we decided to go away for the weekend. We weren’t sure where we were headed, just AWAY! At the last minute we decided on Tofino and loaded the dogs, camping equipment and turned off our cell phones and started driving. Friday night we camped out (in the deserted campsite = brilliant) at Toquart Bay. It was pretty comical to see both Kitt and I in sleeping bags, plus 2 70lb dogs all ‘cozy’ under the canopy of our tacoma pickup! I think we all woke up every 2 hours and had to shuffle around! In the morning it was so wonderfully quiet, the tide was out and the dogs were in the water… Needless to say this became the theme of the day (dogs in the water!) and it was pretty obvious we should find a hotel for our next 2 nights.
We got all packed up, had an amazing breakfast wrap at Breakers (downtown Tofino) and started to explore. I had never been to Tofino before, just Ucluelet for a MOMAR back in 2005, so it was super fun to explore and just wander. Next thing you know, we checked into the Wikinnish Inn and collapsed out on our porch. The Inn is actually a great place to escape to if you have pets. They were so welcoming to Panda and Guinness! As we were unloading our stuff, the staff put 2 large dog sized beds and 2 baskets of bowls, treats and tennis balls into the room. There was even a tennis ball thrower that saw a LOT of use! And an outside dog wash station too!
I went out for a short 45 min run on the low tide beach before our dinner reservations (the hotel restaurant overlooks the ocean – couldn’t wait!!) and enjoyed the sun and new locale. Dinner at the restaurant was something else – ABSOLUTELY MIND BLOWING! For the next 2 and a half hours we sat at the window overlooking the rocks (and listened to an american woman at the table behind us ask the server if the hotel hired local people to climb on the rocks for entertainment… O boy…) watched the sun go down and sampled 6 succulent courses. Wow. At 830 the restaurant actually turned off all the lights for Earth Hour and put out candles, which I thought was pretty cool of them! 9pm rolled around and I rolled into bed, just couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore.
Sunday we got up very lazily, grabbed 2 of the SWEET beach cruisers from the front desk and rode into downtown Tofino for breakfast. It was a freezing cold ride made more bearable by hot tea at the other end! We took the dogs out for a killer long hike on the beach at super low tide and watched the surfers (WAY too cold for me! Drysuit or nothing!) The rest of the day was spent leisurely reading, drinking tea and enjoying complete relaxation. Dinner was funny, we both weren’t hungry but decided to go into town to check out the night life at a few places anyways. We ended up smack in front of the fire at Shelter having the most amazing salad EVER! In the 3 days we had one of the most relaxing times ever and consistantly the best food ever. That’s not to say it didn’t cost us an arm and a leg, but it was sooooooooo worth it! All fresh and very very local, it was a culinary masterpiece of a weekend!
Monday, sadly, we came home. Granted, we didn’t actually make it home till nearly 11pm, but I missed having a fireplace in the bedroom and a porch with an ocean view! We took our sweet time coming back down the island, stopped in to a few friends places and generally tried to enjoy coming back to reality. It was the perfect little re-charge after a seriously stressful week!
For the next week I’m gonna be taking it a little easier, trying to keep from making the transition from being a ‘little sick’ to ‘really sick’ as race time approaches. If all goes well, next week and the week after I’ll really ramp it up, then coast into a quick taper and race time!
Wednesday March 25th – 45 min tempo run
Thursday March 26th – off sick
Friday March 27th – Rest day (but still sick)
Saturday March 28th – 45 min run on Chesterman Beach, Tofino
Sunday March 29th – 60 min road ride, 60 min beach run
Monday March 30th – Rest day
Tuesday March 31st – 45 min hills
Wednesday April 1st – 45 min tempo run