Biker Breckenridge

I am exhausted and I didn't even run the marathon!

Sorry, let me back up. This morning my best friend ran the Windermere Marathon; his veteran father impressively walked and jogged the half marathon. The course is beautiful as it winds along the Centennial Trail, which runs parallel to the scenic Spokane River. It was incredible seeing people push themselves way beyond their comfort zone and perceived physical limits. I don't know how my friend smiled every step of the way but he didn't let up! Meanwhile my friend's fiancee and I rode bikes up and down the course showing up at scheduled points to cheer them on all the way to the finish line-for about 40 miles! Unless you count the Kaiser spin bike at the gym, I haven't cycled in over a decade. I used to have a bike but it was repeatedly stolen so I gave up on that form of exercise. I briefly devolved into a couch potato before becoming a gym rat so there wasn't an opportunity for me to cycle...until now.

This morning gave me a taste of what I hope to continue in Japan: cycling. I will be living on a small island and while I may get a car, I am leaning towards managing with a bike. Cars are convenient but repairs are tedious; I expect gas is more expensive in Japan than here in Spokane; I will also undoubtedly need insurance. No, I like the idea of a bike. It will help me stay in shape! In terms of training, today was probably overkill but now I know I can cycle for at least forty miles. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and enjoy the soreness. I am eager to improve on other skills while I live in Goto such as swimming, surfing, and hiking. If I'm fortunate, I should get a pretty decent tan (at least in summer)!

In other news, while I still do not who I will be teaching, I know where I can find said information: Lodi, CA. Evidently listing my parent's address as my primary address implies all mail should be sent there. I did mention that Lodi would be my primary address beginning in July, but I guess my school wanted to play it safe. My dad mailed the pamphlet yesterday so by Wednesday I should know my placement's details. EXCITING!

The future is marked by a number of checkpoints and countdowns. I have ten more days of my steady career at Snap Fitness. Shortly after that I leave for Seattle for a JET orientation returning in time for my friend's wedding. At the end of June I will have moved out of my apartment departing for the green vineyards of Lodi before one final return to Seattle. I leave Sea Tac on July 23rd for Tokyo and then Goto. The future is close at hand!