walks – PushMyLimits

After running the Indianapolis Marathon on October 19 and not qualifying for the Boston Marathon, I seriously considered running another marathon in December. I had some things to consider before making a final decision:

Why would I be running another marathon?
What if I run this marathon and don’t qualify for Boston?
Can I stay mentally focused through this marathon and then immediately start my Ironman training in January?

After weighing all of these questions, I decided that I should not foster the thought of running another marathon in December and instead give myself some down time…time to recharge the batteries before going full throttle with Ironman training. What does this mean? My “Off Season” is in full swing…hiking in the woods, getting out and riding my cross bike, taking the dogs for walks, sitting by the campfire, putting puzzles together, reading good books, chopping down trees for firewood, going to hot yoga and doing what I feel like doing instead of what I have to do.

Riding our cross bikes in the woods. — The Iron Hippie and me riding our cross bikes in the woods.

Looking ahead on the trail in the woods while biking. — The trail in the woods we were biking on.

Taking a break in the woods during our bike ride. — The Iron Hippie and me taking a break in the woods during our bike ride.

A hike in the woods. — A solitary hike in the woods.

Peaceful morning hike when I happened to come upon a small lake. What a beautiful autumn morning.

Cutting and hauling firewood for the fire pit. — The Iron Hippie and I cut and hauled firewood for the fire pit.

The steep hill that we had to climb while hauling the trees we cut down for firewood. GREAT workout!! — One of the steep hills that we climbed while hauling the trees we cut down for firewood. GREAT workout!!

Basil helped us with a few of the pieces to this puzzle (hence the reason a couple are chewed up and missing)... — Basil helped us with this puzzle…hence the reason a couple of pieces are chewed up and missing…

While I've already read this series, I decided to reread it since the "Catching Fire" movie is going to be coming out soon. A good series of books that doesn't require a lot of focus. — While I’ve already read this series, I decided to reread it since the “Catching Fire” movie is going to be coming out in theaters soon. A good series of books that doesn’t require a lot of mental focus.

I have also already read "The Help," but remembered it being a good book and decided to pull it off the shelf to reread. — I have also already read “The Help,” but remembered it being a good book and decided to pull it off the shelf to reread.