Restored...in Cambria

After my 2nd 50K (2 50Ks in 6 weeks, yikes!), the Folsom Point 50K last weekend, I was starting to get alittle burned out with running. After the race, I think I said something to the effect of "I don't wanna do long runs for awhile".   My friend Kathy and I had a trip to Cambria planned for the weekend and I was ready to get out of Dodge. We headed to the coast Thursday morning and got into Cambria early evening. Checked into the Fog Catcher Inn. The ocean was incredible. I love this part of the coast, very rugged and gorgeous. I forgot my camera and had to use the crackberry for pictures. This picture doesn't do the view justice.

We headed out for some wine tasting in town, stopping at Fermentations,  which was a totally charming shop with the most interesting things, including canned 'Frog Balls'. These are actually pickled brussle sprouts and are SOO good! I got a jar for my dear friends and neighbors, Marianne and Greg for watching the beast, Bella (who didn't seem to miss me at all..she got alot of bonding time with her favorite man, Greg).  Friday morning we started with a 2 mile run/walk on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean.  Then it was off to Hearst Castle.  Again the photos don't do this place justice, especially the view of the top.

This place is so huge, there are multiple tours of different parts of the house and grounds.  We took the Experience Tour which covered some of the grounds and part of the first floor of the house.

On our way home from the Hearst Castle, we stopped at a beach famous for elephant seals. These guys beach themselves just twice a year to shed their coats. They looked like giant pieces of driftwood.

Friday night we headed to Moonstone Cellars and had some more fabulous wine. In addition, the local massage therapist, "Tamar", was giving free chair massages.  Ahhhh, wine and a massage, now THAT'S relaxation! Saturday morning we headed back out to the beach for a 4 miler and then home to reality, boo hoo! It was an awesome weekend and just what Kath and I needed after some very stressful weeks at work. 

So, with my next 50K not until July, the focus will be on getting stronger and faster. Tuesdays will alternate between hill repeats and intervals with FTR  in the morning, then racing on Thursdays. I had a PR of 29:55 on the short course at the Folsom Lake Trail Run Series April 22nd and I'd like to whittle away a few seconds. Not fast to most, but anything under 30 minutes is fast for me :). I'm so happy spring weather is finally here!!