Block Island fun running

Vacation time!

This year's little excursion with my girlfriend, Karen, was to Block Island, that beautiful, quaint, serene, tiny 13-square-mile island off the coasts of Long Island, and Rhode Island (and, governmentally, part of the latter). After the three previous times I'd been there - twice for the Block Island Music Festival with my old bands, My Pocket Zoo and Lloyd United, and once for the annual 15K race - I had wanted to return for an extended getaway for quite some time. With four days to stay, play and relax, I was excited to hit the hilly roads again, capture some of the memories of that 2006 race and explore new territory. Before heading out, I mapped out a couple of 5K courses and a five-miler. 

Karen and I took a Sunday afternoon ferry from Point Judith, R.I., and checked into the Harborside Inn. As soon as we got settled in, I set out for a long run. This one would have no plan, no mileage, no map, no set pace - just 75 minutes of enjoyable running. It was a clear evening, the air was cool, the roads were quiet (there aren't many cars on the island). It got darker as I ran. The only light came from a man with a lantern, the airport and the Southeast Lighthouse.  Occasionally, I'd have to hit a button on my iPod to provide some light. Had Karen's presence at the hotel not been a destination to which I looked forward, I would've never wanted it to end. It was that kind of run.

Monday was cross-training day, and what better way to do so while spending quality time with Karen and enjoying the gorgeous weather than to rent bicycles and traverse the island, even stopping to hit the beach for a while. At the end of the day, we sat out on the harbor and watched the beautiful sunset.

Tuesday was speed day - a slow mile followed by a fast mile, three times.  Dirt roads, hills and scorching heat made it tough to pick up the pace, but the scenery was so beautiful along the course that it was nothing short of a great time.  Karen and I spent much of the rest of the day relaxing at the beautiful 1661 Inn. We took a walk to the nearby beach later on, which resulted in Karen daring me to jump in the freezing water.  I did, of course, jeans and all. 

Wednesday was a five-mile day. The rain put a damper on the fun of it, but we were heading home that afternoon anyway. We'd had a fantastic, peaceful getaway and I was reminded of the joys of running while on vacation.