Come Sail Away, Come Sail Away, Come Sail Away With Meeeeee!

Bryce and I like to go on cruises.  When we get home I usually think I'm DONE ... but give us 6 - 8 months and we'll be eyeing the websites and checking the deals again.  We've done almost all that are offered from our continent, well ... a lot of them, and have a particular fondness for the Caribbean.  It has something to do with sunshine, turquoise water, and steel drums.

We just returned from 12 days aboard one of our favorite ships from our favorite cruise line, Royal Caribbean.  These ships are monsters.  Several swimming pools, ice rink, sport court, inline skating, miniature golf, indoor mall, and more food than should be legal, just outside your stateroom door.

We visited 5 Eastern Caribbean islands that all look similar, except with varying levels of economic affluence and/or poverty.  I must say, in spite of the humble lifestyles of these people, they are neat, clean, and always willing to offer directions - even if they have no clue where we are trying to go.  They LOVE that we visit their island because we bring much needed dollars to their businesses.  They urge our return.  It's the same with the employees on the cruise ships.  They come from third world countries, and are grateful for the employment.  Without our patronage, there is no job.  It occurred to me on this trip that one of the best things we can do for these good people is help them earn a living.  Buy their goods and services.  And we did.

But what does this have to do with running?  Not much.  Since The Marathon is looming ahead like a big storm cloud, the training must go on - or at least as much damage control as possible.  And cruises are all about sabotage.  Don't believe them when they say that sea air shrinks clothing.  It's THIS that does it:

Yes, that is a cake and BTW I'm the one on the right of the saxophone.  This photo was taken on board where food just pops up everywhere, begging to be eaten.  And since it's ALL PAID FOR WITH YOUR TICKET, how can you walk away?  On a cruise ship, your day revolves around how long since you've eaten and how long till you eat again.  So what does a person do? 

I think I logged well over 20 miles during the whole trip, with 7 of those miles on the last day.

Cruise ships come well stocked with plenty of guilt-inducing exercise equipment in lavish spas.   But IMHO, the best kind of treadmill is one that I'm NOT on.

As for the weigh-in when I got home?  3 pounds gained.  Not bad.  And it's coming off.


Coming up:  Sea Garmins and climbing walls.