Camping and Running

Camping, Zip Lines, NASCAR running, and last but NOT least Memorial Day

Oh what a weekend!

Michele and I have really fallen in love with camping, it fits our active lifestyle.  We have linked up many of our camping trips with running events and outside adventures.  And this trip to Charlotte, NC was a perfect marriage of the two.  Coming off the Cleveland Marathon this trip was as much about some time down as it was getting back into the swing of training for my next race.

We threw this trip together as more of an excuse for another other outing in our fifth wheel.  We could not have asked for a better trip.  

We camped at a great family campground right across the street from Charlotte Motor Speedway…close enough to the action but removed enough to not be in the center of the action.  We really enjoyed the site.  As in the real estate profession, location, location, location, highly recommend Glenwood Acres RV Park, tell Phil, Brian sent ya!

Not wanting to spend the entire weekend “at the races,” Michele and I booked a canopy adventure tour at the US Whitewater Rafting Center.  And wow was it a fun day, we survived seven Zip Lines, Five Bridge crossings and a lot of fun hanging out in the trees.  Our guides Brian, Wayne and Will kept us safe and entertained!

Sunday morning “Race Day” broke and it was time to get my running back in gear.  I made a lap around the campgrounds and then headed out to tour the race track area.  I did not get to run the racing surface but I was able to lap the track on the outside and see the operations before the thousands of visitors showed up.  I was able to run 6.5 miles including 5 hill repeats running up the gate ramps…is was a good workout even if the security guards kept a careful eye on me.

This run also marked my 11,000 mile running since Aug 2000.

The race day experience this year, was out of this world.  Michele and I were guest of Carlisle M. and his group from Fun In Turn One  This race package included tickets in a private condo overlooking turn one, pit passes, a full diner and open bar.  The experience could have only been better if they would have let me drive the pace car.  Watching the 600 in an air conditioned condo, sitting on leather couches while drinking from an open bar…this spoiled me for future NASCAR race days….but I would do it again.

AND to NOT forget the meaning behind the real reason for Memorial Day.

Thank you to everyone past, present and future who has served this great 
Country!

FREEDOM is not FREE.