Gently bently

Days like these, rare I’d say, not unlike a thing of beauty. Vacarious living – join me, I’ll chase you through it.

Woke the sound of crashing waves just shy of 8am although truth be told, my body clock registered 5am, while my mind registered a frightening blank on the hotel breakfast schedule. But first things first, and that would be getting used to the loo paper going in the adjacent bin which, if nothing else, helps bring life into focus enough to locate the info brochure with much Portuguese and 7-1030.

So I slip into my Puma trainers, shorts and nipple rubbing shirt and set off to beat the 1030 curfew. A feeling of expectancy and excitement get boosted by a quick “cafe” before I get trotting along up this lush valley that is all part of the Portobello Resort. There are cow-mines to dodge while gawking at the backdrop from a Bond 007 in Asia like scene. Manage a little vartlek on the return and my Garmin 310XT reads out some neat figures that I havent been able to hit in Boulder’s depleted air.

And I make it – in time for a custom omelette, exotic fruits, watermelon and lime juice, more cafe, and some muesli. Sure death if I’d missed it.

Shonny and I had a brilliant ride on the bike route. Great getting to know the American icon she is. Never have really. The bike route was even more enjoyed than the run, taking some 2hours. It could have been longer had the small bird sized mosquitos not hastened snappy photos and technical re-runs in the forest. Outside the tropical canopies they let us be, but while breaking cobwebs on the mossy single track we were in their torture zone.

The entire ride was just that bit surreal really, and I loved exploring, being somewhere so very different to the usual. Legs came round, did a few accelerations, although they were mostly to keep up with Shonny, but felt good all the same.

More  scrumptuous food over lunch, which is a buffet spread rather resembling some Greengate Goodness. Brazilian diet is a healthy one: Rice, beans, potatoes, greens, and meat. Quite a few root vegetables. And always deserts. Even at breakfast there is cake on tap.

More napping to the sound of waves before actually going being the breakwater to stroke the tiger some. Fine efforts with oxygen to spare. I find swimming has the greatest feel difference from altitude to sea level. The beach was empty and I believe, Tristan Kelly, that thats all to change tomorrow. The hotel has been booked out for this weekend for months, and should get festive soon.

Surreal stuff really. And I like it. It was after all a race here in 2006 that got me back into the triathlon chase, the lifestyle of a full time fool. Hard to believe its been four years since. Anyhow, harder to believe I am due for another feasting in a moment… Must go.

Some photos from today.