Maintaining the Pace while on Vacation

Now this is a Vacation!
Brewster, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

 Vacation is a time for relaxation and renewal of mind and body.  Balancing and maintaining a training regimen while on a family vacation can be a challenge at times.  Working in runs during a hectic vacationing agenda can be tricky.  While on vacation in Cape Cod its been an enjoyable experience.  the home we've rented is located in the township of Brewster right on the Orleans border off route 6a.  The neighborhood borders Nickerson State Park and is nestled in amongst several kettle fresh water ponds.  Ample dirt roads and trails lead off just about every road and circumnavigate ponds and connecting roads leading to the park.

Trails in Nickerson State Park.
 Brewster, Cape Cod

The roads are primarily dirt or should I say for a more accurate description sand.  Sand ranging from hard packed to loose deep energy sapping sand littered with round stones ranging in size from marbles to 2-3 inches in diameter of every imaginable color and texture.  One needs to mind their step as these are definitely ankle twisters in waiting.

I ventured out on a couple solo rounds thus far exploring the surrounding area,  primarily to find the connecting roads to the State Park.  The family, consisting of me, the wife and kids (15 & 19) also enjoy biking as well.  We however only have 3 bikes total so the usual routine is the wife and kids on the bikes,  me on foot with a good pair of trail shoes.  The technical quality of the sandy rocky roads keeps their speed at a good running pace for me.  The smooth hard pack they pull ahead, the loose sand and rocky up & down hills I make the pass and take the point.  Occasionally I aid with some foot power for my 15 yr old daughter, pushing her up the steeper sections of road or trail.

There was a heavy rain a day or so prior to our arrival.  This resulted in many areas of washout.  Fun for mountain bikers and runners, not so fun for cars and trucks.  That's OK with with me.  Less, or should I say, NO traffic.  I found about a mile of technical single track skirting the perimeter of the largest pond in Nikerson Park.  Soft spongy sod, with tree roots appearing like iron framework supporting the nearby trees in the sandy soil.  The hills though short in length are steep, with multiple quick switchbacks.  Around trees, over roots, under tree falls, & over mossy mounds.  The trail is short but high in quality.



Weston running the trails with Dad.



One lengthy, (for this area), washed out road leading down to a point where two ponds converge yet don't connect was extremely fun to run down.  With sweeping curves and high walls, dug out from years of vehicles carving there way through the sand rocky soil mix,  it gives the impression of a giant sandy slide all the way to the bottom.  This is where the single track trail begins.  I ran the single track to where it ends at a boat launch and pond beach area. I turned and ran the single track back.  Then back up the washed out road I went.  The old saying of "felt like running uphill in sand" came to mind, because that's exactly what I did.  Legs were comfortably burning as I reached the top.  My reward for a good effort.

After an hour and a half of exploring it was time to head back for some supper and then another (shorter) adventure before dark.....and that was just day one of vacation.