Training Trip–St Croix

About a month ago it occurred to me that Abby wouldn’t need to be in Chicago for about 6 weeks. She just finished her second year of medical school and has over a month to study for her Step 1 medical boards. After that she starts rotations and will never have another vacation until she’s old and grey. I was planning to take classes this spring and then take the summer off from school to prepare for Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Mont Tremblant, but if I did that it would mean I needed to be in Chicago while Abby did not and She would have to be in Chicago while I was free to train somewhere else.

Within a few days of this realization I had cancelled my plans to take classes in Spring Quarter and we had booked tickets to St Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Why St Croix?

It’s beautiful

1. It’s hot
2. It’s sunny
3. There’s a race here that I would really like to go finish this year
4. It’s close to both of the races I’m planning to do in April (Lifetime South Beach and San Juan 70.3)
5. My homestay family from last year is amazing and had offered to either put us up or help us find a place to stay for an extended period of time
6. Abby needs internet and a phone and as part of the US it’s easy for her to get both here.
7. it’s beautiful.

Here are some pictures I took on my first few days in St Croix. Above is me at Point Udall, which is the eastern most point of the island (and the United States). Then some pictures from this morning’s open water swim as the sun came up over the hills.

I’m convinced there is no such thing as a flattering picture after an open water swim, and looking at how many chins I have on this selfie (the camera was tied to my draw string), I am certain it is not possible to get a flattering picture in the middle of an open water swim.

I’ll keep posting pictures throughout my trips. For now, I’ll leave you with the Edge 810 file from my first bike ride here on Wednesday.