Monday, February 23, 2009

Lost Pines and New-Found Energy

When I first came to Texas I thought of the wide open spaces, the great outdoors with rolling tumbleweeds, lonely open ranges and livestock. Austin was a big surprise to me due to the fact that it is set in part of the Texas Hill Country. Most of Austin and the surrounding area is not flat land at all, rather it is rolling hills and valleys. Last week I was made aware of a park outside Austin called Lost Pines in Bastrop county. Lost Pines is set along part of the Colorado river. The trail winds its way up and down gentle slopes while being covered by a canopy of tall pine trees. Never did I think this would exist in Texas. Last Friday I went to explore Lost Pines for an afternoon and was delighted at the quiet and beautiful serenity of the forest.
My weekend was really relaxing and I feel as though finally my body is starting to regain some life. For a long time I was in a deep hole. Lifting four days a week was definitely taking it's toll on me. In the middle of last week I talked with a former coach of mine, Randy Reese. Randy is the younger brother of my current coach, Eddie Reese. I told Randy I was amazed at how big a difference lifting four days a week made on my energy level and the performance or lack there of I was able to create in the water. He told me that lifting four days a week was probably a bit too much and that my body needed some time to relax and regrow itself stronger.
The next two weeks will be much more calm and recovery based before I swim in the Austin Grand Prix. I can't wait to feel like I have some explosiveness back into my muscles. I generally always have some explosiveness in my mind because I'm such an excitable person but when my body is tired there can be absolutely nothing there. I will know I'm starting to be somewhat rested when I wake up in the morning actually feel somewhat refreshed.

10 comments:

Donna Binkholder said...

I love the peacefulness and calming relaxation the country brings. I live on a farm, pretty much open range with rolling hills added and it's just awesome knowing I can relax here. After reading this blog and seeing some of the amazing photos of Lost Pine, it makes me want to take a trip there. I have never been to Texas let alone any other state beside IL,KS,AR,and IA...I would love to go to Texas..my friend moved her from there and talks to me about how wonderful it is down there. Thanks for the blog posting!!

Unknown said...

I think Lost Pines is (or is part of) Bastrop State Park. I hadn't been to it myself until last spring, when I went on a group ride that went through it for the first portion of the ride. I don't know if you ride at all, but it's a very scenic and nice ride: Pedal Thru The Pines (http://www.pedalthrupines.org/), and benefits an area charity. I think riding around Austin, there is plenty of nice scenery (especially west), but it's amazing how much the landscape changes over in Bastrop (not very far away, really). I haven't been camping there, but I think it would be a good place to go. I know that Whitney (Hedgepeth) has taken her family camping there and liked it...

Anonymous said...

The Hill Country is amazing to visit. If you get a chance to take a trail ride at YO Ranch, you are in for the most breaktaking view a top what is heaven of earth! Its the most relaxing and amazing place. Glad the Hill Country can renew the energy! PS -- Enchanted Rock is a great hike too!

Nicole said...

That looks very relaxing. It also looks a little like my back yard... I love going to see in a tree when I fell sad or really tired. I live in North Carolina and just found out about a swim meet in Charlotte. Do you know if you are going to the UltaSwim meet on May 14? I would love to be able to see you swim in person.

Nicole said...

Also... I asked for and received a GWG t-shirt for my birthday! I love it! It is a little big, and also I don't want to mess it up so it is hanging on my wall. But I was just wondering who writes on the bags?

Kait W. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kait W. said...

I love the hill country of Texas. My dad always said if we ever moved back to Texas, it would be to somewhere out there, in general though I love Texas! I always love finding a quiet place and just relaxing and listening to everything around you. It always brings a smile to my face! Glad you are finding time to be able to do relaxing things like this during your training and being able to spend time with friends! Can't wait to see you in Indy! Thanks for keeping us updated!

Whitney said...

Glad you had such a relaxing weekend. Keep training hard and no doubt you'll find your balance. Good luck!

Alyssa23 said...

I love the country too. Just something about it makes you think about something other than yourself. Someday I want to go camping up in Yosemite here in CA, my grandpa tells me it's beautiful.

Garrett said...

Yosemite sounds amazing!!!


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