Pyramid Scheme

Welcome to Riviera Maya. I hope you enjoy the little excursion. Tips in pesos por favor. Gracias.

Since this is an endurance blog, here are the training routines I did while in Mexico. Run 5 times, no run longer than 45 minutes. Lift weights for upper body 3 times. Swim alot, snorkel alot. No monitoring of heart rates, or VO Max was done while on this vacation. Still, the workouts were all very good and it was nice to not lose sight of the big picture while enjoying the time with the Bride.

Now, the quick tour. This is the lost Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Its become an incredible tourist attraction. Named recently as one of the new, 7 wonders of the world, Chichen Itza is spellbinding, and compelling. Come here close to noon and its hotter than a habanero pepper in a kiln.

This is the Pyramid of the Kulkulcans. 365 steps, if you count the platform on top. The Mayans were very advanced. Everything here was built with a purpose. Legend has it that during the winter and summer equinox's the sun shadow creates the form of a serpent on the side of the pyramid.

I wanted this to be one of my workouts, but I was told, climbing the ruin is now frowned upon. Only on special occasions, I am told can visitors head up. So much for that workout!!!

The society had its classes. High Priests, elders, leaders on top, along with............. the ball players... Not much different than today. The ballplayers had more significance. Today ballplayers earn huge amounts and get featured on "Cribs". Back then, the ball players competed in the ball court, when occasions called. You see, if things were not right with the universe in the Mayans minds.(Drought, for instance) the ball court would be used for a game. The object was to get a rubber ball, about 6 pounds in weight, through the ring, 22 feet up.

The teams had 7 players, with one exceptional talent on each team trying to score. Think Kobe vs LeBron. The player who scored would be hailed by the thousands. Today, the player gets a spot on Oprah. Back then, the player was put to death, according to legend. It was a reward and was not thought as a bad thing. The next life was something to strive for. I'll take the spot on Oprah.

There are many sites around Chichen Itza to explore. Very fascinating. I want to go back to Mexico and see many more of the ruins around the country. It would be cool to do a running tour over a few weeks period and see the sights.

Could I pass up a trip to the Island of Women??? Isla Mujeres. Even with the Bride keeping a close eye on me???? Course not. Its 45 min ferry boat ride from Cancun. You can explore the rocky coasts, snorkel, swim, lay out..even walk all the way to the far eastern edge of the island and see more Mayan ruins. The one with flat top at end of island looks like an outdoor barbeque compared to Chichen Itza. The Brides analysis, not mine.

Be mindful of the iguanas. Hey its their island, not mine. There are even, Iguana Crossing Signs on the island. Hey, they look both ways.

Above the cliffs at Royal Garrafon are zip lines. Caught, the Bride taking off on her run.

If you have a weird sense of humor (Blush) you would think the zip line is only for pregnant women, or people that are drunk. At least thats how I interpreted it..Ha.!!

All, in all, Mexico was amazing. From Cancun, to Playa del Carmen, it was an incredible trip.

KALEB

About a week ago, we ran the piece on the soon to be 19 year old Ironman, Kaleb Kaschalk. Hopefully, this LINK will get you there. Kaleb is at around 25-hundred dollars raised, all for cancer research as his grandfather died of cancer 2 years ago.

THE MARATHONING NAGY'S

Props to one of my childhood buddies, Darrell Nagy and his son, Stephen. Dad and son have done some marathons together in Virginia. Dad nails his in the 3:50 range and son is right there with dad. Congrats!!! May your runs be long, and your lives, longer.