Dr. Jekyll and Mr. High-on-Endorphins

Yesterday was a hard bike split in two followed by a quick paced run which left me quite the tired little puppy (you know, the ones that run around like crazy and then fall asleep on command).  So that made today an easy day.

I'm trying my best to keep a day of rest inbetween my running days to avoid further injuries, so I biked this evening after getting back from work.  But let me tell you, the rest of the day was so "blah."  Since starting my training 8 months ago and really kicking it up here back in March, I've gotten so used to "train, eat, sleep" that when I have a real break, I don't even know what to do.  I find myself asking...

What did I do for fun before I started training?

I read. 

Bottom half of a bookcase I'm building for my personal library

I really enjoy sci-fi and fantasy fiction with a little political/social fiction for a break up once in awhile.  I've read the entire Harry Potter series as well as (don't laugh) the Twilight series along with 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and the Giver.  I guess it's fair to say I did some carpentry along with it (with dad's help). 

I went hiking. 

My piecing together of a panormic of Talcott Mountain State Park in CT

I would cut out of work early just to be able to hike a few miles before the sun set or when I just needed a mental breather.  My hikes were either exploratory meanderings, photo ops, or trail runs for the most part.  Either way, it was just me and nature; splendid!

I did puzzles.  

Finished puzzles on my wall

I've got two 1000 piece puzzles hanging on my wall that I put together and my dad (I love that man!) framed.  They're both pictures of the outdoors.  I still have one from last summer that's still only 2/3rds finished. 

I played music.

Back in the days of The Full Connor

I had built up what I thought was an impressive length of a repertoire on my guitar.  There's something soothing about being able to pick up an instrument and just play a song.

Where did all of those things go?  It's funny that two months into real training and it's all I even think about.  When I grocery shop, I think about how many quick vs. normal meals I need to make this week based on my training schedule.  My social life is plagued by the responses "I'm in bed by 10pm," "I can't, I have to workout," and "I have to nap/eat."  Other than food, the only purchases I feel are worth considering are training gear, race gear, and race entries. 

Who is this person?

What have I done with myself?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions

1.  Has training (or any other individual activity) changed you in a similar way?

Are you at a loss when you don't have a workout to do?

2.  Other than training, what do you do with your free time?

Anyone have a suggestion for non-athletic reading?  I could use a book to read.

Stay fit.  Stay healthy.