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Showing posts with the label endurance

Recreating myself and letting go

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I recently had an epiphany that has greatly altered how I see myself.  I am going to do my best to put into words that realization and what it means for me moving forward. After teaching in public schools in San Diego for 15 years as a math teacher, we made the choice to submit our leave of absences and move to Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico.  For many, the decision seemed abrupt and irrational but not for me.  After strugglng through Covid and watching politics invade public education, I knew the future was bleak, at least for me and my happiness.  People who know little about what happens in the classroom were on television making wild claims and accusations that were far from the truth.  It was too big of a battle for me and I knew I would be misearable moving forward.  While I am speaking for myself, my wife, Tracy, was sharing similar fears.  So our decision was very well vetted and thought out and our kids were also driving forces in the decision.  We packed our bags, sold almost ev

"Pro-tips" and Mexicali Desert Trail 30k Trail run with Gabriel

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Pro-tips are a fun way for us to share little nuggets of information with each other.  I decided on this trip to Mexicali to share some of my tips for driving on Baja Mexico Highway 1 with Gabriel.  He is now 15 and will be driving soon.  In fact, Grandpa Gary spent a great deal of time on his recent visit teaching both kids to drive. Now in no way am I saying that I am an expert or that my knowledge is supreme.  But I've been driving in Baja for 38 plus years.  And over the past three years, I've been making the trip north almost once a month.  So I figured, it was time to share some of my wisdom nuggets with Gabriel.  We thought it might be fun to make a video and share it with others as well.   I recently bought a Go Pro 12 as I've wanted to tell our story with more than just words and pictures.  I started a YouTube channel  The Adventures of Famila Bajaboy  years ago mainly as a repository for our family videos.  But at the urging of our good friend, Anita, I've dec

4 x 4 x 48 Goggins Challenge Johnston style

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 About 20 years ago, I first heard of David Goggins.  He spoke at one of the San Diego Tri Club monthly meetings.  Back then, I was getting into Olympic distance triathlons and was amazed listening to Goggins talk about some of his adventures.  Little did I know where my journey would take me. Fast forward to today.  I am signed up to do the very difficult Baja 50K, Oriflamme 50K, and finally Angeles Crest 100 mile in August.  It's been over two years since I have taken on a big adventure.  Hard to believe my last official race was the San Diego 100 Endurance Race.  Some days, I wonder if I will ever finish another long race.  I've been training almost daily but can't seem to mentally cross back into beast mode.  Something has to give. About a month ago, I recalled the Goggin 4x4x48 Challenge ( Link to Goggins Challenge .)  It's exactly what I need to jump start my training.  So beginning tomorrow, Friday, March 4 at 9:00 am mountain standard time, I will run 4 miles ev

Trail Running: Long Beach-Family Mtn.-Backbone

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 This morning we ran one of my favorite routes nearby.  From our house, we head west towards the beach and run north about 3 miles.  Then we go up to Family Mountain.  Years ago, we found a natural pile of rocks on top of this mountain.  We started a tradition of placing a rock on the pile to commemorate a special person or memory.  Over the years the rock pile has grown.  From there we return south along the ridgeline and return along the Backbone trail behind our house and village.  The route is just under 7 miles with about 1600 ft. of elevation gain.  I hope you enjoy! Running along Long Beach Looking back towards Bahia Asuncion, Baja California Sur, Mexico San Roque is in the distance. Starting the climb up Family Mountain.  Boogie Board beach and the horse race track in the distance. The Family Mountain memorial.  So many great memories there! Running the ridgeline with Family Mountain in the distance. San Roque Island in the distance and Tracy hammering a fun section of the trai

Hiking from San Roque to San Pablo Bay and back

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 Almost every day, we get out for a run, hike, bike ride and/or a swim.  Today, we opted to get an earlier start than normal.  We set the alarm for 6am and were out the door by 7am.  We drove 8 miles north to the small fishing village of San Roque.  We hiked north to San Pablo bay and then backtracked on the old and dilapidated vigilancia road and finally returned on the main .   Zeus was happy with the foggy conditions especially after yesterday's muggy and hot conditions. In addition we were treated to a wonderful show of powerful and strong waves thanks to Hurricane Olaf.  All in all, the hike was about 7.5 miles and almost 2,000 ft. of climbing.  Enjoy the trip with us!

Today's hike

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 We have been pretty consistent with our daily workouts.  Most days we hike, run, or mountain bike.  And now, most afternoons we boogie board and get in some swimming, too.  Today we drove out to the mostly abandoned fishing village of San Roque for our hike.  The loop starts with a climb of about a mile before the trail heads west to a small house used by the vigilancia.  Our town has two fishing cooperatives.   Each one has people who patrol the coast looking for potential poachers and to keep an eye on their fishing grounds.   There are fishing cooperatives up and down the coast of Baja and Baja Sur.   It’s reassuring knowing someone is around especially when in the middle of nowhere.   If you come across one of the vigilancia, I recommend saying hola and maybe offering up something cold to drink.   I have been rewarded more than once over the years with a bit of kindness. Once at the house, the trail loops back to the village.   The coast here is so beautiful and reminds me a l