Two weeks ago –
- Monday – Off to NYC by train. Once I had set up Queens and returned to Manhattan, I planned to squeeze in a run before dinner. But the weather wrecked my plans. Cold wind and rain. Nope. No run for me.
- Tuesday – After work, I hopped on the subway to run in Central park. Finally spring like weather. Or more like summer. 80 degrees and the Park was packed with runners, beautiful flowers and fragrant smells.
- Wednesday – Rest day due to having to get the train to return home, pack and get ready to leave on vacation the next morning.
- Thursday – 8 am flight to Florida. We landed in Ft Myers and picked up a rental car to drive to Naples. This is our 12th tennis trip here so we have a routine and it felt like coming home – unpacking, grocery shopping, relaxing by the pool, dinner out, chatting, sleep?
- Friday – My first Florida run – holy humidity! My goal was to run at least 3 miles most days before a tennis lesson and doubles play. After tennis we pack a lunch and spend the rest of the day on the beach, soaking up vitamin D, reading, playing Scrabble or strolling along the water – heavenly! Every evening we go out to dinner at a different restaurant. Tonight’s choice was the Ritz with a view of the sun setting on the Gulf.
- Saturday – As I did yesterday, I went for a run, played some doubles and then had a tennis lesson. We thought it might rain (which it never did) so we stayed at the pool rather than going to the beach. Then we went out to dinner, to a play and out for ice cream. I could get used to this life.
- Our tennis instructor, Mark and a 90 year old player (my hero)
- Sunday – The group played tennis and had a lesson. I instead ran a 5k race. No surprise there. The surprise was how hard it was to run in 100% humidity. Lucky for me, the older ladies from last year weren’t there so I was the women’s senior grand master champion. To celebrate we walked to the Naples Pier and then went out to brunch. Again it was a busy day (We had to record a song for the ladies who couldn’t make the trip – re-written lyric to You always on my mind) so we relaxed at the pool and then went out to dinner.
Last week –
- Monday – It may sound boring but it was more of the same. A run, followed by doubles, a tennis lesson and then we packed a lunch and spent the afternoon at the beach. In the evening, we watched our tennis instructor play in a tournament and then went out to dinner.
- Tuesday – It’s tough when every day it is sunny and warm. So I ran, played tennis, had our last tennis lesson and went to the beach for the last time. Tonight we had dinner but brought our desserts home because it was book club night (we discussed The Girl Before.)
- Wednesday – My BIRTHDAY! And the day was absolutely perfect. I ran 6.5k and I played tennis after. Then we packed lunches and headed to Oscar Sherer State Park for a picnic and a hike. Next we drove to Sarasota to visit the Selby Gardens (and see the Warhol exhibit). We ended the day with dinner on the water.
- Thursday – Last day of vacation. No running today. We played tennis instead and hung out at the pool unitl we had to leave for the airport.
- Friday – Back home. Back at work. I needed a vacation from my vacation. Too pooped to even play mah jongg. Instead stayed home, unpacked and did laundry.
- Saturday – Race Day. Summer Smith Memorial 5K. A cold, miserable rainy day. So tempted to stay in bed (with my headache) but I didn’t. Of course, I got soaked but still glad I ran this race.
I spent the rest of the day (not at the Tulip Fest as planned) but with the girl I mentor and her two sons.
- Sunday – Mother’s Day! Of course, I had to go for a run. It was cool and cloudy when I started but it warmed up and the sun came out. With a half marathon in less than a week and no run longer than 8 miles done, I thought I might run 12. Ha Ha! My legs said “no way” and I struggled even getting 9 miles done (with lots of walking). Let’s hope I can rally next Saturday!
Th rest of the day was filled with laundry, grocery shopping, gardening and a late lunch with the family at my MIL’s house.
This Coming Week –
- Monday – jury duty (postponed), 4.5 miles (FTC)
- Tuesday – jury duty? 3 miles, tennis
- Wednesday – jury duty? rest day, hair appt.
- Thursday – Corpoorate Challenge Race (3.5m)
- Friday – rest day
- Saturday – Brooklyn Half Marathon
- Sunday – rest day, boating, hubby’s birthday
Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and NEW host Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home
Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? How did you celebrate Mother’s Day? Please share.
How fun to have all those lady friends to spend a wonderful week in Florida playing tennis with! When I start complaining about the humidity here, I than have to remember that it is even worse in Florida!
Congrats on the tennis win! You are just an amazing athlete over all!
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What a wonderful birthday celebration, and an AG award to kick off your new age group! Nice week for you.
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Thanks. Can’t wait to compete in my new age group.
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It is hard to get used to the humidity all of the sudden isn’t it? I could sure use a weekend away though!
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Humidity is tough esp when you don’t have time to get acclimmated to it.
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I’m envious of all your time in Florida! You certainly kept busy!
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You know me. Never sit still.
But you should talk…
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Happy belated birthday! All that running, tennis and beach time sound awesome!
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It was and definitely needed.
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Congrats on your age group award! Good luck on your up coming 1/2 marathon!
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Didn’t want to say it at the time, but we actually had a lot of nice weather while you were gone. 🙂 I could sure use a vacation though, mine is still waaaaaaay too far away.
I’m sure you’ll do just fine in your half. Cause it’s about the experience, anyway, right?
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Yes I did hear about the weather but just not having to go to work was a vacation.
Unfortunately rain is forecast for Saturday. The experience would be more fun without that. 3 miles in the rain this past Sat was torture.
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Yup, lately seems I only get to race in the rain. 😦 But you never know, maybe it’ll hold off during.
I was definitely glad I didn’t have to run last Saturday!
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It was miserable!!!
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We definitely missed you Darlene! What a fab vacation! It’s sounds pathetic but I don’t have girlfriends to do these sort of trips with. I wish I did. My destination would be more like Greece though, with swimming, biking and beach. And food. Oh and a cocktail here and there !
My running is less and less. Decided not to do the marathon of Liverpool but instead the half. It wasn’t realistic. So I’m cross training and trying to keep foot pain at bay and it’s working. Sunday I ran my fastest 5k in like a year. Sunday is the half. I’ll get around but it won’t be a PR.
I don’t celebrate mother’s day. Too many challenges as a step mom that I would just rather not. This year was kind of hard since my mother-in-law passed in Feb. my husband had a rough week building up to Mother’s Day and it’s hard to see him so sad. We did go to her grave though and brought flowers. She would have loved them and that made him feel strangely better.
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Yes parenting stepkids is not easy.
I went to Greece many many years ago. It was wonderful. Would love to go again.
I feel so lucky to have these ladies in my life. It is much different than traveling with a husband.
My half next Sat will be just do it and finish. Not rained well and it is what it is.
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That sounds like a wonderful vacation! Congrats on your age award!
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This sounds like such a wonderful vacation! It sounds like it was hard to come back from the warmth and sun and run a cold race back home. Way to go still getting out there for that race.
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Yes. It’s hard with these changing weather conditions.
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Sounds like a pretty awesome couple of weeks to me!
My running is going ok. I’m finally feeling like i’m making progress after injury!
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That’s great news.
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It’s so heartwarming to see how much you and your friends enjoy spending time together – I love living vicariously through your group vacations!
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and I through your Renegade runs, races and trips to the Blue Baker.
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Happy belated birthday! Glad that you had such a great time in Florida 🙂
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Thanks Kim
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Congrats on your PR and 2nd place AG award, sounds like an amazing time in FL. I grew up in the Panhandle and know that humidity all too well.
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I guess you get used to it.
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It looks like a wonderful vacation with the girls! I knew you’d get a race in there. 😉 Congrats on the senior grand master win. That’s a cute mug. It looks like you’ll be enjoying your boat before I get a chance. I was hoping this coming weekend — but it looks like a lot of rain. Enjoy that half marathon! Thanks for linking.
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Can’t wait to go boating. Rain predicted here too.
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Happy birthday to us! It sounds like you had an amazing vacation and birthday! It’s always so wonderful to get to spend those special days doing everything you love.
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Yes. I feel blessed.
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Happy belated birthday! It sounds like you had a great vacation!!
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Yes I did
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Happy belated birthday! I’m glad you had an awesome day, and Sarasota is such a gorgeous place! I need to go back there someday! Congrats on your age group award too! :]
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Sarasota is great. I wish I could have spent more time there.
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Happy birthday!!! What a great way to celebrate, although I am not envious of the humidity.
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It was worth suffering to get some sunshine.
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What a perfect birthday week. A week at the beach and in the sun sounds like a great birthday present to yourself. And even better that you got to spend the time with loved ones and by staying active. Woo hoo!
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I agree. It was perfect.
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Florida looks good on you!!! Tell me about the humidity …running in it is HARD work! Lol
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I couldn’t do it as often as you do.
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Lol. I can’t do it either!
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