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Weekly Run Down for 2.11.24-2.25.24: Back Up North!!


Brrr!

Just as I finally got acclimated to the warmer temps and humidity, I’m back!!

Two Weeks Ago –

  • Sunday – I thought that I might participate in the last HMRRC race.

sad to miss hanging out with these runners…

But due to an impending snowstorm, I decided to leave a day early on my trip. Hence, I had a lot to do.

I did get in one last trip to the gym and then spent the rest of the day on errands, packing and cooking (to feed the hubby while I’m gone…)

  • Monday – Early morning flight to West Palm Beach, FL.  I picked up my rental car and drove to my friend, Fonda’s in Delray Beach.

It was sunny and very warm so we hung out at the pool and then visited my favorite place to walk and bird watch – Wakodahatchee Wetlands.

  • Tuesday – It’s hard to get motivated to run when on vacation but I forced myself to get up early and head to Lake Ida to get in a few miles.

And since it was still early, I drove to the beach and walked for while.

The weather was perfect for soaking up some Vitamin D so Fonda and I returned to the beach and spent the afternoon there.

the pictures on the right were from my morning walk…

  • Wednesday – Galentines’s Day and a planned meet-up with blogger Jenny.

But first, I drove to beach to see the sun rise and it was just perfect.  I also had enough time to walk along the beach and pick up some pretty shells.

saw a wedding proposal too…

Then I met Jenny to walk at one of her favorite trails… two hours later we were done and headed to Starbuck’s to continue chatting.

it was so nice to chat with her…

Next, I stopped off at Gumbo Limbo because I wanted to meet Cari‘s mom who volunteers there. I hadn’t been there in years so I stayed for a quick visit (Unfortunately, they are renovating so the rescued turtles were housed elsewhere.)

still lots of interesting fish to see and a butterfly garden

I got back in time to meet Fonda at the pool and then we had dinner out with two of her friends.

  • Thursday –Another busy day in sunny Delray Beach, Florida. I started with some running in Boca Delray, the golf community where Fonda lives

followed by walking at Delray Oaks Natural Area Trail

and the El Rio Trail.

a great place to bike but otherwise disappointing (just a paved road)

The afternoon was spent with Fonda at Morakami Japanese Gardens. We ate lunch there and walked around the beautiful gardens.

beautiful trees, flowers, waterfalls, statues, alligators, birds, fish, turtles, iguanas and more..

Then I switched lodging. I would be staying 3 nights with my tennis friend Laurie who also lived in Delray Beach.

Tonight we had a planned outing to the Delray Open tennis tournament. We saw two great matches.

a exciting 3-setter with 2 unknowns and a nail biting win (7-6, 7-6) by Tiafoe (that ended at midnight)

  • Friday – This morning, I met a former co-worker for a walk/chat and bird watching at Green Cay.

afterward, we joined her hubby for lunch at a nearby deli

Then another perfect beach day with my friend Laurie. On the way home, we stopped at the Pinball Museum (so much fun playing on the old machines) before going to a Mexican restaurant for dinner.

  • Saturday – FOMO. No half marathon this trip as I deferred the A1A Publix Fort Lauderdale Half marathon until next year.

So instead I signed up for a 5k. What was I thinking… an early start and a longish drive.

I kinda forgot about the race and had Mexican food and margaritas for dinner the night before and we went to bed after midnight.

But I did go and my friend Laurie came too. She walked her first 5k.  We had a blast.

won my AG and met Jeannie Rice – what a day!

After a free breakfast at the race, we decided to take the long way home and drove along the coast all the way to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Mar-A-Lago on the bottom right

Last Week –

  • Sunday – This morning I moved to my last stop. 2 nights staying at my college roommate, Barbara’s in Boca Raton.

We were planning to go to an arts festival or the beach.

Nope!  I had my first rainy vacation day.

Plan B – a French movie, a walk in the mall, happy hour, and then a nice dinner out.

a surprise meet-up in the mall with someone who was in the group we went to France with during our junior of college.

  • Monday – Phew, the rain only lasted one day. I started the day with a run around Barbara’s community.

Then we drove to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in Miami. The weather was lovely and there was lots to see (and many freebies.)

On the way home, Barbara insisted that I had to eat at Jaxson’s.

the diet starts when I get home… we did share that foot long hot dog…

In the evening, we went to hear a great Motown group that was playing at a club in Delray Beach.

  • Tuesday – My last day in Florida. 😦

You know that my favorite Florida thing to do is watch the sun rise on the beach.  The weather cooperated and it was again perfect!!

Eventually it was time to say good-by and return my rental car and fly home.

  • Wednesday – I was pooped but I dragged myself out of bed to go to the gym… it had been a long time since my last visit.

UGH!!

It was a work from home day so I could wait until the temps warmed up to go for a lunch run.

the sun made it feel warmer than the temps and just in case you missed pics of Diamond..

I agreed to volunteer with STEM, a group that trains victims of domestic violence to run a 5k. I was scheduled for Mondays but I was away.  I had planned to go tonight but I was too busy with unpacking and laundry.

  • Thursday –  A busy work day but at least again I was WFH so I squeezed in my run before work. It was less windy and warmer than the day before…

I need to start the day like this more often…

Then after work, my monthly dinner with my tennis friends was scheduled.

  • Friday – Gym morning, then just work and mah jongg in the evening.
  • Saturday – Long Run. I ran 10 miles two weeks ago and last weekend only a 5k, so this week, 11 miles was on my schedule as I prepare for the NYC Half on March 17.

It was cold!! And windy! But I had company for most of the run!  Brunch was the best part. LOL

too cold for a runfie… ran/walked the first 4 w/Barbara and then ran the next 4 w/Stan & Sherry, dragged myself thru the last 3 – feeling very out of shape!!

  • Sunday- A visit to the gym and birthday party for 2 friends

This Coming Week on the Run – 

  • Monday – run, STEM mentor
  • Tuesday- gym
  • Wednesday – run
  • Thursday – run
  • Friday – gym
  • Saturday – Long Run
  • Sunday- gym

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

  • Tuesday –  Bridge the Gap 5K Race Recap
  • Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this winter?  How’s the weather where you live? Any vacations planned for this winter? Run any impromptu races? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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30 thoughts on “Weekly Run Down for 2.11.24-2.25.24: Back Up North!!”

  2. Way to make the most of your vacation. Fun to meet Jenny and Cari’s mom too. Weather looked great for a getaway. Glad you got to do a 5K with your friend. Have a great week!

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  5. Love your pictures from your trip. I bet the run around the lake was so pretty. I love walking on the beach with the sunrise! You had a fun and busy two weeks! Glad you ended up with company on your long run.

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  8. Wow, you really made the most of your time here! It must have been fun to meet Cari’s mom. And you did make it to the El Rio trail- it looks great but is so disappointing- I guess it would be fun if you were on a bike.
    Looking forward to your race recap!

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  9. What a fabulous trip, and with three meet-ups! Had you met Cari’s mom before? We might be heading your way again this fall, and if we do, I’ll try to do a little better planning in advance and let you know.

    Congrats on winning your AG, and how fun that you met Jeannie Rice! My friend Miles sent me a picture from his running group’s breakfast last week and Jeannie was there with them. I’d love to meet her some day, too!

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  11. That sounds like such a fabulous trip! How refreshing to go from your winter weather to sunny Florida. Lots of beautiful places there in your photos.
    I had a laugh about the Mexican food and Margharitas the eve before your race! I hope you get some warmer weather… I think we’re all a bit tired of winter now.

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  12. Jaxon’s is insane in the best possible way.
    Funny re: It’s hard to get motivated to run when on vacation. That’s when I’m most motivated for runrise, since seeing new places isn’t applicable in Delray.
    You know they got the turtle right after you went, right? Too funny. Guess you have to go back.:D

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    • It’s hard because I stay with friends and they don’t run. And yes, I’ve been to Delray so many times but that sunrise never gets old. Hope they have turtles next year!!

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  14. OMG! Jaxson’s! I’ve been there! Coconut Grove is my old stomping grounds (UMiami Alum), and I got married in Grove Isle by Key Biscayne.

    This was a packed vacation for you, even if you did defer the half. You got to see jenny AND Cari’s mom???!!! So freaking cool!

    Welcome home – I hope the amazing times continue!

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    • Jaxson’s is unforgettable. So fun to meet fellow bloggers. We need to plan one.
      Yes, my vacation was amazing… cold up here. Lucky you to enjoy that warm climate.

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