I’m back from my tennis vacation in Naples, Florida (check out FB for many pix) and while I was there, I celebrated my birthday.

Last Week –

• Saturday – We had arrived on Thursday and today we continued with similar activities to Friday.

My friends took a tennis lesson and I went for a short run/walk (the heat and humidity were tough). After my run, I joined them to play doubles.

Then we packed a lunch and headed to the beach where we relaxed, cooled off, read, enjoyed the sunshine (and often walked to a nearby restaurant with a bar).

Eventually we left and in the evening, we went out to dinner.

• Sunday – Tropicool 5k.

Except for last year when I was recovering from a broken foot, I’ve run this race during this vacation.  I’m not sure why since 5ks in the heat are a challenge.  Again it was and again I enjoyed it. I even won my age group.

I rushed home to play tennis with my friends. Then instead of the beach, we visited the Naples Botanical Gardens.

For dinner, we drove to Ft. Myers to go to the Broadway Palm Theatre. The food was great and the show, The Addams Family Musical, was awesome.

• Monday – As most days, I went for a short run/walk before playing tennis.

We chose a different beach today (Clam Pass) and it was beautiful.

Tonight was book club night. We got take out (instead of going out to a restaurant) and had a great discussion on The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.

• Tuesday – Pretty much the same as the previous morning except that I didn’t play tennis.

In the afternoon, we went back to the beach we visited last week (Vanderbilt).

Tonight was my favorite dinner yet. We ate at a nice French restaurant (with Annie, the lady from whom we rent each year.)

• Wednesday – This morning, I went for a long walk instead of a run and then played tennis.

Since this was our last night, I wanted to see a sunset. So we went to the beach we visited on Monday since it had a restaurant.

We spent the afternoon there and even stayed for dinner.

And as in everyday, the weather was perfect. The sunset was gorgeous.

• Thursday – MY BIRTHDAY!  Several of my friends had to leave early. But I still enjoyed being on vacation on my birthday.

Of course I had to run/walk 7.1k (more walk than run) and then get my free coffee.

Afterward, we packed up, went out to lunch and then headed to the airport.

Happily, the flights home were uneventful.

• Friday – I took the day off from work to recover from my vacation.

I went to the gym first thing.

After unpacking and laundry, I took a quick trip to Washington Park to check out the tulips.

Then I played mah jongg in the evening.

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch Day.

I had FOMO today since there were two races that I had wanted to run.

But I had been really slacking off on my long runs and I have a half marathon in ONE week!

I got to the rail trail early to run a few miles with Barbara and then was joined by others.

It was hard but I got it done.

For brunch I just chatted and had coffee since I was going out to lunch with my stepson, DIL and granddaughter.

• Sunday –  It will be a gym visit… maybe some yard work or hike (weather dependent).

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday –  run, birthday dinner with my BFF
• Tuesday – GYM, walk with friends
• Wednesday – run, TC mentoring
• Thursday – run
• Friday – train to NYC, expo, carb load
• Saturday –RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon
• Sunday – recovering in NYC, train home

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Tropicool 5k Race Recap
• Friday –  5 Great Things About Running Friends

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this spring?  How’s the weather where you live? Are the flowers blooming? Do you always try to find a race when on vacation? Have you read The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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