Well, that went fast!

My long awaited warm weather vacation came and went and now I’m back in the frigid Northeast.

Two Weeks Ago –

• Sunday – Another snowstorm and this was our biggest. It wasn’t huge just annoying.

No FOMO on racing since they cancelled the local race that I had registered for.

I wasn’t planning on going anyway since my friend and I had signed for a Galentine’s Day Brunch.

The roads were ok and it was a fun event – delicious food, drinks…

With warm weather predicted, it made packing a little easier… still I brought too much.

• Monday –  I didn’t get up early enough for the gym but at lunch, I went for my last cold weather neighborhood run.

• Tuesday – A very early morning flight (5:30 am) with a long short layover in CTL but everything went smoothly and I picked up my rental car in West Palm and then drove to my friend’s place in Delray Beach.

I met her at the pool and after, per our annual tradition, we walked around a bird sanctuary at dusk and then out to a lovely dinner with an ocean view.

• Wednesday – I dragged myself out of bed and drove to the ocean to see my first ocean sunrise (and it was so worth it).

Since I had free parking until 9 am, I went for a run followed by a walk (along the ocean.)

My next stop was to Gumbo Limbo to see the turtles…

and Cari‘s mom.

My host was finished with her tennis game so we headed to the beach where we met up with two other friends from home.

We ate dinner at the pool watching the sun set.

• Thursday – Another early morning sunrise breakfast

followed by a run/walk…

and then a meet-up (another tradition) with a former co-worker for a stroll at another bird sanctuary followed by a delicious brunch.

My host and I spent a relaxing afternoon at the pool.

In the evening, we met my friends from home to watch some awesome tennis at the Delray Open tournament.

• Friday – Today was my final Delray Beach sunrise breakfast..

I ran around the neighborhoods instead of along the water but after walked along the water.  I bumped into a runner (her photo is below) that I had met on my first run here…. we had chatted and apparently I had convinced her to sign up for the half on Sunday… LOL.

After a farewell lunch with my host, I moved to my former college roommate’s home in Boca Raton.

We decided to head to Lauderdale-by-the Sea for an early dinner… where we met up with friends who had lunch at the same restaurant.

• Saturday – Since it was the day before my race, I opted to rest and only walked my new host’s dog in the morning.

Today’s plans included a 3-hour water taxi ride around Fort Lauderdale (the yachting capital of the world).

And we ended (by my request) with a pizza dinner.

Since it was still early, we stopped by a exhibition open house at a museum in Delray.

• Sunday –  Publix Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon race day.

I met Jenny at an ungodly hour and happily she agreed to drive to Ft. Lauderdale (and I paid for VIP parking).

Still it was advised to arrive at 4:30 am for a 5:50 am race start.

We had no problems and easily parked the car, used the hotel restrooms and took the shuttle to the start.

I should mention that it was very warm, very humid and a breeze (that turned in wind gusts in our faces for the last few miles).

It wasn’t easy. Each half (this was #71) seems to be harder (or I prepare less?) but I loved the course which included running along the ocean, around a park and along the city streets.

Jenny & I didn’t run together (though she did pass by me at mile 11) but I really enjoyed her company before and after the race.

I recovered later at the beach…

And in the evening (can’t believe I was still awake), we celebrated at a nearby happy hour and then attended a Herman’s Hermits concert (ever hear of them?)

Last Week –

• Monday –  Post race recovery included just a walk along the beach since it was too cloudy to see a sunrise…

Afterward, we drove to Deerfield Beach to meet a college friend for lunch…

In the evening, we went to

• Tuesday – My last day in Florida and my first Boca Raton sunrise…

I left early for my drive back to West Palm Beach to catch my flight home (via DCA).. my second flight was delayed but I eventually arrived safely.

• Wednesday – I started the day at the gym…

It was thankfully a WFH day so I could unpack and squeeze my run in at lunchtime.

In the evening, I went out to dinner to celebrate a tennis friend’s birthday.

• Thursday – Another WFH day and a post work run.

After dinner, I met my BFF for a mall walk.

• Friday – Gym before work

and maj jongg in the evening.

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch.

I’m scheduled to run another half marathon in 3 weeks!

Still in recovery mode so I only planned to run/walk 8-9 miles.

The goal was not to fall as there was ICE everywhere.

Deb, Barbara & I ran around parking lots in search of dry turf and then I added a few more miles solo.

Hope to ramp up again next weekend.

• Sunday – The gym and ???

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – run 
• Tuesday – gym
• Wednesday – PM run
• Thursday – AM run, tennis dinner
• Friday – gym, mah jongg chez moi
• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch
• Sunday – (rescheduled) HMRRC Winter Series #5 – 4.5m.

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Publix Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon Race Recap
• Friday – Runfessions

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

 

 

 

 

 

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