First NYC and then Naples, Florida!

First work and then fun!

Two Weeks Ago –

• Sunday – Since I had not done the extra miles I had planned after the rainy 5k the day before, I decided that instead of the gym, to go for a short run.

My ulterior motive was to see if any if the tulips had bloomed yet in Washington Park.

I continued my run/walk around the park and spotted some cherry blossoms.

I then spent most of the day getting ready for two different trips. Cooking countless meals for my hubby and packing!!

• Monday – I took an early morning train to NYC. Once I arrived at Penn Sta, the plan was for a blogger meet-up.

Yes, Catrina, after her fantastic Boston marathon experience, with her hubby rented a house on LI. They drove into Manhattan and met me at Starbucks. Cari joined us, as well.

Afterward, I checked into my hotel and filled my day with some fun activities.

I ran to Rockefeller Center

and then took the subway to the Conservatory Gardens of Central Park…

 I ran around nearby Harlem Meer, had lunch and ran some more around Central Park.

Eventually I took the subway back and visited Macys.

In the evening, I went to a Broadway Show and then walked back to my hotel after..

I try to make the most out of my non-work time in NYC.

• Tuesday – Work in the Financial District (in a new location).

After work, I took the subway back to my hotel and changed my clothes.  I had thought I would have enough time to run but decided instead to go the Hudson Yards mall to see the Downton Abbey mannequins.

After, I took the subway uptown to meet a local friend for dinner.

• Wednesday – Work again in the Financial District, subway back to the hotel for my bag and then the train home.
• Thursday – Early morning fight to Ft. Myers, FL (with a connection in Philly). NO FLIGHT DRAMA!

Once we arrived and got our luggage, we picked up rental cars and headed to Naples for lunch and then checked into our villas (the same ones we rent each year.)

We spent the rest of day relaxing at the pool, grocery shopping and unpacking.

• Friday – First Florida run while the others were taking a tennis lesson.

When they were done, I joined them for some doubles (Grateful that they allowed this rusty player on the court.)

After tennis, we packed a lunch and headed to the beach. And after the beach, we had a lovely dinner out.

• Saturday –  Pretty much the same as Friday but a different beach and a Peruvian restaurant for dinner.

Last Week –

• Sunday – Tropicool 5k.

Although I’ve run  this race before, this year, they changed the location. It was held in Baker Park.

I was pooped from all that activity the day before but I can never resist a race.

It was warm and very humid but I was glad that I did it.

We had two newbies on our trip this year so we planned a trolley tour of the city instead of tennis and the beach.

That was perfect since it did rain!

Tonight we went to a dinner theater in Ft. Myers.

• Monday – Another day of a short run, tennis and the beach.

But instead of going out, since it was book club night, we ate at the pool and had a lively discussion of the book, The Most..

Back in 2005, when we started this annual vacation in Naples, we went to The Dock restaurant and took a group photo.  After our book discussion, we headed there for dessert/drinks.

• Tuesday – More of the same… run, tennis, beach, delicious dinner out (with a birthday dessert)…

• Wednesday – Last full day of vacation. In addition to our usual activities, tonight we went on sunset cruise…

• Thursday – Last Florida run.

And we said good-bye to the lady who our rented us these villas for 20 years!!

I mentioned above that there was no flight drama on the way here.

I can’t say the same about the way home…

We left around 11:30am for the airport and waited several hours there while they fixed our plane.  We would have missed our Philly connection so we changed to flying thru Charlotte.

Well, there were thunderstorms in Charlotte and our flight didn’t take off until 1am!!!

Yup, I got home around 3:30am.  😦

• Friday – MY BIRTHDAY!

And it poured all day.

I had plans with a friend to visit the gardens at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, MA, followed by retail therapy at our favorite consignment shop and then out for ice cream. In the evening, I was going to be playing mah jongg.

My friend cancelled and mah jongg was a no go, as well. My hubby made plans to go to a tennis party (since I was busy).

My choice was staying home, unpacking and doing laundry or… going by myself in the rain.

It was wet but I’m glad I went and they gave me a dozen tulips as a gift.  I did skip the ice cream and instead went out to dinner with that friend when I got home.

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch.  

The past two weekends, I had only run a 5k race and my runs on vacation were only a mile or two. I was lucky to have company to drag me though 6 miles. At least, the rain had stopped.

I finally did that laundry and went to dinner to celebrate my birthday with my hubby, stepson, his wife and daughter.

• Sunday – Mother’s Day.

I plan to go to the gym and then to visit my MIL.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – run, walk with a friend
• Tuesday – gym, walk
• Wednesday – TC run (week 8)
• Thursday – CDPHP Workforce Challenge (3.5M)
• Friday – gym, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch
• Sunday – gym

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Tropicool 5k Race Recap
• Friday –  5 Tips for Building Mental Toughness

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this spring? How’s the weather? Are you having a lot of rain? Any vacations planned? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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