Well, that went fast!

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

Two Weeks Ago –

• Sunday – The race that I signed up for got cancelled.

Even so, I wasn’t sure that I would run it.  My plan was to do a long run of 10 miles the day before. With temps of 10 degrees and 50 mph wind gusts that didn’t happen either.

So today, the weather wasn’t much better so after a visit to the gym, I spent the day getting ready for my vacation (cooking meals for the hubby, laundry, packing, etc.) and watching the Olympics (hooray for USA gold in team figure skating)

And also met my BFF for a chat and walk around the mall.

• Monday –  I only worked from home in the morning.

I had a chiro appt at lunch time (my lower back had been achy when I run).

Afterward, I met my friend Jenny for a run. I needed to get in my 10 mile long run (that I skipped over the weekend) and she was kind enough to support me…

the anniversary Starbucks cup!!

It had finally warmed up to double digits but boy was this run a struggle… My legs felt like lead and I just couldn’t get going (Thank goodness  for run walk intervals)

In the evening, I stopped by to visit my granddaughter to give her some Valentine’s Day gifts (all clothes LOL)

• Tuesday – Another WFH day. Gym before work

matchy matchy at the gym and my 2 cats caught licking each other’s faces…

and I was able to squeeze in a run at lunch with Jenny. No sun today and snow on the way… unfortunately my lower back pain returned and this run was meh…

After work, I had a hair appt and then I had to finish packing and try to go to bed early.

• Wednesday – An early morning flight to West Palm, FL (with a long lay over in CTL).

After I arrived, I picked up my rental car and drove to Delray Beach where I was staying for 3 nights.

As we always do, my friend Fonda and I visit a local bird sanctuary and then go out for dinner.

• Thursday – I dragged myself out of bed and drove to the ocean to see my first ocean sunrise (and it was so worth it). I had free parking along the water so I went for a run/walk.

The weather was ideal for the beach so that’s where we spent the afternoon…

until I had a scheduled blogger meet up with Jenny and Debbie at the same bird sanctuary as I visited the day before. We had a great time chatting and Debbie’s husband took some amazing photos.

In the evening we had dinner in town and caught part of an outdoor concert (Journey tribute band).

• Friday – The morning was a repeat of the day before

followed by a visit to a different bird sanctuary (Fonda was busy all day.)

I was killing time because I wanted to visit Gumbo Limbo (when Cari’s mom was there). No parking so I planned it for a later day.

Instead I spent time relaxing at the pool until it was tme to have our farewell dinner and prepare for my race the next morning.

• Saturday – Race of Hope 5k. A new race for me and also meant an early wake up to drive to West Palm for the race.

This was my 2nd Florida 5k and boy do they do it right. Everything worked out so perfectly that I want to run again next year.

After the race, I met some old friends for brunch nearby (we taught together in the ’80s)

Then I headed with Debbie (the one in the middle above) to see some manatees…

before I finally headed back to Delray Beach and to stay with another friend Laurie.

It was still early so we went to the pool.

That evening we had tickets to see the Legends tennis tournament.

Yup, a long day and I was pooped.

• Sunday –  I slept in and had breakfast with Laurie instead of driving to see the sunrise.

We spent the day in West Palm Beach attending a Greek food and wine festival. Afterward we strolled through City Place.

Back in Delray, we went out to a fun dinner and walked around downtown.

Last Week –

• Monday –  Back to my early wake up to catch the sunrise on the ocean. Unfortunately it rained just when the sun was coming up. The rain didn’t last long and I was able to get some running done.

Afterward I got in my visit to Gumbo Limbo to see the turtles and climb the new tower.

Next stop was to my third hostess Barbara in Boca Raton.

It was my second beach day and it was just perfect.

In the evening we had a college reunion with Ronnie (we all went to France together in the 70’s) at a restaurant in Deerfield Beach.

• Tuesday – It was cloudy but a cloudy beach sunrise is better than staying in bed, right?

Today instead of a run, I went on a very long walk on a path that bordered the beach.

It was Mardi Gras and so we made plans to meet up with another college friend Gene at a Cajun restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Afterward we walked around Las Olas.

The evening was low key as we were both tired.

• Wednesday – My last day in Florida and my second Boca Raton sunrise…

Again it was cloudy but so beautiful.

I left early for my drive back to West Palm Beach to catch my flights home.

No snafus. (The predicted snowstorm never materialized.)

• Thursday – I had taken the day off just in case I had flight issues.  Even though I did not, I decided not to work.

I started the day at the gym, followed by errands, unpacking, laundry….

A bigger snowstorm was predicted for Friday and Saturday..

So I enlisted my friend Jenny to accompany on my long run… The temps were great (35 degrees!!)

I got in 11 run/walk/run miles… it wasn’t pretty but it’s done!!

In the evening, I met my BFF for a walk and chat in the mall (she is headed to Fla next week…)

• Friday – Again I went to the gym before work…

Mah jongg was cancelled due to the snowstorm.

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch. We all met for brunch and did our needed miles at various paces .

Although I had already done my long run the day before, I accompanied Deb on her 6 miles at UAlbany.

Somehow I got motivated to declutter… 4 garbage bags of useless race shirts!

• Sunday – The gym and maybe a run since another snowstorm is on the way tonight!!!!

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – run?, granddaughter visit
• Tuesday – gym, tennis dinner
• Wednesday – PT appt, run
• Thursday –  run, STEM board mtg
• Friday – gym, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch, teacher reunion brunch
• Sunday – gym

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Race of Hope 5k Race Recap
• Friday – Runfessions

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

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