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.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

I hate winter and cold temps!!

So I can’t wait to leave town and run in a skirt!!!

Counting the days…

Until then, just getting my runs done!

Last Week –

• Sunday – Rest Day!  I started at the gym and then got lots done including a needed manicure, car wash, etc.
• Monday – Day Off in order to hike with my running friend Heidi.

I got up early to get my run done. It was freezing so I decided to postpone it until the next day.

Heidi and I headed south (though it was still very cold) and our first stop was Thomas Cole Historic Site. From there we walked across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and back (so windy but the sun felt awesome).

We had a delicious lunch nearby (with a water view) and then drove to the Olana Historic Site where walked some of the trails.

6.3 miles on our feet for the day before we stopped for dessert on the way home.

• Tuesday – I went to the gym early and then at lunch, I rushed out to do my run (as I needed to burn off calories before my dinner with my stepson later on.)

still chilly but day 4 of sunshine. Woo Hoo!

• Wednesday – Can we make it 5 in a row?  Sunny days, I mean?

Yes! So an after work run followed by a walk in the mall with my BFF.

lucky to have that extra daylight.. but still icy heading west..

The sunset was amazing but my friend’s photo is better than mine:

• Thursday – Another early morning gym day. Still chilly (20s) but lots of sunshine!!!

I thought I’d have company for my after work run at UAlbany.

Instead I ran alone and chose the other end of the rail trail.

I do love all the views of the creek at this end of the bike path.

• Friday – Rest day. It was supposed to rain but it was again sunny. So I took a quick walk at lunch…

first time on the waterline behind my house since the summer..

visited my granddaughter after work

I’m biased but she is the cutest..

and ended the day with the mah jongg ladies.

• Saturday – Long Run and brunch day.. We were finally able to run on the rail as the snow has melted.  My plan was for 10 miles or as many miles as my ankle could handle.

Intervals and a friend got me through it and even the rain held off.

10 miles and “fake spring”

After brunch, I rushed off to my hair appt.

• Sunday –  It will be a gym visit… or maybe my first race (a free local one) or perhaps I will walk it like the last one… hopefully the weather will be better.

it poured the whole race (and we walked)

And then start packing for my Florida trip.

What no pictures of new kitty?

Champ has started to tolerate Diamond…

This Coming Week and Next Week on the Run – 

• Monday-Tuesday- Vacation with friends in Delray Beach and Boca Raton, Florida
• Wednesday-Friday – unpack and regroup, gym visits and short runs. STEM mentoring also starts, monthly tennis dinner
• Saturday – Long Run (11-12 miles)
• Sunday – GYM

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Things I’ve Learned to Love About Running
• Friday – 5 Things I Love About Myself

Next Week on the Blog –

• Sunday – WRD postponed a week
• Tuesday –  Running Pet Peeves
• Friday – Runfessions

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this winter?  How’s the weather where you live? Did you experience “fake spring”? Any vacations planned for this winter? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

…as opposed to backward.

The ankle feels fine so it’s hard to hold back.

But walking down the stairs reminds me that it’s not 100%.

Last Week –

• Sunday – I mentioned in my last WRD that I always participate in our local free Winter races…

last year

I had run 6 miles the day before and the weather was awful – cold, rainy – so I was just going to go the gym.

My running friend Heidi (pictured above) asked me to go with her. She said she would even walk the distance (3.75 miles).

So I agreed.

However, the weather got worse and she tried to bail.

“Nope, I said.  You got me out here. We’re doing this.”

And we did. We survived!

nice to catch up with lots of racing friends and enjoy the chili, cookies and hot cocoa afterward.

phew… we beat the 91 year old

We didn’t look as nice after the race. LOL.

• Monday – Back WFH so I had time to go to the gym before work

my driveway (top) and view from the gym (bottom)

and was able to find some dry roads to get some miles in at lunch.

the snow made it feel colder than the temps… my new kitty had the right idea

• Tuesday – I had to go to the office this afternoon but I thought that I might go to the gym first thing.

but she was on my lap so how could I leave??

I did do my run afterward at UAlbany where the paths are always clear.

They call me “mellow yellow..” Anyone know that song?

• Wednesday – Rest day from running and so I forced myself to the gym instead before work.
• Thursday – No WFH today so I had to run after work and again at UAlbany.  Glad to have some company this time!

thanks Heidi…

• Friday – NO WFH again today… nada except Mah Jongg in the evening.

• Saturday – Long Run and brunch day.. Searching for clear paths to get 8 miles done.

I was happy to find out that the Nisky bike path was clear in both directions.  But I was bummed that my running companions were either sick or on vacation.  So I tackled the 8 miles alone and then enjoyed brunch with two friends.

it was freezing out but the sun felt amazing!!

I was able to get al my errands done in time to go to the movies…

❤ ❤ – esp the scenes of Paris

• Sunday –  It will be a gym visit…

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – Day Off so a run followed hopefully by a hike
• Tuesday-Friday – rehabbing my ankle and training for NYC.
• Saturday – Long Run – 9 or 10 mile run/walk, brunch with running friends, hair appt.
• Sunday – GYM or 4.5 mile local (free) race.

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday –  Worst Running Habits
• Friday – What I Love About Working Out

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

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.