Ah… a little Vitamin D is just what I needed. A week ago, I scored a few days out of town in Sunny Florida, and it was a great recharge. I had no way to predict that I’d walk back into a house of puking kids, a number of crises at work, and a body that felt like it was fighting off the dreaded virus. So yes, a few days away was exactly what I needed, both mentally and physically.
It was this lucky convergence of events – the kids were with their dad for a couple of days, I didn’t have to work a Saturday concert, I had some airline miles, and I had Presidents’ Day off. So after working a Friday night concert I hit the road early Saturday morning for a few days of fun in the sun and visiting friends.
I used to live in Tampa but hadn’t been back in over a year, when I had a quick stopover after racing Challenge Florida 2015. And before that it had been since the Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend in 2014 when I had a fantastic weekend with my daughter and ran the inaugural Glass Slipper Challenge. It was great to go back and drive around the city, see my old house, and visit the orchestra where I used to work – I attended concerts and caught up with everyone for two nights in a row.
I also had some great fun hanging out with triathlon friends. I picked up my friend Dave Orlowski from the airport and we drove out to Clearwater Beach. We walked over to the beach and found some food and relaxed.
However, as we ate, the fog rolled in and ruined the actual beach plans.
So when my friend Stephanie joined us along with another couple, we just stuck to the beach bar and enjoyed ourselves.
On Sunday, I joined my friend Sarah for her usual Pure Barre class. That was tough but awesome! I hadn’t done barre in a long time, and it reminded me how I need to spend time focusing on core, legs, and arm strength workouts.
I had a chance to run in the sun on Monday — thank you, Presidents’ Day holiday!
It was amazing to just soak in the beach on a day when I’d normally be working.
And the Florida sunshine through the trees.
And remember that I used to live there but moved away. I wondered why I ever left…
It was totally therapeutic after all the cold weather running in the DC area! Here’s a short video to show you where I ran:
Today I’m dealing with puking kids at home in DC, so I thought I’d relive my Monday running outside by the beach in Florida! Ahhhh can’t I go back to my Monday Funday? . . #running #motherrunner #runchat #runnersofinstagram #instarunners #runflorida #southshoretricoach #sstc #ironmantraining #marathontraining #halfironmantraining #halfmarathontraining #swimbikerun #triathlontraining #triathlete #beach #womenfortri #whywetri #zoomanation #rocknblog #racewithbase #teamsoas
(If you can’t see the video, you can find it here.)
That afternoon, I had a meeting at the IRONMAN offices with the IRONMAN Foundation.
I’ve been working with them for a few months – beginning in December for the World Championship Premiere Broadcast Viewing Party. I’m managing their social media and it’s been a fun, exciting project. I have a passion for nonprofits (I’ve spent my career in the nonprofit arts world), and also for triathlon – so it’s been great to put those two together to promote the great work that the Foundation is doing in race communities. Be sure to follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for lots of exciting stuff that will be happening this year!
My work with the IRONMAN Foundation is going to make 2017 a really epic year. To that end, follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop! I’m telling you… epic year ahead. Not only am I doing my first full Ironman (Ironman Lake Placid), but I’ll be doing some other cool travel to races.
Finally, it was time to come home. I was excited to see the kids, but returned to what I called “Puke City” – I’ll spare you the details but you get the idea.
Thankfully, I was spared the dreaded stomach virus. I suppose washing my hands 1,000 times a day and wearing gloves to deal with the sick kids paid off, but it really did a number on my workouts this week. I couldn’t leave my youngest’s side to get on the bike, and I fell asleep with him at 8:30-9:00pm in the evenings and had trouble waking up in the mornings.
I felt lethargic and in a fog the rest of the week, and my body just didn’t feel right. I think my body was fighting it off, judging from the way I was stockpiling sleep, so I’m glad to have escaped essentially unscathed from the illness.
The workouts I got in were a struggle, but at least it was mild weather back in Maryland, so my Friday run was slow but refreshing!
This week is a new week and a chance for a fresh start!
When was the last time you took a trip?
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