Florida: The Runshine State

When Mark and I were planning our trip to Florida (with stops in Cincinnati and Atlanta), I had grand plans to take fancy boutique classes, make use of the reciprocal Y membership and get in amazing workouts.

Alas, I never walked into the Y or registered for OrangeTheory (even though I made a last-ditch effort to do so).

But amazing runs ... I did get those.

Since the last time we visited, Mark's family moved to a new neighborhood – which happens to be conveniently located near a well-paved trail and just a few miles from a beautiful wilderness preserve.

For my first run, I hit up the John Starkey Wilderness Preserve, which boasts a 6.7-mile loop. It would have been my MO to go the whole distance but since it was my first week of marathon training, I thought I'd stick to the plan.

I ran a 1.5-mile warmup, 1.5 miles at tempo and a 2-mile cool down. Just before I began the tempo section, I stopped to retie my shoes. I looked up from my Saucony Guides and saw the cutest, most fearless fawn.

And then I began the push. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much as it was hot and humid but I nailed the pace – not running too fast and feeling like I couldn't go farther.

Now, the cool down was a bit of a slog. All of my southern runs were good up until the last mile when I was just sapped from the conditions.

The next day, I opted for the Starkey Road trail to cut down on commute time as we had plans to go to the Florida Aquarium that morning. I wasn't expecting it to be as pretty as the preserve but there were pockets where the trees and brush seemed to glow in the morning light.

Unlike the previous day, when I saw mostly cyclists, I saw lots of runners out on the trail. I waved to the first passerby and didn't get much of a response, and I wondered if I was in for a grumpy group. But no! Most everyone was nice, and I was taken aback when a fellow runner said "Nice job!" It was a small phrase but it really did give me a boost.

I had been hoping to get in one more run on Friday morning but we altered our travel plans to avoid traffic in Atlanta (didn't work) but all-in-all, it was a successful week of running on vacation and seeing Florida in its glory beat the gym every second.

Do you run on vacation?

Weekly Training Update: 7/14-7/20

Training for a goal half marathon doesn't stop when you go on vacation.

And I'm so glad for that.

This week my workouts have taken me to Arbor Day Farms, home of Arbor Day, in Nebraska City to Davidson Mesa outside Boulder to the top of the world in Rocky Mountain National Park.

All the while, we've driven 1,200 miles and spent time with some of my favorite people in the world. Some might not like the pressure of fitting in runs and workouts while balancing vacation fun but this week has been some of the most fun training I've had in a long time.

The week, in training:

Monday, July 14
RUN | 5 miles

Time: 46:55     Pace: 9:22

Plan: 2-mile WU; 5 x [30 seconds uphill at hard effort, walk down rest; 75 seconds 5K effort, walk down rest]; 1-mile CD.
Since I can't find good hills in my neighborhood and I'm taking this training seriously, I hit the treadmill for this workout. For the hills, I did the 30 seconds hard at 7.5 (8:00 pace) and the 75 seconds 5K effort at 7.3 (8:13 pace). Incline was at 4.0 for first two intervals, 4.5 for second two and 5.0 for last. It felt tough for sure.

Tuesday, July 15
CYCLE | 10.25 miles
Time: 50:00     Pace: 12.4 mph

Let me say this: It's totally weird to ride in the dark. I woke up early to ride, taking the long way to the YMCA. I did some upper body exercises and then rode home.

Wednesday, July 16
RUN | 6.6 miles
Time: 58:10     Pace: 8:49

Workout: 2-mile WU; 4 x 1 mile @ 10K pace; 1-mile CD
Goal pace for the repeats was 8:20 but thanks to the awesome support of my husband, we were able to nail it - with negative splits. 8:13, 8:11, 8:08, 8:00. It was definitely tough at the end and I sort of wanted to die but I really showed up. The weather didn't hurt either thanks to the second coming of the polar vortex.

Thursday, July 17
RUN | 3.21 miles
After a 10-hour drive (not including stops), my legs were happy to go for a run. My heart was happier to be able to run with my best friend. Our time together is never enough so it was great to have a few miles without kids and husbands.

Friday, July 18
REST 

Saturday, July 19
RUN | 3.4 miles + 1.23-mile run commute to cycling
First run at altitude, and it was as difficult as I remembered.

CROSS TRAINING | Indoor cycling class
I visited the nearby rec center, and I really enjoyed the class. The instructor was very "Boulder" and welcoming. The workout featured some sprints and steady flats. A few climbs, too.

Sunday, July 20
RUN | 9.05 miles
Time: 1:27:54     Pace: 9:43

I did the first 4 with Mark around Louisville, Colorado, and then finished the last 5 around Davidson Mesa. The views were breathtaking, and I was completely enamored when I saw horses. Good thing, though, that my sister-in-law told me later that I could have also spotted rattlesnakes. Ick!

Room for improvement

Mark and I like vacations.

Vacations just don't like us.

No matter the trip - short or long, far or near - our jaunts always seemed to be a comedy of errors. Lost luggage, stomach bugs, canceled flights, stomach bugs, forgotten documents, stomach bugs. And our trip to Dearborn was no exception.

I had originally booked a room in the official race hotel but canceled it in a mental lapse/budget fury. While it was affordable, I was sure I could find something cheaper. And cheaper I found. I got a room at the Motown Inn in Lincoln Park for $39, plus taxes and fees - half of the Comfort Inn. The hotel was 2.5 stars on Hotwire, and the amenities included continental breakfast, a fitness room, pool and wireless internet.

Just one thing. I booked the room at Motown Inn and when I showed up, all the signage said Sleep Inn. I was panicked. While I have had luck with Hotwire, I feared that I had gotten duped. Either the address was wrong or the hotel didn't exist or ...

Or the Motown Inn bought the Sleep Inn building and is too cheap to get a sign. I figured that one out when I called the number on the itinerary from a street blocked off by a chain link fence.

But all was well with the world because we had a room. Room No. 319, in case you were interested. You weren't? I'm pretty sure the desk clerk thought you were because she announced it to the whole (albeit empty) lobby.

Room 319 was nice.

There was a TV. A cathode-ray TV. My grandma has nicer.

It had a view. Of train tracks and a highway.

The breakfast buffet, which the desk clerk waxed on about, featured sausage patties, egg patties and the high quality juice drink, Sunny D. In a jug.

Of course, those weren't my favorite features. No my favorite part was something a bit more special.

A dirty elevator? Nope not it.

My favorite part of our Motown experience was the accommodating desk clerk. When I inquired about a bar on site, she politely said that the hotel did not sell beer.

Emphasis on hotel.

The clerk did know of some guests who had alcohol. She could call around, she said. When I told her it wasn't necessary, she gave another solution. Apparently guests offer her alcohol at check in, which she politely refuses, but she was willing to accept on our behalf. When she had collected some beer, she would give us a ring.

Nice. Right? Right!

So the lesson in all of this: Staying at the race hotel is worth $40.