Distance

Speed: 6.6 miles at a relaxed pace

Distance: 6.6 miles

Time: 66:43

Performance Stats (out of 5 ★)

Legs: ★ ★ ★ ★

Gut: ★ ★ ★ ★

Energy:  ★ ★ ★ ★

Mind:  ★ ★ ★ ★ .5

Overall:  ★ ★ ★ ★

Soundtrack:  Far East Movement, Free Wired

     As we speak, I am charging my headlamp through my computer. I was very proud of bringing my morning light with me to Florida. I was even smart enough to remember to bring the special charger that goes with this thing. But, as I made my way to the elevator down to the hotel lobby this morning, I pushed the light button to find that the charge in the battery was red - no good!

     I decided to give it a go anyway. For those who have been following this blog for a while, you will recall when I first got into this morning running thing, I was always doing it in the dark. Turns out, that does kinda freak me out, and I have been much more content to run with my headlamp.

     Fastforward two years to today, and of course its a new moon out - so no help there. My headlamp does manage to get me almost out to the first turn-around point before cutting out. This is good, because I was able to see that there were no wandering coconuts on the sidewalk this morning! The trail is obviously unfamiliar to me, as we are down here on conference, but it is very flat, not strewn with any debris, and there are a few hotels and communities on the street that have their own lights.

     I'm not sure what ended up spooking me more: the armadillo or the shirtless guy also going out for a run in the dark. I confirmed the armadillo was an armadillo with the bell hop after I got back to the hotel. Those little creatures are just so mysterious to me - since we don't have them in New England, and they are just so odd. They scamper like New York City rats, so it put the spook into me as it scurried away. The dude with his shirt off was a little more familiar, but he did seem to come out of nowhere.

     So I'm charing up my headlamp, but tomorrow I may either run some in the afternoon, or switch it up and see what the gym here has to offer. We have the 5K in two days, so I may just sleep in! We'll see. Keep you posted. Enjoy the day everyone, and I hope you can get a good run in.

Speed

Speed: Hotel recommended 5K at near race pace

Distance: 3.3 miles

Time: 27:26

Performance Stats (out of 5 ★)

Legs: ★ ★ ★ ★

Gut: ★ ★ ★ ★

Energy:  ★ ★ ★ .5

Mind:  ★ ★ ★ ★

Overall:  ★ ★ ★ ★

Soundtrack:  Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon

     OK, the coolest things this morning - I was dodging coconuts on the ground in the dark while on my run!

     There is nothing like getting out of single digit temperature morning runs and coming down to Florida where it was 61 degrees this morning to get you back on the road and back on the blog. Keeping up with my New Year's resolution, I am getting back to trying to blog out to all of you runners out there after all of my runs.

     So I am down here in lovely Bonita Springs, Florida. I wasn't quite sure where this was initially, but it's beautiful. The Wikipedia page says it's motto is, "Small town charm, big bright future". It's on the Southwest coast of Florida and you fly in and out of Fort Meyers.

     Our hotel is beautiful and my room is great. I am down here for the APGO Scholars and Leaders program, and for (that's right, my favorite conference of the year!) the Faculty Development Seminar. Of course there is the 5K this weekend, and I love this race too! Nothing like hanging out with a whole bunch of Running Obstetricians all in one place.

     Today's run was perfect. I am just feeling so into it this year. My legs are healthy, the weather has been great in Connecticut, so I have stayed on the road, and I think that I am going to be able to get in some great runs and some great races this year. Today's out and back run was a recommendation of the front desk. It really is the quiet road that gets you down to the hotel from the main drag. Totally flat, and totally safe - except for the fallen coconuts and occasional rogue sprinkler! I finished the run in good time, and am ready for some learning.

     I hear there are some beaches and trails to explore around here. I'll see if I can't get in an afternoon / evening distance run one of these days, and let you all know what they have around here. Until then, take care, take it easy, and keep on running!

APGO 5K Suds Run & Walk

Race: APGO 5K Suds Run & Walk

Date: January 11, 2015

Location: Palm Springs, CA

Official Time: 20:37

Official Lap: 7:38

Place: 5 / 68

Race Stats

Speed: ★ ★ ★ ★ .5 (fast, fast, fast)

Hills:  .5 (not a one)

Crowd: ★ ★  (good showing for APGO, but not crowded)

Party: ★ ★ ★ ★ .5 (love the beer garden at the finish)

T-Shirt: ★ ★ ★ .5 (classic!)

     This year's AGPO 5K Suds Run & Walk lived up to all of the hype (well, my own hype for myself). Check out the page dedicated to the race for some great photos. I love this run, and we had a great showing of 68 registered runners and walkers this year. This is a record, and I think most of those registered ran, so that was probably a record itself.

     This race is great for two reasons. One, it's the first race of the new year for me. I usually fall off the wagon some time in November / December - after all of my fall races have finished up, and the tendonitis has settled in. This race is a little boost to get back on track, and a good litmus test for how the Spring races are going to start off. This year is looking pretty good!

     Second, this race really lets everyone attending the conference see you get all sweaty and breathless. Even the most important folks in the organization, and the most prestigious speakers end up like the rest of us at the finish line - a little redder in the face, out of breath and sweaty. It's a little easier to make introductions, and this lasts through the whole conference. I've made some good connections around this little race.

     Starting last year, APGO really turned it up a notch, and we have a wonderful beer garden at the end of the race. It's a perfect end to a great run, and gives you the opportunity to make some new friends - which I was able to do this year!

     The race course this year was nicely staffed and marked. The run was a simple out-and-back on flat roads making for a quick run. I spent some time going out chatting a little bit with some of the runners, and then made a break for it. My overall run was great, and my time was the best ever - that's when I realized that we ended up running a shorter course. Of course, everyone (including me!) was pretty excited to see that the final distance was more like 2.7 miles, rather than 3.1. This probably won't count towards any official race times for the year, but it was a lot of fun.

     Like always, I'll be looking forward to this run next year - Florida here we come. And from the looks of things, I think that this race season is going to start off pretty strong. Thanks APGO, and see you soon!