Florida

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!