Ahhh....
... a week at the beach.
... a much needed dose of perspective.
... a necessary time to unwind.
Did I run? Of course. I love running when we are there. Sometimes I'll run on the paved bike lane right along the beachfront road. Other times, I will run through the neighborhoods and admire the lovely cottages. It was already knocking on 80 degrees each morning when I headed out. My route is usually determined by the direction in which I can feel the most breeze. The wind along the beach is sometimes blocked by the dunes and it will feel cooler a few blocks away. As per usual, I looped around the mailbox where I had stashed my water and Gatorade.
This should have been my first week of training for the Chicago marathon, but I just ran for enjoyment. Because of the heat and coastal humidity, these were not easy runs and they ranged from 5 to 7 miles each. My total weekly mileage was 28, so I feel I didn't slack off on my first week. However, the overwhelming majority of my time was spent with my rear in a beach chair, watching my almost grown kids digging holes (uh huh...weird) and my grandson doing exactly as they did. I worked on my Fitbit tan and took several beach strolls as well.
Delicious seafood was eaten (Oysters Rockefeller is my favorite!), ice cream enjoyed, and refreshing margaritas consumed. {That's all I'll say about that!} We are admitted Putt Putt enthusiasts (I guess some call it Mini Golf?). It's something we all still love to play and, let me tell you, it's gets extremely competitive! It all boils down to who can beat PoPo. It's not easy my friends, and we all take delight in it IF we can manage to do so. Each night after dinner, you could find us at our favorite course. They pay so much attention to detail and keep it absolutely pristine.
Returning to work on Monday is always a rude awakening. It's back to reality...and the start of official marathon training. I did read quite a few blogs but it was too difficult to comment on some just using my phone. Sorry if I missed you!
Any Putt Putt (Mini Golf) addicts out there?
Has anyone else started training for their fall marathon?
I'm linking up with Tara who is the gracious host of the wonderful Weekend Update.
Please visit Tara as well as all of the participating bloggers.
You're going to do just fine for Chicago. You have a good base, and training in the heat gives you bonus miles, I think!
ReplyDeleteFrom your lips to the running gods ears. And thanks, I needed that.
DeleteI ran beside a lake with short sandy beaches here and there and a marina at the Lewis & Clark Rec Area in South Dakota. Pretty humid today so I wasn't hard on myself about my pace even though I'm trying to be Missoula Marathon ready (7/12).
ReplyDeleteI try not to worry about my pace in the humidity, but it's hard. I've never been to South Dakota! I'm sure you will be ready for Missoula.
DeleteSounds like a lovely vacation! I bet those runs were hard. It's great that you still found time for training while on vacation. It's exciting that marathon training is starting for you!
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed running there so I couldn't pass it up. I'm excited too! I need to finalize my training plan. I may just wing it.
DeleteSounds like a great time! I can't wait to get back to the beach myself!
ReplyDeleteFunny how the beach just helps you forget your troubles and slows everything down.
DeleteYour week at the beach sounds divine! Now that my tri is in the history books, Twin Cities Marathon training must commence...tomorrow! Cannot wait to see you rock Chicago!
ReplyDeleteI'm eagerly awaiting your TRI recap. I've got to get my training in gear else Chicago will rock me!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful week! The beach sounds so relaxing! Love playing putt putt golf and sounds like you played on a great course! You were on vacation and still won the Fitbit challenge! :) You will do great training for Chicago!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I had a Fitbit chance this past week, but I ended up running more than planned. Thanks for the support.
DeleteIt sounds like you had a LOVELY trip!!!!! And great mileage for being on vaca!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love running at the beach. I have to do something to counteract the lazy afternoons and massive calorie intake.
DeleteYou vacation sounds just perfect. I love mini golf, lemon ade ritas and the BEACH!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes our vacations are just GO GO GO (and I love those) but it's nice to have one where you can kick back occasionally.
DeleteOH! I'm so jealous!! This sounds like such a fun trip, H! I'm so glad you were able to take some time off and enjoy the beach; everything is better at the beach, isn't it? I think so, anyway. Congrats on starting fall marathon training!! My marathon isn't until December, so I'm not really sure it counts as a "fall" race; I'll start training in September. Thanks so much for linking up with the blog today; hope your Monday goes well!
ReplyDeleteI think the mornings well definitely start feeling better come September. I have another marathon scheduled for January so I get enjoy much cooler training for that one.
DeleteOh mercy - I am so a Putt Putt addict. I was raised playing with my family & now me & the hubs take it WAY too seriously :)
ReplyDeleteIf it hadn't been so crowded, we would have played back to back rounds. Seriously. We do that too. I've decided I need my own putter. HA!
DeleteThis looks like such a great vacation! I love mini golf. And I noticed this weekend that I've got a fit bit tan going as well :)
ReplyDeleteI guess that's what happens when you wear the Fitbit 24/7. I don't shower with mine although I hear some people do. I guess nobody is going to see it!
DeleteLove the beach. Hubby isn't as into it so we almost never get there. And I'm only half crazy.
ReplyDeleteOh, I've been plenty half crazy for years now. I get it! The half is my FAVORITE.
DeleteMy husband and daughters love miniature golf but we haven't played in years. Maybe we'll take our grandson sometime soon. Thanks for the reminder. It sounds like you did a great job still getting in all those miles even while on vacation! Nice work. Glad you had a nice get-away!
ReplyDeleteMy grandson is so good at it! Strangers watching couldn't believe he was only 5. We all over analyze our shots and he just goes up and hits the ball without thought. And it works.
DeleteI love running by the beach when I'm on vacation! I'm a terrible mini-golfer, but it's still fun :). And don't even worry about your training for Chicago. You had a great week of running on vacation and your body will probably thank you for a little relaxation. You'll do great!
ReplyDeleteI even love beach runs when rain is threatening. I hope this old body will hold up through training! I may need a lot of relaxation between now and then.
DeleteSounds like a great week! We have a 3 day weekend coming up in Captiva and I cannot wait! Hope you got thru your Monday ok- it always stinks coming back to work! and yes, I am a putt putt fan!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy that 3 day weekend. Actually today was not as bad as I expected. Tomorrow it will catch up with me!
DeleteAhhh the scene of your Fitbit victory!! Congrats by the way. I would love a beach vacation very soon!
ReplyDeleteI had no intention of having that big of a number. But I ran more than I planned, walked on the beach every afternoon and then played putt putt. It snuck up on me. Thanks for participating! You had a great number too!!
DeleteI love my mountains, but I also love the beach. Running near a beach or on a beach, you've got me dreaming of a beach vacation right now!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely didn't just relax, I saw your Fitbit numbers you totally rocked it! I was away from internet service Friday afternoon through the weekend, so I never did get to do the final sync up, but it doesn't matter I was still not quite doing enough to be near the top:) Maybe this week:)
Your numbers have been high too! I didn't think I would be anywhere close to the top last week. Some of you others had off weeks (or didn't sync). Seriously -- on Saturday I didn't not move from my beach chair all day. Absolutely worthless. Ahhh...fun.
DeleteMy parents and I always do a round of mini golf at Disney and my dad usually wins. I've never beaten him but my mom has once or twice and she is happy when she does.
ReplyDeleteWe've only played at Disney once, but it was fun. It's hard to beat my husband but we have done it a few times.
DeleteTraining in this heat is going to be a big challenge. 16 weeks to go. I'm like you, I'll get a hole in one and the very next hole hit the max strokes allowed. I always blame it on a crooked putter.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a delightful time! We go to our house later this summer. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteIt was very nice and thankfully there weren't too many chores to do. I did pull weeds out of the flower beds but that's one of my favorite things anyway.
DeleteMe and D get super competitive over a good game of putt-putt too. And it's funny... because we have courses close to home, but we never go to them! The only ever play when we're on vacation. It just seems like a very vacationy thing to do. I love how beach trips bring out the kid in everyone. :) (As evidenced by your adults playing in the sand. haha!)
ReplyDeleteDid you like the lemon-a-rita? I haven't tried those yet. I'm sure I'd like them because my favorite summer beers are lemon shandies.
Yeah, we don't have any desire to play putt putt around here. The courses aren't nice like they are in a tourist town. I like the Lemon-Ade-Rita, although it is really sweet. I've always been a fan of the Lime, but not any of the other flavors. The rest taste like cough syrup.
DeleteWhat a fun get away! You did a stellar job getting those miles in. I love how you chose which way to run! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I enjoy running there even though it feels like you are near the equator!
DeleteThat putt-putt pirate made me laugh! I suck at it, but still like to play.
ReplyDeleteI think it's one of those things where it doesn't matter how good you are...it's still fun.
Delete