Thursday, February 13, 2020

Getting in the Florida Groove




Sunday February 2nd.

I have a 10 mile run to do but the temps are only in the 50’s so I don’t have to get up early. There is a half marathon race in town and it follows a similar course to where I’m running. I try to make sure I stay out of the way of the racers. I run 5 miles out and back, so on the way out I’m running with the course leaders, very speedy people, and on the way back I’m running with my type of runners, slow and steady.

That evening is the super bowl, the chiefs vs the 49ers. Of course I root for the Missouri team, even though my son and his girl friend live in SF! The game is really good, although by the 3rd quarter it really looked like SF was going to win. I toyed with going to bed but stuck it out and I’m sure glad I did. What a spectacular finish!

Usually the commercials are my favorite part of the game but not this year. My favorites were the Boston one with the Hyundai self parking car, and the Bill Murray Groundhog Day one. There were others that were good, but I found myself feeling manipulated by the product (life insurance! Google!) and that turned me off. 

And the halftime show! I dunno, maybe I’m getting old but I truly felt like it would have been more appropriate in a strip tease joint. If I had young children I would have definitely been turning things off for a couple minutes. Ridiculous.

Monday February 3rd.

Today was expedition day. I desperately needed to replace one of my pairs of running shoes, so we decided to go to Season’s, the Vietnamese bahn mi sandwich shop and Mazzaria’s, the Italian grocery, while we were down that way. Seasons is still really great. Lee got grilled pork and I got meatballs and we were both happy. Their bread is amazing.

St. Pete Running Co. is still a really good running store. She listened to what I needed, got me some Brooks Launch 7’s to try, and also a few other brands. An Italian brand felt good, the Launches felt good. The Mizuno’s still don’t fit me properly, and the Altras were a bust. I went with the Launches. Right now them and Hoka are my brands.

The Italian grocery hasn’t changed. Still insanely busy every time we go. Still good cheese and wine, but pricey. I got some Italian wine, some truffle cheese, and skipped the Italian cookies this time since ai bought macaroons at Seasons.

Tuesday, February 4th.

Today was 200 meter repeats on the track at my 1 mile pace. I ran them way faster than I was supposed but I didn’t think it was that critical. As I was leaving the track a school crossing guard started talking to me. “You just ran a bunch didn’t you?” Me: um, yes, 4 miles and I’m going to do a 2 mile cool down. (No point in telling him that’s not really far for me!). Him: I used to be a runner, but my knees are shot, osteoarthritis. I had knee replacement surgery and they told me not to run any more. Me: that too bad. I’m going to keep at it as long as I can.

I felt bad for him, and grateful that I can keep going.

Afterwards I got out the sewing machine and made some quilt progress. I’ve got to keep focused if I’m going to have 2 baby quilts made by the end of March!

Later in the afternoon, Lee got the bikes out of the truck, washed them off and pumped up the tires. He was going to come too but his bike had a broken valve stem so he went to get that fixed instead. Lucky me hopped on my bike and rode 12 miles along the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Water, birds, other bikers.  Nice!



Wednesday February 5

Lazy day, I sleep until 6:45 (but I’ve been waking up a lot at night so..).

At 11 I go take a class at the spa, a mixture of Pilates and Yoga. The instructor is good, gives a lot of direction on what the various parts of our body should be doing. I’ve hardly ever done Pilates, and it’s been several years since I’ve done yoga. I have a lot of trouble sitting cross legged, and my balance is for shit, but my core is pretty strong nowadays so those moves aren’t too bad. I’d do it again.

In the evening we go out to a new pizza place, Nona’s. The pizza is very good, and the owner is a hoot. He’s won some type of contest involving breakdancing while twirling pizza dough. There are YouTube videos of him. He randomly came out while we were eating and put on a little show. If I had had my wits about me I would have videoed him tonight but alas. Maybe next time.

Thursday, February 6.

6 easy miles this morning. My usual pokey start, which won’t do for running in Florida. It’s after 8 and 72F when I start. Humid and windy too. I don’t get overwhelmed by the heat since I’m not running hard, but I sweat like crazy. I also do something I hardly ever do, and run in only a sports bra and shorts. If anyone is disgusted by my aging abs too bad for them!



It’s sunny and some kind of front is blowing through. We might get some rain tonight and tomorrow, then it’s supposed to cool off again. Big snow storms up north. I do not miss it!

In the afternoon we take the dogs to Enterprise Dog Park, where we can go on a long walk off leash. The girls are friendly and sociable, but we watch Cosmo nervously at first. Initially he tears around madly, so happy to get a chance to run. Other dogs want to play and chase and after a little tension things are fine. He really is ok if he’s not on a leash, especially if we are walking and not just standing around. The only problem we have at all is a large golden puppy that of course doesn’t know doggie behavior rules yet. Cosmo doesn’t like the puppy crashing into him and growls, but it’s ok.

Friday February 7th.

Much cooler today, 50’s and breezy. The rain is gone and I do an easy 4 miles, tapering off a bit for the 10k I’m running on Sunday. 

A couple of days ago a dog got loose as we were walking our dogs and came after us. I was upset, especially since it’s owner seemed to have very little control over it. Well today the tables were turned. We got a bunch of packages, some very large. The UPS man rang the doorbell, which got the dogs all worked up (it’s very loud and melodious!). I opened the door to get the packages, after telling the dogs to stay, but right as I was dragging one of the packages inside our landlord walks by walking HIS dogs and all three of our dogs charge out the door. Heather comes right back, Harper is ready to go for a walk with them, and Cosmo loses his mind, barking at his dogs and nipping at them! He comes back when I call him, but I’m embarrassed and furious at Cos. He’s turning into a crotchety old man. Meanwhile I’m so upset with him I don’t notice that Harper is still happily walking down the sidewalk with our landlord! Sheesh!

Saturday February 8

Easy 3 miles, with 6 strides. I’m ready for the 10k tomorrow, I think. We go to the Dunedin Farmer’s Market later in the morning. It’s a beautiful day. Dunedin has more buildings, more restaurants, than 2 years ago. The farmers market is the same. We buy bagels, not much else. Pearly’s, meh. Seafood, yum.


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