The tide is high but I'm running on

Tuesday I had one last hoorah on the beach before packing the family off to the airport.  It was a beautiful morning, just the right temperature at about 55º.  When I got the the beach the sky was on fire.  The picture just does not do it justice.  The tide was fairly high, so the running was a bit difficult, but not too bad.  Just a bit bumpy and uneven in patches.  It was fun to run as close to the water as possible without getting soaked by a wave.  At about mile six I totally petered out.  I did so much running last week because it was warm and because I love running on the beach, but my body has gotten used to fairly low mileage.  I just did what any party runner would do, and stopped for lots of pictures!  

The sky fire

 The whole sky turned this pinkish purple color and it was reflecting on the sand and water.  It was beautiful.

 More jellies!

This guy had seen better days.

Now this made my day!  A tree on the beach!  To whomever put it there, thank you from the bottom of my heart!  PHOTO TIME!

 This biggest one I'd ever seen!  Keep in mind those shoes are a ladies size 11.5  No small kicks!

 I saw these chairs on my last run too, but this time I was compelled to sit for a moment.

 Too bad Speedy K wasn't there to fill the other chair!

 A surfer heading out.

I loved all my beach runs!  Now, it's back to bad air, snow and ice.  Time for some runs above the inversion!

8.44 miles

1:39

11:43 average pace

Week in Review

More like weeks in review. Here are the past two weeks:

Week of December 16th
Monday: HIIT, 3.5 mile road run, 1 mile treadmill run, chest day
Tuesday: 4.52 mile trail run
Wednesday: HIIT
Thursday: full body weight lifting routine
Friday: REST
Saturday: 2.25 miles treadmill, chest day + v-squats
Sunday: rest day, flying to Florida!
11.27 miles total

Week of December 23rd:
Monday: 3.48 miles
Tuesday: 3.03 miles, chest day
Wednesday: REST Merry Christmas!
Thursday: 10 mile beach run
Friday: yoga, leg day
Saturday: HIIT
Sunday: 5.03 mile beach run + Abs, chest & triceps
21.54 miles total

Like Daily Mile, but better

I love running on the beach. That is all.

5.03 miles

59:03

11:45 average pace

with love, from the beach

After a day of eating and sitting around the house, I decided a beach run was in order.  I headed for the beach just before sunrise.  There was a fairly strong headwind the entire way out, but I didn't care at all.  I was so happy to be warm and enjoying the smells, sights and sounds of my oceanfront run! 

Good morning Florida!

There were tons of jellyfish washed up on the beach.  It was so fun to see this different wildlife!

Just before sunrise is my favorite time to run, no matter where the trail is!

HAPPY!

This couple, was like many I encountered this morning.  They were completely bundled in puffy coats, hats and gloves.  I even saw a woman in earmuffs!  By the way, it was 55º out.

No puffy coat here!  Shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt and I was still drenched in sweat (my favorite)!

I think I will definitely have to get in at least one more nice long beach run before it's time to head back to the frozen west!  Oh yeah, and I'm getting faster!  All that muscle building is doing me good!

10 miles

1:43

10:18 average pace (Yay for sea level!  Yay me!)

Beach Bum Run

This morning I headed out early and ran through the neighborhood, then decided to head to the beach. The beach portion of the run was spectacular.  I loved it so much I found myself grinning ear to ear.  At one point I threw my hands up and in the air and gave a whoop!  I couldn't help it!  It was one of those amazing runs that make me glad to be alive.  I ran on the beach for about three and a half miles before I realized that I had passed my turn around point and would be adding extra mileage to my run.  At first I was a little bummed because I thought I might have added about two to three miles to my run and even thought about getting a ride, but by mile eleven I was happy about it and kept on keeping on.  It turned out I only added one and a half miles, which isn't so bad.  I ran on the beach for about 7 of the 13.5 miles I ran.  I wish I could run on the beach every day!  

 

Good morning sunshine!  

 

Peaceful, quiet and oh so beautiful!  

 

Can you see my happiness? 

 

It warmed up so much that I took my (long sleeved) top off.   Many of the locals were wearing long sleeves, sweatshirts and coats.  I got a lot of strange looks. 

 

 I'll miss the sunshine and waves.  Time to psych myself up for some fun snow runs!

13.5
2 hr 31 min

11:11 pace