Sunday – This Crazy Life of Mine

Tag: Sunday

15
Aug
2014

Friday Five: Weekend Plans

categories: Clearwater Beach, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Dolphin Tale 2, Dolphin Tale 2 Blogger Crew, friday five, friends, hubby, link up, long run, marathon training, meeting, movie, niece, run, running, Saturday, starbucks, Sunday, Sunday run day, weekend, Weight Watchers

I’m linking up again this week with Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia for the Friday Five. This week we get to pick our topic, so I’m going to do weekend plans. Is it just me or has this been a long week? I’m definitely ready for a couple days off!

1. I love starting my weekends with my Weight Watchers meeting. Even though it’s very early in the morning, it’s always nice to catch up with everyone. The meeting is like a reset for me, it’s the start of a new week.

2. Tomorrow afternoon, I get to take my niece to an advance screening of Dolphin Tale 2. I am so excited about this opportunity, thanks to being part of the Dolphin Tale 2 Blogger Crew. We also get to go on a tour of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

3. Sunday morning run with hubby friends. I am very lucky that hubby runs with me when I am out super early. The past several Sundays. I’ve also been lucky to have a couple friends join us. And this Sunday, we’re going to change up the location for some new scenery and run my 6 planned miles over the new Courtney Campbell Trail which runs along part of the causeway. Hubby, Corinna, Caitlyn and I will be running our little hearts out!

4. Starbucks after our run is the best thing ever. Ironically, there will still be a Starbucks close by to go to afterwards. I earn that treat and always enjoy it.

5. Nap time. I am looking forward to going home after our run, showering, and napping. I’ll probably curl up with a book for a bit and that will surely put me to sleep even quicker. Napping after a long run on Sunday is so nice.

What do you have planned for this weekend?

16
Jun
2014

A Father’s Day 5k

categories: 5K, Father's Day, hubby, Richard's Father's Day Family Walk / Jog, Sunday, Tampa, Tampa Heights, Ulele

Being the summer here in the Sunshine State, where the days are long, humid, and hot, there are not any races happening. But last week, hubby heard about the Richard’s Father’s Day Family Walk / Jog in Tampa. It was Sunday morning, when we would run anyway, so we decided to change it up and take part in this event.

This is event is put on by Richard Gonzmart and family in support of cancer research and awareness. The Gonzmart family is well known for the Columbia Restaurant and the new, soon to open Ulele in Tampa Heights.

It was a very nice morning, right on the riverfront. It was a very casual 1 mile walk or 5k jog, although there were many runners. This event was not timed so it was very laid back.

Hubby and I ran it in about 37 minutes and there was even a bridge! This was amusing to him since we all know I love to run bridges on Sunday morning. I had no idea we would still get a bridge in when we decided to do this run.

After the run, it was time for breakfast, which was included. How awesome is that? I totally failed as a blogger and did not take a picture of my plate full of food, so use your imagination… Scrambled eggs(so fluffy!), home fries with a nice little kick to them, and sausage links. It really hit the spot. They also had fruit, pastries, granola bars, water, coffee, and juice.

It was a great way to start what ended up being a lazy Sunday, thinking about my dad and Father’s Day.

How did you spend your Father’s Day?

04
Aug
2013

Sunday Run Day

categories: #irunbecause, bridges, clarity, Clearwater, Memorial Bridge, perseverance, running, strength, strong, Sunday, Sunday run day, training

This morning started dark and early at the Memorial bridge in Clearwater for a nice run over the causeway. I enjoy running around my neighborhood during the week, but Sunday is probably my favorite because I have the time to take my run somewhere else. After finally making it back to the bridge three weeks ago, it has become our go-to spot on Sunday mornings before most of the world is awake.

There is something about running before the sun comes up over the water. Running over a bridge that used to intimidate the heck out of you. To run over it and feel strong and like you own it. Every week is different, some are slower than others, sometimes you wonder if the bridge grew taller since the last time you ran it, and sometimes you feel like a rock star.

I don’t listen to music when I run over the bridge. I used to need the distraction of music when I was running. Not any more. It’s just me, my breath, my thoughts, and the clarity that I have when I am running. Who needs music and distraction when you have this kind of view?

Since starting back at the bridge on Sundays, I’ve had to fight to get back over the bridge the second time. The first time hasn’t been hard, but running back over it has gotten the best of me and I’ve had to walk part of it. But not today. Today I ran over it both ways. That bridge will not get the best of me.

Not my best time, but still one to be proud of. Average pace of 11:10 with bridges and stopping twice for a couple pictures. I’ll take it. With every run over that bridge, I will get stronger. I will.

Sunday run day is my favorite.

What is your favorite day to run? Do you have a favorite spot to run?

14
Jul
2013

Bridges for breakfast, anyone?

categories: #sweatpink, bridges, Clearwater, hubby, Memorial Bridge, running, strong, Sunday, training, walk

I have not been out to Memorial Causeway to run the bridge since May. After the Iron Girl Half, we went out a couple times. After driving over the causeway the other day for work, I realized I missed running it and decided I would head back out there this weekend. I asked hubby last night if he’d go out with me before the sun came up this morning and being the supportive husband he is, he agreed.

We left our house at 5:50 this morning and were parked and starting our run at 5:59. It was so quiet out there and the bridge was was so pretty, all lit up. I admit I was nervous to run over it after no doing so for a couple months. Would I be able to do it as I had before?

I ran over it just fine and it felt great. Up and over the bridge I went at a pretty good pace. After passing the light that is about halfway over the causeway, I turned around to head back. I caught up with hubby who is dealing with knee pain and I walked for about a minute with him. As I approached the bridge, I said bye to hubby and took off running again, hoping to make it over as well as I did the first time.

I ended up having to walk twice as I ran up it. It was a good reminder of how important it is to keep up my bridge runs and build up that endurance again that I had before. Once I hit the top of the bridge, I ran down and finished up my 3.11 miles.

Even though I walked a couple times, I still finished a little faster than the last time I ran it. I attribute this to the fact that my running is faster and more consistent on flat surfaces now so I made up time there.

All in all, I’m very happy with this morning’s run and it just makes me want to get out there and run the bridge more often.

After some stretching, hubby and I went to Starbucks and enjoyed our drinks on the patio where Frank Sinatra music played. I could have sat there all day listening to it… It made me feel like my dad was there with us. On our way to the car, I couldn’t resist taking a picture of one of the dolphins they have downtown. I love dolphins and this one was so pretty. It even has ladybugs on it!

It was a very nice morning. Any time I can get a run in, burn calories, spend time with hubby, have coffee, listen to Frank Sinatra, and see a pretty painted dolphin is a great start to my day.

How often do you run bridges? Is it a part of your regular training?

28
Apr
2013

The best run ever…

categories: #expectamazing, #irunbecause, #sweatpink, beach, bridges, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, hubby, just do it, Memorial Bridge, mental health, run, running, stress relief, Sunday, support, weekend

It’s become a nice tradition for hubby and I to get up Sunday morning and head to Memorial Causeway to run over the bridge. Last week, we changed it up and went over the whole causeway to the beach and then turn around and head back. We ran a good bit of it with walk breaks. This morning hubby had the brilliant idea that when we got over to the beach, we would take our shoes off and walk the beach for a bit before we head back over. I used to be such a beach girl so I was all over this and loved him for thinking of it.

I took this amazing shot of the Clearwater from the walkway leading up to the bridge…. I am currently obsessed with the panoramic feature on my iPhone.

Our run started at the beginning of the Memorial Bridge and it was my goal to run the first mile before I took a walk break. Hubby runs ahead of me (darn my short legs!) but I knew I would catch up to him at some point if he took a walk break. Up and over the bridge was great and the first mile was done. I didn’t want to stop, I didn’t need to stop. I kept running. And I ran over the the entire causeway all the way to the beach. My Garmin said 2.15 so I ran a full 2 miles without stopping. I can’t believe it did it and it felt so amazing.

The beach was not busy yet… We took our shoes off and walked on the soft cool sand for a mile. We have the best sand here in Clearwater Beach. The beach is so pretty here and I once again asked hubby why don’t we ever go?!?! We need to! Look at this view….

They have the sugar sand festival going on still and we saw some of the sculptures on our walk back towards the pier. Amazing! And of course I had to have my picture taken with the dolphin, everyone knows how much I love dolphins.

And then we were back to the round-about and it was time to head back over the causeway. I told hubby I was going to see if I could run back over the entire distance again. And I did it. Today was one of those days where everything clicked and felt right and I ran my heart out, without stopping. I felt great the entire time, even running back up the bridge. Hubby snapped a picture of me while I was running…. I think he might be just a little proud of me, one of my biggest supporters.

I ran the exact same distance headed back over, 2.15 and did it faster than the first time over. I was well within my half marathon pace the entire time, even a little faster at some points.

Another thing that made this run nice… I didn’t have any music. I have always had music when I run, except when hubby and I go out because we can chit chat along the way if we’re keeping the same pace. We weren’t together for much of my run and it was just me and my breath. I think it made a big difference.

Best run ever… It’s the kind of run that makes me really look forward to the next, the kind that reminds me why I love it so much. Running is my way of getting out of my own head and all the worries and stressors that I have for that small bit of time. And it reminds me that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Anything.

Do you run with music or without? What makes for a great run for you?