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Two short flight delays due to stormy weather but no other problems getting back - an indication of a great vacation/holiday is that you are happy, rested and ready to face work again! I'll always dream about living in Key West but I believe it's best left a dream - expensive place to live, always hot and what about those storms....can keep that calm, unhurried KW attitude and grow tropical plants on my back patio as reminders.....here's what was greeting me at home... my "special needs"cat Virginia we rescued from the local SPCA (her special needs are she needs a lot of attention), a beautiful sunflower growing in the midst of my basil patch compliments of a local squirrel, and fresh cherry tomatoes picked from my little city garden..... just like the t shirt saids, "Life is good."

Yes, I Do Smile When I Run!

Last day in Key West and I plan a quick run this morning. Official pictures from the race now on southernmostrunners.com and yes I was smiling in the heat!

5k performance in hot,humid,wonderful Key West

Ran the Cast Guard 5k in ~34 minutes and grateful for that time! Soaked in sweat by the time I ran 1/2 mile on the hot, flat asphalt - one aid station with cold water at the 1 mile mark. Course was a out and back so hit the aid station twice - drinking some of the water and pouring the rest on my shirt in an effort to cool down as suggested by Jeff Galloway in his books on running. Not wearing a ball cap (use plenty of sunscreen on the face!) and wearing wicking fabric clothing makes a difference. I now have the tshirt to prove I've run in Key West!

Running in Key West Paradise

Just ran ~4 miles south on Whitehead and back north on Duval. Back to the resort for rest beachside - temps in the upper 90s!

Turtle Pace

Saw this turtle in our backyard this morning as I was putting on my shoes. Was he predicting the pace I'd struggle with today? By the time Linda and I started our run at 8:15 the temperature was already in the upper 80s. No need to discuss pace times today - let's just say we made it eight miles and leave it at that! My husband and I are headed to KW tomorrow and sounds like Linda is going to work out in air conditioned comfort until this heat wave passes!

Another hot one...

Recovery day after the 8 mile run/walk in yesterday's heat. Planning to meet Linda early for a 8am run hoping to beat the heat - heat index of 100 predicted tomorrow!

Hot Weather Running

Ran 1.5 miles on Saturday to meet my husband at the local golfer's hangout after he played 18 holes with 11 other men. At 5 pm the temperature was still close to 90. I had the opportunity to run with Linda today early but slept in on my first full day of vacation. Husband left for another golf game at 11a today and I headed out to the reservoir where I've been running trails with Linda since the early spring. Another hot day with a temperature of almost 100F on the post directly in the full sun at noon - I believe the official temperature was in the low 90s- still hot! I had my 1 l hydration pack on and planned to have a fitness run/walk with at 15 minute/mile pace. I met three young fellows mountain biking, a couple hiking with their dog, and a family of three with a dog - I stopped and briefly chatted with each of them. I also saw a turkey and five deer but couldn't get pictures of the animals. Got to the bridge at the 4 mile post at a 15 minute/mile pace (kept track with my chronograph). Took a quick bathroom break and headed back to my car - drinking water each time I started uphill and pacing myself in the hot weather. I was grateful to see the 1/2 post on my way back in, having another quick break and taking off my pack to cool down a bit. Good run/walk at a 15minute/mile in the heat - I drank the entire liter of water I was carrying. I'm starting to feel more confident about the half marathon trail run I'm doing in September. My goal is to finish on my feet!