Staying Active on Vacation

Running Around the Gulf Coast: Part 3

Brrrrrrr.  It has been cold here, there and everywhere from the look of it.  We hit record/near record lows here at the beach this week when temps got down to 19 degrees!  We didn't get any snow, but record cold temps certainly kept me inside for work outs this week.  

I did something today that I never thought I would do, I ran 3.5 miles (more than a 5k) on a treadmill.  Remember, I HATE running, but it is the most direct means to an end.  I burn more calories running than I do biking, swimming or walking the beach.  Because it was so cold out the past few days, I wasn't able to didn't want to work out outside.  I could have bundled up and gone out, but I really just didn't want to mess with it.  

Today at the gym, my trainer and I got our wires crossed and I was there without him.  What to do, what to do?  Hit the treadmill.  I started off with a 16 minute pace walk for about 5 minutes wishing that I wasn't going to have to do a whole hour workout on the treadmill.  At the end of 5 minutes I upped the speed and elevation and ran for 5 minutes at a 13 minute pace and 3 incline.  I am planning on running forf 5 minutes and walking for 5 minutes just to eek out the hour.

After 5 minutes of running, I bumped the incline up to 6 and lowered the speed (so wishing I didn't have to go any more) and started power walking.  The next 5 minutes dragged on as my distance crept up slowly and my heart rate slowed.  The calories/minute got to be next to nothing.  5 minutes over, back to running, but at the end of the 2nd 5 minutes I did something I didn't think I could/would do.  I kept running. 

I was so close to making it to 2 miles that I figured I can go another few minutes of running and get there.  I made it to 2 miles, but at that point I was 4 minutes away from the 30 minute mark.  So, I kept running.  I ran solidly until...

Running Around the Gulf Coast

I would first like to start off by stating that I am neither a blogger or a runner.  I am not here to give you advice on training or nutrition and if you are looking for a stimulating piece of literature, you may be in the wrong place. 

What I am here to do is not only talk about my journey into the dark spiral that is running, and the great opportunities to participate in our community, see the sights, and stay active while on vacation at the Gulf Coast. I started working out after several years "off" in August of 2013.  I never set out to run in any races (in fact, I have hated running since I was in elementary school) and I certainly never expected to be blogging about it.

I "ran" my first race at The Wharf in Orange Beach.  The Wharf is one of the South East's largest entertainment districts and boasts a 10k seat amphitheater, convention center, a huge ferris wheel, movie theater, fishing tournaments, condos, shopping, dining, and more.  Labor Day weekend the Color Run (apparently the happiest 5k on the planet, as it is billed) was at The Wharf and several friends and my parents decided to do it together.  We had a lively jaunt down Main Street and Wharf Parkway being pelted with color bombs along the way.  The turn out was fantastic and the weather was ideal.  I skipped about half the race to go back to my car and get a beer and I have no idea what time I finished the race.  It was an event for sure and had plenty of space, music, and fun for anyone looking to be involved.

Somehow, this got me started and I ran 5 more races during 2013, culminating with my final race of the year, the "Make it to the Line" 4 Mile run at the Flora-Bama.  For those not aware, the "Bama" sits in between the Alabama and Florida state lines, on the beach, and is home to many events, live music daily, Sunday Worship on the Water and more.  ...

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