Thursday, January 27, 2022

A Final 'Fession Session, Florida Style



Well, here we are again!

Time to face the music and 'fess up (among friends).

I've got more than a few 'fessions on deck this month. In the interest of time, though, I'll only share a sampling (you can thank me later). 

Shall we get this 'fession party started?

First off...
Our 5-week Florida snowbirding gig is over and done. I'll be riding in a car, embarking on the journey back to Iowa, when most of you read this. I gotta runfess, I'm going to miss the sights and sounds of Florida. Even though I had to rely on the Garmin more than preferred, I had a lot of fun exploring new streets and in-town trails (mostly golf cart paths) for all of my walks, runs and rides. Let's not forget, ALL of those were sans snow and sub-freezing wind chill.

there were several #PalmTreeSelfies because #WhenInFlorida...

Next...
While my indoor biking came to a (temporary) halt, I more than made up for the miles with outdoor cycling. Let me bikefess, I LOVED it! My two Florida bikes, appropriately named Flo and Rider, saw a lot of action after we were finally situated and settled in our villa. I'm already looking forward to our return, next year, so I can do even more riding with them, and checking out more trails.

over 120 miles logged with these two sets of wheels

Also...
I have to give a huge shout-out to all my Peloton gals! I Pelofess, I really utilized the Peloton app this month for 100+ workouts. It was nice having a network to exchange feedback on favorite (and not-so-favorite) workouts. And, this lead me to doing the PeloFondo last weekend! It was another spontaneous endeavor (you know, #YOLO), but I was able to log four bike rides in between family stuff (our oldest daughter was here). I did have to layer up for the unusually cold temps, and there was plenty of wind, but it felt great to get it done. There's talk of a group of us doing the April PeloFondo on a (virtual) team...stay tuned!


  
Another thing...
It was fun doing some racing while we were in the sunshine state. I racefess, only one of these was planned (the Key West Half Marathon), and that one ultimately had to succumb to virtual status due to logistics (some thoughts on that HERE). But, I've never done a January half marathon before (in Florida, none the less), nor have I ever done three races in what is usually a colder-than-cold month. The Running of the Squares and the Running With The Herd (both 5K's) each had their own nuances as well. I'm glad I had those opportunities and am grateful to have seized them.


And finally...
It was too funny (or ironic?) that the Florida heat took a hike in our final days there. Mind you, these were seriously cold temps, by Florida standards. There even was frost on several mornings, I kid you not! I weatherfess, though, that I have no complaints. No matter how frigid our final days felt, it still was warmer that what we'll be returning to. Glass (indeed) half full.

...not even a sunrise to witness on my final morning walk

Let's just say it's been an interesting month. Although I stayed grounded by working from home (well, albeit a Florida setting), I did get out of my comfort zone by discovering new routes in a new-to-me locale. I was able to keep my fitness in check and am thankful to have been able to stay active on a daily basis. That's never a bad thing.

So, that will do it for this month's 'fession session.  Anything you're needing to 'fess up and share? Surely, I'm not alone?

  I'm  linking this with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions link-up


I'm also linking this with MichelleReneeDarleneJenn and Zenaida for the Fit Five Friday Link-up.


By the way...are you following me on social media?
Let's connect : Facebook Instagram  Pinterest Twitter

32 comments:

  1. Yu wee very lucky to get away for 5 weeks. Too bad about the weather but as you said warmer than Iowa.

    I hope it does warm up when I get there in 2 weeks. Since I'm only there for a short time and a half marathon.
    But I did just sign up for a Florida 5k for when I go back in May.

    I left peleton but that's when I left my stationary bike...just have no mojo now. Congrats on the Pelefondo. I'll let you know if i sign back up.

    God luck adjusting to winter temps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My cold weather reality came rushing back with a vengeance…12F in Paducah this morning #brrrr

      Delete
  2. Going to a new place is a great way to get out of your comfort zone. As always, I am in awe of how active and consistent you are and that even when you're not at home, you still get it done and take full advantage of your new surroundings! Travel safely back home! What's that saying? The best journey always takes us home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was pretty easy to stay active in Florida because it was so much warmer (until this past week). Getting outside, for daily walks, was easy-peasy :-)

      Delete
  3. You missed out on some truly frigid weather for sure! Next time you go I say go in February and hit up the Gasparilla races in Tampa. That is a super fun weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gasparilla has been on my radar forever! We have friends in Tampa, so I’m hoping to swing that event someday (even though February isn’t really a great month for raveling for us).

      Delete
  4. It's always a wonderful experience to explore new streets and in-town trails. I always did this during my trips. Before or after the work sessions I always found the time for a run.
    I hope the weather in Iowa allows you to do fruitful outdoor workouts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was fun & quite fulfilling finding all those new routes!

      Delete
  5. Glad you had such a great time in Florida! January can be cool, but it's still better than here. Safe travels!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many reassured me that January was an iffy month in Florida, but it was very bearable without any snow or ice :-)

      Delete
  6. I am glad you had so much fun in Florida. It went by fast didn't it!? Love the names for your bike. Safe travels back!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Once again, I'm very sorry about our weather. Next time you come we'll try to make it more tropical! Sounds like you made the most of it though. Iowa will probably look very brown to you after all the lush green foliage of Florida! Safe trip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well I knew it wasn’t going to be “summer” tropical, but the frost was a shocker! Never saw that coming!

      Delete
  8. I'm glad you had a lovely time in Florida! Love the names of your bikes, haha! It had to be a great getaway. I'm looking out my window to snow!

    And congrats on your races!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! I can't believe your time is over already. It feels like just yesterday you were taking down the tree right after Christmas.
    I think this is just such a great winter routine! I'm trying to find a way to make this work with our lifestyle sooner rather than later...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’m glad we were able to make it work with our jobs. Neither of us are in a hurry to retire, but a 5-week relocation was nice!

      Delete
  10. Glad you got those few lovely weeks to keep you going through the winter. Something I wish we could do here within the same country! I can runfess I didn't go out at 6am as planned today because it was really dark! Who knew! I've got soft, going out a bit later with Claire for my morning runs recently!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’m excited to see the increased daylight in Iowa! That may be worth the return to the cold, LOL.

      Delete
  11. Sounds like you had a really great time in Florida. Nothing wrong with getting to a warmer place for 5 weeks. I would love to do that only then I'd probably go home, pack all my things and move haha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha!!! The temptation is real, but I do think I’d miss the change of seasons. Hoping we missed the worst of Winter by escaping for those five weeks #fingerscrossed

      Delete
  12. FL can be very cold in Winter. Even colder than here -- same in any southern state. But it doesn't last, and they never get as cold as we do here. Still it's always sad when you're there & it's cold!

    You made full use of your time in the Sunshine state Kim; congrats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For the most part, we had nice weather. The last week was a buzzkill…but a good prep for the REAL cold awaiting us in Iowa.

      Delete
  13. I think you definitely made the most of your time there! I'm glad you enjoyed your snow-birding :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a nice getaway. Now, let the cold weather re-acclimation commence…

      Delete
  14. Glad you had so much fun in Florida. I sure am ready for a change of scenery. Save travels home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s surreal to be in a car, heading back to the cold state of Iowa..

      Delete
  15. Sounds like you had a nice time down in Florida. I am really looking forward to retirement and being able to travel for big chunks of time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, we’re not retired yet either, LOL. But it went well working remotely with a view of palm trees outside :-)

      Delete
  16. I'm so glad you had a good time, despite the frost. See? I'm serious when I say it gets cold!

    When you come next year, we should try to meet up for a race!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am so jealous but happy you got a chance to get away! Looks like you had a great time and definitely made the best of it. Welcome back to Winter here in the midwest! Are you expecting more snow this week? We are but I am hoping the meteorologists are wrong.

    ReplyDelete