runningwithfaith

Summer Vacations started early this year with a mini version of the family deciding on a week at the beach during the last week of June. Way to ring in July and fourth of July, vacations, beach runs, and the incessant complaining of how hot it is. I dare say that I’m only just warming up, and there’s more to follow because one week is just enough to tingle my tastebuds. These days, I live in vacation mode. In fact, I’m back and packed. Just say the word. We make our memories, and I dont mind making fun ones . Life is life and all sorts of messy and wild, and so it’s worth all the fun and beach runs with sunrises and sunsets we can get. And why not? You just never know what tomorrow will bring. Two years ago, post covid, we decided to spend a week together each summer, and  so West Palm Beach was my daughter’s pick this year with a bonus trip down to Miami just for the heck of it.

Wherever I travel, I’m always on the hunt for a cool running course. This year, I was on the hunt for a box to workout as well and was very pleased to come across a fun one not too far from where we stayed. Two out of two are some good odds. In truth, I was only able to make it to the box one time, but I got a run on the beach, and that was good enough considering the 100° temps. That, and the mangoes! Friends, everything is better with mangoes. When I realized that there were mango trees right in the yard where we were staying, I was pretty chuffed and delighted to awaken to fresh mangoes for breakfast every morning. My personal manna- from-heaven type story. God is awesome, and I’m convinced there are mangoes in heaven. And then there was a day trip to Peanut Island and our little to no attempt at snorkeling and another to South Beach. Turned into a bit of a drag when our truck got towed, but the debt was settled when we finally got to the beach. It was wonderful. The water was nothing short of amazing: cool and crystal clear, and there was a nice family vibe on the beach itself. Lots of coolers and music, and surprisingly, not quite so littered with people. We had watersports, skysports, cruise ships, and stunning sunset skyline views. Quite an eye party and didn’t leave until after sunset.

A week later, I headed to Charleston for my birthday. My best friend lives in the Mt Pleasant area, and I had in mind a quiet 4 days with less sun exposure than the previous trip. It didn’t quite turn out that way as I ended up mired in sun-drenched activities: a sunrise bridge run, a beach walk & sun bathing, a sunset cruise and dolphins, a plantation tour, swimming, and then a gym workout which included a short run in the crazy mid-morning heat. LOL, while it wasn’t my idea of a relaxing time, it sure was fun and goes to show that the best times are really those that are unplanned. The following weekend, I took the train out to Long Island to the beach for a group outing and ended up in the sun again but in some cold water this time. Beaches in the north/northeast boast cold water all year round and are certainly not my idea of a fun time and go against every bit of my island girl blood but somehow I managed to have a good time in the water with the crew and a beach ball. Somethings you should never do alone. Snacks and junk food I never do, but even that happened – sort of – and since then, I’ve gone low-carb and committed to a summer of salads.

More on food and fuel and what’s up with the swimming in my next post. Stay tuned. So long, July, it’s been fun and way too much humidity and thunderstorms, but I love the travel adventures and water action.