Our first Tuesdays on the Run topic for the year is: What else? Running resolutions. Because I shared my resolutions yesterday, I’m going to stray a little and tell you about my holidays in Florida and the running I did there, among other things.
We arrived in Fort Lauderdale on December 21, 5 days before we were to convene in Naples with the rest of the Caveman’s family to celebrate MIL’s 75th birthday.
The oceanfront runs at sunrise were an amazing way to start the day. My hamstring is still not 100% so I’m keeping things slow for now, which was perfect because it was a little warm. Not complaining. At. All.
A post-run dip was the perfect way to recover. It wasn’t all fun and games though. I was on a mission to find the best cupcakes in Fort Lauderdale.
These gingerbread ones from the Sweeter Days Bake Shop did not disappoint.
We spent some time in Miami as well. Because why not?
The teenager HAD to hit up the Sugar Factory on Lincoln Road. Who doesn’t love a drink with sharks in it?
On Christmas Day we headed to Naples where my MIL rented a house for her birthday celebration. We’ve been on these kinds of trips before and some…most…of them have not gone that well for various reasons. This time?
I felt like we’d been dropped off on Fantasy Island when I saw this place.
How sick is this pool?
Despite the luxury abode, MIL was true to form with her tendency for over-involvement and control. She assigned chores, taped up a schedule of who was cooking which meals and brought a van-load of food she’d spent 17 hours making ahead in her kitchen back home across the country. What she did not do this time around, was schedule every minute of every day and flip out if we failed to comply. This made all the difference.
The neighborhood around the house was very conducive to running. I even found a park to include in my loop. Inevitably we’d hit the beach…
…the jet skis…
…the SUP…
…and even the Everglades. Who knew I was a gator wrangler?
Coconut shrimp on the beach at The Turtle Club was just one of many indulgences.
We enjoyed amazing sunsets and saw a couple of good movies: Rogue One and La La Land (I wasn’t too sure about this one but I liked it). Overall, there was plenty of sun, sand, vitamin sea and total relaxation to last for awhile until we cook up the next adventure. Now it’s back to school, back to the daily grind, and time to stand down from the treats as we push through these dark months of winter.
How was your holiday break? Do you run/workout while on vacation? How do you find running routes in new places? Do you ever vacation with extended family?
I’m also linking up with Deb for the Wednesday word, which is involvement.
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Looks like an amazing vacation! I think I’m going to need a trip like that soon.
THAT HOUSE
OMG
I
AM
JEALOUS!!!!
WILL YOU PLEASE ADOPT ME!?!?!
Been thinking about you often and glad the MIL wasn’t too horribly bad this year.
Need to catch up soon. Miss you and so glad you had a wonderful time!
xo
Looks like such a fun trip! I would love to be back in Florida right now. I love running on vacation, especially on the beach!
Looks fantastic and I’m so glad it all worked out!!! Yay!
I could use some sunshine and shorts weather! Looks like an amazing time- glad you can soak it all up and get in some running too!
THAT WAS YOUR HOUSE?! Nice pick MIL!!
Sounds like you had a great vacation. A little Florida sunshine does the body good!
Mr. Judy thinks when we go to visit his mother in Seattle it’s vacation. You’d think the man would learn after 31 years, right?
But yes, I’m pretty much always running on vacation. Either for fun or training. Usually I just lace up and go (and sometimes get royally lost, as I did one time in Miami).
Sounds like the almost-perfect vacation . . . and I’m envious. I really shouldn’t be, I had some great ones myself last year, but hey, it’s already been a month. 🙂
Just staycation and some light work in between the holiday events here in Chicago, but I’m getting in the vacation mood after seeing your photos!! Glad the extended family time was (slightly) more at peace than in times last!
My holiday was great-stayed at home but didn’t have to work so it was nice to sleep in a bit and start my runs in the daylight. Your vacation looks lovely 🙂 I love running when I go on vacation because it’s a fun way to see a new place…as for finding routes I ask local run shops for their routes or if they have group run.
So jealous of your fun vacation! Looks so beautiful and sounds like you had a great time.
My holidays were spent resting and trying to get over a cold. Boooo. ?
What a wonderful trip! It looks like you had an awesome time, hopefully just as relaxing as it was active! That shark drinks looks AMAZING and wow the sunset! I wish my holidays were as exciting!
Sounds like a great trip! I don’t typically bring my running shoes on vacation. I figure, I am on vacation and usually do a ton of walking so that’s my treat. Your pics definitely remind me why we want to end up in Florida!!!
That place looks awesome!!! Yay for not having all your time scheduled. That would NOT work for me. A bit of our AK trip was like that and it kind of ruined those days.
I wonder if we’ll see La La Land. We usually don’t like movies with all the hype but we love those actors!
I think our wishes for you to have a great trip with your MIL even surpassed us all.
What??? The house is freaking amazing! Your sure it wasn’t like a drug lords or something? So very glad you had a great holiday and shared it with all of us!
Looks like a #holottafabulous to me 🙂 I think it is great you got some running in the sun and got to soak up some warmth before you face the frozen tundra for a few more months.
That house does look like Fantasy Island! I have been watching that show a lot over break too, it is corny but I love it LOL
Glad you had a fun trip.
If I’m in a place I know, I’ll run outside and enjoy the weather. If it’s a place I don’t know, I use the treadmill, to be safe. I ran inside in DC because I didn’t know the area at all, and there didn’t seem to be any running paths close by.
WOW that house! Now question… your MIL doesn’t read your blog, does she!?
Girl, this was one lovely trip. I loved seeing all of it in your Snaps, and here!
Marcia, I know I have said this many times before, but my late MIL sounds like she could have been twin sisters with yours. OMG, it’s eery (and oh so funny at the same time). Mine would never have rented an elaborate beach house…we’d be in a pop-up camper (in a not too nice campsite) following all the hour-by-hour “assignments.” I’m gonna be in CHi-town in a couple weeks…maybe we could have a gab (or run) session and discuss these things (?). PM me 😉
Marcia, the look on your daughters face standing behind you while holding the alligator …is just priceless!! She’s like “what the hell??”
I’ve been on many family trips with my ex and his family where every meal and every moment was planned …ugh, hated those trips! So glad she eased up and y’all had a wonderful time!
OMG, that has is sick. Your MIL sounds the total opposite of mine. And she never plans anything, and she is so disorganize, which drives me up a wall. Well at least you had some time to enjoy the weather, it looks beautiful
WOW, you held a gator!!! Seems like your MIL put a lot of planning into making that trip a great one ( and she rented a sweet place too). Glad to hear she was on her best behavior and you all had a good time!
oh wow!!!! your holiday vacation looks like it was so much fun!!! it just seems weird seeing beach pictures during Christmas,lol!
I LOVE that picture of you running on the beach and the last pic of the sunset on the pool.
I hope you had a happy new year and that 2017 brings nothing but good things your way!!!!!
What a fun family trip Marcia! I knew you guys are having an awesome time when I saw the pics on Instagram! You are such a brave girl holding that not-so-small alligator!
Beautiful just beautiful! Let me know when the MIL celebrates the next birthday- party crasher!!!! ? Running new routes is always fun!
This sounded like an AMAZING time!!!! I’m snuggled up under like five covers right now and trying desparately to get warm, so this post definitely helped. I tried to run over break as much as possible. On a few of the days when I wasn’t able to go to the gym or it was too icy to get outside, I did Insanity! Hope your new year is off to a lovely start, Marcia!
Looks like a great time! What an awesome pool! Jealous of all the fun activities and warm weather! Glad the trip was on the better side with your MIL! I definitely try to exercise on vacation because I tend to eat more! 🙂
Wow that house is amazing. So glad you got to enjoy your time in Florida.
Catching up on blog reading and now I’m sitting here longing for FL weather! Glad you were able to break away from the cold for awhile!
Marcia– I have chatted with you and followed you on Instagram for a long time, so happy to explore your blog finally!! By coincidence I landed here through an other Oklahoma running blogger.
Great looking vacation, beautiful family, and happy new year to YOU. Can’t wait to follow your new posts and maybe link up on future Tuesdays. xoxo
It sounds like your MIL’s involvement with everyone else while on vacation usually goes a little overboard. Glad you had fun and she dialed it back this time!
Thanks for linking up, Marcia!
Looks like you had such a lovely vacation… I’ve never been to FL, definitely need to get there!
That ought to fortify you for the rest of the winter in Chicago! That is one crazy house: I’m glad you didn’t feel like an inmate.