We are a week into the New Year and we have definitely experienced changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes. That’s right! To celebrate Mr PugRunner’s 50th birthday, we loaded up the family and headed south to Duck Key for five days of fun in the sun! How did it all work? Let’s check it out!
Sunday
- Cardio: 3.69 miles, walking
Happy New Year’s Eve! I didn’t have a great night’s sleep, but I got up and out, all the same. It was so cold I had to wear tights and a regular sweatshirt! Brrrr.
From there, we went to brunch in Jacksonville. We wanted to do a little early birthday celebration, since the actual day was Monday and that’s tough for restaurants and going out.
And then that was kind of it for New Years. Since we were leaving, I spent hours cleaning the house, and finishing up a back log of work. There was so much to do and not nearly enough time to do it.
Monday
- Cardio: 5.23 miles, running + 1.84 miles, walking
Mr PugRunner said he was getting up early to go to the gym, so I opted to just run so we would be ready to celebrate when he got home.
We played a fun game where we wrote down options on cards for lunch and dinner, so he picked blindly and then we went to do those things. We also picked up our Turo rental minivan for our trip, and packed.
Tuesday
- Cardio: 1.84 miles, walking
We had a seven hour drive ahead of us, so you know I got out there for a quick walk.
Then we loaded up the van and hit the road. Our first stop was to pick up my brother- and sister-in-law at the Miami Airport (hence the giant vehicle). And then it was down to the Keys!
We stopped in Key Largo for lunch, and bumped into my parents at the same restaurant! So cool! We finally landed at about 4:30 and we were all just exhausted. Florida is LONG and this was quite the journey. It was also pretty chilly, but we braved it for dinner outside at the tiki bar.
We all called it a night earlier rather than later. There was fun to come!
Wednesday
- Cardio: 3.02 miles, running + 1.65 miles, walking
I got up and headed out in the morning. Duck Key is not big, but between the Hawk’s Cay property and the island itself, I had plenty of road to run. I even got to catch the sunrise!
Everyone met for breakfast, and then we broke apart for the day. My parents wanted to explore, while the boys wanted to kayak. My sister-in-law and I went to the adult pool to read. It was still pretty chilly, but the sun was nice, and margaritas make everything better.
For dinner, we all met up again and enjoyed lots of fresh seafood and tropical cocktails!
Thursday
- Cardio: 3.81 miles, walking
Once again, I got up and headed out for some miles. Again, it was a gorgeous morning.
The guys headed out on their private fishing charter. They had the whole morning on the boat, with tons of success!
My sister-in-law and I had other plans. After a light breakfast, we went to a dockside encounter with the dolphins on property. I couldn’t stop grinning! We interacted with Boomer and rescue dolphin Roux for about 30 minutes, and it was the best time.
After we finished, we met the guys at the on-property restaurant at the marina. They will cook up your fresh catch, so we got to feast on all this fresh-caught fish! Best meal ever!
But wait! There’s more! We got cleaned up and drove another 90 minutes to Key West. We had drinks at Sloppy Joe’s and Key Lime Pie at Kermit’s. The sunset at Mallory Square was lovely. And even thought it was getting dark, we made the slog to the Southernmost Point, and then ubered back to an incredible Italian restaurant.
Friday
- Cardio: 4.51 miles, running + walking
Confession: my hips were aching after being in the car so long. I did some running but I did a lot more walking.
We all took our time getting up and about, and had a late breakfast. Again, the chilly morning warmed up nicely, so we moved back to the pool. It was nice to just sit and read. I even went back to the room for a little nap.
For our last dinner, we opted to go to Islamorada to another waterfront restaurant. We had such beautiful views and a yummy meal… which ended in a very abrupt rain shower. Fortunately, we were mostly finished eating, so we just got some key lime pie to go, and went back to the hotel to sit by the fire pit.
Saturday
- Cardio: 1.62 miles, walking
All good things must come to an end. It was time to head home. I got up extra early so I could get in some movement before another long ride. And of course, I had to say goodbye to my dolphin friends.
We got on the road at 7:30, stopped for breakfast, stopped again in Coconut Grove to drop off our family at their friend’s house, and then kept going. Mercifully, we avoided a terrible accident and a tornado, and pulled into our driveway at 7PM. Done.
Thoughts + Goals
Yes, I kept up with my fitness this week, but I MISS the gym. There was one on property, but we were short on time and I wanted to enjoy myself. Monday can’t come soon enough.
This week will be spent getting back on track. To be honest, my eating was fine in the Keys. I did have drinks, but I also had mostly fresh fish and salads, and I even skipped dessert most nights.
I’m looking forward to a bit of a “couch-rot” tomorrow after we drop off the rental. I just want to put on my comfies, catch up on blog comments, and veg until Monday. We have some laundry to do, and the stinky pugs need baths, but then that’s it.
Have you been to the Keys? Do you love seafood? Ever eat it fresh off the charter? Ever pet a dolphin?
Weekly Rundown
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
What a fun trip! I’ve been to the Keys multiple times but never Duck Key. The hubs and I talk about going down there, now I really want to! Especially with snow coming tomorrow.
Have a great week!
LOL! It’s really small and the resort is really the main thing on it. I think the whole island is about two miles, but it’s right between Islamorada and Marathon, so there are things to do there. Only problem is that it’s such a pain for us to get to. Even flying (Miami or Key West) isn’t truly convenient.
It sounds like you had an amazing trip and good job on keeping up the cardio while away! I’ve only been to the Keys once and that was two years ago when we rode our bikes from north Key Largo to Key West. It was a fantastic adventure! I do love fresh seafood and can’t wait to eat lots this week while we’re back in Florida, this time riding our bikes across the state from east to west.
We made it to the southern most point, a few years ago, and I remember the l-o-n-g drive to get there! Looks like a great trip, especially with family 😉
A little change of scenery always does wonders! Glad you all had a nice birthday celebration and happy new year
Absolutely! We all needed it.
So jealous. I’ve always wanted to go to Key West and yes I love shrimp a nd lobster… and Dolphins. Petting one is also on my bucket list.
It has changed a lot from when I was in college. Way more commercial and touristy. I ended up hating Duval Street and would have loved to have more time to wander some of the more quiet back roads.
Looks like such a fun trip! I’ve never been to the Keys – looks beautiful. Happy Birthday to your hubby! And great job on keeping up your workouts while traveling – not always easy.
No, it was no! Especially after margaritas!
Gosh, that sounds like an amazing time! I love that the restaurant cooked the fresh-caught fish! Wow!
Long car rides usually make my butt hurt, but these days they aggravate my hamstring too. Walking is a good way to get those kinks out.
I sure am glad you avoided a tornado on your drive home – yikes.
I don’t know if you saw the news footage but it was TERRIFYING to see after the fact and I am glad I didn’t know about it while I was driving. We knew the weather wasn’t great and left early to accommodate that, but ugh.
We stopped a few times, but we just wanted to get HOME.
That pool shot <3
Most importantly, what did you read?
So glad you had an amazing trip
I could happily live on seafood and had a fish in AUstralia right off the boat. So so good
So I just finished The Pale-Faced Lie by David Crow. And now I’m reading The Girl In The Leaves. I have about five super heavy books on my TBR pile, so I’m going to need a break.
Seafood is so good and there is nothing better than the the server sat down that platter, knowing it came right from the ocean behind us. Yum.
That place around the pool looks AMAZING!! What a lovely trip.
I love seafood, the only issue is that I’m uncertain of the protein content and that there’s less of it compared to chicken or steak but I can be wrong (actually I think I was surprised when I checked once). When we travel along the coast anywhere, I always choose to eat fish or seafood because it’s always fresh there.
I really try to eat as local as I can when I’m away! I was all down with the Latin and Caribbean flavors and as much mahi and tuna as I could get my hot little hands on!
Oh how fun, you went to the Keys! Yes, Florida is a LONG state- it’s even a drive from where we are, and we’re way south of you. I’ve been to Key West a couple times, and we stayed in Islamorada a few years ago. This sounds like a perfect way to spend a birthday! And, I think you maintained the perfect amount of fitness while you were there. Hotel gyms are usually not great, and it wouldn’t have had the equipment you’re used to. I’m sure it will feel good to get back to a routine this week though!
They had a whole building for spa and gym, so I’m sure it was pretty decent. Today was shoulder day and that pretty well sucked after being gone!
This sounds like the best trip! So nice to have so much family with you!
It was really very nice and very needed.
What a fun trip! I’ve never been to the Keys – and it’s on my list! I’m jealous of your beautiful weather, especially this time of year. We had some days over Christmas where I ran in shorts, but it was short-lived (ha!).
Don’t be too jealous. Yesterday, we had winds in the 60 mph range, and tornadoes. No, thank you!
Sounds like a fantastic birthday celebration!
Love Key West. Have been a few times. It’s a long drive from Miami!
Glad you missed the accident & bad weather — and look at you missing the gym!
Soooo looong! No matter how you go there, it’s inconvenient lol!
And yes, I’m so glad we missed all the awful things.
Its all about the key lime pie, right? So fun! What a fabulous sounding celebration. The dolphin encounter looks so cool!