That’s right! January is over. And I’m entering into the busiest month of my life to date! Eek!
Sunday
- Cardio: 2.59 miles, walking + 3.29 miles, Death To Dementia
Sunday dawned, and we were slow to crawl out of bed. the mornings start super chilly and then heat up fast. I went out for a walk, but Mr PugRunner got up in enough time for us to get to the Death To Dementia walk at the Palms Pantry wine bar in Jax Beach. The owner has started an initiative to spread dementia awareness with a walk the last Sunday of every month, and we were super happy to join.
Monday
- Cardio: 5.87 miles, running + .6 miles, walking
The day opened with rain. Booooo. I suffered through it, but it wasn’t fun.
Fortunately, things cleared up enough for my dog walk to be dry and pleasant. That makes a difference, for sure. And it did get colder as the day progressed, so it was absolutely soup for dinner. I really love soup too much.
Tuesday
- Cardio: 4.62 miles, running + .86 miles, walking
This was an exciting day! I got up and moving as early as I could manage, so that I could get my morning run out of the way, pack my bags, organize the house, and get to my dog walk.
And then we loaded up the car for our three hour drive to Crystal River! We got a great deal on a hotel that was still renovating from hurricane damage, and we were ready to our manatee adventure! After we checked in, we got wine and dinner at a local restaurant with a beautiful sunset, and then it was off to bed.
Wednesday
- Cardio: 1 mile, walking
It was manatee day!!!!! We were so excited, but I was also super nervous. I had no idea what to expect, and it was 29ºF when we woke up. Fortunately, we had opted to upgrade to the heated boat, departing at 6:30AM, so we got dressed, packed our gear, grabbed a quick bite at the breakfast bar, and headed to the dive shop.
Our group got suited up, and we were on the pontoon by 7:20AM.
I cannot even begin to describe to you how incredible this experience was. As one of the first groups in the water, we were so fortunate to have clear views of these beautiful sea potatoes. Some were sleeping, but others were incredibly curious and interactive. It’s a criminal offense to touch, bother, or otherwise harrass the manatees, but they are allowed to touch and interact with you (if you get uncomfortable, you can gently detach and float away). The water was 72ºF, but it felt great with the wetsuits, and we just snorkeled our way through the morning. Amazing.
We were off the boat by 9:30, which was plenty of time to take a hot shower at the hotel, have breakfast, and then head home.
I kept my streak going by making my way to a client for a walk that night. Perfect.
Thursday
- Cardio: 4.55 miles, running + 1.31 miles, walking
- Strenth: upper body + standing deep core, 40 minutes
Speed work day! Good times. I worked my way through the run, went to a dog walk, then the gym, then another dog walk. The fresh air is really doing a number on me.
And then of course, it was time for more soup: chicken tortilla this time!
Friday
- Cardio: 5.02 miles, running
TGIF! I started the morning with a chilly run.
And then I met up with some clients, one to drop off a key, and the other to go over notes for my next visit. All was going pretty smoothly, until our washing machine crapped out again, right in the middle of a load. Bizarrely, my friend’s washing machine did the same thing at the same time! What? We have a service call scheduled and laundry service set up, but it’s annoying.
Oh, and Luna had to go back to the vet. She’s been super itchy and we needed to get that taken care of. She’s on meds to help the situation.
Saturday
- Cardio: 3.68 miles, walking
We are getting ready for our next freeze, and maybe even flurries! In this moment, it was decent, so I headed out for a few miles. I was trying to be good about the clothes I grabbed because we are sending our laundry out.
When we got back to the house, we got ready to go try a new-ish bagel place by us. These are cooked hot and immediately bagged and sold. It’s a unique concept where you choose from five flavors of bagels, and several different “schmears.” Instead of cutting and spreading, you rip and dip your bagel into a variety of cream cheeses, and butters. Not the norm, but it worked.
We did some shopping and in the evening, we went out to celebrate my stepdad’s birthday!
Thoughts + Goals
Has this been a wildly long month for anyone else? I feel like January lasted a freaking lifetime!
I’m a little stressed about the upcoming month. I’m only home three or four days in February, which is just insane! I’ll figure it out, but I’ll also be living out of a suitcase for a bit.
We are also celebrating my stepdad’s 80th birthday, and enjoying some wind ensemble concerts. I love marching band, but I might love wind ensemble even more.
I’ve got a race scheduled for the end of the month, and I’m ready to do this thing!
In Case You Missed It
- Wishing For Brighter Days
- The Mental Load Audit: Why Busy Isn’t A Badge Of Honor
- The “Small Wins” Recovery Guide
- First Runfessions Of The Year
How was your week in training? Have you ever swam with manatees in the wild? what adventure should we try next?
Weekly Rundown
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
Your manatee adventure looks amazing! Years ago, when the boys and I were in Florida, we were out paddleboarding on a canal and the manatees were swimming under us. I loved being up close and personal with them! They are such gentle, sweet creatures.
Someone told me there’s snow in Florida? Did you get any? Stay warm!
There were flurries for sure. It was bizarre!
Manatees are the best. They are so curious and sweet, and it was magical just floating along with them. I have been on an SUP in the inlets and seen them, but this was next level.
It would be a drag to have to do a lot of dog walks in the rain. It takes forever to towel off Scooby!
Your manatee adventure looks amazing.
I’m stressing over all the work I have to do in February. ~sigh~
Fortunately, we very rarely get all day rains here. Usually it’s an hour or two and then nohting. And I think I’ve only had one scheduled walk in the actual rain, but it was light and we managed.
We will get through February!
Manatees! I’ve seen some, but never gotten close to them like that. It really does sound like an amazing experience.
BRR!!! We are freezing down here- and if we’re this cold, it must be even colder up where you are. I did hear that you might get some snow flurries- that would be fun.
Sounds like you have a crazy month coming up. It’s definitely a busy time for band- even busier (for us) than the fall.
Now I’m craving bagels!!!
We did get flurries! Just for a moment, but very cool.
I’ve had manatees in the Salt Run where I paddleboard, and I love that, but it’s nothing like being surrounded by them. Yesterday, there were 800+ in Blue Spring… amazing.
these were super yummy bagels. and so very hot!
Look at all that soup! I do love a good soup. I wish my kids ate it more but they have limited palettes when it comes to things all mixed together it seems. Bummer for all the wet walks – we also havent had the best weather but it has been COLD AND SNOWY!
I don’t know that I loved soup as a child either. Creamy tomato with a good grilled cheese was always a fave, but that was about it. They’ll come to reason one day lol!
I want snoooowww!
Wow how cool does that manatee adventure sound?! What a fun and different experience ! Glad your pet sitting biz is keeping you so busy! Do you love it?
I do love it. Some days it’s hard and it’s occasionally stressful, but I have an incredible roster of clients (animals AND people), and I appreciate getting paid for doing the thing I enjoy so much.
The manatees were amazing. I would happily do that every day.
Manatees! What a cool experience! I’m glad you had the upgraded warm boat! That sounds like a chilly start (but so worth it!).
The pet sitting gig really has you on the go! I like to challenge myself when I travel to see how few things I can take – like an efficiency challenge. I’m sure you have your packing game down to a science! That sucks about the washer breaking. I guess I’d just be hauling our wash to the laundry if that happened to us (I should not even say that out loud, knock on wood!!). What kind of travel area do you have? Only take jobs within an hour of your house, or something like that?
Packing is definitely a challenge. Sometimes, I’m close enough to home that I can just take a change of clothes and swap out dirties for cleans. This week, our washing machine is broken, and I’m going from one house to the next, so i brought a ton of stuff and will hopefully be able to get another batch in to the delivery service.
We don’t have a decent laundromat anywhere near us… we do have a service, though, and it’s fairly reasonable for emergencies with a 24 hour turnaround.
My regular travel area is 6 miles. I do have three clients who are outside that range. Two are friends and one is a client who was among my first, and I will travel to the ends of the earth for her and her dog. Even then, it’s within 11 miles.
Oh my goodness, your manatee encounters must have been so cool! What a fun trip for you two!
Luckily, January seemed to fly by for me! With as busy as your schedule is, February is sure to fly by!
Jealous that it went quickly! I hope February moves a little faster!
I’ve only seen the manatees from above… I love them.
sooo cold here. O could use some of that soup.
Good luck with your busy February!!
I would be so happy to share if I could get it to you!
There are several kayaks and SUP tours of the manatees, but once I heard you can get in the water WITH them? Sold! Sign me up!
We are on day 2 and going strong!
I have always loved manatees, what an amazing experience!
January was the longest month ever…I am THRILLED that it’s over, not gonna lie!
We’ve been having a lot of soup over here too, tis the season! I hope the weather doesn’t get too treacherous down there!
I love soup so much!
It was so incredible. Definitely ranks up there on cool things we’ve done!
Your manatee expedition sounds fun! Looks like your weather has been less-than-ideal as well… it’s hitting all of us. Brrr!
At least we have sunshine? I guess?
I enjoy it but it’s hard when you dont really have proper gear.
Death to dementia – what a great initiative.
The manatee experience looks fantastic!! So were you freely in the water swimming with the animals That must have been so exciting.
Your soups look delicious! I love a good soup, especially during cold weather.
Yes! They have some roped off “preservation” areas that are prohibited to humans, but the manatees don’t have to follow those rules. I’ve been in the water with manatees, and even dolphins before (I mean, obviously they are there, they live there, but up close, within touching distance), but this is the first time I’ve been with so many. It was magical.