Tuesday Topics (and a Tangent, Of Course!)
Today’s prompt for the Tuesday Topic is: How do you stay active when the weather turns cooler? Ahem. Is this question mocking me? In South Florida, we’re at the time of year that makes you question your life choices. Still hot! Still humid! Still finishing every run depleted and drenched in sweat! I know in January I’ll be singing a different tune, but phew- “fall” is tough down here. Still- there’s hope. By the end of October we usually have a change in the weather, even if it’s subtle. In a couple months I’ll be enjoying runs in beautiful weather. I’ll increase my distance, and I might even wear a long sleeve shirt! And then what? I’m still grappling with my race schedule this year. Nothing has been decided, but this is what I’m thinking right now… A 50k at the end of January or beginning of February. There are a couple I have my eye on, but I can’t make a final decision until I find out about some events my daughter may be doing. I don’t think the races I’m looking at will be sold out, so it’s okay to wait. THEN, I would still like a “big event” in March. I can’t find anything that fits my requirements (the right distance at the right time) so I’m thinking of making my own. We’ll call it “Jenny’s Self-Supported Urban Ultra” (or… possibly a more catchy name, TBD). The way I’m picturing it is, it would be on my birthday. I would run from my house to the beach, then to my favorite trail (Yamato Scrub), then back to the trails closer to my house, and end back at my house. Goal distance- 62 miles, or 100K, which would be a new PR (just by a bit, as my current longest run is 60 miles. Still, a PR is a PR!) I’m liking this idea! I’m enjoying pondering the logistics- are there sidewalks along that street? Where can I pass a 7-11 to replenish my supplies? How can I carry the things I’ll need? It would be my own, personal adventure. Barring any new developments, I think this will be my plan for 2027. Moving further along… I do have a plan for the following year, which is to run Long Haul 100 in January of 2028. 100 miles! That is a huge goal for me, but I have time to work up to it. Long Haul used to be a “hidden gem” of a race, until Sally McRae ran it last year and talked about it on her podcast. Now it’s hard to get into (much to the chagrin of the Florida trail running community). So first hurdle would be getting in, then training, then running it. But, one step at a time. Link Up With Tuesday Topics Welcome back to Tuesday Topics, as Jenny, from Runners Fly joins Jenn at Runs With Pugs to co-host this link-up! Please join us every week for a new topic! Write on our weekly prompt or choose your own topic! Make sure to add your post to the link up, link back to your hosts, and comment on the other shared posts! You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter Do you wish you lived in South Florida? (No. You don’t). Any big goals you’re contemplating?