I have been so busy with vacationing, returning home, working, and celebrating Christmas on the River in Demopolis, Alabama that getting to this blog has been impossible. So, let me just catch up in 1 big post. I completed a few more runs in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I changed my planned routes to include 5th Avenue which is the shopping, restaurant ladden route in Playa Del Carmen. I posted some pictures on Flickr. We did have a good time. And, there were some especially interesting bits. For example, I was laying in a hammock on our rooms deck reading when all of a sudden I heard a women moaning the clear throngs of passion. I gotta tell you that this got my attention.
We saw Tulum a beach side Mayan ruin that was just awesome. We snorkled along a reef, a lagoon, and in a cenote. All of this was arranged and managed by EdVenture Tours which I just couldn't recommend more strongly. The cenote was basically the entrance to a flooded cave that was once dry. Thus, there were under water formations. It was very cool. The lagoon was next to a beautiful garden that was very well maintained and well populated with sculptures. The snorkeling here including seeing large parrot fish and a barracuda. The trip was wonderful.
Data
11/28/06: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
Distance: | 5 Miles |
Time: | 49:07 |
Heart Rate: | Not Measured |
Pace: | 9:49 |
Weather: | Few Clouds Temperature-77° Humidity-78% |
Route: | 5 Mile Run |
Data 11/29/06: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
The Garwin GPS unit died at about 1.5 miles. I am hoping it was just batteries. So, I just ran based on time. I assumed a very slow pace of 10 minutes per mile and turned around at 40 minutes.
Distance: | 8 Miles (estimated) |
Time: | 1:20:00 |
Heart Rate: | Not Measured |
Pace: | 10:00 |
Weather: | Mostly Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-94% |
Route: | 8 Mile Run |
Being the only runner on a vacation with 8 other people really makes it difficult to fit in runs. The group has no problem scheduling activities such that it is difficult to fit runs in. But, I think I did pretty good by only missing 1 run. Allbeit, I missed the longest run of the week. I was all perplexed about how I was going to make up for it. I was supposed to run 15 last Sunday and 17 this Sunday (12/03/06). After complaining and mentioning it to the wife, she said why don't you just run 16 this week. Now, that was such a simple and beautiful compromise. I wished I could've/would've thougth of it. Well, that is what I am planning to do.
So, we go back home alright. I ran my 6 mile out and back route in the neighborhood on Friday.
Data
12/01/06: Neighborhood
It was cold which is such a shock to the system after Mexico. But, I have to admit the body found the cooler temperature a welcome change back.
Distance: | 6 Miles |
Time: | 58:23 |
Heart Rate: | Not Measured |
Pace: | 9:43 |
Weather: | Mostly Cloudy Temperature-40° Humidity-68% |
After working the rest of the day, we headed off to Demopolis, Alabma for several things. Not least of which, we were heading to grandmamma's and granddaddy's where my son has been. Yes, we haven't seen him in a week. And, we missed him terribly. This weekend is also the annual Christmas on the River celebration in Demopolis. This celebration started back in 1972 when a good friend of our family and another fellow decided to add this celebration after seeing celebrations in other parts of the country.
Friday night is a dedicated to a big barbeque (which we arrived too late to enjoy). Saturday brings the annual Jingle Bell Run, the traditional, land-based parade, and the evening float parade on the river with accompanying fireworks. I ran the Jinble Bell Run.
Data
12/02/06: Jingle Bell Run in Demopolis, Alabama
Distance: | 3.1 Miles |
Time: | 26:46 |
Heart Rate: | Not Measured |
Pace: | 8:38 |
Weather: | Partly Cloudy Temperature-34° Humidity-62% |