Shirley Goodness: Florida...State #13!!

Florida was my lucky number 13! My first half marathon after back surgery in December 2021. And it was a good one! I had not run after surgery until July 2022. And then I have been limiting myself to running outside only 3 times a week and doing the elliptical other days. I also had bought Hoka running shoes to provide more cushion. The other thing I have focused on was making sure I had enough salt/electrolyte liquid hydration. And I made sure I was continuing my PT work with strength training and core work.

Other than that, I followed my usual training plan and increased my miles each week. I did have some numbness in my foot again, but it was not consistent. This led to me making sure I ran slow, around a 13-minute mile, and I started wearing compression socks.

That is how I got ready for Florida! The run in FL was called the Gator Double through Vacation Races and it involved a 5K on Friday night and a half on Saturday. Dave, Camden and I all ran the 5K. My plan was to get my legs ready for Saturday, but I actually ran faster than I planned. The first mile was around 8 minutes and the second was 9ish. Then I really slowed down because I have not run that fast in a long time!! I finished in 35 minutes which is a slower 5K for me, but faster than I expected. But I was happy to finish in time to be told that Camden had come in 2nd place overall!! And I finished before Dave figured I would as he missed my finish!

Camden started the 5K at the front with the serious competitive runners!

Dave and Amy started further back, but Dave quickly left Amy!

The three of us with our 5K medals

Camden receiving his 2nd place medal and a National Park Pass...

just hours after we paid to get into The Everglades!!!

The top five males for the Everglades 5K!

Camden with his 5K bling!

On Saturday, Camden and I did the half and Dave was there supporting us! I was hoping to finish by 3 hours but was not going to stress if I was over. I was happily surprised to run a 12-minute mile average with no numbness in my foot! And finish in 2.37 hrs.!! Dave was there cheering me on at the finish! And he even bought me a Nathan hydration vest as a gift. And I finished just in time to get to the awards ceremony to see Camden get the medal for 1st in his age group with a time of 1.42 hrs.!! He was 25th overall.