Training Log Archive: Torino

Went for a leisurely swim in the resort-owned little pool which was warm as a bathtub. It was needed as the air was colder than the water.

Checking out possible trails for running in Myakka State Park. We've been here 4 years ago and saw lots of wildlife. Today, as we are staying close-by, we opted to go out there again and do a run on one of the many winding trails. But, at the entrance gate, the ranger already said that most of the park is still flooded and closed. So we tried the Powerline Trail where lots of trails and a horse trail intersect. Well, the ranger was right, we ran into submerged trails all the time, even on the big powerline dirt road we dead-ended before a deep-looking rushing river. I am not setting my foot into anything that deep when I know that venomous snakes and other big lizards could be anywhere.
Nice, slow exploratory jog with Urs. It was too cold, barely 20 degrees, slightly overcast to see much wildlife. We did not even go canoeing as there were no alligators in sight as there were not sandbanks for them to sun on. Everywhere the shoreline was still under water.

C • Florida 3

My first run in Florida. Went in the evening and was amazed how much longer daylight is available (more than 45 min compared to Switzerland, adding 45 min in the morning makes for at least 90 min more light than we're used to).
last night we arrived in Tampa after an easy flight (it felt sooo long, watched 2 movies and read half a book), we went to a hotel near the airport. Today, we meandered around the Tampa Bay, went for a big grocery shopping tour, then drove over that magnificent Baysky or Skybaybridge and on to our Keys (the Siesta Key). After checking into our "villa" which was a bigger room with full-size kitchen which would actually go for a motel, we checked out the beach and walked a bit along the beach in the sand. It was too cold to consider a swimm. I then decided that I wanted to go for a run and the only option on this small key was to follow the Midnight Pass Road to the Turtle Campground. Afterwards, I could go for another half mile and then a big, huge, unsurmountable fence blocked my way. Too bad because I saw on Google map that it was possible to connect with the lower key.

So I mostly ran on the sidewalk and when possible on the small strip of grass along the sidewalk and the road. Felt better the longer I ran.
Lots of stops to explore and to take pictures.Beautiful sunset.

I went up to Tête-de-Ran again, this time to skate ski. It had snowed again and the sun changed with clouds, some snowflurries and wind. After a while I realised that I should have stuck to classic skiing because again, the tracks were blown over, some places invisible and often no skating areas what-so-ever. The downhills went fine, still somewhat slow, but on the uphill I just didn't have the strength (nor the technique) to skate ski in deeper snow on a soft surface and was very slow. It was pretty tough, but the powdery snow was magnificent and tried to enjoy being out and so close to home now ;-))).

Had just very limited time as Urs wanted the car, so I shortcut. I just HAD to get out quickly in the new snow and enjoy the sunshine and the forest and the trails and all. Magic.
Wore the icebug shoes for the first time in 3 winters? They still fit and work fine.
Not much time left as Monday, I have to work in Interlaken and Tuesday we're flying to Tampa for a 10-day vacation in Southern FL enjoying the beach and looking for big birds and wildlife in the parks we know quite well up to now. Hoping that El Nino does not send us too much rain during that time?

Hurried up to Tête-de-Ran to start the skiing season with classic skis. It was beautiful out, very cold and changeable weather between sun and snow and lots of wind. The tracks if visible were very soft and slow, going down I had to double pole a lot, only on the uphills it was a little better.

Squeezed in this outing after dropping off Lena at the daycare after lunch, skiing, hurrying home to shower and picking up Matti and Lena again. They stayed with us for 2 nights, and unfortunately, Lena had a stuffed up nose and was suffering a lot during her sleep (and mine).