Thing #1: Before even going on the cruise, I found myself planning runs while on vacation. Yes, I just said those words. I PLANNED to run and looked for the best possible days to do so while I was on the cruise. Then while we were on the cruise, I actually ran 4 different times for two to three miles each time. Yes, 4 times in 12 days does NOT make me "serious" or "real" runner in my mind. But, I do finally feel like it makes me a runner. A plain, ordinary runner. And that is the very FIRST time that I have ever admitted that. To myself or others.
Thing #2: I found running on the boat in the middle of the Mediterranean a little fun. Yes, I just said fun. I know, I know. By now, if you have been following my blog entries, you just passed out on the floor. I still say only a little fun though. There came a point where my body went ... ok, you are done. But until that point, I was enjoying running. I even challenged myself a couple of times. I usually run about a 12 minute mile which is set at speed 5 on a treadmill. On two of my runs, I wanted to see what I could do, so I upped the speed. Once I ran the middle mile of my run at 5.8. Another time, I ran the middle mile at 6.0. The other two runs I did were on the outdoor hanging track so I don't know what speed. It was fun to challenge myself and see how fast/far I could go. Also, I enjoyed jogging at other points too. Like I chose to jog up the stairs in the cruise ship (racing Mike) instead of taking the elevators. We took them only twice. Once, when Athens almost killed me :) and the other was when we had our luggage. I jogged up stairs in the cities and up hills and whenever else I could. I actually found jogging up things was easier that walking them. On the other hand, when you walk over 300 stairs to the top of the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral, there is definitely walking involved.
Thing #3 - I read a running book that my friend Abi recommended. It was fabulous and made me completely understand the motivation behind ultra runners. I am not one of those runners by any measure, but I now "get it" and I am completely jealous of their ability. The book is called Born to Run and I highly recommend it. The author tells one central story while meandering off on side stories that tell interesting historical facts. It is difficult at times to follow, but I made it through and LOVED every second of the reading. It has made me open my eyes to WHY I should/shouldn't be running and what my body can really do if I let it.
So I had a great trip and at the same time grew as a runner. Good times!
P.S. I realized (thanks to Jill) that I forgot to add in some of the best parts of my trip. Wine and cheese, of course. So here are two of my FAVORITE pictures from the trip :)
Cheese and Olives in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Italian Beer and Prosecco Bellini
in Venice, Italy
(and husband Mike in the background!)
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