South Beach Seven

Apart from a handful of minor differences, this Saturday’s 7-miler was just like any other in recent memory, with me hoofing it back and forth to stack up my weekly mileage. 

Those minor differences were:

1. I ran in shorts and a singlet
2. It was 70 degrees and sunny with a light wind.
3. I could gaze at the ocean
4. My route took me along the paved path that runs between the beach and the back of the Collins Avenue hotels.
5. There were people strolling next to me in flip flops and small pieces of clothing. 

My hips were bothering me from Friday’s 14, so although I started out running sub-9’s I dialed that back to around 10:10’s after two miles, deciding to run for recovery. A wise choice, as my stretching (on the balcony of my room, which overlooked a tranquil swimming pool bordered with tall palm trees) afterwards indicated. Also, my slower pace meant I got to take in more of the local, um, scenery.  (7 miles in 1:07:46. Fastest mile: 8:34; slowest mile: 10:13.)

The rest of the day poked along at a nice sun-mellowed pace, as well. A meal. A lounge in the hammock. A trip to the expo to grab my friends’ packets. A long nap on the beach, during which I was caressed by two lovers, the sun and the breeze. Reading on the hotel room balcony. Dinner with the group at an Italian restaurant where we all lounged on settees and gilded chairs around our table.