Friday, March 5, 2010

Running barefoot on the beach and other highlights!

"Within your heart, keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go."
Louise Driscoll

During this vacation, I discovered barefoot running on hard sand along the beach...it was amazing!
I LOVED running barefoot!
Although I did end up with a little souvenir on my big toe :)
Note the beautiful blister after a 9K run on the beach :)
It never did end up hurting though and I was able to run on the beach again a few days later.
You will notice that I changed my header photo. No more winter...time to dream about summer for a while.

Here's another cool thing that happened on this vacation. I'm lounging on the beach, reading the first of many books I devoured. My husband is gone to get something to drink. After a while, there is some ruckus behind me and when I turn, there is not only my husband, but also my sister and her husband who decided to surprise us and join us on our vacation. I was thrilled to see them!
My sister Cee and I. 
Initially, they were to join us, but for various reasons, they had changed their minds. My sister has been very busy since her book came out and she was away the day we left. However, at the last minute, they decided a vacation was in order and so they thought they'd surprise us and they arrived two days after we did. How cool is that...we had a great time together.
The four of us at dinner.

Here are a few pictures from our vacation!
The cocotaxi, it's like a three-wheeled motorcycle...fun!



Our resort in Varadero.

Stretching...note the cute garmin, which was great for measuring our distance on the beach.

Book number two...I did lots of reading. Can I look more serious :)

After our first beach run together :)

We clean up pretty well ;)
Tomorrow is a busy day, because we'll be celebrating my 51st birthday!
So, I look forward to catching up on everyone's blogs over the next week...
Cheers!

27 comments:

ajh said...

Happy Birthday! Love the new header. It looks like you are having a great time. Are the books any good? I always like hearing about books. How neat that your sister and husband joined you.

Julie said...

Hi Anne,
Welcome back, I have missed you and your comments! Thank you so much for posting those beautiful pictures! It looks absolutley heavenly:) What a wonderful surprise to find out that your sister came to join you. It sounds like you had a wonderful and relaxing time. I love the new picture of you running on the beach! You look flipping fantastic!! Happy birthday Anne:)

Steel Springs said...

I love the new header and all of the pictures from your trip! It looks like you had a wonderful vacation. Happy birthday! Have fun celebrating!

EricaH said...

Looks like you are definitely making the most of your vacation, the beach looks wonderful. Happy Birthday!!!!

Will said...

Looks like you're enjoying yourself. What more can you ask for on your birthday? Rock it!

Amy said...

I love the new header!!! No more snow! Great pictures - it looks like you had a wonderfully relaxing vacation. Now I wish you a very happy birthday - enjoy your special weekend!

Marlene said...

I LOVED running barefoot on the beach! Sounds like a wonderful vacation and what a great surprise that your sister showed up!

Happy Birthday!!!

MomRunningFromCancer said...

Anne - I have been anxious to hear how your vacation was.

Oh My Gosh -
it looks beautiful and
sunny and
warm and
relaxing and
not slippery and
not snowy and
warm . . . oh I said that already . . . . I am sooooo jealous. In a good way ;-)
How cool was that to see you sister - what a great surprise. I bet you had the time of your life and now come home to celebrate your birthday.

Happy Birthday - Celebrate - Celebrate - Dance to the Music.

kristen said...

I LOVE the new picture up top! Sounds like your having a blast. So cool that your sister and hubby joined after all. Have fun!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

momof3 said...

You are so beautiful, look at your loooong leg running!

And THANKS for GOING on that awesome vacation and changing your header photo because it's the sunshine I needed! (I know you did all that for me).

Hope you've arrived home completely recharged and ready to go!

hmm114 said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!! Love the new header and loved all the great pictures !! Celebrate your day !! :)

kilax said...

Happy Birthday!

I must say, I LOVE the new header! It is making me feel so warm. And making me want to run on the beach. How cool that your sis surprised you! :)

ajh said...

I read memoirs off and on too. I am currently reading Ted Kennedy's It is interesting but not riveting. I also read Jim Jeffords. A more interesting one was David Crosby who I am just fascinated by. Someone at my gym commented with incredulity at the variety of my biography subjects. I read Glass Castle??? which was fascinating. I think I would like the woman climbing one you mentioned. I will have to look for it. Thanks.

Marathonman101108 said...

Happy Birthday! How nice that your sister and her husband surprised you on your vacation. Running in the sand looks like fun. Enjoy!

Jamoosh said...

Barefoot Running on the beach - sweet!
Another birthday - sweeter! Have a great one.

Suzy said...

Running on the beach looks amazing! Happy Birthday!!!!

Melissa said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Love the pics and it looks like you are having a great time. :)

Meg said...

Happy Birthday! It's so funny to see you without gloves, a hat, a jacket and running pants! I almost didn't recognize you ;)!

AM-GoalsfortheWeek! said...

Love the New blog header picture. and your vaca pics look fab. we're heading to sunnier weather ourselves...in 3 weeks...;-) can't wait to run on the beach myself;-)

Jameson said...

barefoot/beach running, both are great and the best!

Anne said...

Such a contrast in your header photo! I prefer to wear shoes on the beach, but there is indeed something liberating about barefoot running on sand, especially if you live where it is still icy and cold.

Happy Birthday to you too, Anne!

Christina said...

I'm so envious of the books you get to read. I love reading and haven't found time lately to read.

As far as beach running, that's an excellent run...9K barefoot on the sand. Wow! I'm not a big beach runner; I find it really hard and tiring.

prairierunner said...

Happy first anniversary of your fiftieth birthday!! Over 50 rocks!!

Sarah said...

Love the new header! So fun you ran on the beach. We live on the coast, so it's kind of funny to me I've never tried that. Maybe now I will. :)

jenn w/ 2 n's said...

Awesome! Glad you back and had a great time. BEAUTIFUL header. We're headed to Costa Rica next week. Maybe I'll get my own beach shot! Happy Happy Birthday!!

Psyche said...

Hi, Anne!

Happy Birthday!!! The first thing I noticed was your new header- it looks GREAT! What a fabulous vacay! Love the pictures- you look so relaxed and happy. I am so jealous:)

Have a great day!

Alicia said...

Wow! What a beautiful and relaxing place! So jealous!