Vacation time had finally arrived!  We booked our Florida vacation months ago and had been counting down the cold,wet, dreary Chicago "spring" days ever since. Now it was time. Usually vacation time to me means taking a true break and leaving not only work but working out behind as well. This time I had other plans. We had visited the same spot 15 months earlier and I planned to do a couple of "hill" training runs over a long bridge that spans Sand Key Beach over to Clearwater Beach. The bridge itself is quite lovely in that it rises over 75 feet above the waterway connecting the intercoastal and the Gulf of Mexico with an amazing view at it's apex.  It is very cleanly designed built on cement pillars gradually rising off Sand Key into a gentle yet high arch before descending into Clearwater Beach. There is a very nice railed off sidewalk along the span I planned to run on. The length itself is probably a mile or so round trip but the long incline would have been a nice challenge.

 

As it turns out, Nature had other plans for me. We awoke our first morning to a sun drenched beach with a gentle ocean breeze. Excited, we grabbed our beach gear and hurried down to the water.  We enjoyed the first rush of water spilling  over our toes as a wave rolled up onshore. We couldn't believe how warm the water was. My wife retreated to our umbrella as my daughter and I plunged into the water. I had heard many times before to 'shuffle' your feet as you go in as to ward off any stingrays nestled in the sand. I suppose I shuffled a little too well. After having been in the water for about 10 minutes or so I was digging my feet through the sand in search of shells and such when I felt quick sudden stab in the heel of my left foot (ironic?)  I could imagine the stingray calling out, "gotcha 'onyerleft' heel!"  The pain was immediate and excruciating!  Trying to reconcile what had just happened I grabbed my daughter and hobbled back onto the beach.  I found out the hard way that ice only makes the  sting more intense and was told by the beach attendant that very hot water was best. I limped across the long expanse of sand back to the hotel and gave my foot a hot bath. After a couple of Aleve and a couple hours time I began to feel better.  My vacation running plans were shelved for the rest of the trip!  I found out that although suffering a stingray zap is fairly rare, the area we were in was enduring a rash of sting incidents. The hotel manager said they averaged about four a year. The day I had my run in there were a total of 9!

 

All in all the vacation turned out great, even with a nasty little reminder that humans share the earth with all kinds of magnificent wildlife. Sometimes it's  best to give up the go go go schedule of life and take time to just enjoy your vacation. The running and working out could wait a week.......At least that is what I took out of the experience. Anyway, I'm back this week with a healing left foot and am looking forward to running in my home environs again where my biggest concern is a blister or two from my new running shoes..........   A special thanks to everyone who came out to see us at the Bike The Drive and Hoofin it for Hephzibah events this past Memorial Day weekend!   See ya on the pathways!   dave