Monday, January 4, 2010

Wrapping Up the Sydney Experience

Blogger Meet Up

It isn’t very often that I have the chance to meet up with a blogger buddy, but luckily it worked out that Melanie (of Mel Tries to Run) was able to come up to Sydney from Canberra on Saturday evening.  We met up with another runner friend of hers, went for cocktails and grabbed some super yummy Thai food in Newtown.  The evening was full of really fantastic conversation and I’m really glad that we had the chance to meet up.  Thanks again for a fantastic evening Mel!!DSCN2679

Hmm, looks like I caught a wee bit of sun…

Running

I managed to squeeze in some final runs in Sydney on Sunday and on Monday.  On Sunday I headed back to Circular Quay and the Opera House, plus I spent a bit more time exploring the Botanical Gardens.  It was slightly less humid when I started running as a light drizzle was coming down, but as soon as that finished the humidity kicked back in.  I went from feeling like I could run forever to feeling…ugh.  But the scenery was great!DSCN2686DSCN2682I hadn’t quite planned to run on Monday morning as that was the day I was leaving for the airport.  My parents had a much earlier flight than I did and they were out of the hotel room by 5:30 am.  I didn’t have to leave until 9 am to catch my flight and as I lay in bed and watched the sky brighten I figured I should really just get up and run.  We were staying in a part of Sydney called Darling Harbour so I just went down there and ran along the semi-circular boardwalk.DSCN2446 DSCN2445I’m glad I got a last few miles in before having to rush off and catch my flight.  It was a nice way to end the trip.

Lessons Learned and Things I Was Reminded About in Australia

  1. There is no better way to sightsee than on a run or a bike ride in a new place.  I got to see things I may not have noticed if I wasn’t running past it.  Running past the Sydney Opera House and up its stairs was a definite highlight.
  2. Humidity and I?  We are not friends.  While all of my runs were incredibly scenic and beautiful they were also fairly hard.  I’m attributing it mostly to the humidity although I wasn’t quite the active runner I would have liked to have been in December.  So needless to say, I am actually kind of looking forward to getting back to running in cold, snowy Calgary.
  3. Mozzies (aka mosquitoes) love me.  I do not love them.  My parents would get the odd bite here and there, but by the end of the trip the final count was 21 bites on my right leg, 16 on the left.
  4. Swimming in a gorgeous outdoor pool is pretty well all I need to get excited about swimming again.  Time to get back to working on that stroke.

And with that…I’m back in Calgary.  Back to work tomorrow.  And my first block of Ironman training starts too!!  I’ve got a lot of catching up to do with you guys.  Google Reader is telling me that I have just over 600 unread posts!!

13 comments:

teacherwoman said...

Looks like you had a great trip...and with all those great workouts, wahoo! :)

Mel-2nd Chances said...

oooh! Back to work the day after you arrive home from Australia, you're amazing!! Looks like you had a fantastic time, so happy you got to meet Mel, I'm looking forward to meeting her in March, and hopefully you some day as well!

You're so right about seeing things while on a run/ride... Welcome back!

Anonymous said...

Those pools do look great. I'm glad you enjoyed the trip. Safe travels back to Calgary!

strewth said...

Found your link on Mel's blog and have so enjoyed reading all about your time in Aus. Glad you arrived safely home. Best of luck with all your training for the Ironman!

Wes said...

Mozzies always prefer sweet stuff, at least that's what I tell Dee Dee {snicker} :-)

Lindsay said...

too cool that you got to meet mel! i was wondering if you had the chance to meet up with her :)

you are quite the world traveler. i feel like every post i read is you traveling somewhere cool... ;)

welcome back to the arctic and lovely work!!

Becca said...

I went to Sydney years ago and it is one of the most beautiful places to visit! I would love to go back now that I'm older. You are so lucky!

kristen said...

wow- great vacation! and i'm impressed with all that swimming and running while away good job!

Badgergirl said...

Sounds like a great way to wrap up a vacation! Have a safe trip home!

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

Yikes with google reader!! That thing can be quite scary when it fills up!

I'm with you on the humidity! My hair turns into a fro!

Good luck with training!

Runner Susan said...

Happy IM training and Happy New Year!

Julie said...

So cool you met up with a blogger buddy! :)

Those outdoor pools make me drool!! :) :)

Rainmaker said...

Glad to see you enjoyed Sydney! I went there a few years back and absolutely love it. Been toying with the idea of some day relocating there for a few years for work...beaches would be nice. :)