Training Log Archive: Torino

A beautiful day dawned over Cedar Key! Decided to try to explore some of the nearby keys with a small tour boat as the kayak rental place did not run today. It was colder than in a snowstorm with a bitingly cold wind and everybody was bundled up and shivering.
We had opted to be dropped off on the only key open to the public: Atsna Otie Key for over 2 hours. There, we finally warmed up a bit when following the short path to the cemetery and the remains of the Faber Castell mill that cut the cedars to be processed then into pencils in New York. Had lunch on the North side protected by the wind and it was really, really warm and nice. We soaked up all the warmth and sun we could get. Fun outing.
We could see hardly any big birds, they must have all migrated to the North (into blizzards?).

C • Migration 1

Had arrived in Cedar Key which is beautifully situated out in the Gulf of Mexico. However, last night a storm moved in and kept throwing rain and wind straight at our windows. In the morning, they had even issued a "tornado" watch. Passed a very dreary grey morning inside watching the storm and feeling sorry for us being stuck in the rain on our vacation again.
But, by 2pm all of a sudden, the clouds lifted and the sun came out. Wow, from being pounded by rain to having gentle sunshine happened in a heartbeat.
Decided to go a little inland to the Manatee Springs State Park. Very lovely area. Walked along the spring and saw a manatee hiding deep in the clear water and lots of snakes sunbathing on a bush, but no Mr Ali Gator. They were swimming around a little earlier, we were told.
Later went running by myself on a trail system with lots of options. Very soft and beautiful, all flat.

C • Warmed up yet? 3

A beautiful day but very cold for Florida, barely 15 degrees (55 degrees) and a cold strong wind. Decided to look for one of those parks that seem to have hiking trails. Drove way South for the Disney Conservatory Preserve. It was hard to find and doubted that I was still on the right track.
Beautiful place, hardly a soul and soft trails. Looked for birds and alligators but they were all hiding from the cold wind. So I opted to concentrate on running and hid my camera. The bigger loop was so pleasant, I did 3 loops, the last one in opposite direction.
Back at the car I changed, then went back to the little pond to have lunch and write in my diary hoping a snout would peak out but nothing happened. Oh well, it was a fine day away from those incredible crowds in Orlando and being out in the real world and nature.
I am always amazed how far away from being in touch with nature some of humankind has gone: a trail with roots is a scare, being too hot or too cold is not natural and in those galactic hotels in Orlando people live nothing but indoors always in the same cool temperature set by thermostats. This can't be good for the body. Oh well, nothing I can do about it.

Exploratory run around the "neighborhood". Went to a nature path that was advertised to be 1.9 mls long. But it ended after 600 m. As it was so pretty, went 3 times back and forth. Lots of roots and some muddy spots from last night's rain.