Running in Paradise

If you watched the Christmas Special for the BBC program Doctor Who (which is easily the best show on TV, by the way), then you know how the Winter Solstice, and Christmas to an extent, are halfway through the winter times when the long, dark, cold, days start getting shorter. People from many traditions and cultures come together to celebrate this, Half Way Out of the Dark, time.

Cin and I, being warm weather people, try to get out of our dark, cold, climate whenever we can. Two years ago, we flew down to the Florida Keys, visiting Key Largo and Key West, and decided to do that again to welcome in 2011. As we were eating a lot of very less-than-healthy food and have a full set of early season races coming up, we also ran a bunch while down there. Lots of people had the same idea and we saw a range, from folks walking a mile with weights in their hands, to folks in full-on tri gear putting in some intense sets, both running and on really high-end tri bikes...this is a very friendly training town! Running in low-70s weather, with just a bit of humidity, along the beach, is a very welcome break from the winter of home. Also worthy of note is that Key West, while known as a party town, has excellent watersport and other activities...I got a really good set of SCUBA dives in on this trip (the best SCUBA is up north in Key Largo, but Key West is pretty sweet too!).

Here's a shot from our morning run route.

It occurred to us that running around Key West was a decent task that many people would want to do. Yet, searching for a planned route, I was unable to find a good one. So, I made one and wanted to share. I tried to stay as far on the outside of the island as possible and also tried to select roads that allowed the best view of the water. The route ends up being just over 11 miles and stays on the main roads.

Here is the route I was able to put together: http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/fl/key%20west/906129398065594885

If you're down in Key West and want to run, give it a try and let me know what you think of this one.

I should also point out that Key West has a very popular half marathon, there is the annual Swim Around Key West (12 miles!), the 7 Mile Bridge Run (which is a run over the famous 7 Mile Bridge in the more-northern sections of the Keys), and Key West also hosted its first triathlon event this year, at both the sprint and Olympic distance.

Great trip with great running and other events. Running in freezing temps and frigid winds is common this time of year and this trip let us take a break and enjoy some perfect conditions. It was both physically and mentally rejuvenating. If you're looking for a break from the cold, consider (running in) Key West. I, for one, am very glad to be Halfway Out of the Dark.