Category: Winter Garden

59 Days to London: Finding Strength in an 18‑Mile Run

With just 59 days until the London Marathon, today felt like a turning point — the kind of training day that reminds you why you signed up for this journey in the first place. I headed out for my longest run of the cycle so far, 18 miles, and finished feeling strong, steady, and surprisingly grateful.

Long runs have a way of stripping everything down to the essentials. It’s just you, your breath, the rhythm of your feet, and the quiet space to think. And with everything happening in the world — the uncertainty, the heaviness, the constant stream of headlines — being able to step outside and run for hours felt like a privilege I didn’t want to take for granted.

There was something grounding about it. Mile after mile, I kept coming back to the same thought: I get to do this. I get to move, to train, to chase a goal that once felt out of reach. I get to spend a morning outdoors, watching the sun rise higher, feeling the air shift, and letting my mind settle into a rare kind of calm.

Training for a marathon is never just about the miles. It’s about perspective. It’s about finding small pockets of clarity in a world that often feels anything but clear. It’s about choosing to show up — even when it’s hard, even when life feels loud, even when the finish line still feels far away.

Today’s 18 miles reminded me that progress isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply the quiet confidence that comes from doing the work and realizing you’re stronger than you were a few weeks ago. And with 59 days to go, that strength matters.

There’s still plenty of training ahead, but today was a win — a reminder of resilience, gratitude, and the simple joy of being able to run.

#LondonMarathon2026

by Categories: Florida, Running, UK, Winter GardenTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Surviving Orlando’s Surprise Cold Snap: Two Days We Won’t Forget

If you’ve lived in Central Florida long enough, you know we get our share of chilly mornings — but every once in a while, Orlando throws us a curveball. The last two days were one of those rare moments when “Sunshine State” felt like a misnomer and we all collectively wondered whether we’d accidentally woken up in Canada.

What started as a brisk forecast quickly turned into a genuine freeze event. Temperatures dipped far lower than our tropical landscaping — or our nerves — were prepared for. And like many Floridians, we learned a few lessons the hard way.

The Plant Casualties

Let’s talk about the garden. Florida plants are resilient in their own way, but they’re not built for nights that flirt with freezing. When the cold settled in, it settled deep, and by morning it was clear that several of our plants didn’t make it through the night.

Tropical varieties took the biggest hit — leaves wilted, stems darkened, and some plants simply collapsed under the shock. It’s always tough to see landscaping not even a year old struggle. Some plants may regrow from the roots once warmer weather returns, so all hope isn’t lost.

Still, it’s a reminder that even in Orlando, a little freeze prep goes a long way.

The Frozen Tankless Water Heater Saga

The bigger surprise came from something we rarely think about: the tankless hot water heater mounted outside the garage. Tankless systems are efficient and compact, but they’re also vulnerable when temperatures drop below freezing. And that’s exactly what happened.

At some point during the night, the cold was enough to freeze the unit. Waking up to no hot water is a rude shock — especially when the air outside still feels like a refrigerator. It’s one of those moments where you realize how much we take warm water for granted until it’s suddenly gone.

Thankfully, once temperatures rose, the system thawed out. But it’s a lesson learned: even in Florida, exposed plumbing needs a little protection when the forecast dips into the danger zone.

Looking Ahead

Warmer days are already on the horizon, and soon this cold spell will be just another story we tell about “that one winter when Orlando tried to be a northern city.” The plants will hopefully recover, the heater will be insulated, and life will return to its usual sunny rhythm.

But for now, we’ve earned a hot cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and maybe a little pride for making it through Florida’s version of winter survival mode.

by Categories: Florida, Winter GardenTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Starting Over at the Gym: Rebuilding Strength One Rep at a Time

For years, I let strength training slip through the cracks. Life got busy, priorities shifted to running, and before I knew it, the gym was no longer part of my routine. Recently, though, I decided it was time to change that. I joined the gym again—not just to move my body, but to rebuild the strength I’ve been neglecting for far too long.

Walking back in felt both familiar and foreign. The weights, the machines, the energy—it all reminded me of where I once was, but also of how far I’ve drifted. I had to accept that I’m starting back at the beginning. The numbers on the bar are lighter, the sets feel harder, and progress is slower than I remember. But that’s okay.

I know this journey won’t be instant. It will take consistency, discipline, and a willingness to embrace the process. But I’m confident that with time, I’ll get back to where I was—and maybe even surpass it. Every rep is a step forward, every workout a reminder that I’m investing in myself.

This isn’t just about lifting weights. It’s about reclaiming a part of me that I let go of, proving to myself that it’s never too late to start again. The gym is my reset button, and I’m pressing it with determination.

Here’s to rebuilding strength, one session at a time.

by Categories: Florida, Winter Garden Leave a comment

Meditation/Yoga Goal

With everything going on in the world and life I found I was starting the day in a negative mindset, so after some research I decided to start everyday with a morning meditation followed by some gentle yoga. Typically I would wake up, pick up my phone and start scrolling through instagram followed by turning on the news. So I set a goal of keeping up this practice for 30 days.

After only one week I can already see a difference, so I decided to continue this practice until the end of the year. We will see where I am mentally on January 1st!

by Categories: Random Thoughts, Winter Garden Leave a comment

Lovely town

I sometimes forget how lovely our little town is. I took a walk this morning to post a package and went for a cup of tea. The city decorates for Christmas (and most holidays) and hosts all sorts of events.

Then I took a walk around a little lake. Everyone I walked said good morning, even the school kids walking to school.

I walked past an older gentleman walking and he asked about my marathon jacket. We chatted for quite a bit about his marathon experiences when he was younger.

Just reminds me how luck we are when I needed it.

by Categories: Florida, Winter Garden Leave a comment