What a difference in vacations. While my trip to the Super Bowl was a trip of a lifetime, it was also completely nuts. Too much drinking, eating and not enough sleep. That trip of overindulging knocked me on my ass for 3 weeks. I learned from that one.
I arrived in Tampa late Thursday evening (around 8 p.m.) and after unpacking and a quick food shopping run, I met my friend Frank for a drink. After a quick beer, I headed back to my hotel and was asleep by 11.
One of the things I bought at the supermarket was a box of cereal. Too many big breakfasts can affect my stomach negatively. Since I had a refrigerator in my room, I wanted to make sure and stick to my normal routine of cereal for breakfast.
Went to a nearby park to run late Friday morning. Since I began running in October back home in NJ, I had never run on a really hot day. Today was really hot (nearly 90 degrees). The park had a beautiful 1.3 mile loop. I was able to complete the loop twice, but the heat got to me at that point, so I stopped. Headed back to the room for a shake and a shower.
On Friday, the Yanks were playing a 1 p.m. game against the Braves. Think I had good seats?
Yanks won the game 3-0. I actually left after the 7th inning because it was really hot in the stadium and the one thing I had forgotten to bring and to buy at the store was suntan lotion.
Went to a really nice restaurant for dinner with Frank and his brother in-law Tommy. It was called Bahama Breeze. I had a wood grilled chicken breast, which was outstanding. Had a few vodka's with dinner. After dinner, we dropped Tommy off at his hotel and Frank and I went to a sports bar in a mall across from my hotel. We were happy to see that the Rangers were on. When we walked into the bar there was 7 minutes left in the game and the Rangers led 2-1. We weren't in the bar more than 2 minutes and the Blackhawks scored 2 goals and ended up winning the game 4-3. Not happy about that. I had 1 more drink at that bar, then called it a night. Got over 9 hours sleep that night.
On Saturday, the Yanks were on the road, therefore, no game. Frank ended up staying in my room Friday night. When we got up Saturday morning we headed to a basketball court at my hotel for a couple of games of H-O-R-S-E. I kicked his butt both games. After that I took him back to his hotel and headed back to the park for another run. This time, unfortunately, I got thrown off the course after just 1 loop because a 5k was about to begin.
Headed back to my room for a shake and shower, then headed to pick up Frank for a day at the races. Tampa Bay Downs is a beautiful racetrack.
When Frank and I go to the track, we bet as partners. Frank doesn't really handicap horses, therefore, he has me handicap and bet the races. We put equal amounts of money into a bankroll and split whatever we hopefully win. After the first 3 races, we weren't even close to cashing a ticket. I said the Frank, lets take a break, go have some lunch and a drink. I had looked at the program for the 4th race, but we did not bet it. While we were eating lunch the race went off and again none of my horses were close. At least we didn't have a bet on it. At that point, I said "Frank, I'm done, you pick the horses you like the rest of the day and I will make the bets". He was really hesitant because, like I said, he really does not handicap. Long story short, we won over $4,000.00. I am officially retired from handicapping when Frank and I go.
Frank and I grabbed a quick dinner at a Macaroni grill and I was back in my room by 9 p.m. Another great night of sleep followed.
On Sunday morning, I had some cereal and then headed back to the park for a run. This time, I got to the park much earlier in the morning, which avoided the extreme heat. I ran the loop 3 times (4 miles) in a pretty quick pace (for me). Headed back to the room, just relaxed for a while and then had a shake and got ready to head back for a 1 p.m. game against the Phillies. I was really excited for this game because it was going to be the great Mariano Rivera's first appearance of the Spring. Here is a video of him coming into the game.
I got to speak with a bunch of retired players before and after this game. Just spoke for a few seconds to Lou Piniella and Goose Gossage. I spoke to David Wells for about 5 minutes. Most of the regulars only play half the game during the spring and I saw Derek Jeter walking to the players parking lot during the 8th inning. Derek has an endorsement deal with Ford and does a zillion Ford commercials. When he got to his car, it was a probably $200,000.00 Mercedes. As he opened the door, I yelled, "Derek, I knew you didn't drive a Ford". He laughed.
That night Frank, Tommy and I went to the Hard Rock Casino and had a great dinner at Council Oaks. I had twin South African Lobster Tails and other than the rash I got (shellfish thing, I guess), dinner was outstanding. Back in the room by 11 p.m. and another great night of sleep followed.
Yesterday, my flight was not until 7:45 p.m. so I just spent the day relaxing. Rather than running, I worked out in the hotel gym. Spent most of the rest of the day relaxing poolside (yes, by this time, I did pick up some suntan lotion). Got to the airport a little after 6 and was home in bed by 11:30 p.m.
Today is catch up day. Unpacked, went through all the mail and ran a bunch of errands. Looks like I brought the Florida weather to New Jersey because it hit 80 degrees here today. Went for a 3 mile run in the afternoon. I have a real busy weekend coming up, but I'm going to try and meet up with my fellow Team Challenge NJ runners early on Sunday for a 9 mile run.
Anyway, took care of myself a lot better on this vacation and the results speak for themselves...I feel great !!
I arrived in Tampa late Thursday evening (around 8 p.m.) and after unpacking and a quick food shopping run, I met my friend Frank for a drink. After a quick beer, I headed back to my hotel and was asleep by 11.
One of the things I bought at the supermarket was a box of cereal. Too many big breakfasts can affect my stomach negatively. Since I had a refrigerator in my room, I wanted to make sure and stick to my normal routine of cereal for breakfast.
Went to a nearby park to run late Friday morning. Since I began running in October back home in NJ, I had never run on a really hot day. Today was really hot (nearly 90 degrees). The park had a beautiful 1.3 mile loop. I was able to complete the loop twice, but the heat got to me at that point, so I stopped. Headed back to the room for a shake and a shower.
On Friday, the Yanks were playing a 1 p.m. game against the Braves. Think I had good seats?
Went to a really nice restaurant for dinner with Frank and his brother in-law Tommy. It was called Bahama Breeze. I had a wood grilled chicken breast, which was outstanding. Had a few vodka's with dinner. After dinner, we dropped Tommy off at his hotel and Frank and I went to a sports bar in a mall across from my hotel. We were happy to see that the Rangers were on. When we walked into the bar there was 7 minutes left in the game and the Rangers led 2-1. We weren't in the bar more than 2 minutes and the Blackhawks scored 2 goals and ended up winning the game 4-3. Not happy about that. I had 1 more drink at that bar, then called it a night. Got over 9 hours sleep that night.
On Saturday, the Yanks were on the road, therefore, no game. Frank ended up staying in my room Friday night. When we got up Saturday morning we headed to a basketball court at my hotel for a couple of games of H-O-R-S-E. I kicked his butt both games. After that I took him back to his hotel and headed back to the park for another run. This time, unfortunately, I got thrown off the course after just 1 loop because a 5k was about to begin.
Headed back to my room for a shake and shower, then headed to pick up Frank for a day at the races. Tampa Bay Downs is a beautiful racetrack.
Frank and I grabbed a quick dinner at a Macaroni grill and I was back in my room by 9 p.m. Another great night of sleep followed.
On Sunday morning, I had some cereal and then headed back to the park for a run. This time, I got to the park much earlier in the morning, which avoided the extreme heat. I ran the loop 3 times (4 miles) in a pretty quick pace (for me). Headed back to the room, just relaxed for a while and then had a shake and got ready to head back for a 1 p.m. game against the Phillies. I was really excited for this game because it was going to be the great Mariano Rivera's first appearance of the Spring. Here is a video of him coming into the game.
I got to speak with a bunch of retired players before and after this game. Just spoke for a few seconds to Lou Piniella and Goose Gossage. I spoke to David Wells for about 5 minutes. Most of the regulars only play half the game during the spring and I saw Derek Jeter walking to the players parking lot during the 8th inning. Derek has an endorsement deal with Ford and does a zillion Ford commercials. When he got to his car, it was a probably $200,000.00 Mercedes. As he opened the door, I yelled, "Derek, I knew you didn't drive a Ford". He laughed.
That night Frank, Tommy and I went to the Hard Rock Casino and had a great dinner at Council Oaks. I had twin South African Lobster Tails and other than the rash I got (shellfish thing, I guess), dinner was outstanding. Back in the room by 11 p.m. and another great night of sleep followed.
Yesterday, my flight was not until 7:45 p.m. so I just spent the day relaxing. Rather than running, I worked out in the hotel gym. Spent most of the rest of the day relaxing poolside (yes, by this time, I did pick up some suntan lotion). Got to the airport a little after 6 and was home in bed by 11:30 p.m.
Today is catch up day. Unpacked, went through all the mail and ran a bunch of errands. Looks like I brought the Florida weather to New Jersey because it hit 80 degrees here today. Went for a 3 mile run in the afternoon. I have a real busy weekend coming up, but I'm going to try and meet up with my fellow Team Challenge NJ runners early on Sunday for a 9 mile run.
Anyway, took care of myself a lot better on this vacation and the results speak for themselves...I feel great !!
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