And it just keeps getting better and better. 
This morning I met my new friend Diana for a super early 11 mile run around beautiful downtown Tampa and Davis Island. I love running around there because it’s just so quiet and peaceful in the morning. There’s nothing but streets full of runners nodding their heads as they pass each other in the silence of the dark. Love that.
We hit the peak of Davis Island just as the sun was rising over the water, it really doesn’t get much better than that.
We kept a solid 9:00 min/mi pace and spent a good portion of the run talking about upcoming races and goals. Diana ran her first half marathon at Disney World a couple of weeks ago (Go Diana!) and also plans to the run the St. Pete half marathon next month. I think she caught the racing bug.
My legs felt great for all 11 miles. I probably should have run a couple of more, but I had to book it home to shower and prepare for the day. (Derek’s parents will be here at 9:15 and we’re going venue shopping then taking them to use the Universal tickets we bought them for Christmas. Fun stuff )
Thanks for waking up at the butt crack of dawn and running with me Diana. You rock!
I had a piece of toast with almond butter before I left for the run and a small bowl of yogurt with walnuts, cereal, and blueberries afterwards to hold me over until we head to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.
Can’t wait to get my hands on some eggs and pancakes!
Have a great Saturday everyone!!!
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
The sunrise pictures look beautiful and I wish I had somewhere like that to knock out some early morning miles.
Caroline recently posted..Dinner At The Melting Pot
Morning are great for that…In the summer (currently a ton of snow here) I love riding my bike in the morning too. Love the pictures, and nice haul this morning.
Nathan Veldhoen recently posted..::Westcoast Arctic imagery::
That first photo is amazing! I’m always shocked by what awesome photos turn out at sunrise runs — even with my iphone. I guess sunlight and nature are the best editors sometimes. And…superjealous you are done with that run as I sit here in my PJs thinking about the one I’ve got to gear up for!
Y’all have sun, we’ve got snow! If only it was a sunny snow day
Life’s a Bowl recently posted..Creamy Coffee & 20 Questions
BEAUTIFUL! I LOVe morning runs- well, mainly the feeling AFTER the run when you have accomplished something so early in the day!
this fit chick recently posted..Lipids and Fats
Gorgeous first photo there! Early morning is my absolute favourite time to run too, provided it’s reasonably warm (which I’m sure it is in Florida!) Sounds like a perfect start to the day!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat recently posted..Fit Bit Friday 27
Looks like a beautiful run! And I love Cracker Barrel, whenever I’m on a road trip I always beg my family to stop and eat at one. Their cinnamon apples and biscuits are my favorite
Lindsay @ Running the Windy City recently posted..Escaping the Snow {Dinner at Hackneys}
Ahhhh this post makes me miss Tampa (and especially winter in Tampa) SO MUCH! Gorgeous.
Anne P recently posted..Chunky Turkey and Vegetable Soup Recipe
Beautiful run! If I ran this morning i would have gotten covered in snow
sarah recently posted..Healthy Oatmeal PROTEIN “cookies”
Ah! I love these photos! Especially the one of me looking like a giant sweaty dork
Sneakers2Sandals recently posted..Hello there beautiful!
Cracker Barrel FTW! That triangle game is the BEST.
Rachel recently posted..January Goals: Push-Ups
Those pics are beautiful!!! Ugh I am so sick of the weather in Seattle. I just want to RUUUUN : ) run some outdoor miles for me!!
Emily recently posted..Snow day round 3, functional drain systems, outside runs
Wow! Love that first picture!!
Enjoy Cracker Barrel’s pancakes—they are SOOOO good!
Kalee recently posted..Humorous Hump Day! The Golden Girls are the Original Foodies!
One of my favorite parts of running is getting up early and watching the day start and nodding to the other runners who get to share the moment along the way. I’m off for a run soon – if I can handle the crazy wind us northern Cali people are getting.
Jordan@almondjay recently posted..Rainy Commute
Great pics and glad Diana has a new running buddy.
I have the same love for sunrises and mornings in general! I took a photo the other day as the sun was peeking through and I absolutely love it. Since I love those early morning runs, I have had great difficulty finding a running buddy! Sniff sniff. Some are just not “morning people” and most are just not into running. Oh well! I’ll continue relying on nature to get me through the mileage
Marty recently posted..Chick Pea (Garbanzo) Snickerdoodle Blondies
My husband’s grandparent’s live in Tampa and it really is so beautiful! Great job on the 11 miles! Sounds like you have a great Saturday ahead! Can’t wait to hear about the venue’s!!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life recently posted..Patience is a Virtue
It’s so much more motivating to wake up early for a run when you have a buddy to do it with you. Have fun venue shopping!*
Army Amy* recently posted..Positive Spin
I’m always afraid to run before the sun comes up, but I bet you feel much better with a buddy by your side
What a perfect way to start off a Saturday! We’re currently under 5 inches of snow so no outdoor 11 miles for us!!
Enjoy the eggs!
Cait’s Plate recently posted..Coconut Flour Pancakes
I am jealous that you got to run in shorts and a tank top this morning. We had an ice storm last night, so I needed to do my long run on the treadmill. Boo!
Hillary recently posted..Pierogi Party
Have fun venue shopping! Very exciting!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated recently posted..Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin: The Other (Delicious) White Meat
Early morning is the best time to run. Seeing the sun rise on a cloudless day makes my whole day!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..All The Small Things
I love it when I have a running buddy! I actually did my 10 miles on the treadmill at my gym this morning, and the girl next to me was doing 12. We ended up chatting for a bit of it, it was nice to meet someone new!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..POP! Goes My Heart
Gorgeous sunrise pictures!!
Nice job on the run and waking up so freakin’ early!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife recently posted..Focus On: Deadlift
What a gorgeous sunrise!! That would totally make an 11 mile run worth every moment.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..Fitness Friday
Wow! What a beautiful picture, and the weather looks amazing!! Can’t say the same about snowy NYC today haha
Kelly @ Vegolosophy recently posted..Snowy Snowy Day
Lol we ran the exact same place this morning with Stephanie from 321 Delish! We should coordinate our schedules better
I need to keep a running list of these places so I will know the good spots to run/walk after I move. Just a few months to go!
Sara@RunningInPinkProject recently posted..Saturday Eats and Kicking a Habit
Wow, 11 miles. I can’t even run 1 mile. Can you tell me about how you built up your stamina and everything? I have no idea where to start.
Rachel recently posted..Dance Lesson & Merrell Down and Dirty 2013!
What a pretty venue!!
In my other life, I am an event planner, and have planned many weddings. My main advice for you is to remember that you want to have fun and enjoy your wedding! It you aren’t planning on hiring a wedding planner you have to think about the zillion different things you will have to do the day before, the day of and the day after your wedding (and, trust me, there are so many little details that go into making the day run smoothly!). If the budgets don’t work out terribly differently, I definitely recommend the “all-inclusive” venue simply because it will put your mind at ease
Can’t wait to hear more about your planning!
Allie recently posted..This Week’s Workouts
Opps! Commented on the wrong post!
Allie recently posted..This Week’s Workouts