This week I had a work retreat in Orlando, Florida. I laughed when my daughter asked if it was relaxing–it wasn’t that kind of retreat.
concrete jungle runrise
Retreating To Florida
It was odd arriving at the Orlando airport without my family and with no plans to visit any of the local attractions. Our hotel was nice, but due to scattered showers most of our outdoor events (meals) were moved inside. I dreaded the seven hours of networking time on our agenda, and thought I might skip the second reception, but decided enduring a bit more small talk would be worth the time outside.
I ended up enjoying talking to other colleagues and stayed until 11:30–which still put me among those who left “early”.
I thought it was ironic that a hotel that kept it so cold inside that we were all glad we brought sweaters had fire pits every few yards outside, where it already was warm and humid. I guess Floridians can only tolerate artificially cold air? 😉
so many fire pits!
My main complaint about the hotel was the lack of Starbucks, but the buckets of Perrier at my disposal almost made up for it.
I hope they really recycle!
Weekly Run Down
My trip impacted my workout schedule and that late night pool-side reception on Friday night coupled with an 8:30 session Saturday morning led to an unusual weekend rest day. Here’s how my week went down.
Monday: Strength Workout
I felt pretty good after the Parkway Classic (did you see my recap?) but focused on my easier PT exercises, stretching and foam rolling.
Tuesday: CPY2
We did lots of hip-opening moves to work up to flying pigeon, which felt really good.
Wednesday: CycleBar
post-ride planking
Thursday: 5.75 mile run
My bwrf (best work running friend) and I met up for a dark o’clock run before our meetings started. The hotel was in the middle of a concrete jungle, but I caught a few views worth a photo stop.
Friday: Strength Workout
The hotel gym was busy, but had plenty of space and several sets of free weights and other equipment–including several sizes of fitness balls and foam rollers.
Saturday: Rest Day, but between walking around the hotel complex and slogging through the airport, I still managed to reach my step goal.
Sunday: Cyclebar
I was looking forward to getting outside for a long bike ride on Sunday, but heavy rain made that out of the question. Luckily I was able to get into a Cyclebar class.
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up for recapping our workouts and staying accountable and motivated. 
Did your weekend plans get rained out?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
It was very rainy here in CT all week as well 🙁 That’s a bummer that the outdoor activities got moved inside, but it sounds like you still had a great time networking!
I was genuinely surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I guess I really do get along with my partners. 😉
We had a bit of rain this week, but very minimal. It did rain (again, briefly) this morning…of course, while I was running LOL But by the time we got to church, it was beautiful with all kinds of sunshine. I love those filters…are they from Prisma? Thanks for linking with us 😉
In Orlando it seemed to rain for 10 minutes every few hours. Not terrible if you were playing outside, but not great if you were trying to set up a buffet for a few hundred people.
The rain kind of messed up my plans because it flooded a soccer field which then changed the time and location of my daughters games. But thankfully, that was it. And we even saw a glimpse of sun yesterday. It was heavenly!
Oh, I don’t miss those rainy soccer games. Do they play on turf or grass?
Oooh! That Florida retreat sounds appealing, even though it wasn’t THAT ind of retreat. I don’t now what flying pigeon is, but now I am going to look it up. I love pigeon pose for my hips. It’s the kind of hurts so good pose that you know is doing lots of good.
Did you find it? Our teacher referred to it as half-pigeon on chaturranga arms. I could get into a basic version of it pretty easily on one side but not the other — more proof that my hips are tight on one side!
Yes. I did find it. It will take some work on my part to achieve that pose!
Sounds like that hotel gym was well equipped. How refreshing! It rained here allll week last week and we are so flooded. That said, both weekend days were glorious. We have 5 more days of rain in the forecast though. So over it!
It rained.all.day. today. Poured, really! At least I got unpacked and did my laundry. 😛
That does not sound like a relaxing retreat at all!!
It was really exhausting. At least I didn’t have to give a presentation!
Here in middle Italy we “enjoy” the rain every other day even if it’s warm. Before my retirement (one year ago) I always found the time for a workout through the cities where I went for work: that was the most interesting part of the meetings…….(but I never shared this secret with my colleagues).
Yes, being able to run on a business trip and see a bit more of the locale is a huge up-side.
Glad you were able to get your workouts in while you were away!
One thing I do not like about summer is the AC is turned up to 11! I always have to wear sweaters indoors. Makes me crazy!
It’s so ridiculous. It’s got to be costly too.
thankfully the rain finally subsided for the weekend and I actually had a great long run on Sunday. That is funny about the cold air and fire pits. Good job with your workouts this week!
Glad you got a break in the weather! I really don’t understand the extreme air conditioning.
Yesterday’s weather was atrocious.
mm perrier
That reminds me, need to find out the coffee situation at my conference later this month. I like the idea of Community Coffee but I need the reality of Starbucks. I will be packing sleeves for death by AC, though I expect a literal swamp outdoors
Mom & I flew into Orlando a couple years ago when heading to St. Augustine. While not a Mouse person, it did feel weird to be skipping all of that
Can you believe I survived without Starbucks for 4 days?! It did cut my coffee consumption because a second cup just wasn’t worth it.
You know, some of my worst Raynaud’s flare ups have been in a frigidly cold building. It’s crazy how much Floridians rely on air conditioning! But I’m guilty, too. Orlando does have some great hotels, though. I’ll be hitting up a few of them this summer with both family and friends.
Our Cinco de Mayo was rainy, but we just went out to eat and did some shopping, so it was ok.
Our hotel was really nice – I wish I had time to enjoy it. There were three pools (one “adults” only, one with splash zone stuff) and a lazy river.
Interesting on the Raynaud’s – that a sure sign it’s too cold!
I kid you not, I just found a Perrier bottle with a February 2003 expiration date (and another with a 2016 expiration) in our basement refrigerator. Bill used to drink it occasionally, but I don’t care for it. Other drinks just got put in front and it got shoved to the back. Funny thing is, we replaced the refrigerator about 12 years ago and apparently I just transferred to expired bottle to the new fridge. LOL
I always keep a light jacket with me during the summer for wearing in grocery stores and the gym when training clients.
Oh, yeah, the grocery store gets SO cold! Good idea to keep a sweater in the car. Why would Perrier expire? I guess the bubbles might be gone? I used to hate carbonated water but now I love it!
Great job getting in those work outs during the retreat! I always find work travel stressful since you have to be “on” all the time. And I’m with you on that rain yesterday, it was no fun.
Yes, there really isn’t any down time unless you escape to your room. Yesterday’s rain just kept going on and on!
you sound like me – try to make the most of the events with colleagues but call it an early night (and 11:30 doesn’t sound early to me so, well done!) At our last conference basically my entire team stayed up drinking until 2 am. No, thanks. 1) I don’t drink with colleagues anymore and 2) I still need to function the next day of the conference! Call me old, boring or whatever but I’m not 20 (or 30!!) anymore!
your hotel gym sounded fab for sure though!
we were threatened with rain this weekend, luckily it really only happened on and off on Saturday and a tiny tiny bit on Sunday when we were riding.
I was really surprised I made it that late. I called it quits at 10:30 on Thursday. Being outside really did make a difference I guess. There were some who stayed up until 2, but I can’t/don’t want to drink that much or stay awake unless I’m doing something besides shooting the shit. 😉
Too bad the weather wasn’t nicer – I feel like it’s raining everywhere!
As always you did a great job of getting your workouts in despite the work travel!
Thanks. I guess I’m glad we weren’t on vacation because the weather would have been a real bummer.
Sounds like a fun week! 11:30 is late for me 🙂 I’m so not a night owl. I love Perrier but love Starbucks more, ha!
Work trips can be exhausting! Glad to see you managed to get some workouts done.
To me 11:30 is very late. I would have lasted that long in a reception. 🙂
We had a sunny weekend. It is now Tuesday and it is raining with more to come later in the week.
That sounds like a busy retreat, but I bet it was fun to get away!! It has been raining here for over a week…ugh…ready for some sun!!!
Every time I am in FL, the hotels are FREEZING! I am always glad I bring a sweatshirt for those times!
That sounds like a late night, but I am glad you enjoyed the time with your colleagues!
That is a gorgeous sunrise!
We have been getting rain here too! I guess it is that time of year…
My son was supposed to be a referee at 5 soccer games this past weekend and they all got canceled due to fields being wet despite our weekend being dry! I guess the drainage is pretty bad at the fields. Bummer because that was some good money he missed out on!