I’ve unpacked from my last trip of the year and it was another double header. This time I went to Tampa for one set of firm meetings and then Chicago for another. I don’t know why the organizers didn’t coordinate and pick one place—preferably the warmer one— but I made the most of it by having my husband join me in Florida before I went on to Chicago. 
Instead of a day-by-day recap, I’m going to share highlights from each locale.
Home (IAD)
I usually travel from National (DCA), but opted to leave from Dulles (IAD) because I’m still mad at American Airlines for unceremoniously cancelling my return flight from Boston earlier this year. Plus, I could enjoy my newly-earned status on United if I was willing to trek out to Dulles which is much farther from home. I know every airline has its issues, but for this trip United got the job the done. ✈️
The weekend before I left, I took Scooby out for a last November run. Between my trip to Australia and the ensuing jet lag, I feel like I really missed November running, which is usually one of my favorite times of year to run.
Tampa (TPA)
This was my first trip to our Tampa office, which is located downtown along the river. I arrived Wednesday and had time Thursday morning for a run along the Tampa Riverwalk.
It was surprisingly cool and lovely.
I enjoyed the festive holiday decorations.
Ahoy, Frosty!
Friday morning I didn’t have time to wait for daylight, so I headed to the hotel gym, which I had all to myself.
My husband came down Friday and we visited friends who live in a golf course community near Venice Beach. They helped me plan a route for my Saturday morning run, so even though it was warm and oppressively humid, I headed out as soon as it was light—I did not want risk encountering an alligator in the dark! 🐊
I did see a lot of other wildlife.
I slogged through 3.5 miles, and enjoyed a quick dip in their pool to cool off. 🫠
Chicago (ORD)
Saturday we drove up to Sarasota to visit my mother-in-law. We both had early flights home on Sunday, so I wasn’t able to run in her golf course community, even though the weather was much nicer. I didn’t get a walk in at the Tampa airport, but when I got to Chicago I hit up the hotel gym for a short treadmill walk and the first class of Emma’s new Crush Your Core program on Peloton.
The weather forecast for my time in Chicago looked mostly like this. Since I would have had to run in the dark anyway, I didn’t even pack running gear. I did bring my bike shoes for the hotel gym Peloton and put them to use on Monday morning.
DCA (Home)
I got home Tuesday evening, and was really glad to be unpacking my suitcase for the year! It was my first week at home feeling fully recovered from jetlag—it really took a full week—and it felt good to back into my usual routine—including my dark o’clock walks with Scooby. I was glad to be back in my basement gym where I don’t have to share the weights or adjust my Peloton bike before hopping on.
Saturday I got up @ 6 and headed out for a run with Scooby a bit before dawn. It was in the low 30s but felt good with no wind and a bit of sunshine by the time we wrapped up 6.5 miles.
Now that I’m home I’m facing the reality that Christmas is coming soon! We did put our tree up before my trip, but I am not done with gift shopping and haven’t even started baking cookies! 👩🍳
A huge thank you to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up.
Are you ready for the holidays?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Two destinations, two climates… organisers should be required to always pick the warmer region and stick to that!
Tampa looks like a great place to run – shame about the humidity. That pool dip afterwards was definitely earned!
And now, I’m looking forward to seeing the results of your annual bake-a-thon!
My brilliant way to cope with the different climates was to pack two different carry-ons and have my husband bring down the one filled with clothes for Chicago. 😉
Sadly, I missed baking while I was in Florida. 🙁
Sounds like a whirlwind work trip, Coco! I’m sure it feels wonderful to be back home and back in your routine, and I’m sure Scooby is happy about it, too. Ugh on having to pack for two very different climates for the trip, though.
I’ve started baking for Christmas, and this past week actually made chocolate amaretto fudge for the first time in about thirty years. Will you make as many cookies as you usually do?
I’m enjoying this round of Emma’s core classes much more than the previous crush your core. It’s easy to keep up with this busy time of year. Hope you can enjoy being home this week and getting things done!
You’ve been quite the traveler! I bet it felt great to unpack for the final time in 2025. I’ve started my baking (last weekend), and lan to do some this afternoon. I’ve barely started my shopping (though I don’t have much to buy since my kids only want cash #buzzkill) but am planning to do a little online shopping this afternoon as well for potential stocking stuffers.
I bet it felt so good to sleep in your own bed! I haven’t started baking yet either, but that’s because I’ve been out of commission for the last 10 days. I did get a lot of shopping done while sitting on the couch lol.
Wow, all the travelling you’re doing! I can imagine it feels good to put away your suitcase for a while and be able to enjoy your own gym and normal routine. I’ll need to go back to your other posts about Australia because I think I missed at least one. I hope you get some quiet time to prep your cookies and enjoy being home!
So much travel! It’s good to be away, but I’m sure it feels great to be home, too!
The weather is South Florida is so different than it is here. We are currently freezing with a wind chill advisory and very little humidity.
I hope you are able to get your baking done and enjoy the rest of the holiday!
Phew, all of that traveling is making ME tired! 🙂 I hope you are getting into the holiday swing of things and have some time to get prepared along with some time to enjoy being home.
Was it a coincidence that a lot of your travel hit at the end of the year, or is that normal for your work?