10 year anniversary low key celebration and unexpected running scene in Fortaleza

This week started strong with good news from my knees MRI results, no fracture, no ligament tear other than age and load related degeneration. According to ChatGTP, it’s super common for aging runners. I’ll still see a knee specialist to get expert read, but it is a big relief for me to know that nothing is broken, and good reality check that I’m not 20 anymore.

Then we celebrated our 10 years anniversary doing something new and outdoor: canoa havaiana in the club where girls do swim training. I booked for 5pm so it was perfect sunset view. It was chill, peaceful, and good way to celebrate our “special” and ordinary day, how I want us to age together. Lizzy joined us and managed not to drop the paddle for the hour long ride.

Tuesday morning I left for a work trip, first stop at fortaleza, a northest city well known for surfing and beach. We had a meeting in the afternoon at an historical building that looks like a church

And I stayed at the hotel to work in the evening.

I slept well and woke up planning to go to the gym to do strength training. I opened the window and saw many running by the beach sidewalk. I was intrigued and went out to take a walk.

To my surprise, at 5:30am the running scene was already live, by 6am it was full of runners, serious runners, in group or alone, with music, photographers, free hydration stations, and shops. I was so moved by the scene, I did 3 miles to feel the vibe, and bought a pair of sunglass (pink) and a running hat (yellow). there are also many in the ocean, swimming, kayaking, rowing, beach volleyball, really full morning workout scene.

I left so happy to start the day that way and did strength training at the gym to finish the morning.

My new mantra for strength training: it is my medicine for running. I wish I love lifting but I don’t. I don’t hate it but I prefer running over it more than I should. But it’s time to realize that I need it, not just for my running, but also for my longevity, my mental health as it allows me to keep running, so I need to do it, it’s not optional anymore. At least 2 times a week I will do full body strengthening, lifting heavy, and twice do running specific exercise to correct my weakness. Having this realization is a relief, because I don’t need to make decision every week or day, I have to do it, it’s not optional nor negotiable anymore.

We had a meeting at an interesting place, kind of open office blended with a garden?! It’s amazing that this was built 40 years ago when climate change and sustainable buildings was not even conceived for most people. One of my colleague that came is from this city so it is super nice to get his view about how the city has developed.

One more night here and we head to Recife, another city by the beach, the most developed city in the region, with many “accidents” due to sharks.