Last.

That’s not a word most runners want to have in our vocabulary. We don’t want to be last – not on a long group run, not at a track workout and certainly not at a race. But of course, being last means we had the courage to start. Being last means we finished instead of giving up. When you put the idea of being last into perspective, it changes everything.

During the past two weeks as I’ve prepared to leave the home I’ve known for a decade and move from Atlanta to Tampa, I’ve been experiencing a lot of “lasts.”

My last Saturday morning long run.

My last run in Atlanta with my best running friend.

My last get together with friends.

My last neighborhood gathering.

My last time attending my favorite Atlanta festival.

My last sports massage with my favorite therapist.

My last book club.

My last Atlanta Braves game (as an Atlantan).

My last moments in my (now) empty house. Yes, those are loads of tears on my cheeks, and yes, this is my super-scary-ugly-I’ve-been-packing-and-moving-all-day-cry-face.

On Friday, Mr. rUnladylike and I said goodbye to Atlanta for the last time. With our worldly possessions packed away in pods and as much as we could fit in our cars, we drove the seven hours to Tampa to start our next chapter.

I’ve been filled with emotions. While I’m very excited to start this next adventure, I’m still grieving (almost finished) the good things we left behind. Most people say you don’t realize what you had until it’s gone, but I always knew the blessings I had in Atlanta. I’m grateful for what the last chapter brought to my life, and I’m excited to see what the next one will bring.

Speaking of moving from lasts to firsts, I ran my first run since officially being a Floridian again. And there’s only one word to describe it … well, actually there were a lot of words but they were all curse words so I’ll sum it up this way: HOT!

On Sunday, I set out for a solo run just after 8 a.m. The temperatures were already in the 80s and by mile 5 I felt beaten down by the sun. Around mile 6 I stopped for a minute, threw a small temper tantrum, considered picking a new hobby like knitting or scrapbooking and then quickly got it together, decided the heat will make me stronger (eventually) and kept running. I was one grumpy, F-bombing runner when I walked in the door, but there are benefits to running in the heat. I’ll let you know what they are when I figure them out.

We spent our first weekend surrounded by family celebrating Mother’s Day … where else … on the beach.

As another first, I’m also homeless. We are staying with family this week and then will be headed to the beach where we’ve rented a place until we find a house. It will be a fun adventure to live on the beach for a few weeks. I’m looking forward to runs along the water and I’m even going to get back on my bike out there (I know, gasp!). Maybe I’ll even swim again (double gasp!). Sprint triathlon anyone?

Here’s to a whole lot of firsts and a new chapter of beginnings ahead. Please send ice and air conditioning.

How was your week of training last week?