um, where is summer going?

By | August 1, 2021

July came in like a furnace with heat indices over 100 and ended with a 60 degree morning run, and no I’m not in Stowe (yet). This won’t last, but I treasured it on Saturday. I won’t miss the summer heat, but there’s something carefree about summer, even amid COVID-19 that I will miss.

There are many reasons I’m so glad I “discovered” Brooks last summer, but the best was knowing  I could take my new shoes (more below) on that for Saturday’s long run, and I was correct. Just as comfortable as my broken in ones.

Another solid running month, 105.09 miles (and steps too, despite the lack of walks). Those bonus miles on two days paid off as 100 came without much extra work this last week. I’m at 653.54 miles on the year which is amazing. Am I officially half marathon training or still base building? No idea, but I’m incorporating hills on the long runs so I’d lean toward training, at least when it’s not ungodly hot. I was pleasantly surprised that my electric bill was only $45 as it felt like I had the AC on all the time. I really think my old fridge was an electricity hog so the AC is just making up for what I’m saving.

On the reading front, fourteen books including five from #20BooksOfSummer, bringing me to eleven I think for the challenge. I won’t finish it, but am pleased with the books I’ve been able to read. Reading and running are my escape, and I’m grateful to both in different ways.

Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim:

reflections on a muggy Monday

I love this store’s signs

  • never miss a melted Monday: as beautiful as Thursday-Saturday were, Monday wasn’t. Called it done at four miles as I wasn’t as hydrated as I should have been.

loved this campaign

76 Trombones!

  • Tuesday: continuing in the month-long theme of a lack of morning walks, I didn’t. However, I got in a bonus walk in when dinner plans cancelled when I was almost at the restaurant. It happens, especially in this crazy year. I hadn’t walked through Times Square other than quickly to an event, and it was weird but fun. Was so pleased to see our World Pride ad still up from 2019 and there’s always something about Broadway marquees that grabs me. It was one of the reasons I had a short fling with Tumblr.

pandemic running routes

lizzmonade with a view

public art

  • Wednesday: creature of habit much? Not only have I run almost every Wednesday morning since work from home began, but I do the same route a lot. This is my “short” route, south to 80th, north to 114 and back for ~ 4 miles, usually ending at 7 eleven for coffee. The weather was beautiful and that was my only run in the 11s all month. Proud turtle! After work I headed to Brooklyn for the opening of a Public Art Fund project. Ferry schedule was better than normal and I had time for a Lizzmonade, which always makes me happy, as does a sunset ferry ride home.

Wegmans!

rainy skies

  • Thursday: office run group was thunder stormed out, but I found a window that wasn’t quite as long as my planned run. I love running in the rain, so didn’t mind one bit, especially because Balega socks are magic! The best part of the day though? My phone blowing up when it was announced that Wegmans is opening in Manhattan! I was very glad I’d stopped on the way home from Brooklyn for a sub, otherwise I’d have been cranky. The Navy Yard one is accessible, especially with the new ferry route, but not really functional for groceries so this is going to be amazing.

Alice in COVID land

the office door

this sign has even more meaning now

  • Friday: a morning walk happened, because I decided to go into the office for the first time. There were only three of us there in a space for ~ 120 so it felt comfortable, although I finished my coffee outside and opted not to remove my mask while inside (building air more than colleagues). Can I just say, using a PC after Mac only for 16 months was not fun. The keys are in the wrong place! Am impressed with the building as they opted to use this time to upgrade the elevator access to not have to push buttons and hopefully, better flow to floors. Still wish they’d allow us to use the stairs. I’m glad I went in once before we’re expected back (timing TBD) so that I got used to the new experience. Was also good to clean out junk mail and other random things. The Robert Indiana HOPE sculpture was installed on September 11 a few years ago, and definitely seeing it with new eyes now. After lunch with a colleague (the whole reason I went in), I indulged in a little Jack Rabbit retail therapy (new shoes, three pair of Balega socks for less than the price of the shoes, so how could I not even though I just bought another pair) before meeting a friend for dinner at Pier I. The sunset was underwhelming, but can’t have a bad outdoor day, and always good to see friends.

new kicks, old stairs. Aggressive non matching forever

the view from across Macombs Dam

what, you don’t spend your Saturdays in a dry moat?

  • Saturday: Dad’s anniversary tribute run was lacking in baseball-or forts. It wasn’t exactly that I set out to do another tribute run, but Judy’s photos of the Walkway Across the Hudson and some recent conversations about the Polo Grounds and Brush Stairs had me headed north. Much of the northbound route was similar to the southbound detour of the 2017 Great Saunter-and I still didn’t get the picture of Hamilton Grange! I hit the 15K mark on a loop around Heritage Field, the site of the former Yankee stadium.  I had no plans on ending there. It only hit me as I headed south from the High Bridge and realized Macombs Dam was right there and duh. Hi, Dad.  I first walked Macombs Dam in 2013 and ran it in 2018, but as a Yankee fan from birth, I have a long history with that bridge. The run wasn’t traditionally pretty, but I love the views from the High Bridge, and there’s something about walking through history and communing with ghosts, which I felt when I first “found” the stairs in 2015 and when I walked the reverse almost three years ago to the day. Dad was a Yankees fan, not Giants, but I remember learning so much about the relatively adjacent stadiums and this was just what I needed.  After a stop home to recharge and shower, I headed to Governors Island for the Climate Museum’s opening. Where did I end up? In a fort, of course. Fort  Jay wasn’t open when we were there for the 4th, so it was fun to explore that. Even aside from the moat, it feels way more like a traditional fort than Castle Williams. The day ended with a ferry home, sushi and two books. I am a creature of habit, and the tribute day felt right even if entirely unplanned.
  • Sunday: meeting mom to museum while Bob has an appointment, and then late lunch/early dinner with them both. Legs need the day off after yesterday’s adventuring.

24 thoughts on “um, where is summer going?

  1. Chocolaterunsjudy

    It sounds like a really good week! Sometimes being spontaneous is the best.

    That’s a shame that they don’t let you use the stairs. I always try to use stairs when I can!

    I have never been in the new Yankees stadium, only the old one. I’m not really much of a baseball fan, but my Dad & brother enjoyed we’d go as a family and I’d read. I figured you’d like that. 🙂

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      LOL. Mom would bring her crochet or a book, so I get it.
      I love my stairs and probably get enough with them, but I’m also always a fan of stairs > elevator

      Reply
  2. Deborah Brooks

    You had a really solid month of running! That is great mileage. Going back to the office must have been weird for sure. Way to go on those books too. I am halfway through Silva book- it is long

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      That was a long one. Wrist strength training!
      The office was weird, but good in a controlled environment too

      Reply
  3. Jessie

    Sounds like a lovely week Cari! Way to go on all those books. I’ve been into the office just once and I’m glad I did, but dreaded the post-Labor day return…it’s going to be exhausting 🙂

    Bummer you can’t use the stairs!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      same same on post Labor Day. I really want to figure out a routine so I can still run in the morning. Fingers, toes crossed for both of us

      Reply
  4. Marcia

    Sounds like you are enjoying summer in your fair city to the fullest! So you have a return to work date? With the new “variant” I suspect the pace of “back to normal” may stall a bit. We’ll see.
    There’s nothing quite like a fresh new pair of Balegas. Foot nirvana for sure!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      We had one, and then Delta came to visit so I’m not sure it’s still the plan.
      Personally hoping for a continued hybrid, especially as cold and flu season comes into town. We don’t need to be sneezing on one another

      Reply
  5. Kimberly Hatting

    Your Saturday adventuring sounded like a grand time…lots of sights to see and enjoy. I absolutely all the pics you share each week. I feel like I’m right there with you in your amazing city 😉

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you.
      Swear part of what I love about the run down is us all sharing our cities.

      Reply
  6. Jenny

    Your tribute run sounds fun! How far was it?
    Nice job on your reading this summer. I got sidetracked from my original plan because my son talked me into re-reading the Harry Potter books. I was just going to read the first one but they’re so good! I’m now on the third.
    Kind of exciting about going back to the office- sounds like it was a good experience.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      It ended up right around 15K. Apple watch and Strava sometimes are in slight disagreement in either direction but I figure it evens out
      I didn’t make it past book five on my Potter reread, but it was fun!

      Reply
  7. Coco

    I need to know— what is Lizzmonade? Yay on your July mileage and happy feet in Brooks. My feet are liking my Adrenalines these days. Interesting trip back to the office. I use a PC and my fingers are always lost if I ever try to do anything on my son’s MAC.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      fingers being lost is such a good description. Muscle memory is real!

      Reply
  8. Darlene S. Cardillo

    I saw that Hope sign and I wondered if you went to the office.

    Yesterday’s weather was wonderful. Raining again now.

    Thanks for your pix. I miss NYC so they make me miss it less.

    You know you have best job. Museums. The best.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yep. Literally the only down side is missing exhibits I”d been meaning to see which happens all too often. Can’t wait to see you soon

      Reply
  9. Zenaida Arroyo

    I am glad you discovered Brooks too! My favorite shoe brand. Awesome job on your mileage!! Wow, so many books. I told myself I wanted to read more but haven’t been able to do it. I am actually impressed with all of the fun activities you did this week. All I want to do is stay home. 🙂

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I can’t even imagine how much down time you need as a teacher, so take it all. The line between work and fun is blurred, and I love it.
      I love reading. Not a TV person so it’s easy

      Reply
  10. Michelle D.

    Well done on your July mileage! Looks like it was a great week of enjoying the city – love all of your photos!

    Yay for a new Wegman’s 🙂 New Brooks and Balegas sounds like a very good retail outing to me!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      thanks! July was a lot of retail therapy and I don’t regret a single dollar. I really do need to purge though

      Reply
  11. Kim G

    Wow, you had a busy week! I can’t imagine how crazy it must have felt to go back to the office after so much time away.

    I am so jealous that you’re getting a Wegamns! I want one here so bad, lol.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      We’re planning a sub to sub run when the new one opens, you can be an honorary NYer again for that 😀
      The office was weird, but nice to pull off the bandaid

      Reply
  12. Liz Dexter

    A great running and reading month. And more adjacent stadiums – I got really confused on the Liverpool Rock’n’Roll marathon encountering two football stadiums that were almost next door to one another!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      that’s more common here in some cities — Philly and Chicago come to mind. I imagine Liverpool has some of the real estate challenges that NYC does

      Reply

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