ew, summer running

By | July 17, 2022

I think it was two years ago I joked we’d all be making the same weather post. But once again, we’re all cooking. Stay safe everyone.

I’m not doing a minute by minute of the last two weeks since they boiled down to: it’s hot, but I still ran, including with Darlene when she was here.  So linking up with Kim and Deborah for the highlights.

Happy finishers

On July 4th, Mo and I ran the Firecracker 10K. Not worth a recap even if it wasn’t two weeks later as it’s substantively the same as last year. Super fun day, except the full sun at mile four. So we walked and said hi to the Statue of Liberty. Running with friends is so much fun and the miles go quickly when you’re catching up. Afterwards we had a nice walk around lower Manhattan in search of brunch and public art. I wish boomerangs would post here, because with brunch and toasts back, I’ve fallen in love with that silliness. After a recharge, it was time for fireworks.  So love being able to see them from the end of my street. Not a big crowds person, so this is the perfect balance.

Hi Fred

I’ve done some actual pace-specific workouts, which is fun and a wonderful distraction from the heat and melting as it gives me something to focus on. This shirt is still true no matter how much I hate summer running.

sunflowers

artichoke thistles

also a good distraction, the ever-changing flowers on the river. Sunflowers always make me smile, and artichoke thistles just do not look like they belong in the northeast. Or at times even on this planet. Carl Schurz is all volunteers while the broader esplanade is handled in part by NYC Parks. Really nice to have something to look at on the non-river side because a highway will never be pretty. This is also why I always run the trail at mom’s. Why run the bridge and next to a highway when I can do that at home? I runfess though that I do the highway more in summer than the park, breeze vs. shade. Sometimes there’s just no moving air in Central Park.

spotted on the trail

Last Stop, USA

quality porch time

lighthouse on the Hudson

and on the shores of my beloved Hudson

why yes, that is ice cream

When Dad’s anniversary falls on a day where there’s nothing to do as a distraction, it’s sometimes harder. This year? It actually didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it might, and the heart leaf just made me smile. It was really good to be home even though we didn’t do a hell of a lot. I was glad to find the Last Stop, USA memorial on the way back from a run. I never truly appreciated the large role of Camp Shanks as a kid until my aunt was in a documentary about it when we were older. I knew troops left from it, but didn’t realize the scale. I never knew exactly where the monument was, and then I stumbled on it. Mom and I were going back and forth on where to spend Sunday and finally settled on two of the Dadest things ever-battlefield and lighthouses. (The Yankees were playing in Boston, so a game was out). Stony Point was a small battle in the scale of the Revolution, but it’s a nice, preserved piece of living history. The lighthouse followed in 1826 and is the oldest one on the Hudson. And yes, we bought him ice cream. Black Cherry, specifically. We learned a few years ago that deer don’t eat styrofoam so that has become our thing. I can’t believe it’s been sixteen years.

black squirrels always take me by surprise

summer sunsets forever, especially when the forecast said they’d be rained out

especially from the ferry

native meadow in central park

visible humidity

Back in the city this week and lots of gross, humid running. The native meadow at the eastern-end of 102nd Street transverse was such a pleasant surprise yesterday as it hadn’t bloomed when we ran that route for Pride and Achilles.  The yellow just popped on an overcast day where you could touch and see the humidity. While the mileage hasn’t been where it should be, running has happened on schedule. When I found a new gym it was because I didn’t want to lose my then-new running habit. When COVID shut down the gyms, I was really concerned about summer running as I always had indoors to retreat to, especially that one ten miler during marathon training. But I ran through the last two summers and will make it through this one. All the kudos to you who love it. My body chemistry just does not. I joked yesterday that a note to my 2023 self was hey, remember, you hate summer training but the reality is, it keeps me running.  The same way spring races push me out the door in frigid wind chills, but give me winter over summer any day. I can sleep better.

 

 

16 thoughts on “ew, summer running

  1. Liz Dexter

    We have discussed this a lot over the past week so I’ll just say well done for running where you can and thank you for checking up on your poor boiling UK friend! A book, an open window and a fan over here, rather than miles run! PS I have a duplicate artichoke pic!!

    Reply
  2. Darlene

    I have to say. Exactly. Summer training is hard. But when you sign up for a race, you run. It’s not always fun but we survive.

    Love your pix. Esp. The yellow flowers the lighthouse and the sunset.

    Glad we got to see each other again. I’ll keep you posted if I pop down on a Monday off.

    Reply
  3. Kimberly Hatting

    Awh, I love the black squirrel! We had more black squirrels in Michigan (we were in the East Lansing area, for seven years) than we had brown or grey ones. I know EXACTLY what you mean about the lack of air flow going through a park. My race, yesterday, was a steamer because the shaded paths were nice, but oh-so-sticky!

    Reply
  4. Chocolaterunsjudy

    I hear you on Summer running! I really don’t like long run on the mill though. So far I’ve actually been able to avoid the new treadmill for the Summer, but I suspect that might come to an end next week.

    Hugs on the anniversary of your Dad’s passing. Time does march on, but kudos on your salute to him.

    So many very lovely photos!

    Reply
  5. Coco

    Well, summer running is better than no running. 😉 And sunrises, flowers and ice cream are good perks.

    I love how much you remember your Dad’s anniversary. Very poignant.

    Reply
  6. Wendy

    What a wonderful memorial to your dad. Love the ice cream.

    Summer running is tough, there’s no doubt about it. But I do love getting outside early in the morning to try to beat the heat. And if it’s too hot, well, i just walk a lot. It’s always better than running inside.

    Reply
  7. Deborah Brooks

    I like the menial to your dad and I remembered that we were going to chat about that and my sister. Lots to catch up on. Looking forward to seeing you. Yes, we are all in the thick of things w humid ugh summer running

    Reply
  8. Jenny

    Well… don’t move to Florida! You know what it’s like down here. Although, I do know the heat in NYC can be oppressive. At least you have those gorgeous sunsets and flowers!
    That’s a great race photo. Sounds like you had a fun 4th! And… I love the heart leaf.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I was tempted to come down for the central air and the pool, but then I remembered I’d enjoy literally nothing else since even Gumbo Limbo has no shade to speak of. You’re a heartier bunch! Stay safe

      Reply
  9. Debbie @ Deb Runs

    Interestingly, as I get older, I tolerate running in the heat better. Of course, when I was 30 I ran in cotton t-shirts so there’s that. LOL

    I love that you take ice cream to your dad’s grave on the anniversary each year. My dad was buried with a bag of M&M’s in his hands. 🙂

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      It’s funny what we include that is just so them. Grandpa had toll money because he would always give it to Dad when Dad drove them back to their apartment. He wouldn’t go anywhere without it.
      When I first lost the weight, I could tolerate summer heat better. And I still can when sedentary, just not if I’m moving around

      Reply
  10. Marcia

    Hugs to 16 years. Day by day time passes and then we wonder where the heck it went. That’s such a nice tribute to your dad. Knock wood, we’ve had some sultry days but it hasn’t been that bad. Maybe it’s because I don’t have marathon-sized runs to do. Love all the flowers! No sunflowers here yet, it’s still too early.

    Reply
  11. Jessie

    Beautiful pictures Cari! The heat can be tough, but we do the best we can…and then hydrate, hydrate, hydrate 🙂

    Reply
  12. Michelle

    Love the tribute to you dad – sending you lots of hugs.

    Your blog title says it all for me…hopefully our little venture into speedwork will be just the right distraction.

    As always, I love your pictures 🙂

    Reply
  13. Kim G

    The tribute to your dad was so lovely and peaceful <3

    The only time I have seen black squirrels is when I lived in Michigan for grad school. They would pop up everywhere
    there, which I found to be so odd!

    Reply

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