#GoTheDist, August 2018

By | September 2, 2018

Weird week. The heat was a lot of it. As much as I enjoy being active and found myself missing running, it was easy to not because it was just so hot. Think that was why eating was off – but tracked. Also, two really late nights (i.e. get home, go to sleep) wore me out. Insane too to think I walked more than half a million steps in August. More on that below.

[bctt tweet=”It’s possible to walk half a million steps in one month? #GoTheDist” username=”travellingcari”]

In the mean time, linking up with Wendy and Holly for the Weekly Wrap:

  • Monday: Surprisingly jet lag didn’t have me up at ass o’clock and I made it through the work day to dig out. Headed to the gym on the early side for some cross training as I’d run two days in a row. Luckily the rower was free and I enjoyed a nice 5K where I challenged myself to do the second half faster. Barely. I think I was tired which contributed to the overall slower pace. After that I found an inch of space in the stretching area and did some stretch and strengthening. My running schedule in England wasn’t conducive to time for stretching and my legs were feeling it. I also hadn’t been able to do kettle bells after I fell because my elbow was really really sore and I was glad to be able to get back to those.

what did we do before WTForecast?

  • Tuesday: oh hello jet lag at 5:30 AM. I’d already moved to sleep on the futon Monday night since it was gross at 11 PM so I knew there was no way I was running outside. When I got to the gym I realized wow, my thighs and knee were sore from the kettle bell workout squats. Also, this branch of the gym is way too hot on really warm days and I thought it might be OK in the morning. Nope. So after two minutes on the treadmill I headed instead for the LateralX which has the fan built in. This was all a bonus since original plan was pure rest day due to after work plans. Elbow is finally not sore enough for me to be able to forearm plank so a September goal is re-visiting the 5M plank challenge.
  • Wednesday: wow, my thighs are still sore. Complete off day anyway due to after work plans and so hot that I didn’t feel at all guilty taking the train two stops. Yes, I’m back to an unlimited Metrocard. Thanks to the trains having a complete moment, I still got my step goal.

I plank, therefore I am

  • Thursday: office run group went the way of summer vacations with the office itself being a skeleton crew due to the upcoming long weekend. I was spoiled rotten with my outdoor runs last week, but there was no chance of that with 87 and 52% humidity at 5:45PM so treadmill it was. It was another run that wasn’t though. The plan was to do intervals and between the heat and some poor food choices, I was struggling in the first. I decided a good workout was better than a bad run and so after one mile, I rowed and then went to do some serious strength training. So glad to finally cross one minute for a forearm plank for the first time since my fall.

why so serious!?

  • Friday: how Stella got her groove back. The weather was a magnificent 70 degrees and overcast. I could not wait to get outside. When I left the office it was drizzling and I did.not.care. No photos as, since I’m belt less, I didn’t carry my phone, but it was a beautiful three mile mud run. I don’t know if this week’s issues were burnout, jet lag, heat, or what, but it was lovely to just be playing outside. No watch (well, I had it. But didn’t have my glasses on so I couldn’t read it), no training plan. Just sneakers. Cannot wait for more of these in fall. First run of length with my new haircut and it wasn’t an issue. I was so over summer hair – it’s freeing in some ways. I’d say we’re oh 358 days from the next repeat of this cycle.
  • Retail therapy aside: Luckily this was one of only two outdoor runs, because life without my belt was annoying. I’m so used to stashing phone, ID, keys and water. Luckily after visiting a couple options and realizing I can’t deal with re-usable bottles I ordered this one from Amazon, which will be here Wednesday. This was also an interesting read from Runners World as I explored ideas. I went up to the New Balance store after getting my stuff from the RunCenter locker and saw this shirt for the Bronx 10 miler. I love it, and I bought it. The material is amazing, I really need some new casual tees that fit me. Do I worry about jinxes? Maybe I am by saying I don’t — but I don’t see this as worse than prepaying for the shirt upgrade for Cherry Blossom (which I haven’t worn!). It doesn’t say finisher, so I don’t have an issue. Certainly won’t wear it before the race though.

Running in London was wonderful, but something about being home

  • Saturday: planned mileage was all over the place today. I got a very late start because I needed some down time and although it was relatively cool, the humidity was back up. The first half of the run was a hot mess. I decided to do the reservoir loop because I wasn’t feeling hills, but I soon regretted that. I had the same issue I had yesterday on the bridle path. They’ve put down some gravel to fill in the erosion, but it hasn’t been graded so the terrain is fairly uneven. When I stopped to get some water, I turned off the watch and decided to walk some. When I came around the bottom of the loop I told myself I needed to run home, both for the mileage and because I was running late on time. I ended up going the long way around to get to one mile, and that mile with street crossings was way faster. Go figure. Missing my long run these last two weeks isn’t good, but I’m still pretty confident I can do ten miles at the end of September. This shake out run the week before should be a good barometer as well. It looks like a mostly fun route and much as I love running Central Park, I’d love to see/do something different. Got home and planked, foam rolled during Notre Dame/Michigan: Go Irish!

rocking my new buff from Liz!

  • Sunday: complete rest day. Beach and books calling my name.

Training Mileage for 10M (July 31+): 62.9 miles

GoTheDist:

At the end of July I thought August would come in between 450-475K due to travel. I wasn’t particularly worried about London steps, but rather the heat and a lack of steps in Vermont. Verdict? Way off.

August Totals:

  • 533,069 Steps
  • 232.36 Miles Run/Walked
  • 56.85 Miles Run

WOW. The prior 500K months were just over the mark at 503,417 in August 2017 and 501,524 in April 2018. This was my best by nearly 30K. WOW. As I said in a Fitbit challenge, London was good for the soul… and the steps. Running wise glad to not have knee, foot issues continue.

Q3 To Date:

  • 1,012,970 Steps
  • 439.74 Miles Run/Walked
  • 102.45 Miles Run

I think that’s the first time I crossed one million steps in a quarter only two months in. I remember when that used to be my quarterly step goal.

2018 YTD:

  • 3,838,152 Steps
  • 1676.49 Miles Run/Walked
  • 446.77 Miles Run

Wow.

I am just shy of 30 miles off my running total for all of 2017, topped my miles for 2016 and just shy of that year’s step total. It isn’t fair to compare running v. non-running years, but it’s amazing to see the growth. I think I have an excellent chance at topping my steps goal for 2018 and getting to 2,018 miles sooner than last year. 2,500 miles in total and 700 miles running still slightly off but within range, I think.

In keeping with non-food rewards, my present to myself, a new pair of my favorite running shoes and the aforementioned tee shirt. Yes, I just got my last pair at the beginning of July and they have plenty of miles in them, but the members’ only sale on top of a discount had them at $79 vs. $125 so that was a no brainer.

Reading:

I failed #20BooksOfSummer, which I kind of expected.My reading fell off in August. As of the end of June, I was at 61 books, 17 ahead of pace. Currently 79/19, but I’d hoped August would be better because fall is always busy. I had a ton of books come available at the library, but neither trip allowed for much reading time. I’m still working on the book I got on the way to meet Liz, and not because it isn’t good. I’m just the worst at carrying a dead tree book around and too much train time was spent looking out the window. 100 books is probably now not going to happen, but let’s see if I can finish the two in progress today.

25 thoughts on “#GoTheDist, August 2018

  1. deborahbrooks14

    Ok wow that’s a lot of steps!!i am having major jet lag myself right now. I’ve been up at 5:30 every day

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      It’s funny – I expected it to be bad in both directions given how bad NY/California always is, and it was a pleasant surprise. Have an amazing trip

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      When I got my Jawbone and then Fitbit I got hooked on the numbers. Congrats on winning the Wrap — yours was one of the first I found, I think even pre wrap

      Reply
  2. Marcia

    Wow congrats on all the steps! You’re right: London is very conducive to steps! I’ve been horrible with reading this summer. Not sure why.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Blame the heat. I’m blaming that for everything else, why not say it’s been too hot to concentrate? 🙂

      Reply
  3. Shathiso @thegaboronerunner.com

    WOW!!!! You are the ultimate Steps Queen!! That is amazing!! We get very high temperatures here in summer BUT it’s very dry so I can just imagine how tough it must be with those levels of humidity! I’m glad you played it by feel and changed your workouts as you saw fit. A great week, well done x

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you!
      One of the many things I love about your blog is the opposite seasons, and that your environment is just so different to all of ours. I think you, Liz, and someone I can’t remember in the Netherlands are the only three outside the US. Fun to see what’s the same & different. Part of what I loved about Becky Wade’s Run the World too.

      Reply
  4. Wendy

    That’s a crazy amount of steps. I’d have to total mine up but I’m sure I’m nowhere close to it. Glad your elbow let you resume your training.

    I’ve read a lot of books this summer but I don’t think I read 20! I’m reading Jello Girls, which is an interesting but kind of sad memoir. I have a good “palate cleanser” in my Kindle for after–some chick-lit. Don’t judge me…

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Never. Palate cleansing fluff is very necessary
      This kind of month will never happen again, steps wise. I even beat a mail carrier in a weekly Fitbit challenge
      Me too with my elbow. It was frustrating how long it lingered

      Reply
  5. kookyrunner

    I loved the weather this weekend! It was nice to have that break in humidity for a few days!

    I only read one book this summer 🙁 I really need to get back at it!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I’m a book worm, I know many others aren’t
      Do what you enjoy

      Reply
  6. Lesley

    I’ve been watching the US Open and they’ve been talking about the heat a lot. I do remember it could get hot and humid in Boston this weekend, like a last hurrah before fall arrived.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yep. SOmehow I enjoy a cooler Memorial Day more than I do a warmer Labor Day. Summer is back again today and tomorrow – I feel bad for athletes out there in any sport

      Reply
  7. Chocolaterunsjudy

    Jet lag is tough! Add in the heat & humidity that never ends — sometimes you just have to give your body a break.

    I actually really love my kindle. I know people love to hate on them, and of course I still love real books, but it’s definitely much easier to travel with!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Me too! It was hauling a heavy bag of books to Florida that finally got me to look into the Nook. Plus I can carry a smaller purse without needing to fit a book – because I can’t be out without a book

      Reply
  8. Liz Dexter

    All the steps – wow! I’m only 93 miles off my total for 2017, which is a bit mad as I should do that in the next five weeks! Love seeing you in your buff, must send a pic to our club captain! Sorry about the humidity, though – it’s been just about OK here so getting some longer ones in again.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      did I message you the photo? Otherwise I will for you to send on to captain. Love rocking your colors.
      That’s awesome considering you only missed what, a month last year? Go you!

      Reply
  9. HoHo Runs

    Those are very impressive step numbers! I wore a Fitbit for a couple of years and I always hated to charge it…and miss any steps that might occur. Since I needed my sleep info, I couldn’t charge at night either. LOL. Considering the jet lag and the crazy humidity, I think you had a great week! Btw, I love your Squirrel Stampede 10k shirt! Thanks for linking.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      That race was so much fun. Even though I couldn’t have run it this year due to schedule, I’m sad it was cancelled. NYC Runs come up with some super creative names.
      I charge mine when I’m in the shower or on the couch catching up on email

      Reply
  10. Coco

    I have so many hydration belts I don’t love. My favorite is my Orange Mud Hydraquiver but those weren’t allowed for the NYC half so I have a belt style one with the smaller bottles and a pocket big enough for my phone.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I went with another belt one, but one that fits a standard 20oz. I can’t wrap my taste buds around the reusable ones. Never could.

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Benefit of central time zone, or you don’t travel much? If you can work it out schedule wise, I highly recommend it. Escapes are good. Oddly domestic US gets me worse than trans atlantic

      Reply

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