September Home Stretch

By | September 30, 2018

But I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more. Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles to fall down at your door.

I love Shorewalkers, they got me exploring Manhattan when I couldn’t do the Saunter, and I’ve done part of the Saunter twice. Shorewalkers’ founder Cy Adler died at 90 on Thursday, September 27. If I’m in town in May, I’m doing the Saunter for him. What a man and legacy.

Thanks again for all the Garmin advice. I decided on that as my #GoTheDist Q3 present to myself as the Charity Miles sale seems better than what I imagine will appear on Black Friday. I’m glad the sale ran through Sunday as it took me that long to decide which model. Final nail in the coffin? TomTom being a complete muppet during the Bronx 10 Miler.

Welcome to busy. Fall is always busy. This year seems worse (volume wise), but I’m lucky enough to truly love what I do, so I don’t mind the busy.

[bctt tweet=”Final stretch of #NBBronx10M training” username=”travellingcari”]

Weekly wrap with Holly and Wendy:

  • Never miss a Monday: cross train was the plan and the reality as I did not want to run four days in a row especially after three relatively hard runs. An amusing 5K row was the only option as I forgot my sneakers. Not my crosstrain sneakers, my sneakers entirely. Oops! Although relatively slow, the row felt good.
  • Tuesday: off entirely. Late dinner with friends. Had contemplated a morning run, but it was bucketing down, and no.
  • Wednesday: had a short window after a work event and before the gym closed so I made the most of it by repeating last Friday’s speed test. Whee! 6.2 for a mile, then 6.3 and 6.4 for the final quarter mile. If I’m going to have these tight windows, I’m going to make the most of them.
  • Thursday: office run group somewhat made a return. There were only two of us, and we used it as my Bronx shakeout since the weather was perfect. Cat Hill got me, but I pushed through and recovered pace on the final mile.  Crossed 500 #RunTheYear miles on this run. I cannot wait to sync from Garmin since the Strava sync does not reliably work. Yep, doing the challenge again next year. I won’t hit 2,018 miles but I love the Facebook group for the great people. I’ll probably skip the shirt and medal next year though as I only took out the shirt when I was desperate, laundry wise, and medal and tokens are still in the package.
  • Friday: Bronx 10M Strategy (more on that in the recap) & partial walk home. Although my running mileage has been great for September (hi, weather-facilitated long runs), my steps are off. It’s mostly a factor of busy, there just isn’t the time in my schedule to walk home.
  • Saturday: quick shakeout, followed by a wander around the Village with the lovely Darlene who was in town to run a rescheduled race. Most amusing? Spotting one another in non-running clothes. We clean up nice! I learned the week of Cherry Blossom that I can walk the day before a race without ill effect.  My feet had been feeling rough and I never got to a pedi earlier in the week so I decided to treat myself to a mani/pedi. Self care in all forms and as soon as it’s no longer sandals weather, I’m doing another Baby Foot.

Best finish ever

  • Sunday: Bronx 10 Mile, on a gorgeous autumn day. I ran to the train, and then it was a game of hurry up and wait as the race was delayed due to MTA issues. It was appropriate that Pitbull’s Greenlight came on while we were waiting in the corrals: Give me the green light, oh yeah. ‘Cause I’m ready to go. Not at all my typical music, but perfect for running and especially today. The race was a PR and I hit my goal. Still digesting this one, which I’m not thrilled with. More TK later this week. ETA: TOTR focusing on Bronx 10M here.

Training Mileage for Bronx 10M: 129.19 Miles

Plan this week:

  • I’m going to miss a Monday. I need a day off. I’m sore, and have after work plans that probably negate even crosstrain.
  • Light recovery run Tuesday or Wednesday depending on how my quads are feeling.
  • Thursday: office run group
  • Friday: off
  • Saturday: Grete’s Great Gallop. Yep, bit the bullet and signed up for this 10K. If I’m doing Lebow or Women’s Half, I need to get back to Harlem Hills. That starts Saturday.
  • Sunday: Albany

GoTheDist:

Need to plug in the steps & run walk tomorrow when month is officially over. I also need to process this. I pulled September steps out of a hat with a good closing week, but it wasn’t a particularly good month. I didn’t top last September’s steps until yesterday even with the increased running.

September:

  • 473,757 Steps
  • 209.72 Miles Run/Walked
  • 69.22 Miles Run

Definitely my highest running mileage month. Was I remotely tempted to go out and get .78 miles? Nope. I had a number of vague plans after today’s race. None of them involved more miles.

Q3:

  • 1,486,727 Steps
  • 649.46 Miles Run/Walked
  • 171.67 Miles Run

I think this is the closest I’ve come to my goal of 180 miles run in each quarter.

2018 YTD:

  • 4,311, 909 Steps
  • 1886.21 Miles Run/Walked
  • 515.99 Miles Run

I am three miles ahead of pace on 700 miles run this year. That is, thanks again, to some insane long runs this month. Will I get it? Not sure. Always a stretch goal. I think I set it right though and look forward to seeing where I land. I’ll also likely hit 2,018 miles run/walked sooner than the end of November, which was when I hit it last year. 2,500 miles on the year probably won’t happen, but stranger things have.

On to October. Where did 2018 go?!?

30 thoughts on “September Home Stretch

  1. Lisa

    Congrats on your race! Looks like a great week and month for you. I find it to be really tough to get in walking steps. Most of my steps are from running!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I’m lucky enough to live in a walking-friendly city, and I commute via public transit. I’m not sure what happened this month, but I’ll plan to fix it for October, although that is a high suburban travel month so we’ll see.

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      We had so much fun! I love how often she’s here and hope to catch up when I’m up her way. We may be able to run together later this fall.
      Working on the write up. I’m trying to figure out why I’m unhappy with it, despite it being a PR. Decided it was too much to unpack in a wrap.

      Reply
  2. Chocolaterunsjudy

    So how can you NOT be thrilled with a PR? This I need to hear!

    And wait, what, you’re coming to our neck of the woods Sunday? Except I won’t be there. 🙁

    It’s always funny to see runners when we’re not all sweaty. 🙂

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I’m barely there for 12 awake hours, so I’m there but not. Flyby for my nephew’s birthday festivities.
      Recap/deconstruction to come. The PR part is fine, the race itself? Meh

      Reply
            1. cari Post author

              I’m pretty sure we’re apple picking Sunday morning. That’s what we did last year. Somewhere a ways out, but so yummy

              Reply
  3. kookyrunner

    So great that you were able to meet up with Darlene. I hope that I’m able to meet both of you either this year or next year!

    Congrats on your PR today! The Bronx 10 mile is such a cool course. I was sad to miss it this year.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yes. I can’t remember now if you’re doing Dash or Poland Spring but she’s doing Poland Spring. I’m maybe on both.
      Thanks!
      They apparently changed the course, but I think it’s same as last year but different to prior years. I didn’t love the course, but it was more the crowds than course itself. I think they need to go two waves ala Brooklyn

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Me too! Working through it and writing about it is helping though.

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yep. I know I’ll get in some steps on lunch errands and walking from train to and home from the evening event so should keep me from getting too much more sore

      Reply
  4. therightfits

    Congrats on the Bronx 10 mile! I’ve heard great things about that race!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you! It’s an interesting race. Our only 10M, I think, and there’s only one or two other 15Ks so it’s a great opportunity to stretch for a Half.

      Reply
  5. Coco

    LOL, sometimes you do need to miss a Monday, no matter what the memes say. Why down on the Bronx 10M if you did so well? Before you blame your TomTom, check out my Garmin map from Chicago (in my Friday post). Tall buildings can mess with the best GPS.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yours and Marcia’s from her Vancouver run were so funny.
      Mine is less inaccuracy (although that has been getting worse) and more that it will not reliably find a signal or sync. It owes me nothing, but it’s time to bail before it bails on me in half marathon training.
      Lots to unpack on the Bronx, I think it’s going to shake out similar to the Women’s 10K. I did well, but I thought I could do better and didn’t. Also, I just hated the late start

      Reply
  6. Pingback: TOTR: New Balance Bronx 10M Recap and Learning on the Run – travellingcari.com

  7. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets

    Congrats on your PR! I would love to do more races in NYC; I’m in Philly so it’s a pretty quick trip! I’ve had issues with Strava syncing as well, it’s so frustrating!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you!
      You were here for the Rock & Roll Half, right? I think that’s around when I found your blog. Either you or Cuckoolemon had an ambassador discount for Squirrel Stampede, but can’t recall particularly how I found eitiher of you. There are some fun ones here & there. So glad they’re doing the Hot Chocolate one here. I think two of our other fun destination races are the Lebow Half if you like winter & hills & or SHAPE Women’s if you prefer hills in spring.

      Reply
  8. HoHo Runs

    Well, congratulations on your 10 miler PR on a beautiful Autumn day. But like everyone else, I am curious what made the race disappointing. Many times, my initial poor reaction to a race is not the one that sticks. Perhaps you will change your mind? What model Garmin did you decide on? I will have to make a purchase before training for another marathon. My battery won’t last that long anymore. Thanks for linking!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I just posted the link
      http://travellingcari.com/2018/10/01/totr-new-balance-bronx-10m-recap-and-learning-on-the-run
      It was a lot clearer in hindsight because I had time to process what was frustrating me. When you see the length you’ll see why it was too much for the Wrap
      I went with the 735 after playing with some friends’ ones. I don’t need a Fenix, nor are they in my price range. The 735 with the sale ended up being ~$5 more than the 235 and while I think it may well be more than I need, newer seems more likely to be supported longer. The battery life seems to be good and while it only stores 80 hours of activity, I can’t imagine I’d be in a situation where I ran that much without being able to sync
      Thank yoU!

      Reply
  9. Christine

    Congrats on your 10-miler and PR. I get the disappointment. I haven’t PR’d in a while (years!) because of illness, but the last time I did I was disappointed because it wasn’t the time I was shooting for (even though it was a PR) and I don’t feel like I ran the best race I could have. But hey, it was still a PR right. Live and learn.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      That was how I felt about a 10K earlier this summer. I think it and your reminder of that is helping me frame my goals for a 10K this Saturday. Can I run a 10K? Yes. Well on this course? I don’t know. Thank you!

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you! Was so much fun to walk and talk – not that we didn’t so it last time but the weather was much better

      Reply
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