Wrapping up 2018

By | December 23, 2018

As has been the case with recent Monday runs, this week’s was powered by an episode of The Morning Shakeout. This week’s? Kara Goucher. I chose this episode from my backlog when I read Jessie’s post earlier this month about Goucher’s new book. The book has piqued my curiosity, but it’s not yet available for Kindle and I really need to cull some dead tree books before buying any new ones. I really loved what she said about not giving up on dreams, but not letting dreams define your happiness. I’m still not a huge podcast person, but I’m a big fan of Morning Shakeout.

[bctt tweet=”Goals are good, but they shouldn’t define your happiness #RunTheYear” username=”travellingcari”]

I needed to hear that because Thursday’s Funky Fun Run really frustrated me. I know I’m past the point of beginner gains and regular PRs, but doing worse bothered me even though I know rationally it’s because I eased off when the Achilles started talking to me. I really do enjoy running and I don’t want to let the numbers take away from that joy.

I was also excited by the news that Mile High Running Club’s Upper East Side location is open. I don’t dare try it right now while I’m still building back up, even though I know it was what helped me get through the Central Park hills in Lebow. I can’t wait until I’m fully healthy to try out a class in the new location. So much closer to home.

In the mean time, Weekly Wrap with Wendy and Holly. Merry Christmas to those of you celebrating, hope everyone else at least enjoys a day off.

  • Monday: a rebound run that I touched on above set to the tune of the Kara Goucher podcast. I didn’t have a plan for the day, I just wanted to test my Achilles and go from there. I knew that the pace changing in intervals probably wouldn’t be good for the Achilles so I settled on a progression run: mile one at 5.5, mile two at 5.6, mile three at 5.7 and the final .75 at 5.8 for a total of 3.75 miles in forty minutes. I was really pleased with that. I could have gone longer-sometimes a challenge on the treadmill-but decided not to push it. It also didn’t feel impossible, which I’d heard was an issue with long intervals and was for me coming off a shaky November pushing the pace. This was good and I needed it.

Nature’s Magic Hour

  • Tuesday: no runs, no intentional exercise just a bunch of steps to and from meetings and our office holiday party, including this gorgeous Hudson River sunset.
  • Wednesday: at the office way later than I wanted to be, and then I had some errands. I did make it to the gym for a Monday-ish ladder. One mile at 5.6 and one at 5.7. Achilles was beginning to twinge, so I called it there and had a good long stretch knowing I had a longer run on the books for Thursday. I will go into the Half undertrained if it means uninjured.
  • Thursday: I had two runs planned. Office run club early and Central Park with Darlene when she got off work. And then Mother Nature happened. So I met up with Darlene, we decided to walk the Highline and visit the new Starbucks Roastery with some neon holiday lights on the way. Mischief with friends > runs sometimes.
  • Friday: got to the gym later than I wanted, Achilles was chirping so after a one mile warmup I went to the LateralX listening to Des Linden on Morning Shakeout. Not as good as her first, but still a good segment. So not exactly the workout I wanted, but the smart one. After a long foam roll, the Achilles shut up.
  • Saturday: hometown run. You know how those go if you go back to a small town? Especially at the holidays, too many hellos for a steady pace. Those will happen again this week. I was doing beautiful, if accidental negative splits until I was surprised to see mom’s car. I doubled back to the salon, where she wasn’t, and then her car until I found her in a different salon and decided riding with her to the bakery was more fun than finishing my run. Oops. On the plus side, Achilles felt good. Maybe too much treadmill led to Friday’s chirping?
  • Sunday: ton of holiday errands, quick gym dash for a good stretch. So off ish?

Spring 2019 Half Marathons Mileage: 46.04

Plan for the Week:

  • Monday: run
  • Tuesday: off
  • Wednesday: run
  • Thursday: run
  • Friday: crosstrain or off
  • Saturday: hopefully short run
  • Sunday: off, mom’s wedding

Still working on 2019 goals, hope to get them posted before New Year.

19 thoughts on “Wrapping up 2018

  1. deborahbrooks14

    That river view photo is spectacular! I have not been able to get into podcasts so much either. Maybe I should give that one a try! Happy Holidays!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      It’s a good one. Or scan down Kookyrunner’s blog as she posted a good roundup a couple of months ago.
      What I’ve found as a good entry is a guest who I like and then figure out if I like the host. Mario Fraioli is neutral enough that he lets his guest shine. I don’t listen to all, but it’s a good distraction when I need it

      Reply
  2. Chocolaterunsjudy

    I like to be trained, but of course if being trained means being injured that’s no bueno either. So good for you for listening to your body.

    I am not a podcast person at all. I don’t listen to anything while I run. I suppose I could listen to something while walking the dogs, but I need to pay attention to them. I am thinking of trying some audio books while knitting now, though.

    Have a great holiday!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I need something on the treadmill to distract/focus myself. I bought a tablet thinking I might use it to catch up on TV but I find it hard to watch and run so podcasts it is. Would love to learn to like audiobooks, but I haven’t been able to.

      Reply
        1. cari Post author

          Yep!
          Gym has good TV bank, I just haven’t been able to watch and run

          Reply
  3. Darlene

    Yay for at least getting our steps in. Boo for rain. Glad the Achilles is behaving.

    Have fun at the wedding.

    Reply
  4. kookyrunner

    Great job on your workouts this week. Love that you were able to meet up with Darlene too.

    I also would like to purchase Kara Goucher’s book as I’ve heard great things about it.

    I’m also still working on my 2019 goals and hope to have those nailed down in a few days!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I’m hoping the library has a print copy, trying really hard not to acquire more hard copy books
      Goals are way harder this year or so it seems for me
      Oh and if you have notifications turned on, see my response to Deborah above please. I can’t find your roundup of podcasts

      Reply
  5. Kimberly Hatting

    That photo! WOW!!! I don’t know if this an issue for you or not…but for me, my treadmill runs NEVER simulate my on-the-road runs. I have really long strides (due to my really long legs), so I am always paranoid about stubbing my toes on the front edge of the ‘mill. In other words, I feel like I’m constantly altering my strides, which messes with all of my mechanics. At least that’s my theory 😉 ALso, I’m horribly bored on the ‘mill, so I have a hard time enjoying it.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Mine is more I’m afraid I’m going to slide off because short & stubby. Issues at all sizes and I think you’re right about it affecting the stride
      Tomorrow will hopefully be a slight test with some hills if I can get into the Park between work and Christmas Eve dinner.
      And thanks! Lower Manhattan views can be gorgeous.

      Reply
  6. therightfits

    I listen to podcasts on my commute- lately it’s been a lot of “How I Built This” even though I’m not an entrepreneur!

    Sounds like a fun week of lots of holiday excursions. Enjoy your time at home!

    Thanks for the shout-out too 🙂

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      ooh I’ll look for that one, thanks for heads up — and the reminder about Kara’s book!

      Reply
  7. Liz Dexter

    Love your photo and hope the achilles stops speaking to you. Do you have things you can do to stretch and/or strengthen?

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Me too! Stretching & rolling is what it has responded well too so far, so keeping my fingers crossed it continues to help

      Reply
  8. Coco

    That’s a lovely shot! Since I run at dawn, I’m not likely to run into anyone, but I did run into Courtney (Eat, Pry Run DC) in Chicago once — we were both there on business trips!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Funny that you run into a local runner in another city
      Darlene and I planned this meetup, but the one at the end of November was an accident – she spotted me in Central Park. that made us laugh

      Reply

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