Running and Reading

By | March 31, 2019

If you follow me on twitter, you already know I was a happy little clam at Linda Fairstein’s book signing. I’d say meeting, but this is at least the fifth year I’ve gone, according to her inscription on Terminal City. They’re usually summer releases so this was a nice treat.

ooh! A shiny squirrel

As I was browsing the shelves, I stumbled on Susan Lacke’s new book, Running Outside the Comfort Zone. Like Dean K’s, I have zero desire to do any of these crazy runs, but the book piqued my curiosity, I had a coupon and… well you know how that goes.

Currently Reading: Matt Fitzgerald’s Life is a Marathon (thanks, NetGalley). Review TK as I’m quite enjoying it.

It feels weird to take the PT and training tags off this post. It’s nice to be running for the sake of running these next two weeks and not constrained by an Achilles or needing to follow a chart, such as I actually did that this cycle. Injury kept me from burnout, but I’m still enjoying this moment of reconnecting with why I liked running.

Spring! Sprung!

I’m also slowly building back up. Yes, I just ran three Halfs but my legs are not ready to call that my base.

Weekly Run Down with Kim and Deborah:

  • Monday: ooph. Grant cycle. Was at work way too late, but I got to the gym for some PT. The plan was to get up and walk to work, the reality was the snooze button. Allergies are kicking my ass
  • Tuesday: planned off, Linda Fairstein signing. At least got in a good walk. And mead. How often do you get mead for a work lunch?!?

runrise! I was out a little later this week

  • Wednesday: another runrise. Surprisingly cold, but oh so gorgeous. I just ran without a plan and got in some of my PT stretches along the river. Life is good.
  • Thursday: office run group. Slightly out of sync in that I forgot to start my watch and then I got a really weird side stitch in mile 2.5 ish. I think it was because I’d had a quick bite less than an hour before, but it wasn’t a lot. Bodies are weird.
  • Friday: off.

all of Central Park’s crocuses!

Ridiculous, but I kind of love it. I was yelling at my phone for being on 3s v 10s delay

  • Saturday: gorgeous day to do loops around the reservoir. Here we go loop de loop! Slowly increasing the long run each week. I picked up the rest of the mileage post-blossom stop to get five but today was a meet and greet as everyone came out of hibernation.

East River run

  • Sunday: amazing what you can get done when you don’t sit down with coffee and your laptop. It was supposed to rain and temperatures subsequently drop, but I woke to no rain and decided it was way too nice to run indoors so I ran to the gym where I did my PT exercises. Nice short shakeout and first time of two decent runs back to back and achilles felt good. Second mile was a run/walk as my Achilles is definitely not up to the big hill.

Plan for Week: kind of unknown with friends in town. What I do know:

  • Monday: off, not running three days in a row
  • Sunday: Boomer Esiason’s #RunToBreathe, 4M which was my first at that distance two years ago. Memories.

GoTheDist:

Mostly TK when I finish today’s steps, but:

March:

  • Steps Walked: 470,694
  • Miles Run: 56.41
  • Miles Run / Walked: 207.11

Q1:

  • Steps Walked: 1,304,053
  • Miles Run: 154.95
  • Miles Run / Walked: 577.28

I’m off pace but AOK with this plan as I healed the Achilles.

13 gym visits toward March -August cycle.

33 thoughts on “Running and Reading

  1. Chocolaterunsjudy

    Yup, sometimes it’s nice to run without a goal in mind. Unfortunately our sat runs start early, so didn’t get to enjoy the nice weather much — and it took a looooooong time to actually warm up, much warmer than anticipated.

    LOL at the phone delay snafu.

    Sounds like a good week. Enjoy your friends this week. I’m sure you’re gonna get some miles in, too.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Plans didn’t allow it, but yesterday here would have been perfect for a post-shower walk/read outside. I always try to make the most of nice days, but it doesn’t always happen. I blame my inner sloth
      I had to laugh too re: delay. Sometimes the outtakes are the best

      Reply
      1. Chocolaterunsjudy

        Unfortunately we had to take Bandit to the vet in the afternoon (routine checkup, sort of), so didn’t really get much benefit from yesterday’s weather other than being able to open the windows!

        Reply
  2. Deborah Brooks

    For me, it’s so easy to get so caught up in running to forget why I like running. Down weeks are good and I plan to take it down a notch after cherry blossom next week. Thanks for linking up!

    Reply
  3. Lisa @ Mile by Mile

    I’m glad that your achilles seems to be doing better! Those books sound interesting. Great job getting in your workouts this week! Have fun with your friends visiting.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      They do! I need to quit trying to read three at a time so I finish them more timely

      Reply
  4. therightfits

    Sounds like spring has sprung in NYC! How wonderful. My husband will be there this week for work and was excited to see 60’s on the forecast. You got in some great runs this week!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Sort of. 60s this weekend, 40s the next two days and then 60 again. Oh NYC spring. Hope he enjoys! Shouldn’t be too much rain at least
      It was so nice to play outside

      Reply
  5. Kimberly Hatting

    YaYYYYY!!! So glad everything is feeling great! I love all the scenic pics you share. Ahhh, someday, I hope to get a run (or a race) in NYC checked off my list. Thanks for joining us on the WRD!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Someone once asked me if my Instagram was protected and I asked why? They’re all NYC either running or work/museums. Nothing I need or want to hide and I love sharing my city
      Come visit! You’d love it. Not just running but I think you’d enjoy the city in general

      Reply
  6. Wendy

    Curious where you had the mead? Was it a meadery? Or just on the menu where you had lunch. My husband is a homebrewer andl has made mead. It’s a “honeymoon” drink…

    Let me know how you like Susan Lacke’s book. Be sure to check out her other one!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      The MOrgan Library is hosting a Tolkien exhibit and this is one of their themed meals. Was a fun platter to share as none of the rest of the menu jumped out – fine, but standard.
      Didn’t expect to like it, but wasn’t as heavy as I feared
      Will do — it’s a couple of weeks out yet

      Reply
  7. Darlene

    Great news about no PT and no achilles pain.

    I didn’t plan to run yesterday but it was 60 and short sleeves. Just had to. Still wish that I could have seen blooms.

    I ran a race today without thinking about my leg. So exciting!

    It was fine during the half but since then it has been a little off….I actually think it likes to run in the morning better. Too bad I run after work.

    Have a fun week.

    Reply
  8. Laurie

    Every now and then you need a week to just take it easy and let the muscles recover. If you did 3 recent halfs, your fitness is good. You won’t lose it that fast! 🙂

    Reply
  9. kookyrunner

    Nice week of workouts Cari! I did see your post on Twitter about the book signing which seemed like a great time!

    I’ve actually been running for a while now with the goal of “just to finish”. It brings me more joy.

    Reply
  10. Debbie @ Deb Runs

    Enjoy your visit with your friends and your more relaxing runs without the pressure of meeting training cycle demands. Have a great week!

    Reply
  11. Lisa @ TechChick Adventures

    OMG – you’re reading Matt’s new book??? When you get the chapter about the Glass City Marathon (“Me time”), I am the person (Lisa!) he interviewed! I met with him in 2017 when he ran our local race. I have to say, we talked about a lot of things, and I didn’t know what he was going to write. I’m slightly embarrassed that I ended up being a big potty mouth! (or “raw” as my husband said!). But, truth be told, I do let the F-bombs fly after 20 miles of running. I’ll be posting about the book soon – after I finish reading it! (and PS, I only have 2 kids, not 3 like he wrote. Typo!)

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Oh awesome! I’m not there yet, just got to Kansas. But how fun to “know” someone who is in the book. I’m really enjoying it so far. Interesting way to tell his story through the lens of the 8 marathons. I love the poeple he’s met so far – great way to make it not just “hey I ran”.

      Reply
    2. cari Post author

      You didn’t come across as a potty mouth — or not noticeably different to any others he met/ran with. TBH, was glad to see a woman outside his immediate circle too. Good read

      Reply
  12. Coco

    Yay on the recovered achilles! I love that photo with you yelling at your phone too – really, I love the angle and the trees. So pretty!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thanks! It was too fun of an outtake not to post

      Reply
  13. Renée

    I love a run that is done with no goal, pace or training aspect in mind. those are the BEST runs in my opinion 🙂

    that your achilles is healed is a major win, hopefully that problem is now done and dusted!

    how cool you had mead at your work lunch! ha! normally I’ve only had mead at CastleFest (a sort of renfaire type of weekend that happens in the spring near the keukenhof). we always buy it at the festival and then have it for a little while at home but we’ve not been for years so…

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Me too. Sometimes it’s fun to just run. Like with many other things, growing up just over complicates things
      How fun – I’ve been to RenFaire on occasion but I’m not much of a drinker so don’t think I’ve had Mead before. Definitely fun to try

      Reply
  14. Shathiso @thegaboronerunner.com

    I struggle to run without a goal in mind. If I don’t have a goal or a race; I just seem to collapse and lose all motivation. I need to work on that. So glad that the achilles is back to normal and well done on being so patient and consistent with your PT work for all these weeks!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I have that issue too – especially to get out the door. What helped that this weekend was a friend in town so I couldn’t linger. Hope I channel that motivation.
      Me too re: achilles, thanks!

      Reply
  15. Marcia

    So glad your achilles is on the mend! You’re wise not to tempt fate with big hills though. Jelly of those blooming crocuses. Nothing even close around here. I’m over this icy weather. It is April after all. The book signing sounds fun!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      We’re back into hat & gloves weather. The poor blooms are going to die 🙁
      I’m skipping April half for the same reason – 2.5 CP loops is not smart with this almost healed

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      and you recognize your accessory in it, if you can spot it
      Me too — only down side to spring.

      Reply
  16. Laurie

    I like to run loops for my long run too. Mentally, I just think it’s easier. I run from the rec center in town, so at the end of each loop I can stop and use the bathroom and/or get a drink if I want to. “Life is a Marathon” sounds like an interesting book. I will look forward to reading your review!

    Reply
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