sunscreen and bug spray

By | June 27, 2021

This was a wonderfully crazy week. Also a reminder that I need to stick with morning exercise as social life goes back to “normal”. But before I get to the run down, a little bit of a race recap that isn’t worth a standalone post

Race Recap:

Friday afternoon I had my appointment for bib pickup. That’s a COVID procedure that  I hope ends really soon as it’s just not that easy to get to the Run Center when I’m not working in midtown).

Besides the shirt, the giveaway was a pair of Goodrs, which are now on their way to a friend who loves sunglasses. It’s not that I don’t like them – they’re adorable – but I wear glasses so they were going to be of much better use for her and what’s better than sharing goodies among friends?

Speaking of…

race shirt

Sizing was much better since they also had a men’s cut, but I had a better option all along so I wasn’t really bothered by this shirt one way or another. I’ll wear it to run in, but it’s not one I’m attached to. I do love though that they’ve gone the t-shirt route, although I imagine we’ll go back to normal next summer.

Flat Cari

Mini matching aside, I generally don’t plan my race outfits more than a day or two ahead of time once the weather forecast begins to look more real. I planned this one several weeks ago when Deborah gifted me this awesome Brooks Pride shirt. I wore it on Global Running Day to kick off Pride month and test out the shirt’s fit, but was otherwise saving it for Saturday’s race. It’s so soft and comfortable! The gaiter is from Amazon and to be honest, it wasn’t the best as the elastic wasn’t great, but it was fun to be on brand. Also I ended up switching it for a hat when the weather turned full sun, so it was fine as a pull up face cover when I ran into 7-11 for coffee and I’ll keep it for winter neck warming needs.

pre race shenanigans

Well… sort of. Elizabeth was already done as she was in the 9:30 start and I wasn’t slated until 10:30, but they ended up doing away with the waves. We don’t look too melted here since she’d cooled down and I’d only run two miles to the start, but it was so much fun to see friends at races again even though she’s someone I see regularly.

and off I go!

They did away with the corrals, and it was an open start. Bonus, Elizabeth got this shot of me crossing the start. 78 and 80% humidity tells you everything you need to know about how the race went. Luckily Pride is never about the race, but rather the community-and even in these quasi-COVID times, the community was amazing. Front Runners had a huge cheer squad, the sprinklers were on, there were some amazing outfits and it was a 6K party.

look ma, no hands!

and there was a popsicle! You’re never too hold to no hands a popsicle. It was a guaranteed PR as I’ve never raced a 6K and I made the decision early to walk/run and finish smiling. As you can tell I had no fun whatsoever and was all business. Actually with the way the popsicle perked me up, I probably should have brought a chew even for the short distance. Oh well. Popsicle was way more fun. Results only so I can find them in the future. They’re actually better than I imagined they would be since the wheels never came off, it was just a consistent run/walk.

Prior Pride recaps: 2019, 2018

Verdict: I do Pride almost every year, it’s too important not to. As long as I’m in town, I probably always will even though at the end of June it’s borderline too hot even at a normal race start time. Have I converted to a tank top racer? Probably not, but I loved the fit on this, especially that it wasn’t a racer back so I worried less about chafing and sunburn. It was super comfortable and I look forward to running in it all summer since it’s so light.

 

and now back to our regularly scheduled programming…

Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim:

Solstice ferry ride

  • never miss a Monday: gross and humid and I had a 7a doctor’s appointment (routine, all fine). I didn’t want to run to it and risk having the thermometer read me as hot (it instead registered 96. LOL!) or turn up as a sweat ball, so I walked there. One the appointment was over I got in a little more than three before I needed to change before work. Sometimes you squeeze in what you can when you can. After work I met a friend for dinner in DUMBO and while it was overcast, the solstice light is still amazing. This was just shy of 9pm on the East River. Can’t have a bad day on the water.

Astoria Park

sun-kissed Manhattan sky

  • Tuesday: I could have gotten up to walk before work, but I was really tired and opted to sleep in. I got in a short walk between the ferry and dinner, a lovely reminder too that I do need to run Astoria Park one day as it’s really beautiful.  It’s just a five minute ferry ride away so I got a quick sunset after some heavy rains.
  • Wednesday: what do heavy rains bring? 57 degrees! An absolutely picture perfect morning run and I got in five miles before work. Those mornings won’t last, but I’ll take them.

endless summer

hi Fred!

  • Thursday: another beautiful day. Office run group was a casualty of the Board meeting and tourism campaign launch, so I headed out for a sunset run. I have really enjoyed my morning runs, but there’s something about sunset. 7.5 miles on these long summer days, because I had a feeling I wasn’t going to want to run home after Saturday’s race. Summer is great for the freedom of a long run during the week. So is not formally training, although I really should think about starting.

Witch Riding a Crescent Moon.

  • Friday: on Fridays, we museum. Folk Art Museum is celebrating their 60th anniversary and since I needed to be in midtown to pick up my bib, I decided to see The Art of the Winds, which opened earlier this week. I’m not super familiar with the art of weathervanes, but the whole exhibit was really fascinating. After that, I went to meet Elizabeth for a catch up in the park.
  • Saturday: Pride Run. I ran to the start and walked home. Sometimes 5.8 is just fine. After a late lunch of sushi with Elizabeth at a place near her, I came back to the east side and channeled one of the things from last summer that I do want to keep – afternoons reading by the river. #20BooksOfSummer is going well although this Lee Child (61 Hours, for those who read him) is pure summer trash.
  • Sunday: OpenCulture event at the Chocolate Factory Theater and then some river time continued as it’s going to be 90.

Looking forward to this week:

I’m running Governors Island for the first time ever with some friends via a fun group text of enabling one another. I thought about doing the Firecracker a few years ago, but it sold out and then for various reasons, it didn’t work out on other years. Even if it’s hot, it’s beautiful harbor views. Predicted pace: selfies with the Statue of Liberty.

How are you celebrating the 4th?

30 thoughts on “sunscreen and bug spray

  1. Wendy

    Congrats on your 6k, Cari! I’ve never run a 6k either, lol. Love the gear and it sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck at Governors Island.

    And summer is for reading summer trash, right?

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      It is! I overestimated my interest in reading non fiction and have pivoted. Oh well, it’s all reading right
      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Kimberly Hatting

    Great week 😉 Nice Pride gear, and the race sounds great. Other than my moon runs, I have not done any evening running in a l-o-n-g time…and I really miss it! I get a lot of the “tranquility feels” on all of my early morning runs, but the evenings are a nice time to wind down and relax because there’s (usually) nothing else on the schedule afterwards.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Same. Although I’ve found chasing sunsets this time of year throws off my evening and therefore bedtime routine. Best done on Fridays or Saturdays I think so I’m not Crabby Cari the next day. Or at least for a different reason. LOL

      Reply
  3. Chocolaterunsjudy

    Sounds like such a fun week! Yes, those mid week temps were great. I don’t want them to hang around in Summer, but I could also do without the 90s. I don’t live in TX anymore!

    Reading by the river sounds lovely. Is it buggy?

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I am living in bug spray, but it’s worth it for the breeze
      I would take 50s over 90s any day

      Reply
  4. Liz Dexter

    Great work, I’ve loved your photos this week and love the pride run and shirt – also the race shirt is lovely.

    Reply
  5. Darlene S. Cardillo

    I’ve this recap it has all my favorite things. Pride race has always been on my radar. Maybe some day. Especially for the goodrs. Lol.

    Love running Governors. A nice loop. Can’t believe you haven’t done it yet.

    July 4 is all about boating. I signed up for a race. Why??

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      because if there’s a race on the calendar, you can’t skip it. It’s against your religion :p
      Don’t do it for the Goodrs, I’ve never seen them as a giveaway before.
      I forget why I couldn’t do GI the day you were rained out – maybe I was out of town, or it was sold out? Know I couldn’t on the reschedule as I had the Bronx the same w eekend.

      Reply
  6. Marcia

    Well done on the race my friend, sounds fun as it should be. Love the Pride gear. Brooks makes such great clothes. Summer is totally for trashy reads and your 20 books of summer challenge sounds wonderful.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      This is my first foray into Brooks clothes beyond the “ugly sweater” and I’m definitely a fan of the light weight material. So glad my favorite thriller author releases one each summer, it’s my allowance to read junk, which is gateway to so mcuh more

      Reply
  7. Kim G

    Awesome race recap and I love the Pride shirt! I’ve never done a 6K so I think I’ll look into doing this race next year. I feel like I’ve done the Pride run before but it wasn’t a 6K, I’ll need to check my NYRR account.

    Your run for next weekend sounds really fun! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for good weather 🙂

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I think it has been a 5M and a 10K before depending on whether it’s the same weekend as Achilles. I think the only reason it was creative in distance this year was they couldn’t accommodate the start and finish with the planned starts ranging over 3 hours. I always admire NYRR staff’s logistics, but this crazy year especially. Within the next year, we’re most definitely going to meet at a race near one of us!

      Reply
  8. Jenny

    Congrats on your PR! ha, I’ve never run that distance either- it’s an odd one. The race sounds great and I love that Brooks tank top.
    That “endless summer” pic is beautiful. Your blog gives a nice feel for NYC in the summer! Hope you get some great weather for Governors Island.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you! People don’t think the city is pretty, but it really is.
      Not to jinx it, but so far the weather is looking good for tomorrow and there will hopefully also be a wonderful harbor breeze

      Reply
  9. Deborah Brooks

    It makes me happy to see you rocking the Brooks shirt! So glad you love it.congrats on your race and yes it is borderline too hot. I am really trying to embrace and accept the summer heat this year so I don’t lose my base again. You may need to remind me I said that in August. You have another race this week? How fun. still nothing on my calendar until August. Love your photos this week!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Loved having you “with” me in the race, and the weeks ahead outfit planning was such fun.
      We are going to navigate and kick summer’s ass. I figure if I keep at least getting in 7-8, I’ll be OK for fall. I think I can do that if I get out really early on the bad days. We’ll see what the eyelids think about that when they roll around. Did OK with two 4:30s, although that’s not a habit I want

      Reply
  10. Michelle D.

    Congrats on your race! I don’t think I’ve ever seen the 6K distance. I’m loving the race swag and that Brooks Pride shirt is definitely a keeper!

    Summer trash sounds about right for right now 😉

    Hope the weather cooperates for your Governors Island run.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you! 6K was new to me too-guessing they just couldn’t figure out how to safely have a start and finish with the planned waves. They might not have done a longer than 5K other than the Mini, which was also a weird course

      Reply
  11. Debbie @ Deb Runs

    Yay for the Pride 6K happening this year! I love the Brooks tank that Deborah gave you. Did they change the distance this year since, if I read it correctly, you’ve run it before, but mention that you’d never run a 6K. Anyway, I love automatic PR’s on distances I’ve never run!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      They did change the distance. I don’t think there’s a way under the then-current COVID guidelines to do a 5M in the Park. I think we were all just so thrilled to be racing that the distance was almost irrelevant. Me too on the automatic PR!

      Reply
  12. Coco

    I’m glad your social life is picking up again, even if it means you have to plan your workouts now. 😉 Glad you got to do the Pride race — popsicles do sound amazing!

    Reply
  13. Jessie

    The pride shirt is awesome, looks great on you! I don’t think I’ve ever raced a 6k; I have done a 7k and an 8k, but not 6!

    Reply
  14. Jenn

    Congratulations on 6k! Our Pride run was virtual here. We actually don’t have one at all in St. Augustine, but it’s been a few years since it’s been a live race 🙁

    I do so love seeing all your photos and I’m excited for your Governor’s Island run. And I have it on good authority that those sunglasses will be well-loved and worn with tons of pride <3

    Reply
  15. Zenaida Arroyo

    Congrats on your race! 6k races are not common. I did one a few years ago but that’s it. Great shirt and sunglasses too! I would have also gifted the sunglasses since I cannot wear them at all. I wear glasses (but not for running) and sunglasses makes it hard for me to see while out running.

    Reply
  16. Lisa @ TechChick Adventures

    Such great things you get to see on a daily basis where you live! 6K is an interesting distance. We have a few runs that end up being odd distances because they are based on the race director’s age – ie, 5.4 miles for 54, etc. The tank top looks great on you!

    Reply

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