taper and recovery

By | March 6, 2022

with a Florida vacation making up much of the latter. It was a delightful disconnect with no laptop, but I’ll have my race recap up soon.

GoTheDist February 2022:

  • 378,460 steps
  • 177.52 miles run/walked
  • 90.55 miles run

Thanks, mild February. Ten more miles running and 48K more steps than last year. Not even the post-Florida quarantine as that was mostly March. Glad to have more walking weather in general. Looking forward to more outside weather overall for more reading, I am way down on the year even with three books read last week.

Linking up with Deborah and Kim for a look at the last couple of weeks.

Week of 2/21 subtitle: all the weather.

hanging with my BFF in shorts!

and then a skirt

magical sunsets

I was only walking a block, but still!

uh oh, hat is back!

oh my ice storm!

mischiefing

half marathoning

Yeah. Not doing a day by day run recap. Tapering continued to be good and it was wonderful to run in fewer layers earlier in the week and visit with friends without jumping up and down for warmth. The ice storm that followed was gorgeous and unexpected. Why yes, I did “sneak” downstairs between meetings to get photos of the tree outside my building. It was also wonderful to explore Governors Island without it being for a race – for one it didn’t necessitate getting up quite as early. As I did in November for Malibu, two days off running before the Half is perfect. So grateful too for the return of dress weather. Who Am I?

 

Week of 2/28

bye bye for a bit

  • never miss a Monday: I didn’t run, but I didn’t plan to the day after my Half so I didn’t really miss it. Instead I got up at 3:30 to head to the airport. I can’t even say I was escaping winter as it really has been mild. Upon arrival I walked into town for a pedicure and then swam and did some light pool running to stretch out the legs, which were feeling pretty good post flight/race. My Achilles was a little annoying and grateful to Coco and Jessie for their input on stretches to mute it.

good morning world

balance work, not just for humans

  • Tuesday: my first Florida run is almost always to the beach (~ 3M round trip), but my legs weren’t feeling the intracoastal bridge and I decided to give them another day so I just ran around their neighborhood. Didn’t have a distance plan, but felt done around 3.5 and that was fine. Later that day we went to Darlene’s favorite Green Cay to see how it differed from my beloved Wakodahatchee. Stunning variety of birds and flora.

something about rain-kissed flowers

well behaved women rarely make history

  • Wednesday: normally a running day, but I made the conscious decision not to run back to back days this week and it was a good one. (Also, not driving for three days!) Mom and I ran some errands and when the rain tapered off, we walked the Women’s Day virtual “race” around the complex in case the rain returned as it had interrupted a morning attempt. Photo indoors because Florida humidity = Florida hair. I also took advantage of their fitness center and did a couple of Peloton cycle classes. I’m not a comfortable or strong cyclist, but that was fun rest day activity.

these colors!

  • Thursday: legs felt good and I did my ~ five mile loop to the municipal beach and back. It was super humid and I was melting when I returned, so my cooldown was in the form of some pool running and stretching. The legs were tired toward the end of the run, but a car ride restored them – luckily – because there was no way Mom and I weren’t climbing on this picture-perfect day.  As Deborah mentioned, stairs are evil weevil even when we’re fit, but it was so worth the adventure. Somehow I’d never been to Jupiter before despite several visits to the Loggerhead Rescue center in nearby Juno. We had a quick visit there, but they only had one patient as they’re about to reopen.

sunrise there’s a fire in the sky!

  • Friday: when you don’t run every morning, you go sit on the T Deck and watch the world wake up. Rest of the day spent reading poolside. Is there any better vacation day? I definitely differentiate between active vacations (cities, usually. Lots of culture and sightseeing) and restorative ones. This was definitely the latter, and it was exactly what I needed ahead of the transition back to the office and another busy work month. Reads this week:

if I had this daily I’d never oversleep

hey there spiky dude!

farewell for now, Florida

  • Saturday: I didn’t have a distance plan. Thinking 6-8 would be fine and keep me on track for April 3.  I have a standard eight mile route, but I detoured by about mile one when I realized the clouds were breaking for a sunrise and how could I miss one last runrise for the trip? Detour was the name of the run as one bridge was out, and there was construction on another road, but I made it work and always enjoy exploring Delray. Like one prior Florida run, this involved a mid-run Gatorade purchase as the humidity was real and I was not acclimated. In truth, I should have gone out earlier if I planned to go long, but that’s what convenience stores and Apple Pay is for! Post run we went to Gumbo Limbo since the folks at Juno told us they had lots of turtles, and they did. Also loved the butterfly garden. Such a wonderful oasis.
  • Sunday: really powerful Rashaad Newsome installation at the Park Avenue Armory in the middle of post-trip housekeeping. Re-entry was gentle thanks to a mid 60s day. Oh hello March you wonderful gremlin you.

 

24 thoughts on “taper and recovery

  1. Kimberly Hatting

    You have really upped your activity, and your consistency 😉 Well done! I have really been in awe of the sunsets in recent weeks…like you said, the sky is on fire!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      it’s just pure magic. I love that they were inching later so I could get out to see them in person after work. Perfect capstones

      Reply
  2. Shathiso

    The first thing that struck me about this post is how active and consistent you’ve been, including with the reading! Well done! So happy you had such a brilliant time in Florida too. PS: can’t wait to read your race recap too!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Race recap hopefully this week. I keep getting distracted from it and wanting a break from the screen (hence also delayed in reading), but I know I want to have it to look back on. Thank you. Consistency is good for balance for me

      Reply
  3. Chocolaterunsjudy

    Sounds like the perfect vacation! I had an aunt who lived in FL, with a pool. She’s been gone many years, unfortunately, but yeah, I’d love to be visiting with her now!

    Our Winter was actually short on snow, but it wasn’t mild. Definitely ready for Spring but it’ll be a while.

    You take good care of your body, Cari!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I was just thinking how we were short on snow too, but luckily enough rain and wintry mix to avoid a drought I hope.
      Team pool forever. I don’t have the attention span for the beach/wind

      Reply
  4. Darlene S. Cardillo

    Loved this post. Especially since I played a part and I recognized the places you visited. Go back to Juno when they have more turtles. I forgot all about it. So thanks for reminding me.

    You brought back the lovely weather. Alas it is gone already.

    I almost accepted Erica’s bib for nyc half. But no, next year with Deborah.

    See you April 9 unless you come up North to visit before that.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yes, love Juno. The renovations are stunning and it will be such a different space.
      Always love adventuring iwth you

      Reply
  5. Wendy

    I haven’t been to Florida since 2019 (ok, I went for a night in 2020 but had to come right home when my boy had a snowboard crash) and your sunrise/sunset photos got me in the feels. It’s funny how the past 2 years just kind of stood still, isn’t it? Lucky you, getting to visit your mom like that. I love your nature photos!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you
      Stand still is perfect description. Everything that feels like “two years ago” was probably four if not five. So surreal

      Reply
  6. Debbie @ Deb Runs

    Awww, it sounds like you had a great trip to Florida and completed some good workouts! We’ll be heading that way to see Pablo (and his humans) later this month.

    Can’t wait to read your race recap!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      enjoy your trip! I have a feeling we might meet up in Florida before Virginia!

      Reply
  7. Deborah Brooks

    Sounds like a great post half marathon escape. Hope you enjoyed your time with your mom. Always fu. to run in new places. Congrats on some great monthly stats. Feels good to exceed your own expectations. Have a great week ahead

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you. Definitely enjoyed the time. Sometimes it’s wonderful to just veg

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      thank you. Yes, talking advantage of the moments of fun right now

      Reply
  8. Jenn

    You are doing so great! Even with your trip, you pack in so much activity, and it’s awesome.

    I love all the places you got to visit! I am living so vicariously through you right now!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I promise to poke air holes in my suitcase for you to join!

      Reply
  9. Jenny

    It’s funny to read your adventures in my familiar places! But I’ve never been to the Jupiter Lighthouse- I’ll have to get there one of these days. I’m looking forward to the race recap. And already looking forward to seeing you next time you’re here!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yes, we’ll make it happen for sure.
      Jupiter is probably a long ish haul for you, but it was nice to do something different. I have a bad habit of appearing near holidays/school breaks but it was nice to have these so uncrowded on a random weekday

      Reply
  10. Fairytalesandfitness

    I bet that felt so good to run in Florida after being in cold weather for a while. I go to Florida often but I haven’t been there during the winter months in a few years.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Hope you’re able to get there soon for a winter escape

      Reply

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