Bouncing Back

After a few more late nights–but thankfully no more all-nighters–we wrapped up the work project that’s been consuming my life for the past few months. Since Wednesday, I’ve been bouncing back from the pressure of high-stakes deadlines and shortage of restful sleep.

Sunset over the Potomac River and Kennedy Center

I prefer not to be in the office at sunset, but when I am
I’m grateful for this lovely view out my window.

Bouncing Back

My last BIG DEADLINE was Tuesday at 6:00 pm, but my last late night working on that project was Sunday. I spent Monday taking care of other pressing matters, and even though I rarely put in a full day when I choose to work on a holiday, was at the office until 9:00 pm on President’s Day taking care of one more thing. I did the same thing on Tuesday, but this time left at 8:00 pm knowing I had to pack for a quick overnight trip to NYC on Wednesday. I was exhausted when I went to bed Tuesday, but woke up Wednesday morning feeling like I already was bouncing back.

daybreak over Central Park Reservoir

Reached the reservoir a few miles into my Central Park run,
but it was still too dark for my iPhone camera.

All it took was one good night’s sleep, one great run with Scooby, and a trip to one of my favorite cities with time for a run in my schedule. I also was looking forward to meeting Carianne for the first time. While it may be a #bloggerfail I’m #sorrynotsorry we forgot to take a picture–we were too busy enjoying each other’s company and the guacamole at Dos Caminos. 🙂

Weekly Run Down

Knowing I was demanding a lot of myself for work, I took it easy early in the week, and then came bouncing back by running all the miles.

Monday + Tuesday: Monday and Tuesday mornings I took Scooby out for his usual one mile walk, and then instead of doing my normal strength workout did a combination of light exercises to counteract my desk-sitting, including my dynamic running warm-up and post-run stretches and a series of core and back exercises including Marcia’s plank challenge series.

Wednesday: 5 Scooby Miles
I started bouncing back with 5 Scooby Miles on Wednesday. The Weather Channel app misled me into expecting it to feel warm (48F), but it was windy!

5 Scooby Miles

Thursday: 7.2 mile run in NYC (based on MapMyRun due to Garmin GPS fail)
I wasn’t sure how early I’d get up, or how long I’d have to run, but when I bounced out of bed at 5:00 am and did the run + Starbucks + shower + pack math in my head, I figured I had time for a long-ish run before my 9:00 am meeting. I chose the Hamilton soundtrack for my playlist, and headed up 5th Avenue to Central Park, figuring I’d run to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. 

Sunrise Over Central Park Reservoir

Once I got there I couldn’t resist running around the Reservoir, and tried to pick up the pace so I wouldn’t be late. I ended up having plenty of time, but the joy of running in Central Park while listening to Hamilton would have been worth a little rushing around afterwards. 

Friday: Orangetheory Fitness
Back at home, back at Orangtheory for an Endurance-Strength-Power workout, although both the rower and the treadmill seemed to have an endurance focus. The floor exercises were body-weight based, with a mix of core and plyometric moves, including single-leg bench sit/stands, bench hop-overs, and alternating plyometric lunges.

Saturday: 8.2 Scooby Miles
I wasn’t excited about a frigid run (mid-20s), so I got myself out the door with a plan to run at least 6 miles instead of committing to 8. Two miles in, I decided to go for 8 miles, but even then my legs already felt tired. It was not an effortless run–I took a rare walk break on the last long hill–but my Garmin bumped my training status up from “maintaining” to “productive” so I guess there is something to pushing through.

February Scooby Miles

Sunday: Strength Workout
It would have been a perfect day for a bike ride–sunny and upper 50s!–but I just couldn’t get my ish together to get out the door. After puttering around I decided to head to my basement for a mostly-upper body strength workout while starting to get catch up on Grey’s Anatomy.


Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up
–join in for motivation and encouragement!


Do you have a favorite city to run in besides your home town?

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29 Responses to Bouncing Back

  1. Kim at Running on the Fly says:

    You mentioned bouncing back from lack of sleep and all the late nights with work…I actually got more than six hours of sleep last night (yes, ME!), and I woke up super groggy this morning. I got out for a run, and felt like a new person when I finished…but the excess sleep (for me) had the reverse effect it would have on most others. Not sure why that is. You totally amaze me with your work schedule, Coco…always on the go, traveling, AND getting the workouts done. You’re a beast!

    • Coco says:

      The week before last I needed the workouts to burn off the stress. This week I needed to take it easy! I think 6.5 hours sleep is my normal, but a few nights of 4 hours takes a toll!

  2. Wendy says:

    I don’t know how you do it all! Great job getting it all done. I’m happy you got to meet Cari. Both of you are the 2 people I still need to meet!

  3. kookyrunner says:

    Woohoo for the last major deadline! I hope that you’re able to get back to normal working hours now – I know you’ve been burning the midnight oil a lot.

    I love that you were able to meet up with Cari!

  4. I don’t know how you function on so little sleep! Do you really bounce out of bed a 5 am?? It was a gorgeous weekend wasn’t it? Hope you have a quieter week this week thanks for linking up.

  5. Catrina says:

    I’d love to run around in Central Park! So great that you managed to fit that into your tight schedule!
    I think your are very disciplined for fitting in all your work-outs despite such a tough schedule. Well done! Hope things will ease up a little for your now.

  6. Lisa says:

    I don’t know if I have a favorite city to run in, but I love to run when we travel to the beach! Glad things seem to be settling down a bit at work for you.

  7. Coco says:

    My favorite beach isn’t very runnable — too steep a grade — but the trails around it are great!

  8. Almost anyplace new is my favorite place to run. We don’t have the views that you guys have! You are lucky you got to actually eat with Cari, I saw her for a hot minute & that was it.

    Glad that things are quieting down for you. I got out later than planned yesterday, but I think that worked in my favor as it was so nice. 🙂

    Here’s to a much less stressful week, Coco!

  9. Chaitali says:

    I love that photo from your NYC run! Running in Central Park while listening to the Hamilton soundtrack definitely sounds like a fun experience 🙂

  10. runswithpugs says:

    You did a great job bouncing back.I LOVE running in Central Park and NYC. And I’ve already told you that Broadway soundtracks are great to run to – you get a story and music all in one! Hamilton is the best!

  11. Laurie says:

    Wow! Your work schedule is incredible. Glad to hear your big project is over. Your NYC run sounds great. I love running around the reservoir in Central Park when I am there. Nice miles this week!

  12. Marcia says:

    Wow. How great to have all that work behind you. Hope things settle down a bit for you. I don’t think the reservoir in CP at sunrise can be beat. I love running there! Yay for meeting Cari!

    • Coco says:

      I had to keep going until I could get a sunrise shot. The angle worked out well — better from that side of the reservoir anyway. 😉

  13. Birchwood Pie says:

    Congrats on finishing your project. I do what you did for your Saturday run often – just run x miles and then see how I feel about finishing my planned distance. So far it’s worked every time.

  14. Elaine D says:

    Late night hours at work is no fun but it looks like you had a solid week of workouts. That’s wonderful you fit in a run while in NYC. I’m trying to train my dog to run with me but is becomes more exhausting since he loves to pull.

    • Coco says:

      Scooby definitely pulls — especially during that first mile. He’s made me increase my cadence to keep up without falling on my face.

  15. Cari says:

    That sunrise. <3 Never gets old
    Reservor lends itself to Hamilton
    Have you listened to Hamiltome? That's my next project
    So good to see you

  16. Renée says:

    well if garmin says you are “productive” … then I guess it was a good week!!

    I can imagine that your body is still a bit exhausted from the work stress though!

    my favorite city to run in? hmmmmm, can I have more than one? Berlin, Paris … those two come to mind right away 🙂

  17. So glad to hear your major work project is done! Congrats! I have marveled at how you’ve pushed through with so little sleep and still getting your workouts in.

    Listening to Hamilton while running in Central Park sounds like a perfect combination! And how great that you got to meet up with Cari!

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