sidebar | life and training 1.15 – 1.21

How many hours is your sleep sweet spot?

It seems I’ve found myself in this discussion frequently of late: how much sleep is necessary for an individual person to not feel like a walking coffin? I interact with various folks on the daily and usually, upon being asked “how are you?” the answer involves some form of “I’m tired.” Tired is merely a personality trait now for most, methinks. I think that happens by year 21 and beyond. Peeps are always just tired.

We all know the scientific answer that 8 hours of sleep is primo, but I don’t think that’s universal. The athletic world likes to romanticize 10-12 hours of sleep. Who the fuck has the time for that?! Unless you’re a paid and well-sponsored runner or whatever. People who suggest such on social media need to dislodge their craniums from their asses.

For me, 7 solid hours of sleep seems to rev me up most. The sad thing is that I don’t typically get good sleep. I wake up a lot, whether from needing to pee or just jolting around and startling myself awake or whatever. Quality shuteye happens maybe once a quarter. Otherwise, I might sleep a lot (8-9 hours) but still feel like a steaming pile of shit the next morning.

This is a real weird way to start one of my Sidebar posts, but hey, it’s a topic on my mind so I figured I’d share. That’s what these posts are for, no?

Another week gone. Mom’s surgery happened on Wednesday and went without hitches – she was quite normal from the get-go when I brought her home, just more bleary and fatigued. I cooked up a pot of broccoli cheddar soup (totally winged, fucking nailed it) and hung out at her place all day. I also ran 7 miles on the treadmill that morning and was quite proud that I managed such a feat. It was fucking cold out, piercingly windy, and I did not bring the right clothes to brave the conditions. Ain’t nothing wrong with a jaunt on the ole ‘mill, yo.

Just look at this majestic asshole, basking in the sun.

Friday afternoon I saw Poor Things with one of my friends. If you don’t have a convoluted sense of humor, you won’t enjoy the film: it quite embraces its label as a black comedy and is very raunchy in spots, but so well acted and well produced. Definitely recommend. Also recommend stealing your buddy’s chocolate covered pretzels if the opportunity presents itself.

Afterwards I drove out to Angry Chair to grab din. They changed up their food menu without me knowing so I felt like a fucking nutjob confidently asking for tacos only to be rejected and pointed to the new lineup. Doofus. I don’t even know what beer I had, but it was a nitro stout and described as “Oreo” so I was sold. Got the mahi sandwich, and the fries it came with were dope.

Sunday I wandered to Tampa Bay Brewing Company for lunch/dinner and to watch the Bucs game. I was craving a giant pretzel and their mustard is one of the best I’ve ever had, then I got the Greek salad with shrimp for my main. But I gotta say, man, the beer I had was phenomenal. A brown ale that tasted straight up like an oatmeal raisin cookie. How the fuck they managed that taste profile is beyond me but holy nuts it was good. Top 5 of all time, maybe?

This week, I dunno what’s going on. We’re trending into summertime weather so afternoon runs are probably gonna be far less pleasant, which sucks, but at least all my messed up tanlines are gonna worsen. I will probably drink beer at some point. Some baking and cooking will happen. Hopefully some exploring. The usual.

Enjoy your week, fellas!

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A sweet and spicy shrimp bowl.

…A batch of fucken divine, over-the-top brownies.

…Something with salmon, because I bought salmon again.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Poor Things…Saw this on Friday afternoon, like I mentioned. Fucking amazing movie. It’s considered a “black comedy” so if you don’t have a morbid, twisted sense of humor like I do, you might not catch the witticisms. Wonderfully acted and aesthetically befitting. I love going to the movies and ought to go more often.

Waffle…Morning stroopwafels are a staple for me and right now my favorite is the salted caramel Honey Stinger. Mmm.

Brownies…Really enjoyed baking lately, and brownies are one of my favorite treats right now. I whipped up a new rendition that I’m hyped to share, but in the meantime, check these babies out: Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies, Bourbon Butterscotch Brownies, Healthier Mounds Brownies, and Nutella Fudge Brownies.

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…Really like this twist crossbody bag, specifically the black one, and the canteen crossbody bag. Would like to add a couple colors of the extended shoulder tee shirt to my basics as well.

Skincare & Wellness

Vichy…Restocking my favorite Mineral 89 eye serum – shit lasts a long time – and would like to try their Aqualia Thermal night mask.

Kitchen & Dining

Pottery Barn…I kinda hate myself for pining over Valentine’s Day shit but here we are. These confetti flute glasses and heart mugs are precious; also like the scalloped heart appetizer plates.

West Elm…I adore this rum punch bowl set (but will never justify almost $400 for it). Lots of other interesting barware too: the fluted coupes, all the gems glassware, and the Departo glassware are my favorites.

Week in Training

Monday, 1.15: 8 miles, 10:38 pace

Got into a nice groove on this chilly, clammy morning. After mile 3 I was just prancing along and probably could’ve gone further, except my watch hit 5% at mile 7 and probably would’ve died if I extended the session too long. 8 miles, though, is a good start to the new week, methinks.

Tuesday, 1.16: 7 miles, 10:05 pace

Bit longer run to decompress after a weird workday. It rained fucking hard right before I got home so I was afraid I’d have to take this session to the treadmill, but thankfully shit calmed down 10 minutes later. As is usual in Florida.

Wednesday, 1.17: 7 miles, 10:43 pace

Morning treadmill miles because a) fucking cold, b) less familiar environment outside anyway since I was at my mom’s, and c) fucking cold, and I didn’t pack appropriate attire for the occasion. Very comfy run, though, and I listened to a few episodes of Welcome to Night Vale to pass the time.

Thursday, 1.18: 6.2 miles, 9:39 pace

Quick little 10K on a very gloomy afternoon.

Friday, 1.19: 6.06 miles, 9:54 pace

Very sweaty, warm run, but okay regardless. Had to rush around a bit after to catch a movie with a friend.

Saturday, 1.20: 8 miles, 10:26 pace

Definitely got colder and windier as the run progressed: started at 53 and dropped to 48 by the end. Brr. Hot coffee tasted especially awesome once I burrowed back inside.

Sunday, 1.21: 4.6 miles, 9:47 pace + 40 minute full body

Felt like total garbage despite it being glorious outside. Maybe just fatigue.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 ea. balanced cross curl 15#
• 4 x 10 ea. single arm balanced row 30#
• 4 x 10 ea. single arm triceps ext. 15#
• 4 x 15 sumo squat 65#
• 3 x 10 ea. chest press 20#
• 12/10/8 ea. single leg squat 40/50/60#
• Core work

Total running mileage: 46.9