sidebar | life and training 1.22 – 1.28
Our weather this winter boasts more varied moods than the five headed dragon in Welcome to Night Vale.
I’m not sure many of you get that reference, but if you do, high five…headed dragon.
Yoink.
But for real. They dub this an El Nino (pretend there’s a squiggle above the second n, I can’t make that easily on my keyboard) winter to explain why one day our high is 58 and the next it’s 85. My body is so confused; my sinuses even more so. Some mornings I wake up so congested that even my ear is out of whack and I can’t hear much. During the colder nights I sleep like a fucken king, but when it’s hotter out I’m writhing like an eel and waking up every other hour trying to get comfy.
I’m kinda glad I’m not marathon training right now, even though my volume of running might suggest otherwise. I deferred my Napa Valley Marathon entry until 2025 since it’s January and I haven’t been putting in the long run effort at all since I was supposed to start the cycle back in November. I’m just not feeling it this year. But, my name is in the pot and hopefully by next year I’ll be ready to tackle another big distance.
I am seriously tossing around the idea of doing the Gasparilla 15K this year, though. The sole reason for that is my good friend is flying down from Toronto for the event and I’d love to pace alongside her and catch up because I miss her dearly. Even though when my sis and I are up in Canada a couple weeks later I’ll probably see her.
There’s also the appeal of *maybe* going out for brunch after. But we’ll see.
Looking back, this week was pretty chill. Lots of time hanging out with mom, saw The Beekeeper with a friend – I am on a roll with seeing movies! – which was a fun ride featuring Jason Statham whooping ass and slicing off limbs as per usual. Some very cringy scenes though, including someone getting chopped in half by an elevator. Ooooof.
Saturday was the Gasparilla parade, which is a hellishly chaotic scene around Tampa and which forces me into house arrest for most of the day. 300,000 people gathered along Bayshore, shoulder to shoulder, drunk out their asses is not my idea of a good time. I instead ate a lot of cheese (you’ll see the recipe this week or next!) and watched the parade on TV. When I ventured out to leave the city and head to mom’s, the traffic was miserable and many inebriated slutty pirates made the commute rather unpleasant.
Sunday was a hectic day at work with all the hungover Gasparilla attendees dropping into the shop in waves. The weather cleared up in the afternoon and I got in a lovely run before wandering to Tampa Bay Brewing Company for that incredible oatmeal raisin cookie brown ale and some reading time. Kinda just wanted to go for a drive and this was the first place to come to mind. The football games were playing on the TV and the place was slammed, but it was a nice little solo date regardless.
Not really stuck to any plans this week yet, aside from some recipes and probably drinking beer once or twice. This coming month I need to ramp up my work hours to save for my trip, so my life is going to be even less exciting than usual. Yeehaw. But, I’ll continue to try and find little moments of joy in the midst of it all.
The small things are sometimes the biggest reliefs, you know?
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A cheesy dip for the NFL playoffs. Or whenever. I don’t care.
…A simple, hearty vegetarian chili.
…Cake or cupcakes. I don’t know which. Nor what flavor. I don’t know anything to be honest.
…A pretty in pink Valentine’s cocktail.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Coffee…Trader Joe’s has a chocolate hazelnut coffee that I think will become a new staple as my peppermint coffee runs out (*sniff*). I also really like this double chocolate coffee.
Doughnuts…I remember as a kid my mom bought the Entenmann’s Devil’s Food Crumb Donuts all the time, and recently she baked a homemade batch similarly flavored and styled. Holy shit, I forgot how much I liked those stupid things. Her version is obviously way better, but yeah, a pinch of nostalgia occurred there. Apparently this flavor is very hard to find, though.
Minimal Packing Inspiration
My sis and I are headed to Toronto in March, and I’m only bringing a carryon and a personal item at least for the departure flights. Looking at some inspiration for how to pack minimally and efficiently for the inevitably-cold journey, and came across these handy dandy graphics. Perhaps they’ll help you too!
Shops & Wish List
Fashion
Quince…Liking their little Valentine’s Day edit. This satchel is a great multipurpose size and the burgundy color is gorgeous. The silk robe, gemstone hoop, shearling slippers, are great gift ideas also.
Skincare & Wellness
Colourpop…If you’re into Valentine’s-themed cosmetics, their recent collection is really adorable. The pressed powder blushes (I like 4ever Yours and the Kiss n’ Tell shades), the lost in love shadow palette, and the Valentine’s kiss lip set. On the skincare end, I’m intrigued by their turmeric serum and face milk and avocado + aloe double shot.
Week in Training
Monday, 1.22: 9 miles, 10:41 pace
Brisk, chilly, humid morning – that moisture in the air cuts right through your skin. Makes coffee taste real good once I’m back inside.
Tuesday, 1.23: 6 miles, 10:04 pace
Got so warm out. Would’ve been a pleasant day if I wasn’t running, but once the sun came out it got a little too hot for my liking. Made the peach tea afterwards quite satisfying!
Wednesday, 1.24: 8 miles, 10:33 pace
Oh hey, this run took 1:24 to run and it’s 1.24. How about that? Very sticky this morning but 66 degrees and breezy felt alright overall.
Thursday, 1.25: 6.25 miles, 10:24 pace
HOT as balls, but surprisingly did fine overall. I only really struggled at the end after I said buenos dias to one of the guys who sits along my running route – then I got a nice cramp. 4 minute run/1 minute walk to keep the effort a little more manageable, even though my heart rate still sucked.
Friday, 1.26: 7 miles, 10:04 pace
Not sure how I wrenched this one out, another hot, sultry afternoon. But it went okay.
Saturday, 1.27: 8 miles, 10:34 pace
Grossparilla (AKA Gasparilla) occurred later in the day so even at 4am my running route was a chaotic scene of workers setting up tents, fencing off the route, and generally causing discord. Thankfully I had an easy opening to one of my main running routes away from the hubbub so I took my miles out there. Much more peaceable.
Sunday, 1.28: 6.2 miles, 9:44 pace
The weather cooled down and cleared up by the afternoon – it felt wonderful out. Should’ve done a lift but honestly didn’t feel like it. I’ll do better next week.
Total running mileage: 50.5
