sidebar | life and training 1.24 – 1.30

What a dumb week.

For one, my camera decided to kaput in the middle of a shoot and, after an unhelpful phone call with a Canon tech, I had to send it in to the factory for diagnostics. As of now, I haven’t heard back, but it’s only been a couple days. A kind coworker lent me her SL1 for the week, or however long until I get my camera or a replacement. While it’s not quite the powerhouse of my M50, it’s a delightful little dude that’s worlds better than my clunker of a T3.

Saturday’s long run was a wreck. I could blame the weather, but also don’t find that quite fair. The temp sat around 45 with gusts up to 23-25 mph, and those headwinds were just demoralizing. My legs were weirdly numbed, and it’s not like I haven’t run in those conditions before. I wish running would make up its mind: some days are lovely and feel like I’m on the mend, other days I’d rather call it quits and never run again.

How do I treat a day with a bad run? I’m not immune to the emotional dumpster fire that is a poorly-executed workout (or plan in general, but let’s not hurdle into that conundrum.) I’ve found some strategies more helpful than others, though, as far as coping for a perceived failure goes.

One…Running is part of my identity, not my whole identity. In the grand scope, running is pretty unimportant. I’ve gained that perspective over a very injury-laden “career”. Seriously, unless you’re in for money or a pro, no one gives a damn if you’re smashing every session or taking time off for any sort of reason. If you mind and body need a break, demand a break, stop thinking people believe you to be less of a man/woman. You’re less of a man/woman if you treat people like shit, not if you can’t log 10 miles a day.

Two…Focusing on other hobbies. I mean, if all my projects for the day are fucked, that’s a recipe for a sandstorm. I boast interests other than running, though, so I’m not enshrouded in it 24/7. I cook (in case you’re new here), I enjoy reading books and online literature, usually can find something to clean, research random things, paint when the mood strikes me. I also enjoy other fitness outlets, like biking, swimming, and especially lifting.

Three…Have a treat. A slice of cake, a dinner date, sometimes the treat-yoself (within reason) mentality applies when things don’t go your way rather than solely when they do.

What I’m Up To This Week

Reading…Dune: Messiah. Second book of the series. I was shocked to see how itty bitty it is compared to the first book! The plot wasted no time in leaping straight into the meat, and I’m not exactly sure what I think yet.

Abandoning…My storage unit. 50% rate hike? No thanks. Seems I’ll have to donate the queen bed stored in there, but I’ve tried unsuccessfully for 3 years to sell it with no success, so perhaps someone will claim it from Salvation Army and take it to a good home.

Repairing…My Canon M50. As said above. I theorize the shutter malfunctioned. I’m open minded to purchasing a new camera if I have to, depending on the extent and cost of fixing.

Testing…Muffins, cookies, a crispy fish skillet dinner, a fun little brunch, a creamy pasta, and a spicy quinoa bake!

Drinking…Starbucks Tribute Blend. I don’t love most of Starbucks’ brews but this one is quite smooth and I love brewing up a pot in the afternoon.

Eating…Ramen. So much ramen. I’ve been craving big bowls of noodles with our cooler weather. The sesame black pepper noodles are perfect for a brothy bowl and of course, the ginger pomegranate tofu ramen is a big hit on chilly nights.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Ruffle sweatshirt…I mentioned this guy in last week’s Sidebar and got my hands on one the other day! It’s so cute and frilly and fun to swing my arms around to trigger the little ruffles.

Lemon loaf…Love love love the Iced Lemon Vanilla Loaf from Wednesday. Tart, sweet, buttery, a nice change from chocolate. Not that I have anything against chocolate.

Jacket…Doesn’t look like Backcountry still sells my exact coat, but their house Stoic brand makes stellar outerwear. This sherpa coat looks really cute and honestly any of their items are all you need to brave chilly conditions. I can wear a simple long sleeve beneath in sub-40 and feel very toasty!

Camera…Like I said, my coworker’s SL1 is coming in clutch. I love my M50 first, but SL is suitable. We’ll be friends.

This meme... It spoke to me, what can I say.

Week in Training

Monday, 1.24: 5.6 miles, 10:43 pace + 50 minute shoulders & triceps

WAY overdressed for my run but really enjoyed the chill. My legs felt stiff and my left hamstring is giving me some grief, so tonight will be focused on CBD, rolling, and getting out the kinks for a successful week upcoming.

Strength:

• 4 x6 overhead press 25#
• 4 x 8 incline press 20#
• 4 x 8 triceps extension 35#
• 4 x 6 dumbbell bench press 25#
• 4 x 8 press down 37/32#
• 4 x 10 front raise 15#
• 4 x 8 skullcrusher 25#
• 4 x 8 bent arm side raise 20#
• 50 knee to elbow/40 bird dog/30 ea. oblique crunch/20 hover toe tap/10 reverse crunch

Tuesday, 1.25: 4.25 miles, 10:35 pace + 52 minutes back & biceps

Better, more relaxed run than yesterday. Threw a few more bridges into my route to acclimate to the inclines and declines, though the bridges are quite puny compared to anything offered by Big Sur. A drizzle started at the end of the run and carried over through my gym workout, but luckily I missed most of the rawness.

Strength:

• 4 x 6 biceps curl 25#
• 4 x 8 row 35#
• 4 x 10 back extension 35#
• 4 x 8 preacher curl 65#
• 4 x 6 mid row 80#
• 4 x 8 hammer curl 20#
• 4 x 8 face pull 49#
• 4 x 8 ea. woodchop 25#
• 20 decline leg drops/20 ea. weighted toe taps/20 ea. stability ball deadbug/20 ea. side plank hip dip/20 stability ball crunch

Wednesday, 1.26: 6.32 miles, 9:39 pace + 51 minute legs

Very humbling run. My first real workout in quite some time, a 20 minute tempo block with warmup and cooldown. I tried to settle into an effort and didn’t check my splits when they dropped up, and on both ends of the spectrum I was surprised. Thought I was going slower, found it odd how high the effort was for the paces I exhibited. I hit 8:33, 8:24 for the miles and 8:28 pace for the last bit, which was against a stiff wind. Trying not to compare then to now – I suppose this is just where I’m at.

I also wore my shirt inside out. That’s good luck, right?

Strength:

• 4 x 10 reverse squat 90#
• 3 x 10/2 x 10 leg press 150/160# (could not get going on 160 start but eventually my legs cooperated)
• 4 x 10 calf raise 140#
• 4 x 10 narrow squat 90#
• 4 x 10 plie squat 60#
• 4 x 20 alt. pistol squat
• 4 x 10 elevated sumo squat 90#
• 50 jackknife/40 ea. side crunch/30 hover toe taps/20 ea. donkey kick to hydrant/10 ea. plank rainbows

Thursday, 1.27: 25 minute elliptical + 52 minute shoulders & triceps

Not very inspired or energetic but the elliptical felt nice. 6 x :30 gentle climbs with 1 minute easy in between. I also squeezed in a very fast walk after work – I averaged 14:20/mile!

Strength:

• 4 x 8 Arnold press 20# SS 8 front raise 15#
• 4 x 8 chest press 60#
• 4 x 10 lying triceps extension 30#
• 4 x 12 alt. lateral raise SS 12 upright row, 15#
• 4 x 7 press down 37#
• 3 x 10 seated triceps extension 30#
• 2 x 10/2 x 8 chest fly 15/20#
• 3 x 10 ea. windmill 15#
• 4 x 12 stir the pot

Friday, 1.28: 5.16 miles, 10:39 pace + 50 minute back & biceps

Completely sluggish this morning, and it showed in my run too. The cool air was refreshing but not enough to truly wake me up. I also went through my gym session in something of a daze. Not my day.

Strength:

• 4 x 8 rotating biceps curl 20#
• 4 x 8 reverse fly 25#
• 4 x 8 single arm row 35#
• 4 x 8 cable hammer curl 32#
• 4 x 8 underhand row 40#
• 4 x 10 face pulls 41/45#
• 4 x 10 incline wide curl 15#
• 4 x 6 mid row 80#
• 50 bicycles/40 toe taps/30 deadbugs/20 leg drops/10 ea. hip dips

Saturday, 1.29: 14 miles, 11:07 pace + 40 minute legs

A pretty miserable run. I want to blame the weather somewhat. 20+ mph gusts, still Florida humid, 49ish degrees. Doesn’t sound bad on paper but it really proved unpleasant. My legs felt like I trudged on gum and my brain checked out after mile 6. I took two vanilla Honey Stingers at miles 6 and 11. I normally don’t have a problem running in sub-50 degrees with shorts, but my legs just felt numb from the start. Demoralizing is a good word for this trek. How can I think to do a marathon when 14 feels this miserable?

Strength:

• 4 x 10 ea. single leg calf raise 40#
• 2 x 10 ea. dumbbell single leg twists
• 4 x 10 ea. leg press calf raise 150#
• 4 x 8 ea. single leg press 100#
• 4 x 10 ea. split squat 50#
• 50 bicycles/50 crunches/50 ea. oblique crunch/50 flutter kicks/50 scissor kicks

Sunday, 1.30: 3.13 mile walk (15:01/mi, 47 minutes)

Cold morning! 35 at the start. Mostly comfy in my bundled attire but my face and hands were icicles by the end.

Total running mileage: 35.8