sidebar | life and training 1.8 – 1.14

If you can’t tell by the photos, my week consisted of eating mussels and drinking beer.

Really, though, is that so bad of a highlight reel?

Judging by my camera reel, this week was rather mundane. Sometimes that’s okay, though, especially after the emotional hurricane that was the week prior.

The biggest annoyance I encountered was the rescheduling of my mom’s surgery. Her damn insurance didn’t approve the operation on time so the hospital pushed it to this coming week. Thanks, folks, just prolong the anticipatory stress why don’t you. Seems that it’s a surefire go now, though, unless something else idiotic happens. So, my Wednesday and Thursday will be devoted to caring for my good ole momsie. Not a problem for me.

The biggest WOOHOO from this week: booking one of my flights for a trip to Toronto! My sister and I have been discussing a sibling trip for quite some time now. We were between Toronto and Chicago, and I was definitely leaning the former since neither of us have been prior and my passport expires in June (Chicago I’ve visited three times, she’s been once when we were younger). In March we’ll be across the border for a few days, then flying back to Pennsylvania together so I can spend a few days with her and my brother in law. I really CANNOT wait, even though it means I’ll have to die by excessive work hours accumulated during the next several weeks. Worth it.

If any of ya’ll have some Toronto recs, please send them my way! A good friend of mine lives up there also, which was another appeal of visiting. I’d love for my sister to meet her, and to see her in her own stomping ground.

Aside from those two occurrences…Yep, I basically just ate steamed mussels and drank beer. Reunited with my little brewery gal, Leia, at Crooked Thumb – her sister was also sitting on a bar stool but she was sleepy so I didn’t bug her. Monday I got a big steaming bowl of mussels at Anchor & Brine, and did so also on Sunday. Really is the ideal dish for a drizzly, sub-60 degree and 90% humidity day. Especially Sunday. Sunday’s weather was a bucket of shit.

About all that I’ve got to report this time around. Not sure how thrilling this week will be either, but maybe there’ll be an adventure or two in the works. I’m always getting into something, it seems.

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A fun sweet and spicy pizza.

…A one-skillet salmon dinner.

…Some cute little Valentine’s treats!

A Few Things I’m Digging

Fireplace…I wish I had an actual fireplace, but with our gloomy weather the Netflix fireplace is actually quite soothing. I played it all day on Monday while I was home, I didn’t really want rowdy background noise but didn’t want to sit in silence. This was perfect.

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Quince…All the colors of the high neck crop tank are beautiful – plum, chocolate, and merlot are my favorite. Would match with the ultra high rise legging for a pretty and comfy coordinated outfit. The SuperSoft fleece crew looks so cozy.

Upwest…Perusing their sale options, lots of good things posted. Like the thermal mockneck, cozy rib minidress, polo sweater, and the tunic turtleneck.

Home

Target…Looking to refresh my decor a little bit. Like these hurricane candle holders (and the large ones), faux rabbit fur throw (never too many cozy throws) and the matching pillow, and this brown sugar chestnut candle sounds delightful.

Week in Training

Monday, 1.8: 9 miles, 10:40 pace

Brisk and chilly morning. Slept a fair amount of hours and still didn’t want to get up, but as usual once my running clothes were on I felt a lot better about the upcoming movement. Took this nice and easy and let myself enjoy the quiet – and the hot shower and coffee that awaited me after.

Tuesday, 1.9: 6.04 miles, 9:56 pace

That wind was WILD. 40 mph gusts, water was flying everywhere and I nearly lost my hat several times. But, I did see a dolphin, who was totally nonplussed by the weather.

Wednesday, 1.10: 7 miles, 10:17 pace

Much cooler morning, did not want to get up but did (that’s my new normal now, methinks). 4 minute run/1 minute walk split, felt okay overall.

Thursday, 1.11: 6.29 miles, 10:20 pace

Been feeling run down and under the weather lately – have taken multiple Covid tests (was exposed closely Saturday last week) but all of them came back negative. I think the rapidfire switch in weather from hot to cold, rainy to clear has been really screwing with my sinuses. At any rate, the trot felt okay, very quiet out in the early hours.

Friday, 1.12: 6.03 miles, 9:57 pace

And suddenly it felt like fucking summer out. 77 with a 71 dew point – apparently a warm front kicked through overnight. Stupid.

Saturday, 1.13: 7.5 miles, 10:40 pace

Another warm morning, but not as bad as I thought it might be. Kept it slow and relaxed, just kinda plodding along willynilly. Saw basically no one out and about.

Sunday, 1.14: 4 miles, 9:55 pace + 30 minute full body

Really crummy, drizzly day – which for some reason inspired me to add a run in. Backwards. Rounded out the afternoon with a quick gym session before stuffing my face with steamed mussels. Mmmm.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 triceps extension 35#
• 3 x 12 chest fly 20#
• 4 x 12 curtsy lunge 45/50#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg press SS 12 ea. calf raise 100#
• 3 x 10 straight arm pulldown 32#
• Core work

Total running mileage: 45.9