sidebar | life and training 10.17 – 10.23

A random thought: perforations on bags are fucking useless.

Certain brands especially. I try to tear the bag at the little notch indicating that it’s easy to open and all I manage to do is rip a tiny corner and ruin the neat line created by the perforation. Then guess what? I have to use fucking scissors anyway. Useless.

I thought about this because I have an open pack of granola in the pantry and it’s going stale due to the inefficiency of the perforation and my resulting incompetence cutting in a straight line. So, I sliced right through the seal thing and now it won’t shut. Just a big fat fail overall.

This week felt really long. Anyone else? I’m fully hunkering into cozy mode and starting to err into Thanksgiving planning, so shit’s getting busy around here. J and I visited Anchor & Brine for drinks and appetizers, enjoying the Padres-Phillies game all the while. I really needed that outing after a string of several tough days where I also didn’t really leave the house much: I got to wear a cute outfit instead of my standard kitchen clothes, and it was cool outside so boots and a jacket were quite necessary.

If you ever visit Anchor & Brine, the cioppino is out of this world. Each bowl comes with a big slab of grilled bread to dip. So damn good. The cider rum punch was also excellent as a fall offering.

I really value my Thursday and Sunday morning walks lately. Saturday evening I had a very rough night of sleep; wrapping myself in a cardigan to walk in a brisk morning breeze was just what I needed to reset my mind. Running is often my meditation but sometimes it can worsen a hyperactive mood. A walk gives me a chance to really look around and think, and I usually walk early so it’s a nice quiet environment for my thoughts to float off.

I cherish exercise as a moving meditation, for sure, but I will never get onboard with calling running “therapy.” I’ve embarked on that rant before and it’s something that continuously irks me. Therapy is therapy. Running is a buffer, a temporary bandaid, but it does not give you the tools to tackle your real-life mental struggles like a certified practitioner does. Anyone who claims that running is their cure-all probably suffers from everyday stress and not chronic anxiety, or they’re really good at pretending their issues don’t exist (we call that toxic positivity around here).

I probably shouldn’t let it get to me as much as it does, but I’m quite passionate about mental health issues considering how severe mine are on occasion. I am not delusional about running’s role in my mental wellbeing. Exercise is healthy and I’d definitely be worse off if I didn’t have my sport. But it does not replace real therapy.

Needed to get that off me. This week I’m hoping to nail down a recipe I’ve tried three times but couldn’t get the photos right. It’s a really lovely Thanksgiving fixture I’m hoping you guys love as much as I do. I’m also gearing up for Friendsgiving next week and my FMG Thanksgiving Menu the following. Lots of excitement!

And, among all that, need to find some time for self care. Never underestimate the value of being kind to yourself when you’re struggling.

The Fuck We Eating This Week?

A rich and delicious stuffed spaghetti squash…

A ghostly, easy peasy treat for Halloween…

A fiery fun bourbon cocktail…

A cozy, veggie-packed stew…

A down-home comfort dish made vegetarian with a savory mushroom gravy…

A Few Things I’m Digging

Granola…Trader Joes’ Cinnamon Roll Drizzled Granola is hazardous. I bought a bag this week and every time I walk by my pantry I give it a good swipe to nibble on. I’d link it but you can’t really find any of TJ’s products online. Fooey.

Blazer…Wore my Universal Thread knit blazer to dinner last week and I love how comfortable, cozy, yet not overly thick it is. Works great with jeans and boots, as you can see in the photo up there! Could also throw it over an athleisure outfit for any day’s goings-about.

Pre-workout…Switched out my beloved Nuun Prime, which seems to have vanished completely from the world, for the Tone It Up Energy Booster. Tastes nice and doesn’t make me jittery, but I definitely feel more hydrated and awake during my runs than if I just took plain electrolytes.

Shops and Wish List

Fashion

Target…Pretty excited that these cozy longline bras went on serious clearance, so I got the gray one to wear mostly around the house. These button-front henley sweaters are super cute, the cable knit pattern is quite pretty. Into this brushed oversized shacket and these fleece half zip pullovers look SO comfortable, would be good to throw on during chilly morning walks. REALLY hoping I can find these feather yarn sleepwear sets this week because they look unbelievably soft.

Kitchen & Dining

Target…Picked up this pie dish for a project that has been driving me up the wall for three trials now. Going on a fourth this week…Also not quite sure how I survived without a potato masher for as long as I have, so swiped this Oxo fixture to add to my kitchenware.

CB2: Really love their Neat cocktail glass collection so I ordered the double old fashioned glass and the tasting glass – very excited for holiday drinks using them!

Crate and Barrel: Needed a good 9 x 9 inch baking dish for a project this week so bought the clean, simple Aspen square baking dish.

Week in Training

Monday, 10.17: 11.12 miles, 11:09 pace

Felt pretty crummy and out of sorts this morning. The ambient temp probably didn’t help matters, either.

Tuesday, 10.18: 8.05 miles, 10:41 pace + 43 minutes full body

Very random arrangement of strength exercises, but I was feeling spontaneous and lifting sounded like a good idea after a quick-paced morning run. Helped bring the inner tension down somewhat.

Strength:

• 2 x 10 curl to press 15#
• 3 x 20 ea. banded weighted lateral leg extensions 25#
• 3 x 10 ea. oblique crunch standing 15#
• 3 x 10 ea. skullcrusher 15#
• 3 x 15 ea. hip dip 15#
• 3 x 20 cross alternating curl 15#
• 3 x 10 skullcrusher to narrow press 15#
• 4 x 10 ea. side raise 15#
• Core work

Wednesday, 10.19: 12.04 miles, 11:08 pace

I was actually quite chilly on this run! Wind usually does me in during sessions when the temperatures drop since I run on a path with nothing to break the drafts. I also really should’ve worn gloves – my hands were red by the end! Otherwise, got into an easy groove and really enjoyed myself.

Thursday, 10.20: 4.05 mile walk (1:03:00)

Friday, 10.21: 6 miles, 10:53 pace + 20 minute back

Managed to toss in a quick home gym workout after a very pleasant trot before work.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 bent front raise 30#
• 3 x 8 ea. row to wide row 25#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg squat 30#
• 3 x 12 press out 25#
• 3 x 16 alt. punches 12#

Saturday, 10.22: 10.65 miles, 11:16 pace + 30 minute lower body

The wind was less intense today so this run felt great! 152 heartrate so nice and easy effort.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. single leg box squat 25#
• 3 x 10 sumo deadlift 110#
• 3 x 12 ea. single leg press 110#
• 3 x 10 double pulse plie squat 80#
• 3 x 10 ea. banded clamshell 20#
• 3 x 20 deadbug 20#

Sunday, 10.23: 4.03 mile walk (1:03:00)

Total running mileage: 47.9 (I’m saying 48 you nerds)