sidebar | life and training 10.23 – 10.29
The fact that it’s practically November freaks me the fuck out.
What freaks me out more, though, is how unprepared for the holidays I am. I think my brain is almost in denial – noooo, we have like four months to go, no big deal. Well bitch, we’re looking at a three-ish week timeline at this point. Which means three weeks for developing this year’s guide, planning my own Thanksgiving feast(s), and trying to pull myself into a holiday-ish spirit.
That’s one thing that’s lacked these past three or so years: holiday spirit. As I get older, the festive months fly by without so much as a wave, largely because life is frantic and distracting nowadays and I don’t often have the ability to just observe and enjoy for long periods. When you’re a kid, you have landmarks for when the holidays fall: extra days off around Thanksgiving, a couple weeks for winter break and Christmas, and for me, the lingering sadness of Christmas ending abating because my birthday only lies a few days later.
As an adult, if you’re in the right industry you might get a holiday bonus. You might have family to which you have to cater, flights to catch, kids to please, relatives to begrudgingly host or be hosted by. Then, there’s the pressure to gift give and receive, both of which become more difficult when the needs of our aging selves surpass the simplicity of a toy horse or dollhouse that we might’ve asked for as a child.
I don’t even really know what the holiday spirit entails. Maybe it’s just a general warmth that blankets you when the people who hold dear are nearer, when the ovens are hot and the smells of cookies or soup or bread wrap around the kitchen. Maybe it’s relief that you’ve survived to see another snowfall. Maybe it’s a reminder of the innocence we felt as children when the winter season arrived, and a return to the roots of what we feel is important to hold close even if we’ve outgrown our first Christmas pajamas.
Whatever the case, I want to find the holiday spirit this year. I think I need to get back into crafting – meaningful gifts, even if small, are far more appreciable to me than something big and fancy and expensive. Unless someone’s paying off my credit card debt, then by all means. Maybe I’ll send some Christmas cards. Build gingerbread houses. Drink a lot of hot chocolate. I don’t know. But perhaps I’ll find it.
What do you do to embrace the holiday season? Any traditions, old or newer, activities in which you partake?
This week was quite eventful in its own way. Lots of time with one of my best friends, a solo Happy Hour date after a weird midday work shift – I gotta say, sitting at a largely empty bar (a classy one, I’ll say) is quite empowering – and coffee with Little Miss Ba characterized my outside life. I really need to find a good nail polish for fall and winter. My toes look upsetting.
And, a random 11 pm selfie because my hair looked bangin’. Of course, right before I showered and ruined it.
Keep an eye out for my November issue of Bitchin’ Bites this week! Lots of Thanksgiving goodies to help inspire you for the big day!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…Pizza with a pumpkiny fall twist.
…Pumpkin cinnamon rolls. But will they be in roll form? Stay tuned.
…A creamy pumpkin bisque. Yep. All the pumpkin things.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Waxing...Okay, a weird thing to “dig” since it’s kinda personal and yeah, really fucken painful. But does it work? Yes, yes it does. I’m a savage and use an at home kit for the job.
Frozen veggies…Been keeping a lot of frozen veggie and grain blends on hand – there’s nothing wrong with reaching for quicker options sometimes, and some are better than others. Really like the quinoa and garden vegetable blend, the Mediterranean-style couscous, and want to try the Caribbean-style one.
Shops and Wish List
Fashion
Quince…All of their cashmere offerings are beautiful. Love the turtleneck sweater dress, the fisherman pullover, and the button down sweater.
Target…Picked up a couple little things during their 30% Circle deal last week. Got this cropped hoodie that’s incredibly soft and cozy, but not overbearingly heavy. Also, this scoop neck sweater tank.
Home
Target…Its too fucken early for Christmas shit but I love these cute lil tree votives. Really hoping I can pounce on their figural tree candle, too, before they vanish forever. If you plan to make cookie boxes this year (should I?) these collapsible versions would be a great option.
Week in Training
Monday, 10.23: 8.25 miles, 11:16 pace
Very sticky out this morning, but not bad. I felt very at home in this run.
Tuesday, 10.24: 5 miles, 11:23 pace + 35 minutes full body
So stuffed up this morning, but an okay run.
Strength:
- 4 x 12 rope triceps pressdown 32#
- 2 x 9/2 x 7 ea. rope lat pulldown 32/37#
- 4 x 8 ea. single leg squat 50#
- 4 x 10 narrow squat 80#
- 4 x 12 incline bench press 50#
- 4 x 10 pressup 40#
- Core and mobility work
Wednesday, 10.25: 7.15 miles, 11:19 pace
Very breezy morning, a fairly comfortable run despite how congested my nose is.
Thursday, 10.26: 4.18 miles, 10:46 pace + 3.1 miles, 10:20 pace + 10 minute mobility
A few lame strides during the morning run, and a warm midafternoon trot to get the mileage up. Took it too fast; I’ve a hard time with pace control during the daytime for some reason. My muscles have no idea what’s going on.
Friday, 10.27: 5.14 miles, 11:13 pace + 3.1 miles, 10:25 pace
Felt very off and stressed during the day, was planning to gym but clearly that didn’t happen. Being outside in the afternoon actually did help me a bit.
Saturday, 10.28: 10.2 miles, 11:34 pace + 10 minute mobility
Man, should’ve run 10.28 miles. Blew it. Two double run days in a row I think rendered this one quite a slog. Couldn’t wait for it to finish. Pleasant morning overall even though I underestimated how humid it was and chafed like fuck. Ouch.
Sunday, 10.29: 4.07 mile walk (1:05:00)
Total running mileage: 46.2
