sidebar | life and training 10.24 – 10.30
I’m in a pickle, ya’ll, and it’s shaped like a cat.
Thrice since Thursday I’ve encountered this cute little black cat roaming around near my building during or after my morning workouts. She’s not feral in the slightest: very friendly, races right up to me and enjoys pets, then follows me for a bit while I walk towards my gate (he won’t try to come through it even though she definitely could). No collar, probably spayed – I only guess this because she has that tummy pooch cats get when they’ve been fixed – and, like I said, a recent sighting in the area. I can’t tell if she’s a cat whos allowed to just roam around, or was recently dumped.
As I said, she’s very sweet, clearly likes people and isn’t afraid of them, seems healthy enough. My heart tugs whenever I have to stroll away from her. J is very allergic to pet dander else I probably would’ve scooped her up and brought her inside to safety, but those circumstances obviously complicate such an action.
Yet, I’m very pulled to help. I’m not quite sure what to do, though. A few friends have told me to try and get her to a no-kill shelter to at least see if she’s microchipped and if anyone might be looking for her. I don’t think she lives/-d far from where I’ve seen her wander. In my experience, female cats don’t deviate all that much from their familiar circle. I do hope she belongs to someone (though that someone is a dingus for letting her loose at night) but instinct tells me she was abandoned.
I don’t understand the idiots who adopt or buy a pet only to just let it go. There exists a bevy of options to rehome an animal: I know circumstances sometimes disallow pet ownership, shit happens, I get it, but throwing it to the elements is abhorrent. Shameful. Above all, sad.
I haven’t quite figured out a plan of action. I want to do my part to make sure she’s safe, at least. Whenever I see her in the morning, that’s reassurance that at least she’s out of harms way for now. If I can wrangle a cat carrier I’m thinking my best bet will be trying to get her to a good shelter. I think there’s at least one or two around me. Unless I can figure out how to make her mine…
So yeah. My dilemma right now. I’m comforted by at least being able to keep an eye on her when I’m out, until I come up with a plan. Will keep you posted with any new developments.
Sheesh, other bits of news seem much less fascinating. We carved our punkins Sunday night, a tradition we’ve kept for all 4 years we’ve been dating. We usually buy our gourds from a patch nearby but they stopped selling pumpkins on the 26th, which is stupidly early – but we kept our main sequence by getting tacos and then driving out to a different patch to pick out our friends. I think it’s rained two years in a row. Perhaps an atmospheric tradition in the making.
And of course, had to get a 10.31 mile run in garbed up in my cute jack-o-lantern compression socks.
What kind of Halloween trouble are you all getting in? I’m not doing anything. Not a huge Halloween person except for the fun recipes I shared this year. That I enjoyed! I round them up below so check them out if you need some last-minute inspiration.
Spooktacular Halloween Treats
Yeah yeah, fucken cliche, get off me.
“This Gourd is on Fire” Pumpkin Smash
The Balrog of Morgoth Margarita
Lil Monster Double Chocolate Espresso Cookies
Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Creepy Crawly Pumpkin Patch Chocolate Cupcakes
The Fuck We Eating This Week?
A vegetarian twist on Sunday sauce…
A simple savory sheetpan salmon…
A delicious dip for the holiday season…
A buttery, herby stuffing…
A spicy, festive martini…
A Few Things I’m Digging
Hot chocolate…Had an intense craving for a comforting cuppa last week so swiped this sea salt hot chocolate during my Target run. Lovely, sweet, just what I needed to kick the desire in the bud.
Jeans…I usually despise jeans, they never fit me properly, but these straight leg jeans from Universal Thread fit me perfectly. I love the simple cut and the uncomplicated, classic washes that aren’t trying too hard to be trendy or different.
Shops and Wish List
Fashion
Target…Picked up a quilted hooded sweatshirt for my morning walks and casual chilly hangs, and was really tempted by the mock turtleneck velvet tee but couldn’t think of what I’d wear it with right away so I passed. Might order later. Caved and ordered the feather yarn cardigan and a pair of the beautifully soft pajama shorts for extra cozies.
Quince…Always in the mood for bike shorts and I’ve been eyeing these flowknit bike shorts for awhile, so bought the heather oatmeal shade. Waiting not so patiently for the burgundy cashmere sweater dress to come back in stock, but I also quite like the oatmeal color so might go after that instead.
Home
Target… Planning out my Thanksgiving tablescape and liked the idea of a green table runner, so grabbed this one which seems nice and simple for my purposes. Thinking of these stemless plastic wine glasses for Friendsgiving next week, cuter than red solo cups by tenfold, and these gold disposable plates. Much as I would love hosting with proper tableware, sometimes it’s best to be more frugal, which can still be pretty stylish if you’re clever with your sourcing.
Kitchen & Dining
Lodge…Caved and upgraded to the gorgeous desert sage 6 quart Dutch oven. At least I have an easy to way to hand off my current one to a good new owner who will hopefully have plenty of use for it.
Week in Training
Monday, 10.24: 12.05 miles, 11:02 pace
Despite what my watch claimed was my average heartrate, I felt great during this run and wasn’t planning to go as far as I did.
Tuesday, 10.25: 6 miles, 10:54 pace + 20 minute legs
Decent little run to start the day and was weirdly motivated to lift afterwards so grabbed our home dumbbells and got in a short session.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 front squat 50#
- 3 x 15 ea. single leg calf raise 50#
- 3 x 12 sumo squat 50#
- 3 x 20 ea. lateral leg lift 25#
- 2 x 10 diamond squat 50#
Wednesday, 10.26: 10.02 miles, 11:05 pace + 30 minute upper body
Clunky legs but I was surprised about my pace and stats overall.
Strength:
- 3 x 16 eccentric shoulder press 20#
- 3 x 10 OH extension 40#
- 3 x 10 ea. row 40#
- 2 x 10 narrow press 30#
- 2 x 10 bench press 30#
- 3 x 12 bent arm reverse fly 20#
- 3 x 10 ea. hammer curl 20#
Thursday, 10.27: 4.08 mile walk (1:02:00)
Came across a cute black cat at the end of my walk and gave her some pets before going inside. I’m not sure whether she’s a stray or just one with a home that wanders around. She had no collar but was extremely friendly. Still, don’t like seeing kitties wandering by themselves.
Friday, 10.28: 8 miles, 10:54 pace + 20 minute legs
Nice, thought-filled run and a short lift downstairs before work.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 ea. kickstand deadlift 50#
- 3 x 12 plie 50#
- 3 x 10 ea. single leg deadlift 50#
- 2 x 20 stair calf raise
Saturday, 10.29: 10.72 miles, 11:12 pace + 35 minute upper body
Felt really congested and my legs were pretty stubborn from my brief but effective workout yesterday. Not the greatest run, but wanted 2 hours and my body was okay enough with the motion to let me finish them with minimal protest.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 biceps curl 20#
- 3 x 10 pressdown 41#
- 3 x 10 weighted straight-leg situp 20#
- 3 x 10 ea. upright row 20#
- 3 x 10 chest press 70#
- 3 x 20 alt front raise 15#
- 3 x 15 leg drop
- 3 x 10 ea. around the world band
- 2 minutes of oblique work
Sunday, 10.30: 4.03 mile walk (1:02:00)
Finished my stroll in the company of cat friend. Gave her some pats before heading inside.
Total running mileage: 46.8 miles
