sidebar | life and training 10.31 – 11.6

First Friendsgiving was a success!

I will not deny that hosting can be quite stressful, especially if you’re a meticulous personality like me who just wants to get everything right and think of all the odds and ends that make a night memorable and comfortable. I took Friday off work this week for our Saturday gathering, and I still dwelled in some fear that I’d forget simple shit like paper towels or butter or something basic. Or, shit forbid, the guest didn’t show up and I’d have 100lb of food to deal with.

Turns out, my fears were unfounded! As they usually are. Prep on Saturday went as smoothly as could be, our house was cleaned from top to bottom (the best it’s been since I moved in here!), the oven was warm and the food cooked up with zero hitches. I worked basically from post-workout to dinner time, and couldn’t have loved the process more. Moments like that remind me that I truly find myself meant for a vocation as this.

One of the guests was a friend of mine I’ve known for 10 years and hadn’t seen in five. He and his girlfriend were the first to show, and it was so lovely having a half hour or so to just talk before the party really started.

Once the whole gang strode in, the feast commenced. Everyone went straight for the wine and sangria (especially the boozy apples) and I provided a heavy sampling of many dishes to feature in my Thanksgiving guide. Lasagna, rolls, harvest fig salad, roasted candied brussels sprouts and pecans, and cupcakes. Very few leftovers remained, stomachs were full, hearts fuller.

I don’t often stay up late anymore, but for events such as that, the lack of sleep was well worth it. I woke up the next morning still buzzing (and hungover) and totally forgot that the time changed so I even stole an extra bit of sleep. Didn’t help all that much, I sort of worked with a brain fog the rest of the day, but I guess four hours beats three. I’m as much for the value of sleep as anyone, but sometimes you just gotta sacrifice it for something that nourishes your soul.

Sunday, then was a day of rest once I got off my work shift. I made a cup of tea, ate some snacks, and sat down to write in my coziest pants while J and his friend went to the Bucs game. I love the quiet after the bustle. Makes Sundays feel a bit more special, a bit more like Sundays might for the Monday to Friday workforce.

We’re only a few coughs from Thanksgiving, so this week will be all about squeezing as many recipe tests and preparations as I can before we fly up to Pennsylvania on Friday for a quick weekend to visit my sister. We’re enjoying our own Thanksgiving and some tooling around. AND I get to meet her guinea pig. The only reason I’m going, to be honest.

Any festive happenings for you this week? I know several people are doing their Friendsgivings soon, so I’d love to hear what’s what in your life. If you don’t celebrate, I hope you have lovely times with family and friends, anyway. You deserve it.

The Fuck We Eating This Week?

Gooey milk chocolate brownies…

A rich mushroom pasta…

Creamy mashed poatoes perfect for Thanksgiving…

A savory breakfast bake…

A fizzy, cozy bourbon cocktail…

A Few Things I’m Digging

Pie…My Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cookie Pie is my favorite treat right now. I could do some ugly damage on this thing by myself (and, in fact, I have), and I’m not even someone who loves milk chocolate usually.

Cardigan…The feather yarn cardigan is the softest piece of clothing I own. Perfect loungewear for casual days or to wear over pajamas at night for an extra layer. Long enough to *almost* double as a robe, too!

Rolls…As I mentioned, I baked up my Pumpkin Sage Butter Brioche Dinner Rolls. They are the fluffiest rolls ever, and so good with plenty of salted butter and a dab of honey if you’re feeling it.

Mums…Trader Joe’s has the prettiest fall-hued mums right now. I usually buy deep ruby and caramel colors when they have them. Love keeping them on my stairwell and as a centerpiece for my dining table.

Style Inspiration for Friendsgiving

I prefer a not-too-fancy but classy setup for Friendsgiving, especially if guests are hanging on the couch rather than sitting around a formal tableset.

Shops and Wish List

Fashion

Target…Love the soft texture and light knit of this sweater tank, bought the rust color. Since it’s still hot out a full-on sweater is impractical, but this can make me feel some semblance of cozy without bursting into flames. Bought the duffle overcoat, read that it runs big so I grabbed two sizes and if I like one of them will return the other. Really looking to upgrade my activewear since I haven’t bought a new sports bra in ages. Loving this ribbed sports bra for lighter workouts, like my walking days, and this medium support bra for runs. The dark green speaks to me.

Linjer…Finally, a sale! I think I grabbed the last size 6 of the moon ring I’ve been wanting for weeks now: J tried buying it after I did (not knowing I already made the purchase) and it was out of stock. Meant to be, I guess!

Week in Training

Monday, 10.31: 10.31 miles, 10:59 pace + 25 minute legs and core

10.31 for Halloween in my cute Jack-O-Lantern Socks. Felt pretty nice, sweaty but there was a good breeze.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 narrow goblet squat 60#
• 3 x 10 ea. oblique bends 40#
• 3 x 10 sumo squat 60#
• 3 x 40 feet over dummbell
• 3 x 15 swing 50#
• Various core exercises

Tuesday, 11.1: 7.2 miles, 10:59 pace

Not sure what’s up with me averaging 10:59 with the past two runs but hey, it’s fine. Won’t question it.

Wednesday, 11.2: 11.04 miles, 11:08 pace + 30 minute upper body

Nothing interesting to report. Hot and sweaty, but not bad.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 narrow row 65#
• 3 x 10 ea. balanced press 20#
• 3 x 10 pullover 40#
• 3 x 10 waiter curl 35#
• 3 x 10 ea. balanced dumbbell pass
• 3 x 12 triceps extension 35#

Thursday, 11.3: 4.02 mile walk (1:01:00)

Friday, 11.4: 10.08 miles, 11:16 pace + 30 minute upper body

Much cooler this morning but my calves were quite tight the whole time, so didn’t fully enjoy the nicer temps. The breeze on the return trip felt pretty glorious, though.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 press up 40#
• 3 x 10 skullcrusher 35#
• 3 x 10 shrug 40#
• 3 x 8/8 lower/upper curl 15#
• 3 x 10 ea. balanced side raise 15#
• Core work

Saturday, 11.5: 11.07 miles, 11:34 pace + 35 minute lower body

OoooOOOOOof. I felt fine the first 5k but then my legs practically died. My brain kinda kept me going since I had lots of problem solving and internal scheduling to do. Very sweaty run and I had to pee so bad the whole time. Sheesh.

Strength:

• 3 x 18 ea. single leg squat 25#
• 3 x 18 step out squat 40#
• 3 x 18 sumo squat 40#
• 3 x 18 leg press 150#
• 3 x 18 ea. dumbbell pass
• Core work

Day of 18s, I guess!

Sunday, 11.6: 4.03 mile walk (1:02:00)

Total running mileage: 49.7 (it was 50 my GPS was dumb for at least 2 of the runs)