sidebar | life and training 11.21 – 11.27
Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! And if you didn’t, hugs. Here’s an implied cookie.
For my part, I enjoyed Thanksgiving quite a lot. Mom and I’s time together is always pretty lowkey, we aren’t fancy folk, and it being just the two of us removed any pressure some might experience with hosting.
I started off Thanksgiving with a “Turkey Trot” 10K, which for me is a turkey crawl since I’m slow. It was foggy and very quiet on my running route, just a few random folk. Then drove over to mom’s and we shared a 5K walk on a pretty new trail near her apartment. Saw an army of 7 rabbits munching on their own Thanksgiving feast. Upon returning, I made my Cider Pumpkin Spice Pancakes and we watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, a tradition we’ve upheld as long as I can remember.
The rest of the day we roamed between snacks and random preps for the dinner. Also squeezed a nap in while watching a rerun of one of the World Cup games. We kinda did it wrong since you’re supposed to nap after dinner, but what can I say.
Our dinner was fantastic. We work pretty well in her small kitchen. I made a really nice and super easy salmon dish that’s upcoming on FMG here, and contributed a riff on my Harvest Fig salad, while she baked up the almighty stuffing that rules even my croissant version, mashed the potatoes, and cooked a cauliflower rice dish that I remembered being very tasty the year prior. We sat down to eat around 5, shared some gratitude narratives, and just enjoyed one another’s company with The Godfather Part II droning in the background.
I always maintain that Thanksgiving is my favorite because it’s a whole day with my mom. We don’t usually get such a prolonged span and I really treasure the holiday for its simple, uninterrupted duration. The stories we tell one another never get old, and even just sitting in silent company is enough for me. The day went far too quickly and I’m already kinda looking forward to the next.
But first…CHRISTMAS!
I started my Christmas shopping over the weekend, so I guess I’m a bit ahead of the game. Mom was incredibly easy to buy for somehow, usually I have the most difficulty scaring up gift ideas for her, and I’m happy to report that I’ve already finished up her goodie bag. Hehe. The other two I’m not really sure yet, though I *might* have an idea for J.
I’m pretty awful at receiving gifts nowadays since I just don’t really need anything anymore. It drives mom and my sister nuts. I’m also not a fan of getting gift cars for Christmas because, I don’t know, it feels forced? I’d rather just have the day with experience with my loved ones rather than them feel stressed out by ensuring I have something to open on Christmas day.
If you’re shopping for someone and not sure where to start, check out my kitchen, active lifestyle, and beauty junky gift guides! Perhaps they’ll give you some ideas as you begin the Great Holiday Scramble.
And if you’re feeling stressed, my recommendation is to put on a cute hat and go out for afternoon affogatos. Surefire mood booster.
The Fuck We Eating This Week?
A simple vegetarian curry…
Some fun, delicious homemade pop tarts…
A delectable holiday appetizer…
A warming, vegetarian riff on pot pie…
A holly jolly holiday margarita…
A Few Things I’m Digging
Cookies…Pretty much every store visit I buy a new seasonal treat to nibble with an afternoon cup of tea. Love Trader Joe’s chocolate covered peppermint Joe Joes and these gingerbread sandwich cookies from Favorite Day.
Sugar scrub…The Tree Hut Sugar Cookie body scrub smells divine and makes my skin incredibly soft. Aiming to use it a couple times a week when I need an extra pick-me-up.
Sports bra…This cropped sports bra is apparently a Lululemon dupe (I wouldn’t know but that’s the word on the street) and it is so comfy and cute. I dressed mine casually with ankle pants and a cozy knit cardigan.
Shops and Wish List
Fashion
Target…Black Friday deals, ahoy! Love the v neck fuzzy sweater tank and picked up a hooded sweatshirt for casual around-the-house wear. The knit pattern on this knit pullover really appealed to me, could be worn with shorts or jeans and would look really cozy with knee boots. Had to grab these high rise bike shorts while they were on clearance. FINALLY the pants in my beloved feather yarn set went on sale so I bought a pair to complete my super fuzzy pj collection. Took advantage of 50% off for this cropped sports bra, too.
Kitchen & Dining
Anthropologie: I am obsessed with these optic stemless wine glasses and these cozy monogrammed mugs. Pretty perfect for a big cup of hot chocolate. This fair isle rolling pin is really cute and festive for all your holiday baking as is the matching mug.
Home
Crate and Barrel…Love these LED Christmas tree figurines, would be nice for a coffee table centerpiece of an entertainment center decoration. This paper ornament set and glittered pine cones are super cute for a minimalistic Christmas tree aesthetic, and these disco balls if you’re feeling a little funky. The fox is adorable as well! So many nice ornaments.
Week in Training
Monday, 11.21: 9.49 miles, 11:04 pace + 35 minute upper body
Very windy but not as chilly, so I overdressed quite a lot and sweated a ton. Pleasant miles, though, did lots of productive thinking.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 pressdown 37#
- 3 x 10 mid row 70#
- 3 x 10 ea. bench press 30#
- 3 x 15 preacher curl 30#
- 3 x 12 ea. leaning side raise 15#
- Core work
Tuesday, 11.22: 7.61 miles, 11:10 pace
Fairly nondescript run, as most of them are.
Wednesday, 11.23: 10.81 miles, 11:06 pace + 25 minute lower body
Pretty clammy, raw morning, a little drizzle from the onset but eventually just humid and windy. Wished a couple folks I pass frequently a good Thanksgiving. The early morning camaraderie on the trail always feels nice.
Strength:
- 3 x 18 alt. squat with banded leg raise 40#
- 3 x 15 ea. donkey kick 20#
- 3 x 15 front squat 40#
- 3 x 10 ea. banded leg extension to standing hydrant 20#
- Some band and bodyweight stuff
Thursday, 11.24 (HAPPY THANKSGIVING!): 6.2 miles, 11:25 pace
Turkey Trot before the festivities commenced! Very foggy morning, and the path was extremely quiet, just a few early stragglers. When I got to my mom’s afterwards we walked along a new trail near her house for 5k so she could get her own Turkey Trot in. Such a pleasant start to the morning with my favorite person.
Friday, 11.25: 10.11 miles, 11:23 pace + 25 minute upper body
Fueled by stuffing! Felt pretty good so slammed out 115 minutes of run before a quick lift. Another sticky, humid day.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 overhead extension 40#
- 3 x 12 pull apart 20#
- 3 x 10 row 35#
- 3 x 10 bent arm side raise 20#
- 3 x 20 dumbbell hallo 15#
- Core work
Saturday, 11.26: 9 miles, 11:07 pace + 40 minute lower body
Such fog! Wasn’t too bad when I started but on the return trip the wind blew the mists in, it was kinda cool to watch the droplets float over the streets. My visibility was fine throughout but I could see it being tricky for cars. By sunrise, though, most of it had burned off.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 sumo squat 60#
- 3 x 15 ea. single leg bridge
- 4 x 20 alt. biceps curl 15#
- 3 x 10 ea. single leg deadlift 60#
- 3 x 20 swing SS 15 ea. static lunge 30#
- 3 x 10 ea. dumbbell pass 30#
- 3 x 12 reverse squat 30#
- Core work
Total running mileage: 53.2
