sidebar | life and training 11.29 – 12.5
Happiest of Decembers, peeps! Christmas month, birthday month, and all the rage of the new year ready to plow down on us folks still stuck in 2019. I actually told someone the other day that I was 26 years old, when indeed I turn 28 at the end of the month. Bit of a time warp, that was.
Despite the continued awkwardness of the rotation of time, I feel a bit more settled this December than last. I’m inspired, I anticipate the holidays and some of the normalcy in our gathering – my sister flies down again for the week, so us three Karbach ladies will be together. I even got all my Christmas gifts figured out and am really excited about them, since they’re sort of splurges but feel special enough for us pseudo-adults to appreciate. Yes, even my 68 year old mother is a pseudo-adult. We’re all kids at heart, after all.
We saw Dune this past weekend, after a light dinner at Seasons 52. I’ll try to keep any spoilers out of the equation, but overall I was pretty happy with the first film of the duo. I think the characters were cast well, especially the Baron (fucking gross) and Jessica. Bit confused as to why Liet-Kynes was a woman, but I’d imagine diversity had something to do with the decision. One scene involving her also didn’t have the impact the true scene in the novel did. One guy in the movie theater stampeded out at the end of the movie, huffy about where they opted to end it. I don’t think the decision to close the film where they did was a bad one, as I truly can’t figure out what alternative may have proven better.
Overall? I obviously like the book more, as I always do, but I don’t think the adaptation was butchered.
J and I plan to get our Christmas tree tonight (Monday, when you’re reading this)! We’ve cleared out the space by the Juliet window where we always set it up, and on Wednesday we’ll welcome a new bar cart as the tree’s neighbor. The bar cart really thrills me since most of my cooking props currently live on the dining room floor, and they truly need a new home.
FMG Gift Guides
I’ve three gift guides shared for your shopping needs! If you’re on top of your game, congratulations – I’d still bet most of us aren’t, though. For the Cook, For the Athlete, and Stocking Stuffers are all live for your reference. Most of these products I’ve used or tried or are very popular in the scope of their respective clientele. Check them all out below!
Stocking Stuffers
A Few Things I’m Digging
Dulce de Leche Stuffed Mexican Chocolate Chip Cookies…Bruh, I love these cookies. Soft, melty centers rich with dulce de leche, a deep chocolatey flavor. Nothing bad about these. Grab the recipe here and be sure to keep on the lookout for my holiday cookie box this week!
Eucalyptus…Such an inexpensive way to add some festive greenery to my stairwell and dining table. I buy bunches at Trader Joe’s for around $4 every couple weeks. Supposedly, eucalyptus helps with sinus issues, though I’m not sure I’ve had that experience yet.
Christmas cookie cutters…I really don’t think you need to break the bank for good cookie cutters. I own these Christmas tree and snowflake cutters and am hoping to find the snowman for a really cute cookie recipe I’m testing today.
Sweet potato casserole…Fun story: I’m still working through my batch of sweet potato casserole from Thanksgiving and I think it tastes better and better as I go. I only have a couple slabs left and they won’t last the weekend, but I wish I would’ve shared the recipe because it’s stupid tasty. Perhaps next year.
Bathrobe…Chilly mornings call for hot chocolate and my big plush bathrobe. I love warming up after my morning run in this excessive piece. I can’t find my exact brand but this one is very similar!
Week in Training
Monday, 11.29: 6.18 miles, 10:21 pace + 56 minute shoulders and triceps
Yikes. Not a good run. Felt like I was gasping the whole time. I’m trying to be patient with my supplementing but I haven’t seen a whole lot of consistent improvement, though I’m reminding myself that it’s only been about 5 days since I consistently began taking the pills again. Give it time, self!
Strength:
- 4 x 8 press up
- 4 x 12 ea. single arm triceps extension
- 4 x 10 ea. balanced arnold press
- 4 x 10 machine triceps extension
- 4 x 10 ea. front raise
- 4 x 6 triceps pushdown
- 4 x 10 shrugs
- 4 (15 cable crunch/10 ea. oblique bend/15 ea. weighted toe tap)
Tuesday, 11.30: 3.45 miles, 10:10 pace + 45 minute back & biceps
Quick run and gym session before work. I was glad for a short shift this morning since I had lots of recipe testing to complete!
Strength:
- 4 x 10 incline biceps curl
- 4 x 8 row
- 2 x 10/2 x 8 preacher curl
- 12/10/8/6 face pull
- 4 x 8 incline reverse fly
- 4 x 15 reverse curl
- 4 x 10 back extension
- 60 bicycles/50 scissor kicks/40 crunch/30 somethings (straight up forgot what I did)/20 hover bird dog/10 ea side plank rainbows/5 inchworms
Wednesday, 12.1: 6.78 miles, 10:20 pace + 50 minute legs
Peaceful morning miles, felt okay despite the numbers so I extended my run to 70 minutes.
Strength:
- 3 x 10/3 x 8 deficit deadlift
- 2 x 10/3 x 8 ea. single leg deadlift
- 4 x 12 alt. step-up
- 4 x 8 leg extension
- 4 x 12 sumo deadlift
- 4 x 10 ea. donkey kick to hydrant SS 20 shoulder taps
- 4 x 12 dumbbell drags SS 20 plank knee taps
Thursday, 12.2: 3.37 miles, 8:55 pace + 45 minute shoulders and triceps
Very pressed for time in the morning but didn’t want to split my sessions up, so I set out like my ass was on fire for a fast 30 minute run and a gym session. Nowadays, if I have to sacrifice duration in one of my disciplines, I usually cut down the running. I was shocked to see an 8:16 mile in there – I didn’t even think I’d be able to hit that now! Granted, it was tougher than that speed felt a year ago, but I did it, and that was worth a mini celebration.
Strength:
- 4 x 9 overhead press
- 4 x 8 triceps extension
- 4 x 12 shoulder shrug
- 4 x 12 triceps pulse
- 4 x 4 chest press on machine
- 4 x 10 close grip bench press
- 4 x 12 lateral raise
- 10/8/6/10 triceps push-down
Friday, 12.3: 6.74 miles, 10:23 pace
Headed out with an open mind in the morning and ended up feeling well, so I took my run to 70 minutes and actually felt that I could go longer if I had the time. My heart rate isn’t showing any tangible improvement, but I noticed the return of the groove I tend to find once mile 3 hits. I, for once, was able to relax and enjoy the rhythm of my cadence rather than dread the descent of my effort level.
Saturday, 12.4: 8.56 miles, 10:31 pace + 52 minute legs
Again, a better run than usual. My legs were tiring by the end but I’d imagine much of that is flawed endurance, since I haven’t run that distance in awhile. My breathing felt more even and I was even a bit sad when the run ended.
Strength:
- 4 x 6 reverse squat
- 2 x 12/2 x 10 leg press
- 4 x 8 leg extension
- 4 x 10 front squat
- 4 x 12 good morning
- 4 x 15 ea. single leg calf raise
- 3 x (20 leg drop/30 deadbug/30 stability ball crunch)
Total running mileage: 35.2
