sidebar | life and training 11.4 – 11.10

One step forward, two steps back…that’s the theme of everything this week.

You know that feeling where outwardly you exude calm – and maybe for awhile you embody that sense of acceptance and peace with things – but you know you’re one dumb comment away from blowing into smithereens on someone? That’s how I’ve been these past couple weeks. Perhaps the unfortunate circumstances both in my personal life and in this country have laid a numbing cream all over me. I’m functional, I’m productive, I’m not outwardly in a mood most of the time – but I know if just one person or thing rubs me the wrong way, I’ll flip off the highway of self-restraint into a dead end of borderline hysteria.

Ok, that’s a bit extreme, but you get my point. In Gen-Z’s terms, I guess I’m easily triggered right now.

That’s about all I’m gonna say about politics here.

The check engine light on my car that I typically ignore suddenly yielded a pronounced noise, so Friday I hauled Cruzita into the shop to get diagnosed and eventually repaired. I miss her. I still haven’t heard what the problem is, though I should today. I am absolutely dreading the impending bill. I feel sequestered by my lack of vehicle – though I did have a nice walk home from work Sunday after deciding to sleep in and use that period as my exercise for the day. One of those luxuries I take for granted every day and which is strikingly noticeable once it’s taken away.

Sunday I also missed an important phone call. I don’t understand why vibrate functions on iPhone are so weak. I couldn’t feel it in my back pocket. Very frustrating.

But, let’s get to some gentler news. Yesterday I finally posted my 2024 Thanksgiving menu! Obviously some links are missing since I have yet to post the recipes, but don’t worry, everything has been tested and photographed and is ready for my lazy ass to transcribe onto the site. I feel relieved that my Thanksgiving rotation is complete because I am so ready to fall into the land of Christmas baking.

I honestly keep the tab on my menu post open just to scroll through and lose myself in the comforting photos. I always tout FMG, despite its balloons of colorful language, as a safe space to cozy up and be yourself.

Wednesday, in a fit of sorrow, I wandered out to the Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop for a vastly overpriced but very tasty hot fudge sundae. I selected the salted caramel blondie and coffee flavors for my treat. $12 for that shit is insane, but for the occasion I think it was worth it.

Sunday evening we also enjoyed a nice dinner with the tablescape I created for my menu, once I finished photographing it. Market pasta with langoustines and some sangria I whipped up on Saturday (which I’ll be posting soon!) Felt nice to actually use my dining table to, well, dine; usually it serves as my desk. Soon enough I’ll be fashioning it into a Christmas wonderland once I transition from fall to full-on winter.

Anything positive happen in your week that you’d like to share? I’m really just in “hour by hour” mode right now. Finding little moments of joy or at least moments of quiet. Throwing myself into FMG feels like a needed escape; I have lots of content I want to pursue, words to share, and recipes to style.

Another random tip: if you feel exhausted right now, listen to your body and REST! I recognize that sleeping 10 hours isn’t really a sustainable habit, but lately I’ve been allowing myself that morning reprieve if I wake up feeling extra stuck to my blankets. Time change + the bullshit of the year has done a number on my systems. If you’re feeling that way, too, know you’re not alone, and it’s okay to honor your instincts and give yourself space to get some extra snoozles if you need.

Hope you have a nice week, all. I anticipate it being an expensive as fuck week with me (car stuff plus renewing my passport) but again, taking it day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. And hopefully this time I’ll hear my damn phone vibrate if I get an important phone call.

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A tasty Thanksgiving cheeseboard.

…A quick and easy fish skillet.

…Festive holiday cupcakes!

A Few Things I’m Digging

Veggie ground…I’ve used Gardein’s ground in the past, and this week ate it in three different random meals. It’s a very solid substitute in shit like burrito bowls and simple bolognese.

Microwave rice…My lazy ass lately has enjoyed the flavored rice pouches specifically from Target. My favorites right now are the Spanish style, cilantro lime, and the coconut basmati.

Peas…Very random, but I think peas are starkly underrated. I made a cheap and easy tortellini skillet last Monday with tomato sauce and peas, and plan to eat up what remains of the can with some veggie ground and rice. Peas are an easy way to incorporate more veggies at a pretty minimal effort level.

Seinfeld…My go-to spaceout show right now. I can pay attention or not pay attention, but it’s nice background noise compared to sports talk or anything requiring more brainspace.

Week in Training

Monday, 11.4: 6.5 miles, 9:46 pace + 12 minute lift

Felt pretty bluh and strained during this run, but my splits surprised me. Perhaps I’m declimitized to the warmer conditions or the couple days of treadmill threw off my rhythm. Ran a 2 mile warmup, then 1 mile (7:34), 800m (3:35), and 40mm (1:45). Pretty decent numbers albeit my heartrate flew up to 201!

Strength:

• 3 x 12 deadlift 80#
• 3 x 10 shoulder press 15#
• 3 x 10 sumo squat 65#
• 3 x 15 stir the pot

Tuesday, 11.5: 4 miles, 10:45 pace

Very heavy, stressful morning, and a lot warmer than I would’ve liked too.

Wednesday, 11.6: 4.31 miles, 10:26 pace

No sleep, churning stomach, felt like staying beneath my blankets immobile. The run showed it, too – not to mention it was 78 degrees, like the middle of fucking summertime. But, I managed my 4 x 50m sprints, top pace of 5:03. Didn’t much care, just glad I got it out of the way.

Thursday, 11.7: 5.01 miles, 10:20 pace

I could not get myself to go run with steaming windows and a 74 dew point, plus the exhaustion of the previous day was really weighing on me. So, I opted for sleep and a post-work run. Despite the warmth it was satisfying to get outside at a slightly harder effort.

Friday, 11.8: 6 miles, 9:58 pace

Another day of absolutely not wanting to get up, but I didn’t want to skip my speedwork either…so midday sufferfest it was! Ran 2 miles easy with strides, then 600m (2:46), 400m (1:44), 200m (:49) with about 2.5 miles easy to finish. My Garmin is wigging out with these afternoon runs since the effort is much higher, so I’ve lost a few Vo2Max points, but that’s okay. That shit ain’t accurate either and I’m definitely putting in the work!

Saturday, 11.9: 9.36 miles, 11:02 pace

Legs were mega sore today for some reason. Got too deep into my thought spiral during this run so it wasn’t the most enjoyable, but it’s okay. Perhaps just a down week.

Sunday, 11.10: Various walks probably around 5-6 miles total

Total running mileage: 35.2