sidebar | life and training 12.26 – 1.1

Well, it’s 2023. The fuck is up with that?

Right before that, I celebrated my 29th birthday. Fun story: I’ll turn 30 on the 30th this year. Wee! The juxtaposition of birthday and the new year always made me lackadaisical about the latter. I’m usually burnt out from Christmas and my birthday anyway (and, you know, the prior 364 days), so my battery is quite spent and I don’t have much energy to hoorah up to midnight.

About my birthday: I passed the days leading up quite dreading the occasion. I don’t really look forward to my birthday because a) I’m too busy mourning the end of Christmas, and b) I find each birthday a reminder that I haven’t reached the milestones I truly hoped to tick off. I’m only getting older, the passage of time is only quickening, yet I’m made aware that progress is not as fast as I would like.

But, the day itself turned out fine. I relaxed in the morning to a bath, jazz music, and some treats via my mom, then put on my favorite fuzzy pajamas and enjoyed a hot chocolate by the tree. I visited mom for a coffee and J and I put together a snack platter when I got home. The afternoon was very slow and relaxing, I took a nap in between nibbles and had some champagne. We went to dinner at Olivia, which proved quite delicious. We’d been talking about visiting for awhile but for whatever reason the menu never took priority. I’m glad he surprised me with that option! I highly recommend the goat cheese dip and mixed fried seafood, and the espresso martini for afters.

Oh, and of course, a big slice of champagne cake.

The pace of my birthday inspired my main intention for the new year, and that is to slow down, make time for rest, and listen to instinct. I think our culture glamorizes “pushing to the limit” in many respects, from work to fitness and everywhere between. There’s a fine line between letting motivation pull you out of a lazy mindset and knowing when you’re too wired and unstable to make a dignified entrance into a new project. Lord knows I’m guilty of bullying myself into doing more than my mind can handle.

So, on New Year’s Day, I enjoyed a warm epsom bath after work, made another hot chocolate, and finished off my Bitchin’ Bites newsletter. I haven’t always loved baths but I think I miss being in water since I stopped swimming regularly. I find submerging very calming. If only our apartment pool was heated, then I could wander over and take a dip any ole time.

What about you: how was your New Year’s? If one of your intentions is to cook more or eat a bit lighter, this month I’m focusing on lots of healthier dishes that are also largely simple to make! Of course, I’ll sprinkle in some fun because life and food should be fun.

Subscribers, keep an eye out for a compilation of healthy dishes to try! If you’re not signed up, why the shit not? Come join the flock!

The Fuck We Eating This Week?

Going into January I want to incorporate some lighter, yet still filling and fun, dishes – starting this week!

A vegan, no bake candy bar…

Fun vegetarian sliders for gameday…

A warm, nourishing quinoa salad…

Saucy and delicious Italian-style meatballs…

Tasty breakfast wraps…

A Few Things I’m Digging

Morning tea…Been making tea after my workouts this past week, it’s a nice comforting ritual to add to the predawn. My favorites to brew are Trader Joes Candy Cane Green Tea or, newly, Celestial Seasonings Gingerbread Spice.

Cake…As big a plain as layer cakes are to make and photograph, I really enjoy them. My newest endeavor, the Swirled Cranberry Champagne Cake, as a big hit among taste testers and is one of my unique creations thus far!

Spa kit…Mom made the cutest spa day kit for Christmas and I enjoyed a few of the goodies on my birthday. I use Dr. Teals products quite often, especially the bath bombs, and tried out their soothe & sleep body wash and bath oil. Love them both.

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…These new cozy lounge sweatshirts are real cute, love the pink stripe pattern. Really digging this faux leather blazer, especially with boots and jeans for a casual evening cocktail hour. Kinda thinking of incorporating some pastels into my capsule, and these beige high rise leggings look so pretty (I like the purple too but that fits my color scheme less neatly).

Kitchen & Dining

Pottery Barn…These heart mugs are adorable for Valentine’s Day (I hate how we’re talking about this now, but what can you do.) If you’re entertaining for New Year’s, I’d snag these silver rimmed old fashioned glasses or these flutes for your pitcher drinks. This drink dispenser is gorgeous if you’re making a large batch cocktail or even just to serve water (bonus points if you infuse it with fruits).

Target…These bamboo tumblers are adorable for to-go drinkage (also the white floral variation) and I also dig the glass water bottle too.

Home

Target…Looking to refresh a bit for the spring, but also stay cozy. This faux fur throw looks incredibly soft, the pink is a great color for the upcoming months. Liking these fabric shoe bins and the larger version for storing unused decorations. If you’re still looking for festive candles, most of their collections are on clearance; I’m currently burning the Fireside Flannel and love its subtle scent.

Week in Training

Monday, 12.26: 7.15 miles, 11:12 pace + 20 minute back & biceps

Still around 37 degrees but not as brutal as the past couple days since the wind died down significantly. Felt gloomy from Christmas’ departure, but the run wasn’t bad overall.

Strength:

• 3 x 15 waiter curl SS bent front raise 25#
• 3 x 12 ea. balanced row 25#
• 3 x 10 lower/10 upper curl 15#
• 3 x 9 single-single-double row 25#

Tuesday, 12.27: 8.1 miles, 11:06 pace

Felt pretty good so extended my run a bit longer.

Wednesday, 12.28: 6.72 miles, 11:15 pace + 30 minute fullbody

Weird run, I got into an okay rhythm but my heartrate was really high and I wasn’t quite in tune with my breathing. I’m also getting so tired of my gym closure. I just want to lift heavy, damn it!

Strength:

• 3 x 10 triceps ext to press up 15#
• 4 x 10 sumo deadlift to sumo squat 50#
• 3 x 15 narrow press 30#
• 3 x 12 narrow squat to calf raise 50#
• 3 x 9 pull apart 25#
• Core work

Thursday, 12.29: 4.1 mile walk (1:03:00)

Friday, 12.30 (birthday): 6.2 miles, 11:02 pace + 29 minute full body

Didn’t want to do 29 minutes or 2.9 miles and sure as fuck was not about to go 29 miles or 29k (around 18 miles, so I settled for my favorite race distance: the 10K. Actually felt really nice on my run, it was peaceful out and still fairly cool so I could wear long sleeves. Strength session was purposefully 29 minutes with some of my favorite moves.

Strength:

• 4 x 12 ea. balanced hammer curl 15#
• 4 x 10 ea. single leg bridge 25#
• 3 x 10 double pulse sumo squat 50#
• 3 x 10 ea. single arm upright row 25#
• 5 minute core work

Saturday, 12.31: 10.8 miles, 11:07 pace

Probably fueled by the sugar from yesterday. Cake, cupcake, and a cake pop. Oops. Either way this run felt really good and it was the perfect timing for when my grocery store opens, so I popped in for a couple bits and bobs.

Sunday, 1.1 (HAPPY NEW YEAR!): 4.03 mile walk (1:02:00)

Total running mileage: 39 miles