sidebar | life and training 2.13 – 2.20

This week was ordinary, and I don’t have much to say about it. Hmph.

I wouldn’t call myself overly adventurous as is – I’m a shameless homebody who loves to be cozy – but some weeks I’m even more homebodyish than usual. This past week was one of those periods where I was mostly content staying in my abode, with morning runs and midday walks to break up the pace.

I do think there’s something to be said of simplicity. I’m rereading Lord of the Rings and a big reason why the books resonate with me, aside from the innovative world presented in the pages, is the lifestyle descriptors of the hobbits. I’ve always connected with that population: love of nature, food, things that grow, a homey space. If I weren’t wrecked with social anxiety, the random guests over for tea and cakes would be appealing, too.

Maybe that’s part of why recipe development brought such big appeal. Food is something we all need to survive, so why not make it especially enticing? When we travel, locally or otherwise, finding places to eat is an utmost priority, because trying new eats brings fulfillment. Food wraps people together, creates memories. I love connecting with others through anything edible or drinkable.

So, this week I really just buckled down and hung out in my kitchen. I did visit mom on Friday for coffee and a big fat blueberry muffin, which inspired one of my upcoming recipe tests. Hyped. J and a friend of his visited a bourbon festival downtown and I fed them some of my balls. Rave reviews all around. I’m always happy to share my balls.

Otherwise, yup, not much to report. Hopefully I’ll have a bit more to report next Sidebar. Heh.

The Fuck We Eating This Week?

A cozy but light pasta…

A better-than-Flurgaberbucks pastry…

A simple Taco Tuesday fixture (yes, I love tacos right now, leave me alone)

A springtime salmon and veggie bowl…

A Few Things I’m Digging

Morning coffee…When I used to take Nuun’s preworkout (since discontinued) I had to stop drinking coffee with breakfast because it made me crash hard later. With my newer preworkout, the caffeine amount is much lower and I can tolerate a mug of joe a couple hours after. Thank goodness, cos I missed my ritual! I usually enjoy my cup with some soy milk.

Cereal…Back on that cereal train! Currently eating Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios with my nightly froyo. Surprisingly tasty. Don’t hate.

Shoes…While I wouldn’t recommend them for running, the Allbirds Wool Runners are great for strolling about. I usually wear them for shorter, more casual walks or errands, and they’re very comfortable as such.

Shops and Wish List

Fashion

Target…Really like this cute straw-chain handbag. Great for springtime date nights. I leastwise like the idea of these cinched gauze tops but often anything that style looks odd on me – I have a long torso so the landing point of the hem is usually a bit of awkward. Would have to wear a very flattering pair of high rise pants with it.

Kitchen & Dining

Oat Haus…I got caught in the marketing trap and had to order the Red Velvet and Cinnamon Roll granola butters. They have a ton of interesting flavors; I’d really like to try the Brownie Batter and Cookie Dough eventually.

Week in Training

Monday, 2.13: 8.52 miles, 10:34 pace + 20 minute full body

Think this run cemented my thought that the Novablasts aren’t the shoe for me. Too loud and clunky, much like the newer model Adidas Bostons that I really grew to dislike. I think the stack height might be the contributing factor – my feet don’t really like higher stacks.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 ea. balanced underhand front raise 15#
• 3 x 12 ea. skullcrusher 15#
• 3 x 8 ea. balanced hammer curl
• 3 x 15 plie squat 50#

Tuesday, 2.14: 7.04 miles, 9:56 pace + 21 minute full body

Whaaaaaat, a sub-10 average? Pretty surprising. Ran in the Adidas Adios and I think these are much better for me than the Novablasts. Felt a bit stiff and thin compared to the 1080s I usually wear, but I think the former issue will balance out once I wear them a little more. I was inspired, thus, to try a short interval session of 4 x whatever I felt like running. Ended up doing .26 miles for my shortest interval and .49 for my fastest, in the 7s for each and I got faster as the intervals lengthened. Sweet!

Strength: A cheesy Valentine’s themed session cos exercise should be fun, yo!

• 2 x 14 ea. balanced upright row 20#
• 2 x 14 ea. balanced row 25#
• 2 x 14 ea. balanced side raise 15#
• 2 x 14 ea. sldl 50#
• 2 x 14 roll up 20#
• 2 x 14 deadbug 30#

Wednesday, 2.15: 7.42 miles, 10:47 pace + 25 minute full body

Hamstring is most assuredly pissed at me. It warmed up a couple miles in but definitely still felt the twang. Lots of icing in my future! Otherwise a very pleasant trot on a nice morning.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. balanced military press 20#
• 3 x 10 skullcrusher 40#
• 3 x 15 elevated sumo squat 50#
• 3 x 12 ea. single leg squat 50#
• 3 x 20 dumbbell drags 20#
• Core work

Thursday, 2.16: 4.03 mile walk (1:02:00)

Friday, 2.17: 7 miles, 10:54 pace + 15 minute hips and core

Right hip has been cranky, which probably led to my hamstring woes. Still a really lovely morning for a run, and finished off with a short set aimed at strengthening my weak spots.

Strength:

• 4 x 15 ea. banded lateral leg lift 25#
• 4 x 20 banded knee-out 50#
• 3 x 20 deadbug 30#
• Bit of core work

Saturday, 2.18: 8.15 miles, 11:02 pace + 25 minute full body

The wind and chill caught me real off guard this morning! I knew it was supposed to cool down but not as much as it did. I don’t enjoy wind much so this run wasn’t as pleasant as it could’ve been, but still got a decent trot in.

Strength:

• 3 x 15 elevated deadlift 50#
• 3 x 11 ea. balanced hammer curl 20#
• 3 x 12 ea. skullcrusher 15#
• 3 x 12 ea. balanced press out 12#

Sunday, 2.19: 4.08 mile walk (1:04:00)

Total running mileage: 38.1