sidebar | life and training 2.24 – 3.2

I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.

Last night I watched Airplane! and realized that, while I hadn’t seen it before, I knew far more quotes and references than I realized. That movie is absolutely ridiculous – one of the funniest, zaniest I’ve seen. I read on some list that it was considered the #2 funniest film of all time behind Life of Brian (which is also gold, though I like The Holy Grail better).

A movie night is a very Sunday thing to do, and I enjoyed every minute. My mom made an adorable little movie snack pack for a Christmas gift, and I finally got a chance to enjoy it. We ordered pizza and enjoyed the York patties and Reese’s Pieces and some fancy popcorn salt-dusted kernels. So fun. Being a homebody has its perks sometimes.

I’m embracing homebodyism a lot lately – largely because of budget constraints, but also because I think some part of my psyche needs to embrace current circumstances as what they are, even if they’re not ideal. I hate Florida, I want to leave Florida eventually, but while I’m here, why not make it a nice place to be as best I can?

I took care of some necessities last week, including renewing my passport. Overdue since June, but I figured now is as good a time as any before it *possibly* becomes nigh on impossible or insanely prolonged. I also started my taxes but am trigger shy about submitting because my refund is ass this year. Being an adult is so joyful, isn’t it?

Saturday I snuck out to St. Pete with Little Miss Ba to Intermezzo. I was afraid that the traffic and parking would be abhorrent since the Grand Prix was going on nearby, but thankfully most of that hubbub was secluded to by the Pier and surrounding and I was a good mile away from all that. I was concerned at first because the coffee shop was wiped of baked goods, but thankfully Sourdough Co. sits right next door and as a SHOCKING amount of incredible treats. Seriously, the selection was madness: homemade poptarts, banana bread, brownies, cookies, cinnamon rolls, scones, muffins, you name it, all sourdough based. I chose an espresso chocolate chip scone and whisked back for an oat cappuccino and some quiet time with Florida’s favorite tiny sheep.

Visited mom on Sunday for coffee and doughnuts, which was lovely as always. It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend here, too: breezy, cool, less humid, and abundantly sunny. Kinda like a spring day should be.

My running is suffering currently, though. This time of year the tree pollen levels increase and, thus, my aerobic endurance deteriorates. Same symptomology every time: stuffiness, snottiness, and, the worst part, asthma symptoms. Allergies manifest most in my airways and even easy sessions feel ridiculously hard, and my fitness declines a lot. Aside from an inhaler (which I don’t have) most other conventional allergy treatments don’t do a whole lot aside from loosening up snot and making my rockets pretty stupendous.

I haven’t figured out yet what to do to balance out what I wish to accomplish in my running and what is realistic to maintain without feeling demoralized every time I hit the pavement. I know I’ll be slower and each day challenging, that’s a fact I can’t circumvent. Part of me is interested in setting up the bike trainer and spinning more often, but I also know how quickly I tire of staring at the wall and I am definitely too chickenshit to ride outside. Still, something to consider maybe to give my lungs a break?

I have a kinda odd work schedule this week, and then four days off in a row this coming weekend (so far, unless I pick up a shift). I need to get my hair buzzed today and have a fun recipe to test, and of course I want to wander out for coffee and treats at some point. Simple simple. But sometimes that’s alright.

Have a good week, folks! Be well, give hugs, and have patience with yourself.

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…Seriously chocolatey cupcakes!

…A simple, cozy, but light soup.

…A refreshing weekend grapefruit cocktail.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Lattes…When I’m home in the afternoons I’ve been loving making a salted caramel latte (with rosewater if I feel like recreating Friday’s sweet sip). Sauce, two shots of espresso, steamed soy. Perfection.

Burritos…I made these very simple refried bean, rice, and cheese burritos last week and I think they might become a staple in my meal preps. We devoured the whole batch but it’d be very easy to whip them up and stuff them in the freezer for emergency eats.

Shops & Wish List

Skincare & Wellness

Bubble…I’ve been using their Morning Rays eye cream for a couple weeks and really love how hydrating it is. I’m interested in trying the overnight sleep mask and tinted mineral SPF.

E.L.F…Since this brand aligns with several of my values (inclusion + no animal testing, among others) I’m eager to *hopefully* develop a makeup routine with some of their products! Eventually going to pick up their Soft Glam Satin Foundation, Lash XTNDR mascara, Putty blush, the Wow Brow gel, and possibly the HD Finish pressed powder.

Week in Training

Monday, 2.24: 6.2 miles, 10:21 pace + 28 minute leg day

Rainy and glum out, but I wanted to try my first speed session since my race a couple weeks ago. 15 x :30 smooth push/:30 easy running, the goal was to get some turnover but not bust a nut trying to haul ass. This felt kinda hard, I’d imagine the recovery from the cold is still making cardio feel hardio. Ranged from 7:41 to 8:33 for my paces so not bad really.

Strength:

• 4 x 6 ea. single leg deadlift 60#
• 3 x 15 diamond squat 50#
• 3 x 12 alt. front lunge 50#
• 3 x 15 hip thrust 60#
• 4 x 6 ea. single leg press 110#
• Forearm stand practice

Tuesday, 2.25: 4.05 miles, 11:01 pace + 23 minute back and bis

Running still feels difficult and tiring, but I’m managing! This congestion just won’t quit.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. single arm row 35#
• 3 x 12 waiter curl 35#
• 3 x 8 mid row 70#
• 3 x 10 ea. incline biceps curl 15#
• 4 x 6 upright row
• Core work & forearm stand practice

Wednesday, 2.26: 5 miles, 10:49 pace

Felt better today than the past couple days, though my heart rate is still high (162 average). Pace was an improvement though so maybe there’s progress being made!

Thursday, 2.27: 4.05 miles, 11:05 pace + 25 minute leg day

Back to feeling like a plugged up poof on my runs. Legs also felt stiff so I probably should foam roll.

Strength:

• 4 x 10 squat 100#
• 3 x 12 ea. donkey kick 25#
• 3 x 10 ea. split squat 40#
• 3 x 10 leg press 190#
• 3 x 15 machine calf raise 160#
• Forearm and handstand practice

Friday, 2.28: 3.5 miles, 11:03 pace + 23 minute chest & tris

Getting really impatient with running lately. Very frustrating. Still plugging away in hopes that one day it’ll be better again.

Strength:

• 3 x 8 chest press 30#
• 3 x 10 triceps dip 25#
• 2 x 6/1 x 8 Arnold 20/15#
• 4 x 6 incline chest press 25#
• 3 x 12 triceps pushdown 32#
• Core work & forearm stand practice

Saturday, 3.1: 8 miles, 10:57 pace

Same ole high heartrate bullshit. I’m starting to become suspicious that allergies really are to blame. Nonetheless, I spent most of it thinking about various topics and honestly all that internal noise made the session go real quick!

Sunday, 3.2: 4.05 mile walk (1:02:43)

Total running mileage: 30.8