sidebar | life and training 2.27 – 3.5

Today is my favorite human’s birthday!

So, of course, I started my morning with a run in the mileage that matches his age. I won’t utter the number here, though I guess if you look at my training log in next week’s Sidebar you’ll glean the correlation. Ha. At any rate, we’ll be celebrating the rest of the day!

J and I both have a lackluster view of birthdays, and both of us try to make one another’s special in our own fashion. I bought tickets to see the Rays play the Marlins in St. Pete this afternoon, and we’ll likely grab some noms at the park. The rest of the day is open. He’s usually happy spending time with 0 obligations, which is fine with me, until it comes time for me to make dinner. I’ll show ya’ll what I made next week – if I uttered it here, the surprise would be spoilt.

We enjoyed a nice little date on Saturday in St. Petersburg. Caught the Cross Bay Ferry, which rides about an hour between Tampa and the Burg. We grabbed lunch at Fresco’s – always start with ceviche when we can, though we also accidentally received another table’s mango habanero ceviche, for which I felt kind of guilty. I ordered the seared tuna salad, an Aperol spritz, and we shared a side of extra crispy fries between us. Nom. The St. Pete Grand Prix rumbled in the background and some of the smaller cars practiced and raced around the speedway nearby.

We climbed up to Pier Tieki after for drinks. The view was stunning, overlooking the little municipal airport and part of the speedway, and the wind was enough to knock a drink clean off a ledge if one left it unattended. The drinks…not so great. My mango mojito tasted weak (nothing like the Mango Basil Mojito from Friday) and J’s jungle bird cocktail was sickeningly sweet, like fake pineapple juice and zero booze. Can’t say I’d recommend the fare, but the space is pretty nice.

Last stop was a redemption drink at Birchwood Canopy, a snazzy rooftop fixture above the namesake hotel. Much better. I enjoyed a mango margarita and we relaxed on a comfy couch until we needed to head back to the dock for our return trip.

Most people aboard were trashed by the 5 pm cruise; there was practically a disco party happening in the downstairs lobby, but much quieter upstairs so that’s where we hung out. The ferry was forced to pause before the channel to allow a trio of delayed cruise ships to pass. Another little boat was stuck too, and our captains challenged one another to a waterborne donut competition. Was amusing.

I’ve been getting the itch to train for a marathon again, even though at present I don’t much want to run more than 7 miles. Bit of a paradox. Regardless, I’m eyeing the Napa Valley Marathon next March since I’ve never run that and I’d love to visit California again on a race-cation. Though I wouldn’t call the marathon my favorite distance (that would be the 10K) it’s the most satisfying to train for. I guess because the other distances I don’t have to do much extra to complete, but the marathon is always a challenge since 26.2 miles doesn’t come naturally to literally anyone. The fitness for a marathon is not maintainable year round.

So that’s what’s on my mind and in my doings. This week, after J’s birthday, looks pretty quiet, normal. Nothing big planned yet. I’m really feeling like getting into springtim/Easter appetizers, so let me know what you’d like to see!

The Fuck We Eating This Week?

Saucy barbacoa tacos…

A rich and creamy hot cocoa for St. Paddy’s…

Easy, spicy, and vegan noodle dish…

A Few Things I’m Digging

Popcorn…Since Amazon Fresh changed their fees, I had to find a different popcorn to match my beloved Popcorn Indian drizzled kettle corn…and I found one! Safe + Fair Dark Chocolaty Drizzled Popcorn is awesome, and I might even like it a bit better!

Stroopwafel…Back to loving the GU Energy stroopwafels. Salty’s Caramel and Hot Chocolate are my favorites. They’re just lovely over a hot mug of coffee in the morning.

Mango…Sweet or savory dishes with mango really appeal to me currently. I have two dudes sitting on my counter waiting for use! Check out my Honey Cilantro Salmon Bowls with Mango Pineapple Salsa – this one is great to whip up on a fast weeknight.

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…Love this relaxed fit blazer, the cream pinstripe hue to be exact. Would look great with a long flowy skirt and a satiny tank top for a spring date. This ruffled short sleeve smocked dress is a great option for Easter brunch or dinner. For beach days, I’m thinking this straw tote handbag to store all sunny essentials.

Kitchen & Dining

Pottery Barn…On the hunt for some cute appetizer/dessert plates for a few upcoming projects (and beyond). Really like these Fortessa Cloud Terre appetizer plates or the Vitralux Bread and Butter Plates.

Week in Training

Monday, 2.27: 7.37 miles, 10:52 pace + 20 minute strength

Felt like a giant fluff this morning, not very sprightly, but felt good to get moving after a lounging day on Sunday.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 balanced press up 30#
• 3 x 11 skullcrusher 40#
• 3 x 15 elevated sumo deadlift 50#
• 3 x 10 ea. curl 20#
• Core

Tuesday, 2.28: 5.52 miles, 10:45 pace + 20 minute full body

Really wasn’t feeling this run. I’ve lately been craving sunny exercise sessions, which obviously don’t happen at 5 am – but until I find a practical plan for accomplishing such, I’ll continue my dark o’clock trots.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. boat press up 15#
• 3 x 15 ea. single arm swing 25#
• 3 x 12 ea. balanced triceps ext 20#
• 3 x 12 ea. bird dog 12#
• Core

Wednesday, 3.1: 6.2 miles, 10:11 pace + 25 minute legs

Felt a bit mushy this morning so I decided to get some faster running in. It was warm but I actually performed this workout faster than the first time! 2ish miles warmup, 2 miles at Groovy Pace (a sustainable pace), 2 miles down. The Groovy Miles clocked in at 8:52 and 8:42. Fine by me!

Strength:

• 3 x 12 elevated front squat 50#
• 3 x 15 elevated deadlift 50#
• 3 x 15 ea. hip dip 25#
• 3 x 15 plie squat 50#
• Core work

Thursday, 3.2: 4.09 mile walk (1:04:00)

Friday, 3.3: 6.31 miles, 10:47 pace + 18 minute full body

VERY windy this morning, but comfortable overall.

Strength:

• 3 x 11 ea. side raise
• 3 x 12 ea. balanced pull aprt 20#
• 3 x 10 roll up 20#
• 3 x 10 ea. balanced upright row 25#
• 30 goblet squat burnout

Saturday, 3.4: 8.08 miles, 11:11 pace + 25 minute full body

Meh run. It was very humid and my body is not used to it yet.

Strength:

• 3 x 15 chest press with bridge 50#
• 3 x 15 waiter curl 25#
• 3 x 12 ea. side lunge 25#
• 4 x 15 hammer front raise 25#
• Core work

Sunday, 3.5: 4.1 mile walk (1:06:00)

Total running mileage: 33.5