sidebar | life and training 2.5 – 2.11
Another blurry week of beer drinking and eating like shit.
Side note: the week was not blurry because I drank too much beer and don’t remember anything. Times just blowing by like a tumbleweed.
The eating like this part, though, is relevant. I dunno what it is, but the convenience of eating out and throwing together very random meals has appealed to my soul. I’m usually very intentional with my diet, but I guess after a long drought of avoiding restaurants and exploring very little has revved up my adventure engine, and now I just want to roam around trying new spots. Or pull frozen beer battered cod filets from the freezer and morphing them into tacos.
Some of this, I’m sure, has to do with my present goal of placing less pressure on myself to produce for FMG. I cook or bake a couple times a week for this here space, and the rest of the time I leave room to eat like a normal-ish human being. Like an idiot, in other words. Food is craft, soul, and home, but those adjectives don’t necessarily translate into an elaborate from-scratch ceremony of cooking. Sometimes, home is frozen French fries and a chopped salad.
I don’t know. I’m probably making excuses. But hey, at least I own it.
Of my culinary adventures this week. Wednesday I had an absolutely miserable day and a mental breakdown at work (an hour of my shift I spent sobbing to my coworker in the back, who was probably the best person I could’ve lost my shit at) but landed at Lona for happy hour with J once I was free. A really lovely time. I enjoyed lots of chips and salsa, a fish taco, and a capirinha, and delved into a really good talk about one of my biggest flaws as a human being. Ha. Not gonna go into that now, but it was a refreshing conversation.
Friday was brewery day, as per usual. Tampa Bay Brewing Company I think has become my favorite beer haunt; I also befriended one of the bartenders there even though we don’t know each other’s names. Ha. Plans in the afternoon fell through for lunch so I wound up at the brewery later than I usually go. It was slammed but I managed to squeeze into the bar. Got me their newly tapped cookies and cream stout (so good), a Greek salad, and a plate of fries.
Saturday I met up with a friend at Wright’s Gourmet House, one of Tampa’s oldest and most steadfast deli/bakery fixtures. I drive by it all the time but never gave the place a lot of thought. Holy shit, I should’ve gone sooner. Place was slammed at 2pm. Got me a tuna salad sandwich and a humongo slice of their red velvet cake that is so fucking divine. I’m still working on it. They sell several flavors by the slice and I think next time I need to try their carrot cake.
I didn’t do jack shit on Sunday. We watched The Marvels, which was rather disorganized and chaotic and not really my favorite, and I made some blackened cod tacos and guac. J absolutely nailed a batch of homemade salsa. I managed to stay up for half of the Super Bowl before I passed out. 8pm hits and I’m always suddenly very tired, no matter what I might be doing.
You know, I’ve been journaling very heavily since the beginning of the month, trying to put intent into my pages with morning prompts. One revelation I had recently was a discrepancy in how I’m dividing my energy: that is, distributing the wrong amount to the wrong people. I drew a rough little pie chart in my journal segmenting who should get what. The numbers probably aren’t correct, but the breakdown opened my eyes a bit and gave me some focus from here on forth.
For instance, I need to go inward more and primarily focus on myself. I always preach self care, but this week I’m really going to start applying it. After my run and shower this morning (Monday), I spent a little extra time using this supple cashmere vanilla body oil all over my skin. Felt like a mini pamper sesh. I also plan to tidy up my toenails with some fresh polish, and Wednesday I’m buzzing my hair again and probably taking myself out to lunch/dinner after.
Little things, you know?
Basically, I’ve been quite fraught and confused about my place in the world this year. Well, I guess I always am, but it’s hitting harder since I turned 30, for whatever reason. One place I think I can start is intentionally nourishing the good relationships I have, funneling love into them, letting myself be loved in return. Perhaps that’ll amplify the amount of care I can allot to my own being. I sure hope so.
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A super easy and indulgent mac & cheese.
…A spicy shrimp bowl.
…I think I might actually do cinnamon rolls this week.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Trail mix…Caramel Macchiato trail mix is addictive. I whipped through the bag in record time – which is why I can’t keep trail mix in my house to save my life.
Cake…One of the longest-standing local bakeries/delis, Wright’s Gourmet House, carries a bomb ass red velvet cake that I have been devouring over a couple days. The slices are massive. Should I create my own red velvet cake recipe?
Valentine’s Treats
Throwing down some ideas for ya’ll in case you wanna treat your sweetie (or yoself) on the big ole day of mooshy gooshy.
Strawberry Jam Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Overnight Lemon Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast
Grown-Up Funfetti Cupcakes with Bourbon Strawberry Buttercream
Shops & Wish List
Week in Training
Monday, 2.5: 9 miles, 10:14 pace + 12 minute lift
Very raw, drizzly morning, though the brunt of the rain I saw on radar seemed to have bypassed the area. Towards the last couple miles it got very windy and my hands were numbing up a bit, but I felt pretty good overall.
Strength:
- 3 x 11 chest press 25#
- 3 x 12 shoulder press 15#
- 3 x 12 row 30#
- :30 plank rocks/:30 plank reach/:30 I don’t know what the fuck they’re called but it looks like breakdancing
Tuesday, 2.6: 7 miles, 9:49 pace + 15 minute lift
Wonderful afternoon, though I did feel a little extra sleepy and sluggish. I blame my mom’s cat sticking her face in my nose the previous night.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 goblet squat 60#
- 3 x 10 side lunge 60#
- 3 x 12 deadlift 90#
- 3 x 12 leg press 180#
Wednesday, 2.7: 8 miles, 10:34 pace + 10 minute core
Had SUCH a hard time waking up this morning – I hadn’t slept well and the chilliness outside made my blanket extra toasty. Run felt okay, a bit more sluggish than usual towards the end.
Thursday, 2.8: 7 miles, 9:36 pace + 13 minute lift
Felt oddly good today, it was a bit warmer but breezy and I guess pleasant enough for my body to enjoy. Lil upper body lift after – I’m seeing some progress already and that’s quit encouraging!
Strength:
- 3 x 12 weighted pushup 10#
- 3 x 8 shoulder press 20#
- 3 x 10 row 35#
- 3 x 12 chest press 25#
Friday, 2.9: 6.16 miles, 9:44 pace
Pretty certain my GPS screwed up during the last .16 because it DEFINITELY should have rounded out at a clean 10K run or slightly further. Damn you, tall buildings. Warm afternoon, not as pleasant as previous days, but could’ve been worse.
Saturday, 2.10: 8 miles, 10:25 pace + 17 minute lift
Absolutely horrendous night of sleep – my stomach was angry and my brain wouldn’t shut off, so I fitfully tossed around most hours and ended up more or less awake at 3am. Run felt rather cathartic, though, despite the dreary-eyed mood (and the fact that I was ridiculously cold when I started despite the 60 degree temp).
Strength:
- 3 x 11 goblet squat 60#
- 3 x 16 side lunge 50#
- 3 x 12 deadlift 90#
- 3 x 8 ea. leg press 100#
Sunday, 2.11: 6 miles, 10:14 pace + 10 minute core
Very warm out, borderline unpleasant (except when the breeze hit, that was glorious) but I managed a 4 minute run/1 minute walk split.
Total running mileage: 51.2
