sidebar | life and training 3.18 – 3.24
An ordinary week if there ever was one.
This week marked a transition from vacation mode back into real life – not always the smoothest process. I’m miffed knowing my trip ended a whole week ago. Almost feels like it never happened. Thank goodness for cameras and memories.
I don’t think I did anything terribly exciting. I worked the beginning of the week; the weather was stunning, a last hoorah of winter and a kiss of early spring. Wednesday I ventured to Sparkman Wharf for a beer and a little quiet time on the lawn. Orange wheat ale. Delish.
Thursday was finally off again. Took care of some chores. Wandered over to a friend’s house and basically just derped around on my computer while they cleaned their kitchen and eventually sprawled on the bedroom floor watching Attack on Titan eating candy for a bit. Very lowkey, but it was nice to have company.
Get a load of that pizza gnocchi I made one day. Maybe I’ll recipe-ify it eventually. I used up the rest of the sauce from last week’s pomodoro pizza and the open bag of veggie pepperoni. Delish.
Saturday my best friend and his fiance were in St. Petersburg for the day, so we met up later at…where else…TBBC for lunch/dinner. Of course a giant pretzel was involved, and after that big honker I ordered the hummus platter as my main. I also bumped into my favorite bartender and gave her a Niagara Falls sticker I’d been saving. I love the camaraderie I’ve developed there despite the, well, interesting incident I had a couple weeks back.
Let’s not get into that, though.
I rounded out the week, admittedly, in a piss poor mood after sitting in traffic for an hour trying to get home from work. Mind you, that commute is usually 15 minutes. Events downtown always fuck up the traffic pattern and this one even more so because both of my good routes home were completely blocked, so I basically had to maneuver around the city just to find a clear road. Ridiculous. I was certainly rage facing in my car and had one of the best runs of the month since I was so angry I just plowed down my route like a bulldozer.
But, never mind that. Its a new week, I usually love Mondays, and I hope to get some good adventures in once I take care of some adulting business (i.e. taxes, car insurance, credit card, etc.) Fun shit. Hope ya’ll enjoy this last week of March and oh, HAPPY EASTER, also!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A fresh and easy pasta salad.
…A ridiculously tasty layer cake.
…That cocktail I keep talking about but still haven’t made.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Homemade ice cream…A few days ago I made a batch of mini egg ice cream – not sure I’ll share the recipe, we’ll see, but the result was excellent regardless and I’ve enjoyed a cone every night since. If you’re feelin’ it, why not try my No Churn Oreo Cookie Quarry or No Churn Chocolate Chip varieties?
Simple lunches…I’m eating like a fucking elementary school kid lately, but honestly, I kinda love it. Favorite combos right now? Peanut butter and banana sandwiches with grapes and carrots/ranch, “chicken” nuggets with rice and peas, and this week methinks I’ll cook up some veggie burgers with cheddar cheese on a nice toasty lil bun. I think I’m just craving simplicity right now.
Top Notch Easter Desserts
Last week we discussed Easter brunch, and today we’ll throwing down some sweet treats to enjoy for your holiday. Take a gander and choose one or two to serve to your family, friends, and reluctant acquaintances.
Chewy Mini Egg Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Easter Bunny Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Classic Carrot Cake with Bourbon Maple Buttercream
Milk Chocolate Banana Mini Egg Cupcakes
Spiced Carrot Sheet Cake with Bourbon Vanilla Bean Frosting
Shops & Wish List
Fashion
Target…Really into pastels lately, especially light pinks and purples. Love these high rise shorts, ankle cargo pants, light support sports bra (I own a different color and it’s SO comfy), and these tailored trousers.
Skincare & Wellness
Tree Hut…Thinking about picking up this Tropic Glow shimmer body mist. Seems like a nice springy skin treat.
Week in Training
Monday, 3.18: 6.35 miles, 10:14 pace + 11 minute lift
Another steamer out, but at least I found a good alternative to my beloved peach tea: a mango passionfruit kombucha. Might try a few of the other flavors too cos it was pretty solid.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 narrow press 25#
- 3 x 8 front raise 20#
- 3 x 6 straight arm pulldown 37#
- 1:30 core work
Tuesday, 3.19: 7 miles, 9:41 pace
What a GLORIOUS day! Quick miles and no lift cos I had less time than usual, but I’m a-ok with that since I got a good sunshiney session in.
Wednesday, 3.20: 7.55 miles, 9:56 pace + 13 minute lift
Another lovely afternoon in the sun.
Strength:
- 3 x 6 ea. sldl 70#
- 3 x 8 front squat 60#
- 3 x 8 leg press 200#
- 1:30 core work
Thursday, 3.21: 8.01 miles, 10:29 pace + 10 minute core
My core work today was foam rolling. I’ve told myself for weeks that I’d be conscious of fitting a couple sessions in, and neglected my promise until this day. Felt good to get some of the adhesions out, and I think I’m going to replace one of my core days with foam rolling.
Friday, 3.22: 7 miles, 9:49 pace + 12 minute lift
I was afraid the wind would blow me into the bay on my run, but weirdly enough when I started my session the wind seemed to die down significantly. Works for me. Sticky, humid, but okay afternoon trot.
Strength:
- 3 x 11 narrow press 25#
- 3 x 9 front raise 20#
- 3 x 7 straight arm pulldown 37#
- 1:30 core
Saturday, 3.23: 8 miles, 10:23 pace + 14 minute lift
Breezy and humid but pleasant. Legs felt tired but I slept a little better the prior night (other than waking up to scarf a few Cheez Its).
Strength:
- 3 x 7 ea. single led deadlift 70#
- 3 x 9 front squat 60#
- 3 x 9 leg press 200#
- 1:30 core work
Sunday, 3.24: 6 miles, 9:29 pace
Total rage-face bulldozer run after sitting in event traffic for an hour on the way home from work – they shut down the two main routes I use to get home so I had to swerve around bumfuck nowhere to get back to my house. I was pissed and it showed on this trot.
Total running mileage: 49.9 (really?!)
