sidebar | life and training 3.24 – 3.30

My body is NOT ready for summer.

This week, we’re fixing to break some heat records. Several days we’ve highs in the lower 90s, lows in the 70s, and dew points probably flirting with or surpassed the 70 degree mark. Just this morning, Monday, I ran at my usual early hour under 71 degrees and a 68 dew point. Moseying about it doesn’t feel too bad, but when I started running fast, woowee did it catch up quick!

Of course, I’m not exactly acclimated yet, and grass pollen is still offensively high. But still. This is likely a prelude to the brutality of the May through September cycle, and it’s going to be a brutal one.

On a better note, though, our evenings have been luscious, warm but breezy and absolutely delightful in the shade. Sunday morning a gentle rain fell for a few hours – except when it wasn’t gentle and lightning bolts randomly cracked over the water while I was out for my rest day walk – which was welcomed in our current drought conditions. Not much, but it’s something. We even had a fucken red flag warning on Thursday. In Florida? Crazy.

I’ve been in a bit of a mood these past few days. I don’t exactly know what catalyzed it but what I do know is that I fell into a trap of getting annoyed at shit that hasn’t even come to pass yet. Anticipatory rage? Much of this started as I began daydreaming about doing a garden party before Easter with a few friends, and then realizing I’d likely deal with their collective chronic lateness in doing so. I love my people dearly, but I do not love that trait. I understand circumstances outside of conscious control (especially ADHD) can interfere with time management, but I’m not really sure how to adapt to it so all parties feel happy and respected. I suppose I can try to set a clear span of hours for the event (say, 4-7p or something) and see if that helps.

Any advice on that? I’m a chronically early person so I truly do not relate to the opposite dynamic.

I had a pretty full week, but all in all it felt well balanced. I’ve been spending a lot more time keeping up my house’s cleanliness with regular mops, wipe downs, scrubs, etc. and it’s been really fulfilling. Very springlike. I’m on a pretty good schedule with it and am managing to fit in what I need to each day without succumbing to overwhelm. I washed Roly Poly on Monday as well. Keeping up with my baby’s maintenance is of utmost importance to me.

Saturday I meandered to Bandit in St. Pete with Ba for a quick afternoon treat. Bandit is one of the first spots I ever visited when I moved to Tampa – they actually just celebrated their 10 year anniversary! I got a cappuccino and a big salted chocolate chunk cookie because those are Ba’s preferences. And mine. We sat at a window seat and watched plentiful dogs sniff by…and one of the waiter’s nearly get run over by a rogue cyclist. Asshole.

Sunday I was in a shit mood but after some downtime we went out to Phillipe Park in Safety Harbor for an evening picnic! It was a wonderful night, clear and breezy, and we sat under a big tree right by the water on a blanket and shared some sandwiches, Greek salad, and chips. At one point this giant woodpecker (a Pileated Woodpecker, apparently!) paid us a visit by swooping between trees overhead…and at one point drilling holes right above Roly Poly and dropping tree bark and acorns all over her hood. Really delightful to watch that dude do his thing, especially since I’ve never seen one of them before I don’t think.

Feeling good (albeit pooped from my workout this morning) headed into the new week. I’m in the second week of my no-spend challenge and so far all is going pretty smoothly! Even during this short span of time it’s been neat to see how much I can really live without and how creative I can get with random culinary fixings in my pantry.

Happy almost-April, kids! Don’t fool anyone too hard tomorrow.

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A BIG, loaded, flavorful potato salad!

…A refreshing and fruity spring and summertime lemonade.

…A nostalgic no-churn ice cream.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Smoothies…Since the weather’s heating up and I’m reverting to smoothies a lot for a light lunch or afternoon snack. My combo of choice involves vanilla protein, frozen banana and strawberries, and peanut butter. Basic, but delish.

Peanut butter…Loving Trader Joes’ Honey Peanut Butter. It’s a natural variety so it does require some stirring, but the simple ingredients (peanuts, salt, and honey) are balanced beautifully.

Tofu bacon…I am obsessed with this shit. Whenever I have some in the house I throw it on everything. Be sure to check out my how-to here!

Yoga...I started practicing a bit of yoga again using Yoga with Adriene‘s videos. She’s hugely popular on Youtube and for good reason – her classes are wonderful, varying, and her blue heeler is ADORABLE. It’s been nice to get on the mat and have someone else curate my movements, until I can perhaps return to my own habit and developing my own little flows.

This Week’s Menu

Meatless Monday…Homestyle Creamy Chickpea Noodle Soup

Tuesday…Buffalo White Bean Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Ranch

Wednesday…One Skillet Lemon White Wine Shrimp and Orzo

Thursday…Greek Chickpea Chopped Salad

Friday Happy Hour…Strawberry St. Germain Spritz

Saturday Baking…Milk Chocolate Banana Mini Egg Cupcakes

Sunday Snack…“BLT” Sliders with Black Pepper Garlic Sauce

Shops and Wish List

Kitchen & Dining

Pottery Barn…These rose appetizer plates are so lovely for an Easter tablescape and I love the scallopped detailing. The matching cups and saucers are precious too.

Target…Thinking about hosting a garden party-esque gathering soon (if I can wrangle my people up and convince myself to get out of my comfort zone!). I’d have to go budget so I’m thinking cute disposables like these plaid plates or these floral ones, plaid napkins, gold cutlery sets, sparkling flute glasses, and gingham table cloth or this pretty botanical green one.

Week in Training

Monday, 3.24: 6.2 miles, 10:14 pace + 30 minute legs

Cutback week so a wee bit less mileage and some shorter sessions. I absolutely abhor 800m repeats, but I guess as with anything I need to suck it up and do some shit I don’t want to do. This workout went really well – I took a Honey Stinger gel beforehand and felt pretty strong and smooth throughout! 2 mile warmup, 3 x 800 (3:46, 3:42, 3:40) with 2 minute recoveries, 2 mile cooldown. I set each rep to a goal pace range and managed all three…barely. 7:35, 7:27, and 7:24 were the averages. Still pleased!

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. single leg deadlift 60#
• 3 x 10 diamond squat 60#
• 3 x 10 ea. front lunge 60#
• 3 x 15 hip thrust 65#
• 3 x 12 ea. single leg press 110#
• Core work + forearm stands

Tuesday, 3.25: 4.25 miles, 11:08 pace + 23 minute back & bis

Slow, easy miles. Much warmer today at 70 degrees – prelude to springtime, I reckon!

Strength:

• 2 x 11/1 x 10 ea. bent over row 35#
• 3 x 10 waiter curl 40#
• 3 x 8 upright row 25#
• 3 x 8 ea. incline bench curl 20#
• 3 x 9 mid row 70#
• Core work

Wednesday, 3.26: 5.25 miles, 11:07 pace + 25 minute legs

Suffocating pollen this morning – felt ROUGH out there. Ran 5 x 50 sprint with 2 minute recovery between each. Fastest pace was 4:56, which is very meh for me. Still served its purpose, though!

Strength:

• 3 x 8 squat 110#
• 4 x 8 ea. split squat 50#
• 3 x 20 machine calf raise 160#
• 3 x 8 leg press 200#
• 4 x 10 alt reverse lunge pulse 60#
• Core work + forearm stands

Thursday, 3.27: 5.5 miles, 10:21 pace

Ran one of my favorite speed workouts: 15 seconds fast/45 easy. Did 17 reps this time around and thoroughly enjoyed myself! I tried to pace them as a progression and was largely successful, ranging from a 6:19 to 7:45 pace and a top speed of 5:57.

Friday, 3.28: 3.5 miles, 11:05 pace + 23 minute chest & tris

Felt really weird this morning, just stressed and off kilter. My mom flew out solo and I never like her traveling alone anymore, AND we’re under a red flag warning today? I don’t know if I’ve seen that my whole life. Easy miles did feel nice though.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 chest press 60#
• 3 x 10 narrow press 40#
• 3 x 8 triceps pressdown 37#
• 4 x 6 Arnold 20#
• 3 x 12 dip 35#

Saturday, 3.29: 8.3 miles, 11:11 pace

Snailed it! Pleasant, breezy morning but my lungs were alight.

Sunday, 3.30: 7 mile walk (1:55:53)

Total running mileage: 33