sidebar | life and training 3.28 – 4.3

On Friday of this week, I discovered that one of my favorite photographers and slow-living advocates passed away. Beth Kirby contributed to Kinfolk magazine, the publication I once credit for changing my mindset towards life and encouraging me to slow down, savor good food, and explore the nuances of the everyday more closely and with more gentleness. Her Instagram was one of the first I found, and one which still trickles into my own style of photography.

Presumably, although her husband didn’t say specifically, Beth died as a result of her struggle with bipolar I. She was not shy about sharing her experiences and did so with a rawness and grace one could not help but admire. I myself have many unpleasant moments of severe anxiety, but I have been able to manage it organically with therapy and support. Some people cannot. Some people require attention that cannot be obtained. Love and kindness isn’t enough for some. It breaks my heart to know that.

Though Beth was candid about her diagnosis, some people can’t help but shield it behind a virtual facade. Just something to remember when you idealize a virtual idol, or grow bitter because everything in their world feels too perfect, envious because you wish for the talent they boast or the places they go or the spouse they call theirs. The web is just a snippet, a highlight reel. You choose what serves you to show. With that in mind, folks, just be a kind person, don’t stretch the fingers of jealousy out and let them slice another. Behind the screen could be a person who is in massive pain.

Even if not, though, being good to others is just a nice philosophy by which to abide.

Resources for Mental Health

Below I’ve listed some helpful links or phone numbers for those who need more than family or friends.

National Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or online chat here.

Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance provides resources for locating support as well as a red “CRISIS” button at the top right of the page for those needing immediately help.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and visit online here. Available in English and Spanish.

Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 and online for additional resources from coming out to ID change and more.

Disaster Distress Lifeline: 1-800-985-5990 (call or text)

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

What I’m Up To This Week

Testing…Pizza, a lemony and bright fish main, the simplest no-bake tart, an easy Thai dinner, and a flavorful bolognese because we’ll need all the carbs for our Saturday long run! I’m also redoing a simple and delectable brunch recipe that flopped a bit last week, but I know how to fix.

Reading: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami. Very train of thought and interesting, the dude was actually a pretty good runner. Did you know he ran a marathon by himself, outside of a race atmosphere, in Greece for a magazine article? Nutball.

Wearing…these high-rise athletic leggings. They’re SO comfy and I honestly want a couple more colors. I bought the “Taupe” hue.

Excited to…Start biking more. I haven’t much had time or been in the mood during Big Sur training, but once that’s done with I’m eyeing a more thorough cross-training schedule and a lot less running. Will come in perfect time for the horrible summer season.

PS – this is our bike trainer. A great setup that doesn’t require a whole lot of room.

Buying…An induction cooktop. Not sure what model he chose but J got one for our trip to California, and probably for trips thereafter, so we can cook in virtually any hotel at which we stay. Might even come in handy if I get ambitious and want to shoot video for any of my recipes (unlikely right now, but who knows!)

A Few Things I’m Digging

Popcorn…I picked up the Olive Oil & Sea Salt popcorn from Trader Joes and can’t get enough lately. It’s my favorite afternoon snack with a decaf heavy cream coffee and some of the TJs Springle Jangle mix. So good.

Smiley socks…Been breaking out my favorite Pro Compression pair for my long runs to try and lighten the mood on those long trots. I don’t always remember midrun that I’m wearing them, but they’re a nice thing to view in my post-run photos.

Floppy hat…After a long search, I finally found a reasonable straw hat to wear around! I’ve wanted one for a time just for grilling out, lounging at the beach (if I ever do that), or a casual afternoon where I feel like garbing in florals and shit. The one I bought was $5 but this one is similar.

Tomatoes…Warmer produce is coming into season and one of my favorites to work with is tomatoes. This Simple Herb Roasted Tomato Soup with Margherita Crostini and Spinach Artichoke Pilaf Zucchini Boats with Mint Bruschetta Tomatoes are two great ones to try out!

Week in Training

Monday, 3.28: 5.46 miles, 10:59 pace + 57 minute shoulders & triceps

Certainly a touch sluggish at the beginning of this run, probably lingering fatigue from Saturday, but I loosened up eventually and my heartrate stayed nice and low.

Strength:

• 4 x 10 ea. thrusters 25#
• 5 x 6 lying triceps extension 45#
• 4 x 12 bridge bench press 25#
• 5 x 8 sumo squat upright row 30#
• 2 x 10/3 x 8 kickback 15/20#
• 4 x 4 chest press 80#
• 3 x 8 press down 41#
• 4 x 10 high dumbbell swing 40#
• 3 x 12 single arm plank holds
• 3 x 10 knee things
• 3 x :30 tippy toe wall sits

Tuesday, 3.29: 4.03 miles, 10:49 pace + 51 minutes back & biceps

A few bridges early in the morning, quite sweaty but our predawn temperatures have still proven alright for the most part.

Strength:

• 5 x 7 preacher curl 65#
• 5 x 5 mid row 90#
• 3 x 10 Zottman curl 20#
• 3 x 10/2 x 6 ea. single arm row 35/40#
• 4 x 8 ea. hammer curl to crossbody curl 20#
• 3 x 12 reverse fly 25#
• 4 x 12 banded knee drives
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg medicine ball throws (except with a dumbbell and I didn’t throw that) 15#

Wednesday, 3.30: 7.69 miles, 9:30 pace + 54 minute legs

My body felt very out of sync during this run, but it wasn’t wholly bad. I ran 4 x 10 minutes aerobic/1 minute push, continuous, and averaged 8:57 for the whole set.

Strength:

• 6 x 8 plie squat 110#
• 5 x 6 ea. single leg deadlift 80#
• 4 x 12 elevated narrow squat 80#
• 4 x 12 ea elevated lunge 35#
• I did more but didn’t write it down oops

Thursday, 3.31: 30 minute elliptical + 45 minute shoulders & triceps

Running off day, same same profile as my usual off days!

Strength:

• 3 x 10 Arnold 20# SS 10 chest fly 20#
• 3 x 12 skullcrusher 25# SS 8 narrow press 25#
• 1 x 10/3 x 8 incline bench press 25/20#
• 3 x 8 OH extension 40# SS 10 kickback 15#
• 3 x 10 side raise 20# SS 10 sumo squat
• 3 x 12 ea. cable pulls 7#
• 3 x 10 diamond pushup 20# on back
• 5 or so min core work

Friday, 4.1: 3.19 miles, 10:39 pace + 40 minute back & biceps

Weird morning. Woke up around 3:15 or so to dead silence and it took me a moment to realize the power was out. We don’t lose power often since we’re on the grid with the hospital nearby, and it was a rather confusing and jarring call to wakefulness. I figured I wasn’t going back to sleep anyway so I went through my preworkout routine and snuck into the dark-ass gym with a lantern to do my workout. By then it was pouring rain and lightninging so running outside wasn’t an option anyway, but I discovered the elliptical still functioned (it must be battery-powered) so I spun for 5 minutes to warm up before lifting. The rain let up around when I finished my lift and the power returned so I snuck out between the storms for a quick trot. Let me tell you, I definitely prefer running before lifting!

Strength:

• 3 x 9 curl 25# SS 10 reverse curl 15#
• 4 x 8 ea. single arm row 40# SS 10 reverse fly 25#
• 4 x 10 wide curl 20# SS 10 curtsy lunge press out 20#
• 4 x 10 bent front raise 30# SS 10 row 30#
• 4 x 10 barbell curl 10# on bar SS 10 narrow pushup
• 4 x 10 lat pulldown 70#

Saturday, 4.2: 15.05 miles, 11:09 pace + 40 minute legs

Rough run. The weather blew, 72 with a 70 dew point, little breeze. It felt stifling like early summer. Fueled with a Maurten and a Huma Cafe Mocha gel. I’d imagine my heat acclimation isn’t great right now so I’m trying to give myself some grace for this blah effort. 3 weeks until race day. Yikes.

Strength:

• 4 x 8 leg extension 160#
• 4 x 10 reverse squat 100#
• 5 x 10 ea. single leg calf raise 120#
• 5 x 20 step out 60#
• 4 x 15 ea. cable extension 20/24#
• 4 x 12 leg press 170#
• 4 x 10 ab rollups 15#

Sunday, 4.3: 3.15 mile walk (46:00)

Total mileage: 35.48