sidebar | life and training 3.31 – 4.6

Why in the shit do I have “Go Cubs Go” in my head this morning?

Just a random tidbit in case you’re wondering what happens during my constant brain activity. I do not understand how some folk can just shut off their thoughts and go blank – there’s always something stupid narrating in my noggen.

Anywho. It’s hot. This morning I ran a continuous 5K tempo run and I remembered why sustained longer efforts are a shit idea this time of year. It started off great until I tumbled into an overheating zone during mile 3. I finished strong and am pleased with this session, but yikes. As I’ve said in the past I’m not a spitter when I run, I think it’s gross, but the asthmatic gunk was so bad I had to let a few wads go at the end of the session.

Fucken delightful start to this narration, but hey, it’s life, and Sidebar is all about life.

I enjoyed a peaceful week. Wednesday I went out to the library for the first time in AGES. I did e-books for a spell but couldn’t dial in on the content – I’m definitely a physical book gal -and since I’m focused on not spending frivolously the library felt like a good alternative. A lot of my random purchases are books, which isn’t the worst thing, but perhaps the unpredictability of the lib will expose me to titles I might not look into otherwise.

Friday, Little Miss Ba and I visited Oxford Exchange for our afternoon treat. Traffic was miserable around town since Tampa hosted the NCAA Women’s Final Four that weekend, but OE was very quiet and peaceful. We enjoyed our favorite chocolate chip muffin and a cappuccino.

Saturday I had a pool day! After a pancake breakfast, of course. This coming week our temps cool down a bit again so the water will dip below what I consider comfortable for swimming, but this day our weather was perfect. I made a fresh batch of lemonade (recipe coming soon, it’s like fucken sunshine in a cup!), a BLT, and grabbed a bag of potato chips and my book to enjoy on the lounge chair. A lovely couple hours. I braved the chilly water – about 75 degrees – and swam a few laps, which felt fabulous once my body got used to it.

Then I went inside and enjoyed a dipped cone with my homemade strawberry ice cream. And took a nap. Not at the same time.

I’m still on my big batch cooking spree, though this week everything was so tasty we hardly had leftovers to stow in the freezer before this week’s meals. A couple of my favorites: sheetpan sausage, potatoes, and asparagus (repeating this week but with baby peppers) and “beef” and tater tot enchiladas. SO GOOD.

How was your week? Do anything exciting? This coming weekend we’re planning to go blueberry picking! Tis the season for our local farm to host the u-picks and for us to hoard some fresh bloobs in the freezer till kingdom come.

Until next time, friends!

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A light and spring-y cupcake.

…Grilled shrimp skewers perfect for upcoming BBQs.

A Few Things I’m Digging

The library…I visited a local lib for the first time in shit knows how long this week, and it was so nice! In my quest to spend less money I’m trying to buy fewer books and a weekly or biweekly trip to the shelves will help me with this goal.

Mangoes… This time of year I always get into a mango kick – they’re a good transitional fruit before my favorite, peaches, come into season later in the summer. Some ideas: Mango Crunch Salad, Mango Aperol Sour, Mango Basil Mojito, and Firecracker Salmon with Mango Salsa

This Week’s Menu

Meatless Monday…Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Tuesday…Spicy Chipotle BBQ Jackfruit and White Bean Burrito Bowls

Wednesday…Ginger Maple Salmon Rice Bowls

Thursday…Jalapeno Blue Cheese Pizza

Friday Happy Hour…Strawberry Lemonade Mojito

Saturday Baking…No Churn Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ice Cream

Sunday Snack…Mango Serrano Shrimp Ceviche

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…Loving all the new Auden underwear styles (they have the comfiest fits I’ve tried so far). My favorites: this lace one or this style and the bikini-style cut (love the green leafy pattern). Love this sage pleated skort, pink floral a-line dress, and scalloped lace dress – garden party candidates?

Kitchen & Dining

Target…Gonna pick up this drink dispenser for my garden party next weekend. Cheap and simple.

Week in Training

Monday, 3.31: 8 miles, 9:57 pace + 25 minute legs

70 degrees and a 68 dew point – I am certainly not used to that yet. Knowing this, I kept my intervals on the shorter side, with plenty of recovery between and what I deemed a realistic set of splits to hit. I did great and am proud of myself! 2 mile warmup, then 8 x 600m descending from 10K goal to 5K. I had to BRAWL to hit the final interval but I did it! First three reps I aimed for 7:50-7:55 pace range, second three 7:40-7:50, and final two 7:30-7:35. Ran 2:55, 2:56, 2:56 (7:50, 7:54, 7:54), then 2:52.5, 2:52.6, 2:52.1 (7:43, 7:43, 7:42), and finished with 2:48 and 2:48 (7:31 for both).

Strength:

• 4 x 6 ea. single leg deadlift 70#
• 3 x 12 diamond squat 60#
• 3 x 12 alt. front lunge 60#
• 4 x 15 hip thrust 60#
• 4 x 6 ea. single leg press 120#

Tuesday, 4.1: 4.5 miles, 11:11 pace + 25 minute back & bis

Think it’s high time to switch up my gym routine a bit – I’m getting bored as hell with my current exercises. Easy miles, still feeling the heat from yesterday morning’s speedwork so perhaps that’s why I was extra slow.

Strength:

• 3 x 11 row 35#
• 4 x 10 waiter curl 40#
• 4 x 9 mid row 70#
• 3 x 10 ea. incline bench curl 20#
• 3 x 10 bent front raise 25#
• Forearm stands & core work

Wednesday, 4.2: 6 miles, 10:32 pace + 25 minute legs

Legs were malfunctioning this morning, just couldn’t get them to loosen up! Ran 20 x 30 seconds fast/30 seconds easy. Did not even remotely hit what I wanted – aimed to average around 10K pace and ended up at 8:15 for the 10 “on” intervals. Oh well. Onward!

Strength:

• 3 x 10 squat 110#
• 3 x 10 ea. split squat 50#
• 3 x 15 machine calf raise 170#
• 3 x 10 leg press 200#
• 2 x 20 alt reverse lunge 60#
• Core work + forearm stands

Thursday, 4.3: 5.5 miles, 10:44 pace + 2.45 miles, 10:13 pace

Double the run double the fun! Started off with a 6 x 150 workout. I paced these horribly but must admit that I was satisfied by the control I had in the final 4 reps – I didn’t feel like I was about to fly into the bay. Ran a 33.5, 33.8, 34.4, 35.1, 35.8, and 36.3. Woohoo positive splits.

Afternoon miles were HOT but comfortable.

Friday, 4.4: 3.5 miles, 11:12 pace + 25 minute chest & tris

Sluggish and sweaty recovery miles, and a nondescript strength day. I was riled up right before the gym by the UNGODLY AWFUL traffic coming home from work, so that gave me a tiny bit of a push during my lifts.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 chest press 30#
• 3 x 10 triceps pressdown 37#
• 3 x 8 shoulder press 20#
• 4 x 8 ea. triceps extension 15#
• 3 x 12 narrow press 20#
• 3 x 10 pushup 10/5#
• Forearm stands

Saturday, 4.5: 12.01 miles, 10:55 pace

Fabulous run! I thank the giant muffin and pasta dinner for the energy I exhibited during this session. Warm and sticky but a solid wind and I don’t know, my legs were just feeling it. Taking advantage of any positive vibes I can get on these long runs before the weather inevitably goes to shit and I can barely manage 10k.

Sunday, 4.6: 6 mile walk (1:38:17)

Total running mileage: 41.9