sidebar | life and training 3.6 – 3.12

Dudes, it’s hot as balls out there today.

I say that, but this morning’s swelter is largely due to an incoming cold friend that’s actually pushing our temps into the 50s/70s. An odd blast of “Florida cold” before the official spring transition. On my run this morning I sweated like I would in June, and if not for the breeze I would’ve undergone war flashbacks to my 2022 Chicago Marathon training months. Still don’t know how I pulled 20 miles in 80 degree temps out my ass during that cycle.

A little atmospheric musing while I sit here munching on a Stroopwafel and drinking my coffee. In the dark. I hate time change for the longer daylight but actually enjoy the darker mornings. Feels cozier somehow. What do you think?

I preluded last week our celebration of J’s birthday this past Monday. it was such a lovely day. We started out with breakfast – I made him a veggie omelet – and a walk to get coffee, then visited Tropicana Field for a Rays spring training game. I will not attend a baseball game sans buying a soft pretzel. It’s a requirement, folks. The Rays won, in a 2 hour 19 minute affair. If you don’t follow baseball, that is short: this year the league implemented a ton of regulations in hope of speeding up the game and filtering out the fluff (in other words, the time allotted to pitchers/hitters to waltz around scratching their balls before doing anything productive).

We finished out the day with homemade margherita pizza, cake, birthday cake ice cream, and watching some more baseball. Both J and I are into low-key birthdays and he seemed to enjoy the progression of events, which made me happy.

The rest of the week flashed by, and on Sunday we bade farewell to The Wine Exchange in Hyde Park since it’s closing down in a couple weeks. The stupid developers want to put more retail in the space – not like they have enough already – so they’re kicking out a restaurant that’s lived there for over two decades. Love that. Apparently they’re relocating, so the restaurant won’t be gone forever. At least there’s that. I enjoyed a cab, their hummus, and a big Greek salad with grilled shrimp. So good.

Then I came home, scooped out a serving of froyo, and signed up for the 2024 Napa Valley Marathon. Oops.

I love small adventures and am hoping this week to enjoy a couple more. I don’t get nearly enough friend time. I made happy hour plans Friday, so that’s a start, and maybe if nothing else I can take myself on a solo date somewhere.

Here’s to a lovely St. Patty’s week! I don’t really acknowledge the affair, but if you do, may I suggest a steaming mug of Guinness Hot Chocolate?!

The Fuck We Eating This Week?

…A fun and simple avocado toast.

…A treat you’d definitely find at the end of a rainbow.

…A smoky, unique spring cocktail.

…Easy, saucy noodles for busy weeknights.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Nail polish: Recently redid my toes with the Olive & June “Jam Please” hue. Lovely darker lavender color for springtime!

Tea/lemonade: Been enjoying the occasional Swoon treat when I wander over to the Publix nearby. Their lemonade is very refreshing after a gross, sweaty run.

Bourbon…Got my bottle of customized Oak & Eden bourbon this week, absolutely love it. The process is simple but fun – you choose your bourbon, oak, proof, and infusion, and can print a title on the label.

Pickled red onions…Holy shit, people, I am addicted to these gorgeous tendrils! Loved them on my Baja Shrimp Taco Bowls and a couple other upcoming recipes I’m excited to share.

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…Super cute swimwear hitting the shelves, had to take advantage of the 20% off. Love this leafy palm print set and these soft pastel stripes. Really hope the ruffled matching bottoms for this coral top come back in stock, the pair is so feminine and the color is lovely.

Skincare & Wellness

Pacifica…Circle Week got me grabbing some new skin treats to try. I love the Glow Baby serum so I grabbed the brightening facial mask and finally shelled out for a quartz facial roller. Gonna see if that shit is worth the hype.

Week in Training

Monday, 3.6 (J’s Birthday!): 4.4 miles, 9:34 pace + 1.8 miles, 10:36 pace + 23 minute full body

Started off this festive day with a speedier workout: 800m warmup, then the rest of the mileage dropping pace every 800m. I like progression runs since they can be totally intuitive, just finding new gears and swinging with them until it’s time to switch again. Finished the morning with a 20 minute cooldown to get to 10k for the day.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 sumo deadlift to sumo squat 50#
• 3 x 11 skullcrusher 20#
• 4 x 8 ea. rotating curl 20#
• 3 x 10 overhead press 20#

Tuesday, 3.7: 5.59 miles, 10:45 pace + 20 minute full body

Saw a lady who lives in my neighborhood, and whom I haven’t seen in a bit. She very enthusiastical yelled good morning to me and it made my day.

Strength:

• 4 x 12 ea. single chest press with hip raise 25#
• 2 x 12/1 x 8 ea. balanced front raise 15/20#
• 3 x 10 single-single-double row 20#
• Core work

Wednesday, 3.8: 4.32 miles, 10:25 pace + 25 minute full body

Swinging with my idea of lowering mileage, and I’m glad I held that mindset today because I was in a low mood and not one which running helps. Threw in a set of 6 surges during mile 3 – total pace there was 9:14 and I hunkered down to a 6:20 pace at one point, which is pretty good considering my lack of turnover exercises of late.

Strength:

• 3 x 15 front goblet squat thing 30#
• 3 x 12 plie with calf raise 50#
• 3 x 10 ea. around the world 12#
• Core work

Thursday, 3.9: 4.09 mile walk (1:06:00)

Friday, 3.10: 6.2 miles, 10:42 pace + 20 minute full body

Really lovely morning for a pleasant trot, went longer than I intended but was feeling good, so why not?

Strength:

• 3 x 12 pullover 40#
• 4 x 12 ea. side raise 15#
• 4 x 12 deadlift to row 50#
• Core work

Saturday, 3.11: 9.32 miles, 10:57 pace + 22 min full body

Very swampy out this morning, little breeze to speak of. Legs just feel pretty heavy of late, but I wanted to get a long run in to keep them in the rotation for the future.

Strength:

• 3 x 20 alt. side lunge 30#
• 3 x 12 squat to press 15#
• 3 x 15 balanced leg extension crunch things
• 3 x 15 swings 50#
• Core work

Total running mileage: 31.7