sidebar | life and training 4.15 – 4.21
A spontaneous kayak substantially trip improved my whole week.
You know, I liked this week. It was good. I can’t say that about every week nowadays – sadly enough, a tumultuous mental status has gripped me by its fangs for many more days than I wish it to manage. But I think I filled my days well this time around, and managed to nip that negative talk before it could overwhelm the rest of my thoughts. Yes, it was nice.
For one, I am in love with baking layer cakes. I’m finding the practice soothing, from whipping up the layers to frosting them and becoming *slightly* better at decorating (even though I will surely never be a master cake stylist. That’s okay, though). Further, whenever I truly and thoroughly enjoy creating a recipe concept, it nearly always comes out the way I imagine and more. I’m learning the merits of “go with the flow” more intricately nowadays. Comes with age, maybe.
Anywho, on with the week. Wednesday I trucked off to my mom’s and spent the night so to drive her to the airport Thursday morning. Kinda threw me outta whack most of the day: I’m not used to staying there on a day off. Treadmill run, coffee, and then shipped her away before driving home and continuing my rather disjointed morning.
Early in the afternoon I sorta randomly decided to go kayaking. The day was glorious, bright and sunny and dry with a good breeze, and I couldn’t let it go to waste by melting away indoors. Honestly, best decision I’ve made in awhile. A company runs a rental service right by my place, so I paid for an hour and rowed along the harbor for a total of 2 miles. I even saw a dolphin at the end! The most present and at peace I’ve felt in quite some time, and further confirms that I am at my happiest when I’m near or in the water.
Then I ran out and met a friend for lunch, which was lovely. I had a pretty slamming paloma and now I know I need to get my ass in gear with mixing some cocktails for you guys. I kinda miss it.
Saturday I took a solo escapade out to St. Pete again to visit the Mezzo Market. I’d been once before on a day that the weather was total shit, but luckily this time around it was much more agreeable, if not a bit hot. I found my favorite sourdough vendor, Nosh, and picked up a big fat loaf. Wandered back to Book + Bottle after for a chocolate croissant and a glass of rose. Took a pause there to read and enjoy my snack – the spot is quickly turning into one of my favorites in the city.
So much so that I went back again Sunday, ha.
Well, more so because my friend wanted to visit there and asked me to tag along, so I did. Sunday was a bit of a whirlwind in general, between work and then navigating around Tampa Airport trying to find my mom after her flight landed. Big fat snafu and a half, but we eventually figured it out. I actually managed to surreptitiously change my clothes in the car while sitting in the cell phone lot. Fucken skill. Felt like a Mission Impossible sequence almost gone awry.
But anyway. Drove out to The ‘Burg, parked by a Publix because I had to pee so bad (you didn’t need to know that but now you do), landed at Book + Bottle again for more wine, then tooled around the rest of Central seeking a few stops along the way. Ended up getting lunch at Hawkers, an Asian street food concept I’ve eyeballed several times but never managed to visit. Real good shit. I had a yuzu aperol spritz, some edamame, and shrimp summer rolls. Forgot how much I like aperol spritzes, it’s been quite awhile.
Finished off with a scoop of cookie butter ice cream, though I don’t actually remember what the place was called. A solid finish, though.
Lots of adventures, probably a little too much money spent (oops), but worthwhile memories, I’d say. And plenty of tasty food. I wish I had a better answer to prelude my plans for this week, but I truly never really know until a day or two prior because I have to go by my present mood before I make concrete decisions. I’d imagine I’ll float off somewhere Saturday, and I think I’m finally going to be able to go to happy hour with a good friend if mine that I haven’t seen in awhile.
Hope you had a nice week, and plenty to look forward to upcoming. If not, why not list a self-care goal for yourself? Might help you truck through if things get difficult.
Also, I found this funny. You’re welcome.
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A cheesy baked rigatoni.
…Decadent cookie bars/brownies *dunno which yet* for your spring and summer cookouts.
…Another classic layer cake.
…I’M GOING TO FINALLY MAKE THAT BOURBON COCKTAIL I PROMISE.
Everything Blueberry
Just dropping by with a few fresh blueberry recipes to add to your springtime rotation!
Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins
Baked Blueberry Chai Doughnuts
A Few Things I’m Digging
Rice bowls…A combination I’ve really enjoyed for a lazy dinner: canned tuna mixed with chipotle mayo, cucumber, and avocado over rice. Very simple but nutritious.
Aperol…I kinda forgot about aperol spritzes until I had one on Sunday. Certainly going to play around with the liqueur again in future mixology adventures. My Mango Aperol Sour is a great start if you’re feeling like an at-home bartending escapade!
Week in Training
Monday, 4.15: 8.48 miles, 10:37 pace + 12 minute lift
Pleasant morning, but definitely felt a little sluggish after a couple drinks the day before.
Strength:
- 3 x 9 triceps extension 40#
- 3 x 8 lateral raise 15#
- 3 x 9 straight arm pulldown 41#/37#
- :30 hang + 1:00 core
Tuesday, 4.16: 5.7 miles, 10:31 pace + 13 minute lift
Surprisingly lovely run! Heart rate was super low too – 154 bpm. Squeezed in my lift while cakes baked away in the oven.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 curtsy lunge 70#
- 3 x 10 jump squat 60#
- 3 x 6 ea. single leg squat 50#
- :30 hang/1:00 core work
Wednesday, 4.17: 5.7 miles, 10:32 pace + 10 minute core
Identical run to yesterday, except felt a little more allergenic.
Thursday, 4.18: 8 miles, 10:41 pace + 1 hour kayak
Treadmill run before hauling mom off to the airport. Pretty comfy miles except I got a little antsy by the end.
I randomly decided in the afternoon that I wanted to get out on the water – it was a gorgeous day and I felt like some river time would boost my mood. And so it did. I covered about 2 miles and even saw a dolphin at the end!
Friday, 4.19: 6.61 miles, 10:36 pace + 12 minute lift
A little warmer this morning than I would’ve liked, but not too bad overall.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 triceps extension 40#
- 3 x 10 lateral raise 15#
- 3 x 8 lat pulldown 60#
- :30 hang/1:00 core
Saturday, 4.20 (ayyy): 8 miles, 10:43 pace + 14 minute lift
Very still and quiet morning. My legs felt weirdly sore, perhaps from lifting on Tuesday though it seems odd the residual ouch lasted for so long.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 curtsy lunge 70#
- 4 x 6 jump squat 70#
- 3 x 7 ea. single leg squat 50#
- :30 hang/1:00 core
Sunday, 4.21: 7 miles, 10:45 pace + 10 minute core
Pretty okay morning, wasn’t planning for that length of a run but it kinda just worked out that way.
Total running mileage: 49.5
