sidebar | life and training 5.6 – 5.12
Nothing like a fucking massive palmetto bug to greet you on a Monday morning.
I believe I found the fucker dead when I returned from my run later, but holy shit, ya’ll, innocently turning around only to see this gargantuan wad of crawling nightmare on your kitchen floor is not the finest way to begin a new week. Pretty sure the encounter left me shook the rest of the early hours. I forgot to start my coffee maker, then fucked up the proportions somehow so my brew tasted like water.
Now I’m sitting at my computer and keep thinking I’m hearing shit crawling around in my kitchen.
Oh, and if you don’t know what a palmetto bug is: basically, a giant flying cockroach that also runs faster than Usain Bolt. Shit like that belongs in Australia, not in my house.
Fun fact, though. The response a lot of us have to seeing a large, disgusting creature is not one of fear, but one of disgust. The “creepy crawlies,” so to speak – I’m not sure why but knowing that I’m not actually terrified of this nemesis is a bit comforting. Like, bro, I’m a giant compared to it, but I guess humans are not fond of seeing an insect of that size, and that reputation, in their territory. After all, roaches are associated with filth, and we don’t necessarily fear filth, we just find it repellant.
Onward.
I had quite an eventful week, and a really good one, honestly. Lots of interpersonal connection that was much needed. And lots of cleaning. For real, my house has never been more organized, and it feels so good to be able to see the floor! I purged and wiped down several cabinets, gave my bar area a little spiffing, wiped down counters, rearranged various locales. I was also fairly smart about grocery shopping and, while my freezer is still a mess, my fridge is pretty organized.
Thursday I invited a friend to my side of town and we went on a little adventure. First stop was Shortwave Coffee; I just got a black drip but the mint cold brew thing they got was pretty decent. Then, lunch at The Pearl, a seafood spot I’ve wanted to try for awhile. Everything there was goooood. We split the Thai curry mussels, fries, parmesan baked clams, and the “N’awlins”-style baked oysters. Everything (except the fries) also came with really good bread. The space is beautiful and the food phenomenal.
After that we basically drank our faces off and watched Wanderlust and the Tom Brady roast. It was rather hilarious, but showing up at work the next morning on almost no sleep was…not exactly fun. Still, the memories attached to this rare state of mind are worth a little inconvenience and struggle, especially when shared with the right people.
Friday I almost cancelled a little gathering I’d organized, but am thoroughly glad I didn’t. I invited three of my closest friends over for a wine and cheese night, which ended up being a very simple affair of chatting, sipping, and nibbling. I was rather proud of the spread and I probably ate most of everyone, heh. Another night of very little sleep, but again, worth it. I’m glad 3 of my 4 folks have finally gotten to meet.
All the excitement over the previous two days rendered me almost useless on Saturday. I did a little bit of this and that in the morning, then watched Moon Knight and Loki the rest of the day before passing the hell out into a dead sleep by 7pm. Didn’t wake up once. Amazing.
Sunday was Mother’s Day, and of course I went to see mom for some quality time and a nice little dinner. I’ve been slacking a whole lot with going down to her place, and after my visit really came to the conclusion that I need to resume our weekly or biweekly meetings because I miss her so much (even though she’s relatively close). I made a sheetpan shrimp fajita shindig with some rice and avocado, and we broke open a bottle of sparkling rose to share. Simple, but lovely, as all our gatherings are.
If you were missing your mother on the special day, or don’t have a motherly figure in your life, or struggled in any sense to celebrate – I see you. All these holidays can be extremely tough for some, for various reasons. While I got to see my mom and enjoy her company, I often feel a sense of sadness when I leave since our time together is precious and finite. Being in the moment is always a goal, but my brain can take me out of it sometimes, and replaces the gratitude with a sense of dread. I try to knock out that negativity, and encourage you all to do the same in whatever capacity you are capable. Stay present and stay grateful. Hugs.
This week will probably be a lot calmer, though I’m hoping the weather holds one day for me to go kayaking. The heat is rising and my inspiration to be outside is waning. I am, however, expecting some nice pool days in my future since the water is at a good temperature.
Maybe I’ll buy a pool floatie today!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…Lemony sweet rolls.
…A cheesy spicy-ish white pizza
A Few Things I’m Digging
Cheese…I bought this Sartori tomato basil bellavitano cheese for my soiree Friday evening, and holy cow was it good. Kinda want to get another block because it’s BOGO right now but I have no idea what I’d use it for.
Fries…The other day at lunch my friend and I discovered that dipping fries in Thai curry sauce is quite a phenomenal combination. 10/10 would recommend trying.
Shops & Wish List
Skincare & Wellness
Naked Sundays…Eyeing the Mineral Glow Face Serum Drops and the Collagen Glow Priming Serum.
Chapstick…Very weird, I know, that fucking Chapstick appears in this list, but their new mocktail and ice cream collections look so fun.
Week in Training
Monday, 5.6: 8.45 miles, 10:39 pace + 12 minute lift
Felt really strange this morning on my run, a little disoriented. Could scare up an explanation for it, but either way I had -10 enthusiasm for this session but managed to get it all done anyway.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 triceps extension 45#
- 3 x 9 lateral raise 20#
- 3 x 5 lat pulldown 70#
- :30 hang/1:00 core
Tuesday, 5.7: 7 miles, 10:37 pace + 14 minute lift
Humid humid humid.
Strength:
- 3 x 6 reverse squat 50#
- 3 x 8 ea. single leg squat 60#
- 3 x 8 ea. single leg press 120#
- 1:30 core work
Wednesday, 5.8: 5.64 miles, 10:38 pace + 10 minute core
Broke in a fresh pair of my currently favorite shoes – the New Balance Tempo V2 – but my legs were SO sore from yesterday’s session that I couldn’t enjoy the boing as much as usual.
Thursday, 5.9: 7 miles, 10:52 pace
SO balmy and hot out. Didn’t have time to hit the gym after work so kept it at a run plus walking later to get food.
Friday, 5.10: 4.4 miles, 10:14 pace
Late but really fun night, poor sleep, woke up still drunk…not a recipe for an intense amount of exercise so a shorter run had to suffice, and I had no desire to get to the gym later. Hey, life happens, and I’d take the wacky memories of a rare night over abandoning plans for the sake of my fitness routine.
Saturday, 5.11: 8.52 miles, 10:37 pace + 12 minute lift
Hosted a few friends for a wine and cheese night, and while I certainly moderated my alcohol intake I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep overall once again. This run was surprisingly nice, though: I got rained on which was not expected, so I didn’t wear a hat when I set out. The shower was brief enough that I at least could still see!
Strength:
- 3 x 10 triceps extension 45#
- 3 x 10 lateral raise 20#
- 3 x 5 lat pulldown 70#
- :30 hang/1:00 core
Sunday, 5.12: 6.2 miles, 10:56 pace
145bpm heart rate average! Unheard of. Legs felt heavy but apparently everything else was doing well. I planned to get a gym session in but 100% did not feel like it after work, so I didn’t. Life happens, folks.
Total running mileage: 47.3
