sidebar | life and training 6.26 – 7.2
I got MOON’D on Sunday.
I mean, look at the size of that thing!
This time of year, the Sahara dust floats into the atmosphere and usually brings on a subtle cooling effect. I noticed for a few days this week that our humidity dropped and the breeze had a lightness about it that’s atypical for the rest of summer. Short-lived, but refreshing. The dust also passes over the moon and turns it a brilliant scarlet. I was in awe on my Sunday morning run when I looked up and saw this huge red orb shimmering down at me.
I guess part of the appeal of the early morning is being sort of alone with nature. Other people flit about, sure, but because my awareness is heightened – due to it being dark and me not wanting to succumb to distractions and get hit by a car or some shit – I tend to look up and around more often, and see some cool shit. Like the moon, for instance, or the lights on the distant cruise ships before they come to port, or the same bird in the same spot on the trail gnawing on a crab he just caught. I hear chirping early birds (I hope they got some worms), watch big old toads hop along the sidewalk. Sometimes I see dolphins, too.
This morning, Monday, I felt really scattered immediately when I woke up – maybe a remnant of the wine and feeling disoriented from falling straight into bed after our date night – and for once my morning run helped clear some of that rubble. Runs aren’t always therapeutic, they can actually make my anxiety worse depending on the depth of my angst, but sometimes they have the calming effect most Instarunners claim them to boast. I switched from massive uncertainty about how to approach Monday, and the week, to excitement for the day’s tasks.
Nice when that happens, right? When you feel the hormones flip from fight/flight to rest?
Speaking of date night, Sunday was lovely. J and I visited Boulon Brasserie, a new restaurant in the Water Stree corridor. We’ve patroned the bakery numerous times, but by chance snagged a reasonable time slot for dinner (reservations had been booked for weeks after their opening). Everything we had was fantastic. I enjoyed a French Chateau de Trinquevedel rose that was probably the driest I’ve ever had – I like dry rose, though, over sweet – and a beaujolais with dinner. We shared a bread course and salad prior, and J had the French onions soup (fucking amazing), and I ordered the moules frites (mussels) as my main. Outstanding. The fries were incredible. Finished off with a crème brulee for dessert.
Stumbling home after two glasses of wine was an adventure. I almost dropped my nose ring down the shower drain. I would’ve been pissed.
This week, I’m prioritizing setting boundaries. I think I’m on the cusp of burnout and need to allow space for myself in between the work and “work” tasks I schedule in. J and I determined that I should try out a 4pm curfew for my working hours, after which I can rest and recuperate. Which also means getting off my phone, perhaps picking up a casual read or going for a swim. I dunno. What I do after my work hours depends on the day, but I need to learn how to unplug, pamper myself, and enjoy life. I don’t think I’ve been enjoying life much lately.
What about you: what do you do to unwind and reconnect? If you suck at relaxing as much as I do, let’s make it a mutual goal to be better at that this week, shall we?
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A creamy and decadent ice cream!
…Easy vegetarian tostadas.
…The simplest 20 minute summery pasta.
…Either shrimp skewers or a shrimp appetizer. Can’t decide which.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Pizza…I honestly hated photographing pizza so I avoiding making them, but recently decided that I needed to attack my demons headlong if I were to improve. Now, pizza is one of my favorites! I recently shared this 20 Minute BBQ Corn Pizza that is divine for a simple summer dinner.
Face mask…I’ve shared my love for Pacifica’s Stress Rehab mask before, but I used it again on Sunday and remembered how much I love it. Truly feels like my skin is waking up after 15-20 minutes of pamper time.
Journaling…By this, I mean writing my recipes down instead of storing them in my phone. I bought a cheap notebook the other day and have been scribbling concepts into it as opposed to using the notes function in my iPhone. I’m liking this method of transcription – I keep a written agenda, so why not put my recipes down, too?
Shops & Wish List
Fashion
Target…Really digging a lot of their newer handbags, especially the big fat totes for hauling my household in. This athleisure weekender looks pretty comfy to wear, and I’ve heard great things about the everywhere tote handbag. If you’re wandering campus or have a job where you commute around the office a lot on foot, consider this soft utility backpack – looks like it’d hold a bunch of shit.
Home
Target… Clearly I’m a ho for cutely-shaped pillows, so I kinda want this strawberry throw pillow for my couch or chair. Like this faux rabbit fur lumbar pillow, probably the cream hue, and this velvet heart pillow is precious though seems to be largely out of stock.
Pottery Barn…PB has a nice breezy summer style that isn’t too in-your-face tropical. Love the salty colorway of these flickering flameless candles and these stitched throw pillows would translate well into fall and winter, too. Especially like the Oatmeal and Khaki hues. And of course, more faux fur pillows!
Week in Training
Monday, 6.26: 6.27 miles, 11:19 pace + 25 minute push
Not as awful out as I thought it’d be, and felt good after mile 4 (go figure) so I decided to get a 10k in.
Strength:
- 4 x 12 bench press 25#
- 4 x 12 ea. OH triceps ext 20#
- 4 x 15 ea. side raise 15#
- Core work + 35 second deadhang
Tuesday, 6.27: 3.32 miles, 11:28 pace
Decent morning again except my legs feeling a little tired. Felt fine, though, after I got moving properly.
Wednesday, 6.28: 6.2 miles, 11:42 pace + 22 minute push
Dear God it was awful out, big switch from the past couple days. 82, real feel 95, dew point 78 – I felt as though I was sunburnt even though it was 5am and dark out! Fucking brutal. And I left my first butt print of the summer on the bench outside my gym. Many more to come, I’m sure.
Strength:
- 4 x 10 bent over pulldown 37#
- 4 x 10 ea. concentration curl 15#
- 4 x 9 seated rope pulldown 58#
- Core work + 40 second deadhang
Thursday, 6.29: 3.4 miles, 11:10 pace
Despite it being SWELTERING this morning, the run wasn’t bad! Maybe the allergens are starting to fade a little so I’m less inclined to choking on the air, even when it’s hot as shit out. Hey, I’ll take it!
Friday, 6.30: 4.44 miles, 11:30 pace
The humidity and dew point dropped quite a lot this morning, and I was actually feeling pretty good (minus sleepy legs).
Saturday, 7.1: 7.08 miles, 11:26 pace + 25 minute legs
Breathing was fine but my legs were not in the mood until mile 5.5 when I suddenly beheld the big ole ship cruising into the port! Then I felt happy and relaxed, though ready to be done and back inside. Not bad weather, really, a nice breeze and some friendly folk about.
Strength:
- 4 x 12 ea. leg press 100#
- 4 x 12 ea. calf raise 120#
- 4 x 10 sumo squat 70#
- Core work + 40 second deadhang.
Sunday, 7.3: 5.31 miles, 11:18 pace
Wasn’t going for a longer run but I felt alright, so I decided to just finish up my route instead of stopping to walk. It felt much less humid out and I was reasonably sweaty rather than disgustingly so.
Total running mileage: 36
