sidebar | life and training 7.17 – 7.23
Y’know, I really do love hosting friends.
I speak a lot of my social ineptitudes, and my tendency to skip on outings since large groups and late nights tend to overwhelm my neurotic need for routine, structure, and predictability. I’m sure some of ya’ll can relate. But when it comes to organizing feasts, gatherings, and outings, I’m all about it. Catering people and ensuring they feel welcome and have a nice time – that’s certainly up my alley.
I took 0 photos of our Sunday pool party aside from that sweet shot of my Layered Street Corn Taco Dip – which was a HUGE hit, by the way, the dish was practically scraped clean – because sometimes sitting with the moment is more effective than stopping and taking photos every five minutes just to prove that you did something interesting. We hosted a group of 13 folks and just had the nicest afternoon. Tons of beer drank, chips consumed, burgers and veggie dogs grilled, conversation. It was a relaxed atmosphere and everyone was kinda floating to and fro doing their own thing.
Around 4 storms were skirting to the north and brought HUGE wind gusts for about 5 minutes. Like they were serious. I think that scared everyone off because the whole clan dipped at the same time, probably fearing rain, but nothing ended up happening. J and I hung out for a bit longer in the water – he laid on a floaty that had been lurking in the pool for weeks and discovered it had a huge leak, so glitter went everywhere – before clearing up and coming inside.
Really, this past weekend was the most weekend-ish I’ve had in awhile. Friday I had to go to St. Pete for a doctor’s appointment and passed some time at Intermezzo to work, have a coffee, and share a big chocolate chip cookie with Little Miss Ba. That place is popping pretty much all times of day and I was lucky to find the seat I did since the whole rest of the cafe was filled up. Saturday I grilled some shrimp and we hung out inside most of the day, watched baseball, picked up supplies for Sunday. It felt relaxing and recharging. I also made this really weird cocktail that I don’t think will appear on FMG in its original manifestation, but it has promise in general.
I don’t think I have any particular plans this week, probably gonna be a quiet one. I wrote some small goals in my agenda that are largely boring (sort out my loan shit, shop for health insurance, that sort of thing) but I’ve been aiming to go out for coffee or drinks at least once a week.
I wish I had more exciting news to share, whether FMG related or otherwise. I live a rather ordinary life, by and large, and FMG is not the business I’m hoping for it to be yet, so I’m trying to focus on having fun above anything else. Because what would life be without fun?
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A tasty treat with cookie butter!
…An ultra-summery, loaded salad.
…Super simple, spicy shrimp skewers (omg PERFECT ALLITERATION).
…Simple, crispy tacos akin to the “smash burger taco” trend.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Coffee shop… Twice this week I did some work out of a coffee shop, and I forgot how much I enjoyed that change of atmosphere. Friday I drove out to St. Pete for a doctor’s appointment and managed to grab the last available table at Intermezzo. Such a lovely haunt; it turns into something of a bar/nightclub in the evenings. And that GIANT cookie was something else.
Yogurt bowls…Back into one of my favorite previous breakfasts. I usually pile some granola, berries, and peanut butter atop a pile of Siggi’s skyr, whatever flavors I have on hand. Their ingredients are minimal and formulas never too sweet.
Beer…Summer beer sipping hits different. My favorites lately? Schöfferhofer, Golden Road Mango Cart, or Blue Moon’s Mango Wheat. I usually prefer stouts/porters but it’s way too hot in the summer for that.
Shops & Wish List
Fashion
Target…Took advantage of their BOGO swimwear and picked up this adorable floral triangle top + matching bottom. This mesh tote is awesome and cute for a beach day.
Skincare & Wellness
The Ordinary…I dropped my previous bottle of their AHA/BHA peel on the floor last week – naturally it shattered and oozed red liquid EVERYWHERE. So, I got another bottle, because I think this shit really does help my skin. I typically use it 1-2x per week.
E.L.F….Their new Halo Glow Beauty Wand has good reviews and might be a nice replacement for the Versed Glow Drops I use currently when I run out.
Week in Training
Monday, 7.17: 6.25 miles, 11:39 pace + 30 minute push
Feeling a little more inspired with lifting than with running – this sometimes happens over the summer when going outside is a giant slog. I’m also starting to notice the muscle definition in my shoulders a little more, which is encouraging even with my small amount of lifting!
Strength:
- 4 x 8 triceps pushdown 32#
- 4 x 10 ea. bench press 25#
- 4 x 10 ea. upright row 25#
- 4 x 10 pullover 35#
- Core work + 40 second deadhang
Tuesday, 7.18: 3.1 mile walk (51 minutes)
Woke up with all the signs of impending burnout. I just did not want to face the day, let alone the incredible morning humidity – the windows were totally fogged up, I couldn’t see outside whatsoever. So, I popped in an earbud and went for a stroll, which felt nice, really. Good thing to do for my body without too much strain.
Wednesday, 7.19: 6.2 miles, 11:45 pace + 23 minute pull
My legs just don’t work anymore I don’t think. Never have I run so many miles at such a slow pace. But, whatever. Least I’m somewhat running. I only hope I kind of configure what the issue is before I start marathon training in November.
Strength:
- 4 x 8 bent pulldown 41#
- 4 x 12 ea. concentration curl 15#
- 4 x 10 rope pulldown 58#
Thursday, 7.20: 3.28 miles, 11:16 pace
Was planning to walk today since I woke up real groggy and lazy-feeling, but then a HUGE roach crawled on the floor in front of me and that shit sent my adrenaline in a big spike. Had to burn off the energy somehow. Run wound up being pretty nice, wasn’t a bad morning.
Friday, 7.21: 4.5 miles, 10:53 pace
Bad mood when I woke up in the morning so I ran way faster than I have in ages. I’m not sure the “quicker” pace helped much but hey, glad to see I can go under 11 min miles occasionally!
Saturday, 7.22: 8 miles, 11:39 pace + 25 minute legs
Longest run in quite some time since the ship was behind its usual schedule and I have to see him come into port every Saturday! So I basically ran back and forth on my bridge until he was visible. Absolutely awful morning and we’re in for a nice heat advisory later in the day. Was already 84 with a 78 dew point at 5 am.
Strength:
- 4 x 8 ea. leg press 120#
- 4 x 10 ea. calf raise 130#
- 4 x 12 ea. lateral leg raise 30#
- Core work + 40 second deadhang
Sunday, 7.23: 4 miles, 11:27 pace
Bit breezy today which made the trot a bit better. Felt good to get some me time in before we hosted a pool party in the afternoon!
Total running mileage: 32.3
