sidebar | life and training 7.18 -7.24

Oi! Another week closed off, tied, and tossed in the recycle bin. I think this was a nice one, really. Simple. As most my weeks are.

I worked a lot, in both regards, and feel a growing sense of inspiration. SO many new faces have cropped up on my Instagram, and I’m so thrilled to meet you all, start some dialogue, and hear what makes you tick in the food world. I posted a re-introduction to let you all peek into my weird brain and tendencies. Can’t say I didn’t warn you about what you’ve gotten yourself into.

J and I enjoyed a lovely little date night on Sunday. It’s so nice to venture out for meaningful time together. We ate al fresco at Jackson’s and enjoyed some live entertainment via a spin class happening on the walkway below. I don’t know if ya’ll are away, but I think spin classes are absurd. This one even more so since the instructor was talking all breathy yet wasn’t even on a bike! I don’t know, dudes, I don’t need a hype squad or to hear overly sexualized innuendos while I work out. Hell, I don’t even listen to music. We had a good time being assholes about the whole affair.

Anywho, I sipped on an aperol spritz (a new favorite) and we shared the snapper ceviche to start, followed up with a beet salad with shrimps. On the walk home we grabbed gelato and largely licked it off our fingers as it dribbled out of the bowl. So tasty.

Now it’s Monday, and I’m freshened up and motivated. Looking forward to a busy week of testing, interacting, and hopefully a bit of pampering in between.

What I’m Up To This Week

Testing…It’s going to be a tasty-ass week around here, kids. We’re talking a southern-style mac and cheese, a simple weeknight curry, a decadent chocolate cake, some unique brunch brioche buns, and a big wholesome summery salad.

Diffusing…This lavender and eucalyptus reed diffuser with amethyst and quartz crystals. Really beautiful piece and smells luxurious while I’m winding down for the evening.

Wanting…Pieces to transition from summer style to autumn. Loving this rust blazer and tapered pants in “dried clover.” Really feeling the idea of sweater tanks like this cropped piece this year and interested in some long wide-leg pants (love both colors). Definitely going to build my capsule around deep greens, tan, and wine red. Can’t wait.

Needing…New house shoes. My current pair is literally falling apart and I’d imagine provides no cushioning at all nowadays. Really considering Pillow Slides since the reviews for them are excellent and they don’t seem super fancy.

Loving…Epsom baths. Wednesday I felt wrecked after a longer run and a day of typing and scrambling around on my feet, so I did some dry brushing and drew a lavender epsom bath and just lounged for a bit. So soothing and a perfect way to wind down.

Watching…Le Tour. I usually get to view it the day after since I’m either at work or preoccupied but I love following the summer tradition when it’s running. The story behind the Canadian winner of stage 16, Hugo Houle, was incredibly inspiring and heartwarming.

Buying…Popsicle molds for a few fun treats in the next couple weeks. Feeling a fruity, boozy version and something more indulgent and chocolatey.

Trying…Sprouted grain bread. I usually don’t dabble in fancy breads because nothing beats a good sourdough with my morning egg whites + avocado toast, but I saw Whole Foods Sprouted Whole Wheat bread the other day and didn’t think it looked bizarre like some sprouted breads do (honestly, like they’re going to shoot seedlings at any given moment).

This Week’s Goals

Some shit I’m working on for a productive 7 days.

8.2 meal plan…As always!

Redo my undercut…I’ve had an undercut since December and want to shave it down since I find the lack of hair on the nape of my neck very cooling, which is quite advantageous for the summer.

7 secrets blast…My 7 Secrets to Summer Entertaining is ready to roll! Sign up here to enjoy my tips and tricks for a successful, stress free seasonal gathering. Look out for it on Saturday.

Brainstorm a giveaway…Erring on a big IG milestone, which means a potential giveaway is in the cards! Stay tuned…

A Few Things I’m Digging

Cream puffs…I just can’t get over how tasty and adorable the Brown Sugar Peaches and Cream Puffs are. So endearing, unique, and great for casual weekend baking when you feel like dipping your toes but not your whole body into French baking.

Cereal…Wouldn’t be a new week without a new cereal. Grabbed Special K Chocolatey Delight and Fruit & Yogurt boxes on BOGO. Both are great with my nightly yogurt bowls. Lately I’ve been into strawberry and blueberry yogurts as pairings.

Popcorn…Very into snacking on this olive oil and Himalayan salt popcorn when I want to eat volume but not super substantial. Usually ends in me throwing it everywhere because I always miss my mouth.

Crop tops… Broke out this striped cinched top for our date night Sunday. So good with high-waisted shorts or pants!

Week in Training

Monday, 7.18: 5.55 miles, 10:48 pace + 1 hour full body

Nice morning happy hour in a horrible 75 dew point. Felt good so went a full 60 minutes followed up with a solid strength session.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 bosu ball squat 50#
• 3 x 10 single-single-double bench press 25#
• 3 x 9 row 45#
• 3 x 10 waiter curl 40#
• 3 x 10 pause goblet squat 50#
• 3 x 10 ea. single arm extension 20#
• 3 x 10 ea. leaning side raise 20#
• 3 x 12 elevated sumo squat 90#
• 3 x 10 squatting shoulder press 20#
• 3 x 20 Russian twist 25# SS 20 leg drops

Tuesday, 7.19: 4.09 miles, 10:46 pace + 40 minute back & biceps + 850 yard swim (18:39)

Thunder disrupted my swim about 150 yards before I was likely finished. Annoying. Least I got some stuff in though so not too mad about it.

Strength:

• 3 x 11 curl 25#
• 3 x 8 reverse fly 30#
• 3 x 6 underhand row 50#
• 3 x 12 alt. cross curl 20#
• 3 x 16 press out twists 20#
• 2 x 10 reverse curl 20# (these were killing my shoulder for some reason)
• 3 x 16 alt. bent front raise 15#
• 4 x 10 waiter curl 40#
• 2 x 12 narrow row 35# (ran out of time)

Wednesday, 7.20: 9.38 miles, 10:52 pace + 40 minute legs

Kinda just kept trucking along despite how miserable it was outside (77 dew point). The heat didn’t much bother me until the very end, and I sympathized with a guy who ran by me and was like “I’m dying.” Tried to give him a bit of encouragement but yo, I felt that. Lots of friendly people out and even squeezed in a short lift afterwards despite not really wanting to.

Strength:

• 4 x 6 single leg deadlift 90#
• 4 x 15 hip thrust 60#
• 3 x 12 alt. goblet reverse lunge 55#
• 3 x 10 deficit deadlift 110#
• 3 x 15 ball hamstring curl
• 3 x 8 reverse squat
• 5 minutes core

Thursday, 7.21: 4.01 mile walk (1:01:00) + 1,200 yard swim (26:31)

Pretty sluggish today, walk helped a bit though. I wasn’t too motivated to swim, I feel like I’m losing some of my mojo lately but I got out there for a relatively peaceful splash and averaged 1:58/100 yd kind of just derping around.

Friday, 7.22: 6.23 miles, 11:05 pace + 47 minute shoulders & tris

Lost in thought during the miles so I moved my gym workout to the evening. I don’t like evening sessions. I’m usually really sluggish by the end of the day and want nothing more than to just relax, but I also didn’t want to skip strength entirely. Glad I did it even though I was in a pisspoor mood.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 OH press 25#
• 3 x 10 bent side raise 20#
• 3 x 8 extension 50#
• 3 x 10 ea. single arm bench press 30#
• 2 x 9 ea. single arm extension 20#
• 3 x 8 shrug 50#
• 3 x 8 narrow press 35#
• 3 x 10 skullcrusher 40#
• 3 x 8 pullover 45#

Saturday, 7.23: 7.18 miles, 11:09 pace + 56 minute legs

Wow did my cadence suck on this run! I’m trying not to be over meticulous about ~stats~ lately and just enjoy the miles, but it was a bit surprising to see a 173! Very humid and still out but not horrible overall.

Strength:

• 2 x 12 deadlift SS 10 narrow squat 100/50#
• 3 x 10 sumo squat 100#
• 4 x 8 ea. single leg extension 70#
• 3 x 12 leg press 190#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg calf raise 70#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg hip thrust 50#
• 4 x 8 ea. single leg box squat 25#
• Various core and stability exercises for about 10 minutes

Sunday, 7.24: 4.02 mile walk (1:00:00)

Total running mileage: 32.42

Total swimming yardage: 2,050