sidebar | life and training 7.4 – 7.10

Howdy. Welcome to Monday. Hard to believe how quick July is floating by, but I’m getting old – this shit shouldn’t surprise me.

A pretty productive week around here. I even cleaned my bathroom, look at me. A few recipe flops but I viewed them with an open mind, and I’m ready to tackle them once again since the formulas are solid. The photos were just ass, and tortillas crackling in the blink of an eye doesn’t really help either. Probably shouldn’t have used week old rounds. Oh well.

Wednesday night we took a pause after the workday for happy hour drinks at Watervue. They boast a pretty good drink list for their 50% off special. I enjoyed a glass of brut and we made it off the patio and home just before a downpour began.

Sunday night was especially nice. J and I enjoyed a date night at Anchor & Brine on the Riverwalk and absolutely everything was amazing. We started with drinks, I a peach smash and J a guava margarita, and a bowl of fresh ceviche with chips. Moved on to grilled avocado with corn pico and chimichurri and holy balls was it incredible. I must try to create it here. Capped off the meal with a seafood parpardelle (J) and grilled grouper with pureed corn and veg (me) and a pause downstairs for ice cream scoops to take on the stroll home.

It was really refreshing to close the week on that note, and I’m now quite inspired and relaxed about the projects upcoming this week. I’ve a couple redos to start and moving forward to some more summery dishes to share. Though I’m loving our produce right now, I’m already itching to start some fall concepts and began a running list of half-formed ideas on my phone.

How was your week? Share something cool you did, or accomplished, or whatever. Or the fact that you accomplished nothing, and that in itself is an accomplishment. Go you!

Current Wishlist

Some finds, culinary and related, that I’m hoping to snag eventually.

What I’m Up To This Week

Testing…Oo, I’m hyped about this week’s eats, pals. A summery garlic bread, a hearty shrimp salad, an indulgent pasta or potato dish (can’t decide which one!), a healthy loaded salmon bowl, and extra fudgy brownies you won’t want to miss.

Trying…KITU Super Coffee enhanced coffee drinks. 10 grams of protein and totally plant-based. I sipped on the Cinnamon Roll flavor Friday and didn’t love it, but they make other varieties that might be alright. Cinnamon is a difficult flavor to nail down, especially in coffee.

Buying…Hydrangea flowers every week. Trader Joes has some beautiful bunches right now and since I’ve finally figured out how to care for them, I feel less complete if I don’t have a big bundle on top of my stairwell.

Trying…Naturium Niacinamide Serum and Versed Recovery Mode Advanced Night Cream. Bought both to refresh my evening skincare routine. Too early to tell yet but I love the smooth, light texture of the latter, and the light violet hue from the fermented purple tea, which provides lots of antioxidants.

Wanting…Trader Joes Watermelon Facial Mist. I know stores stock it now but mine hasn’t, and I’m really hoping TPA gets its shit together and orders some. Been hoping to keep a refreshing spray in my bag since I carry one now like a proper female.

Wearing…Relaxed-fit button down shirts. Loving the look of a collared neckline and loose, relaxed sleeves. Added this cream dash hue to my capsule closet this week. Would wear with a pair of black denim and nude heels for the evening, and swap out the heels for comfy slides and leggings during the day.

Buying…More of my trusty Nuun Prime in Orange – can’t live without it. Also replenished my Poptart store with a box of the classic brown sugar cinnamon. I only eat these pre-workout, calm your ass and stop judging me.

Contemplating…An e-book. Tried the project before and just couldn’t get a concept to stick. What would be useful and fun for you guys? Was considering perhaps a brunch, or how to make tofu not taste like cardboard, or similar. Let me know!

Eating…Saturday smoothie bowls. I don’t have a recipe on FMG for one since I eat the same variety of shit every week and don’t really deviate, but I’m loving my weekend frozen treat. I usually blend up frozen banana and strawberries with protein powder and a bit of water, then top it with fresh strawberries, granola, and peanut butter. Much good. Very nourish.

Wearing…Olive & June polish in “Chemistry.” Can’t have the fingernails painted but I can do the toes! These are pretty sheer formulas but a couple coats creates a nice, lasting layer of color.

Curious about…Microneedling patches. Supposedly good for fine lines, and I’m a serial squinter so perhaps they’d come in handy. Would love to also get some vitamin C eye undereye masks for those really blah days where my eyes feel like pillows.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Cereal…Yup, let’s do this week’s Cereal of Choice: Golden Grahams. What a throwback! Been eating them twice a day sometimes in a yogurt bowl or with protein milk.

Figs…Fig season is short and sweet but I’m really looking into creating a couple fun dishes to share. Tried one out this week that’s in my queue. In the meantime, check out the Fresh Fig and Olive Bruschetta Cheeseboard from last year.

Crackling candles…Love wood wick candles to create a calm, zen-like atmosphere. Currently burning this Applewood & Amber scent.

Aperol…The other week I tried an aperol spritz for the first time and fucken loved it. I need to get my hands on a bottle to create my own aperol cocktails. Stay tuned!

Week in Training

Monday, 7.4: 3.11 miles, 11:32 pace + 1 hour full body

Run felt like utter shit, nothing was in sync and cooperating. I didn’t sleep great the night before so I’d imagine that had an impact.

Strength:

• 3 x 8 narrow press 35#
• 3 x 12 deadlift 110#
• 3 x 8 ea. eccentric curl 20#
• 4 x 7 triceps pressdown 41#
• 3 x 10 alt. curtsy lunge to squat 50#
• 4 x 8 ea. single arm row 45#
• 3 x 10 ea. single arm chest press 30#
• 4 x 10 1.5 hip thrust 50#
• 3 x 11 hammer front raise 30#

Tuesday, 7.5: 2.31 miles, 10:50 pace + 56 minute back & biceps

Still didn’t feel great but by the numbers I did better – 158 heart rate. The fireworks kept me riled for a bit in the evening so my sleep again was fairly compromised. Hoping for quality snoozes in the evening!

Strength:

• 3 x 8 hammer curl 25#
• 3 x 7 mid row 90#
• 3 x 9 ea. concentration curl 20#
• 4 x 9 rope curl 41/37#
• 3 x 8 row 45#
• 3 x 6 1.5 curl 20#
• 3 x 11 rope pulldown 77/71#
• 3 x 10 straight arum pulldown 45#
• 3 x 12 waiter curl 30#

Wednesday, 7.6: 4.92 miles, 11:10 pace + 1 hour legs

Decent workout, warmup felt like crap but I wanted to get the legs turning a bit with some faster movement. 5 x 150m, held back the first two pretty badly but the last three felt appropriately difficult. I think I’ll repeat this workout next week and try to let go of the fear of my lungs igniting.

Strength:

• 3 x 8 triple pulse elevated squat 50#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg hip thrust 40#
• 3 x 8 reverse squat 60#
• 4 x 8 ea. single leg extension 70#
• 3 x 10 sumo squat SS 10 plie squat 80#
• 3 x 12 leg press 180#
• 3 x 15 ea. cable leg extensions 25#
• 4 x 10 swing 80#
• Core and hip work

Thursday, 7.7: 3.57 mile walk (54:00) + 1,500 yard swim (~35 min)

Gym rest day, but more like a recovery day. Watch cut off one of my 50 yard kick intervals, as usual, but the workout was really nice overall: 1050 straight, 4 x 50 kick, 250 free, around a 2:03 average overall. Happy to beat the storms and relax after an 8 hour shift.

Friday, 7.8: 3.11 miles, 10:48 pace + 65 minute shoulders, chest & tris

Split up my strength workout since I ran out of time in the morning – couldn’t get my ass moving. I’m increasing in my shoulder press to the point that 25# is starting to feel comfy!

Strength:

• 3 x 8 bent arm to straight arm side raise 15#
• 3 x 8 ea OH extension 20#
• 3 x 10 close press 35#
• 3 x 9 underhand front raise 20#
• 3 x 12 triceps ext. 40#
• 3 x 10 chest fly 25#
• 3 x 6 ea. single arm pushdown 20#
• 4 x 8 ea. OH press 25#
• 3 x 9 press down 45#
• 3 x 10 chest press 80#
• 3 x 10 ea. leaning side raise 15#
• 5 min core work

Saturday, 7.9: 6.22 miles, 11:13 pace + 1 hour legs

Sheesh, horribly gross morning. 80* at 4am. Not that I’m surprised by any of this. Didn’t feel too great but managed my weekend long run. So funny to think that a year ago I was busting out 15+ milers with no problem and now I want to die after a 10k.

Strength:

• 3 x 8 ea. triple pulse lunge 50#
• 3 x 12 ea. single leg glute bridge 35#
• 3 x 15 ea. single leg press 100#
• 3 x 12 plie squat 110#
• 3 x 12 ea. weighted donkey kick 25#
• 4 x 6 ea. single leg deadlift 80#
• 2 x 20 alt pistol squat
• 2 x :60 wall sit 20#
• Core work

Sunday, 7.10: 3.52 mile walk (56:00)

Total running mileage: 19.66

Total swimming yardage: 1,500 yards