sidebar | life and training 8.1 – 8.7
Herpy Mernday, fellas. We’re hip deep in the armpit of summer, which means soonish (depending on where in the armpit you are) we’ll creep out the other side into autumn.
I’m really looking forward to a new season, while also trying to stay present. I’ve been spending a lot of time outside when I can despite the blazing afternoons. Mornings are still proving pretty ok, a sea breeze dominates most early hours so my runs are far better than they were this time last year. Oddly, I’ve also observed fewer 80+ degree lows. Seems we have more normalcy this time around, even though normal still sucks in a lot of ways.
I had a pretty calm week outside of recipe development madness. J and I visited Ulele on Sunday for our date night. I got a smoked pineapple tequila cocktail, shared fried calamari, and for my main chose a big salad with grilled scallops. Dessert was bowls of housemade ice cream – mine was espresso laced with chocolate and it was divine.
This week upcoming, we’re getting our AC units replaced, which will be rather disruptive but is much needed. Thursday I plan to just drive up to my mom’s and hang out while the dudes work, and hopefully they’ll finish it all that day, but it might bleed into Friday. In which case I suppose I’ll adapt. I at least have plenty of time to configure my kitchen schedule so I know I’ll get what I need done, but it still inspires some anxiety. When it’s done, though, we’ll have brand spanking new AC, so won’t have to worry (hopefully) for as long as we decide to live here.
I’m starting to browse around for autumn inspiration, especially for my wardrobe and more specifically a wedding we’re attending in September. It’s up in the northeast so I imagine I’ll need some proper cool weather attire, which I don’t really own because, well, Florida. You’ll see some of my finds below, but I’m always browsing, so the list will likely balloon as the week passes.
What did you get up to this week? Share some highlights with me!
Some seriously gorgeous sunrises this week.
What I’m Up To This Week
Testing…Getting in a mix of cozier food and fresh summer fare as the seasonal transition approaches. A pull apart brioche bread, a sticky salmon bowl redo, lemony pasta, Asian-style shrimp bowls, a cheesy orzo bake, and an end of summer pitcher cocktail.
Wanting…A lot of things from Linjer. I’ve been interested in acquiring a ring or two just to make my hands look less beaten up. Love this Freya leaf ring, the peridot Ilse gemstone ring, and the moon ring.
Underwhelmed by…Snickerdoodle Pop Tarts. Really thought these would blow my pants off but they barely stayed together in the toaster. Tasted okay, cinnamon is definitely present but not really snickerdoodle-y. Not that I even know what that means.
Shopping…Target for fresh fall attire. I love a cozy mock turtleneck tank, for daytime with shorts and evening with some ankle pintuck pants and heels. This sleeveless black halter dress is great for nighttime, with strappy heels. Snagged this really cute woven clutch, specifically for a wedding J and I are attending in September. Bought these braided heels as well, can see them working really well for autumn date days and evenings as well. Pretty tempted by this black shoulder handbag, I’d like to add a simple, clean black bag to my capsule that would also fit my laptop.
Loving…Running longer distances. I went through a phase of being content with shorter runs, but lately I’ve just craved the meditation that comes with running an hour + and it’s been rather cathartic to have those sessions back in my training.
Shopping…Wedding looks. Mentioned above that J and I are going to a September wedding and I want something simple, with pieces that translate to anytime wear. Thinking of forming my outfit around a comfortable jumpsuit and keep the shoes simple with some beige pumps. I don’t do a whole lot of makeup but a bold purple-red lip seems apt.
Enjoying…My morning routine. I’ve kept up with daily breathwork and journaling for a couple weeks now and am really liking the quiet moments before I start my day. I write in this soft, pretty journal, usually gratitude and affirmations before going on some kind of tangent.
Curious about…Blue light defense skincare? Saw the Defense+ Gelee Serum from Winky Lux and am really interested in the benefits. It sounds like the primary benefits are hydration, but I may be curious enough eventually to try it out especially for days I’m in front of the computer for very extended periods.
Wanting…Much of the autumn collection from Magnolia. Love the fluted glass candles (I’ll have to smell it to see what I think) and I definitely need to swipe one of the oval serving dishes, or this gorgeous piece that’s similar if the former isn’t oven-safe. Check the collage below for all of my Magnolia finds.
Goals for the Week
8.15 meal plan…As always. Also my mom’s birthday!
Get back to budget…Definitely failed with budget last week, so I’m vowing to do better from here forth.
Layout for monthly newsletter…Hoping to organize a really fun monthly blast for you guys to enjoy! Nothing too long or complex, just a roundup collection of my favorite finds, recipes, and musings. Stay tuned!
Re-enroll in health insurance…Yup, it’s about time for that to happen again. Hoping my current policy hasn’t changed much because shopping for insurance is balls.
Swims…Didn’t get a proper pool session in last week, just a derpy 20 minute stroke in my apartment pool, so I’m hoping to get at least one in at the city pool, if the weather cooperates.
Week in Training
Monday, 8.1: 8.04 miles, 11:04 pace + 50 minute full body strength
Slow but pleasant miles, and sweaty.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 sumo deadlift 100#
- 3 x 8 narrow press 35#
- 3 x 10 ea. single arm skullcrusher 15#
- 3 x 12 pull thru 54#
- 3 x 10 ez bar curl 30# on bar
- 3 x 10 behind back pulldown 60#
- 3 x 10 ea. lateral raise 20#
- 3 x 10 sumo squat 100#
Tuesday, 8.2: 7.04 miles, 10:56 pace + 20 minute swim
Another baby swim after work as the thunder rolled through. The water was hot so it almost wasn’t pleasant, but nice to get outside. Really feeling these longer runs and skipped the gym because I ran out of time and later in the day was not into it.
Wednesday, 8.3: 10.08 miles, 11:00 pace + 41 minute legs & shoulders
A really nice breeze again today, though my legs were definitely done by the final mile. I need to get back into a fueling routine when I think I might go longer than 8 miles. I just hate taking gels and that’s a hitch I never really got past even during marathon training (though don’t get me wrong, I certainly fueled for those mega runs). Squeezed in a quick strength session too, nothing fancy, just enough to make me feel like I did something.
Strength:
- 3 x 7 ea. shoulder press 30#
- 4 x 12 sumo squat 60#
- 3 x 20 alt. cross front raise 15#
- 3 x 12 narrow elevated squat 60#
- 3 x 16 alt eccentric press 20#
- 3 x 12 leg press 180#
- 3 x 10 bent arm side raise 20#
Thursday, 8.4: 4.55 mile walk (1:08:00)
Friday, 8.5: 5.41 miles, 11:05 pace + 35 minute chest & tris
Threw in a short strength session after my run. Glad I had the time to do so. A little is better than nothing!
Strength:
- 3 x 9 OH extension 50#
- 3 x 10 incline press 30#
- 3 x 8 pushdown 41#
- 3 x 10 chest fly 25#
- 3 x 10 ea. single arm skullcrusher 15#
- 3 x 10 bench press 35#
- 3 x 10 kickback 15#
Saturday, 8.6: 8.51 miles, 11:03 pace + 50 minute legs
Okay run, not very notable, though the breeze was excellent and made the return trip quite pleasant.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 ea. sldl 70#
- 3 x 10 ea. one leg elevated sumo squat 70#
- 3 x 20 glute bridge 60#
- 4 x 8 ea. single leg extension 70#
- 3 x 15 swing 70#
- 3 x 12 ea. single leg calf raise 130#
- 3 x 12 ea. banded lateral lifts 35#
- Some core moves
Sunday, 8.7: 45 minute back & bis + 1 hour walk (4.02 miles)
Made up for skipping a strength session earlier in the week by squeezing it in today. Warmed up with 5 minutes of elliptical and focused mainly on back. Biceps workouts are boring and my forearm’s been giving me a lot of issues, so I had to be extra careful.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 wide row 35#
- 3 x 9 ea. concentration curl 20#
- 3 x 10 narrow pulldown 77#
- 3 x 12 waiter curl 35#
- 3 x 10 ea. mid row 30#
- 3 x 10 pullapart 20#
- 3 x 8 narrow row 40#
- Some core work
Total running mileage: 39.09
