sidebar | life and training 8.21 – 8.27

Welp, we’ve got a hurricane a-comin’, folks.

And, unsurprisingly, it starts with an I. It seems like many major hurricanes we’ve undergone lately have I names: Irma, Ian, Ida, Ivan, and now Idalia, which really should be Vidalia so it reminds me of the onion and not of a potentially deadly hellrager.

Idalia isn’t really forecast to go straight over the Bay Area, more so the panhandle, but still, today I’ll be filling my gas tank and buying soup just in case we lose power and I have to open a can of whoopass on my storm snack supply bin. I kept honestly forgetting that a storm was brewing until a customer at The Day Job mentioned he had to drive up to Alabama for work and wasn’t sure when he’d be able to drive back if there’s a hurricane around. Good point.

Not yet sure what the status is of work this week, I probably won’t know until tomorrow – but Vidalia Onion is expected to be a cat 3 whenever it makes landfall, which is a serious storm and by all means a threat all along the west coast. And I live and work in a flood zone, which is not ideal as far as driving a small sedan goes.

So, there’s that. August/September is usually Florida’s most intense storm period. The weather is certainly indicating a disturbance in the Gulf: it is humid as all fuck and the winds have picked up significantly, even though Vidalia Onion is still fairly far out.

As far as candid life goes, this week was nice. We visited a new spot that opened nearby, Lona, spontaneously on Saturday because I wanted to get out of the house, and discovered they have a nice little happy hour along with an expansive margarita list. I ordered la mariposa, which was finished with a splash of butterfly pea extract. Prettiest drink ever, and I kinda want to get my hands on some butterfly pea tea or otherwise to use on my own cocktails. J got a capirinha, which tasted more or less like a typical margarita but with a different edge I can’t quite put into words. Also shared a chips and guac – so well curated and so tasty.

Sunday, we dropped by Sunda for dinner. Sunda Sunday, ayyyy….The original location is in Chicago, which J visited eons ago apparently, but they recently opened one up in Midtown and we had to take a peak. Really expansive sushi menu, lots of small bites, and everything was rad. I ordered the miso black cod as my main, and beforehand we shared crispy tuna rice stacks, yellowtail hamachi, miso soups, and blistered shishitos. J got the hot shishito of the bunch: apparently 1 out of 10 is spicy, and you never know if you’ll be the recipient. Aside from the slowness of my cod’s emergence from the kitchen, the experience was great, and I was aptly tispy at the end.

A bit of an uncertain week as far as my to-do list goes. Much of it depends on The Onion. I was hoping to get together with a friend Tuesday to bounce off some mental angst, but I’m not sure that’ll happen now, leastwise on that particular day. May just be a cozy time of shit, which is alright, I think.

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…Some simple, fluffy dinner rolls.

…Pumpkin bread!

…A cheerful, autumnal kale salad.

…A cozy, hearty noodle soup.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Granola…Target came out with their pumpkin granola a couple weeks ago, and this year I’m throwing out my normal I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER TO HAVE PUMPKIN so I ate the whole bag already. Probably one of my favorite seasonal foods they have.

Ring…I went awhile without wearing my Linjer moon ring, so I forgot how much I love their pieces. They’re sustainable, reasonably priced, and dainty enough for my tiny fingers.

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…Sweater vests seem to be a thing this year and I’m into it. Like both the crewneck ribbed one and the v-neck sweater vest. Interested in the cashmere-like pullover and the matching cardigan since I’d imagine it’s quite soft.

Linjer…Tempted by the Ilse blue topaz ring. I’ve wanted a birthstone ring for awhile and this one is reasonably priced and just so gorgeous.

Home

Target…Loving all the figural pumpkin candles in stock. I got the mini and regular sized warm cider & cinnamon scent, but also loved the pumpkin spice one (linked above).

Skincare & Wellness

Vichy…Of all the eye creams/serums I’ve tired, this is one of my favorites, and now that I’ve run out of my current pick I think I’m reverting back to the Mineral 89 Eye Serum.

Kitchen & Dining

Pottery Barn…You can find the cutest tabletop pieces here. The pumpkin icon glasses are perfect for fall cocktails, and the pumpkin glass cloche is great for presenting cakes or treats at any fall gathering.

Week in Training

Monday, 8.21: 4.31 miles, 10:27 pace + 45 minute full body

The 79 dew point was saved only because of a very strong breeze on my running route. The half mile or so where I was dealing with the tailwind was absolutely brutal, but the cool zephyr helped tremendously. I ran a progression today: easy for a mile, then the next 2.5 I picked up the pace. Was hoping to do 3 faster miles but I took the final .5 a little too hard and felt like puking, so I stopped. Splits were 11:42, 10:26, 9:21, and 8:51 for the last half mile. Still felt good to get the legs turning.

Strength:

• 4 x 10 ea. squat to upright row 25#
• 4 x 10 bench press 50#
• 4 x 10 ea. single leg deadlift 50#
• 4 x 10 ea. balanced row 25#
• 4 x 10 ea. weighted band around the world 10#
• 4 x 10 ea. triceps pushdown 15#
• 4 x 20 alt. side lunge 25# + band
• Core work

Tuesday, 8.22: 3.1 miles, 11:25 pace + 10 minute mobility

Gave myself full permission to bail early if I felt like crap, which I anticipated because my allergies have been out of this world lately. Surprisingly, I wasn’t having too many issues so I did my whole prescribed 5K. Actually quite proud I managed it!

Wednesday, 8.23: 1.42 miles, 10:35 pace + 31 minute upper body + 3.1 miles, 10:53 pace

Did not want to run in the afternoon, outside, but all the treadmills were taken when I ventured out and was mentally ready to get the trot over with, so I resigned myself to a sweltering 11 am run. Thankfully I found a good amount of shade and chatted with my mom to pass time/keep my effort level in check, but it was definitely not a pleasant ordeal and I wouldn’t recommend any folk brave those types of elements.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 pull apart SS 10 chest fly 20#
• 4 x 12 T-raise 15#
• 3 x 12 OH triceps extension 30# SS 10 triceps kickback 15#
• 3 x 10 bent front raise SS 10 ea. row 30#
• 3 x 10 lower biceps curl SS 10 upper biceps curl 15#
• Core and mobility work

Thursday, 8.24: 3.1 mile walk (48:00)

Still felt weary from my hot run on Wednesday, so kept it light with a brisk walk to recover.

Friday, 8.25: 5 miles, 11:12 pace + 10 minute mobility

A 72 dew point! Like a Florida cold front. Felt good this morning so went a little extra than planned.

Saturday, 8.26: 7.36 miles, 11:25 pace + 40 minute legs

An okay morning, really, a little less stifling though I wish there was a breeze to speak of. I got to see my friend Mr. Ship, too, so that was a bonus!

Strength:

• 4 x 10 leg press 180#
• 4 x 12 ea. calf raise 130#
• 4 x 10 ea. leg extension 40#
• 4 x 8 ea. single leg deadlift 60#
• 4 x 10 ea. side leg extension 25#
• Core and mobility exercises

Sunday, 8.27: 4.13 mile walk (1:05:00)

Total running mileage: 24.3