sidebar | life and training 8.26 – 9.1

Yay it’s September! Time for me to VOMIT AUTUMN EVERYWHERE.

Florida and Fall are not a cozy couple: they fight one another constantly, with Florida throwing heat waves (and hurricanes) to and fro until November and Fall squeezing in to every grocer and market attempting to convince the residents that the season of soup and technicolored leaves still exists in the soul. I take Fall’s side here. No matter Florida’s argument, I will let the gentler promises of the new season settle into my heart.

What autumn means to me is a shift into renewal. I tend to feel stagnated in summer, demotivated – except this year suffering through a few 5K races that actually brought part of me back to life – but once pumpkin and apple hit the shelves, I’m ready to allow myself a mental break from the pressures I impose upon myself during the hotter months. I’m not sure what it is. Fall and winter invite a slower pace, despite the growing energy promised by the holidays later on. The slowness of summer, by contrast, is less comforting and more necessary, since the godfuckenawful heat doesn’t really allow me any space to move faster. I don’t find the latter helpful. I find it limiting.

At the moment I’m sat at my dining table, six candles burning (one scented like pumpkin, mmm), the darkness outside ebbing slowly, the AC kicking on intermittently. The windows are screened by condensation and I am slowly cooling off after a hell of an interval run that gassed me by the end. I’m contented by the stillness. Soothed by it. These quiet mornings, with my classic coffee and stroopwafel combo, make each day a little less intimidating to face.

Last week felt hazy. I again don’t really know much of what I did, except some usuals. Tuesday I had a very enlightening therapy session, and walked to Bright Ice as typical for a bowl of salted caramel ice cream.

Wednesday and Friday I enjoyed a couple coffee shop study sessions. Oxford Exchange is my midweek go-to, and Friday I ventured to another part of town to pick up one of my free cupcakes from Sugardarlings. I got the “chocolate chocolate” flavor – that frosting was incredible, kinda like a mousse consistency. I wandered to Foxtail Coffee for a quick cortado with Little Miss Ba while I enjoyed my sweet treat.

The weekend was pretty quiet. I drove out to a random Target to shop a little and called my sister in the meantime for our biweekly check in. Sunday I visited mom for lunch/dinner – homemade tomato basil soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Also got my ass kicked with a couple workouts for my little 10K training cycle.

I’m actually kinda excited for this week. My sis and her fiancé are flying down for a short trip on Saturday, so much of the weekend will be spent in their company. I plan at some point to venture to my favorite brewery to a) let them know I’m not dead, and b) try out their Oktoberfest beer which just released this past week. Of course, some studying, some self-care, and lots of cooking will be in the mix as well.

Enjoy your first week of September, friends! LET THE AUTUMNAL FESTIVITIES COMMENCE!

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A cozy braised salmon dish.

…Warm autumn cinnamon rolls!

A Few Things I’m Digging

Sandwiches…I’ve been making a version of a “chicken” sandwich lately that I adore…Burger bun, garlic sauce, chicken patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Fabulous.

Bagels…Pumpkin bagels are back! I caved and bought a package of Thomas’ offering, which have been my favorite so far. Love them with cream cheese or peanut butter.

Candle…Burning this Bourbon Pumpkin candle currently. The smell is wonderful, and strong enough that it lingers for awhile even after you blow it out.

Shops & Wish List

Amazon cart…Picking up some unscented pillar candles and this adorable pumpkin candleholder for my dining table, my favorite Honey Stinger mini waffles, a new bin of Maldon salts, and these cute little velvet pumpkins for a garland I plan to make.

Home

Target…You bet your booty that I’m turning my house into a straight up pumpkin patch. Love this printed pumpkin pillow and these round velvet pillows. Eyeing a couple of these pretty glass pumpkin shaped candles (pumpkin cupcakes and warm cider are my favorite scents), and maybe a pumpkin bourbon reed diffuser for my bathroom. I’m a fan of this little wreath for my front door and maybe this faux ginkgo or grass.

Week in Training

Monday, 8.26: 4.25 miles, 10:36 pace + 11 minute lift

Initially thought I might want to take a few days off, but my brain is way too restless to allow that, so I figure I’ll just do some shorter runs for a bit before starting a small 10K training block. I slept terribly the night prior but the air had a nice tinge to it this morning so I felt refreshed overall.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 squat 90#
• 3 x 10 shoulder press 15#
• 3 x 10 pushup
• 3 x 15 stir the pot

Tuesday, 8.27: 5 miles, 9:40 pace

Speedwork makes the legs not work. Heh. Okay session, not my best work but tolerable enough, and I was running on wet concrete so I’d imagine that made me hold back a tad. 2 mile warmup, 800m push (3:46), 3 x 400m (1:49, 1:49, 1:50), 4 x 50 max sprints (5:32 fastest pace), cooldown to 5 miles.

Wednesday, 8.28: 4.25 miles, 10:35 pace

Sticky morning after a night of tossing and turning, and my legs felt extra heavy likely from lifting Monday and speedwork Tuesday.

Thursday, 8.29: 6 miles, 9:42 pace + 17 minute lift

First tempo run attempt in quite a long time – I actually don’t remember the last time I attempted a prolonged effort was. Well, minus the 5Ks. I had the goal of 8:15-8:20 but wound up with 8:28 over 20 minutes/2.36 miles, which isn’t bad, especially because I know I went out pretty conservatively. Splits were 8:35, 8:25, and 8:15 for the last bit, and it felt fairly comfy.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 sumo squat 65#
• 3 x 10 mid row 60#
• 3 x 10 ea. pistol squat
• 3 x 10 triceps extension 35#
• Core work

Friday, 8.30: 3.29 miles, 10:39 pace

Actually a decently pleasant morning, the breeze felt a little coolish! Easy miles, but decided to go up and down a couple small bridges during the third mile just for fun.

Saturday, 8.31: 8 miles, 10:41 pace + 11 minute lift

A quiet morning with a nice breeze. I want to get a couple longish runs before my race so I figured an 8 miler this week and a 9-10 miler next week will do. Felt okay, just got kinda bored at the end.

Sunday, 9.1: 5 mile walk (1:16:45)

Total running mileage: 30.8