sidebar | life and training 8.28 – 9.3
Looks like we had ourselves some weather this week.
Hurricane Idalia, AKA The Onion, came and went on Tuesday and Wednesday. Much of the ruckus blew through overnight Tuesday. J and I woke up on Wednesday morning, early as I normally do and he because he wanted to survey the flooding and surge around the area. The sight was quite surprising.
The winds were still gusty, total silence otherwise at the 4:30ish hour. In my time living downtown, I’ve never viewed such a spectacle. Yes, I’ve seen flooding, and some expected streets puddly, the walkway by the water with only a thin strip upon which you could walk or run. However, very few of these areas on this day were passable. Even if I wanted to run that morning, it would’ve been futile. And stupid, because I’d just blow backwards the whole time.
I’ll let the pics speak for themselves. Overall, though, not much to report in my area from The Onion. The water receded quickly and left huge patches of dirt, blew out a couple stoplights, some branches and debris. But we dodged the wreckage, and life largely normalized by Thursday.
The weekend felt appropriately weekendish. I baked a treat I can’t wait to share, then we visited Bootleggers brewery. It happened to be the bartender’s birthday, so she passed her phone around for all four of us at the counter to put a song on her birthday playlist – I chose “Rosa Parks” by Outkast – and after shooting some promotional stuff for their Oktoberfest celebration she poured out pints of lager for everyone. Good stuff. I had a peanut butter stout, and we shared a soft pretzel before ordering our mains. Veggie flatbread for me.
Sunday I enjoyed some well-needed friend time with a couple of my closest pals. We ate at Lona, which J and I visited last weekend. I had a lot of mental gunk to unleash and those two were the best folks to do such with. I didn’t take any photos because there’s a such thing as being present, but I ordered a capirinha and a margarita, and two baja fish tacos.
The evening was lovely, so on the way home I took a detour and strolled around for a few extra steps and to enjoy the breeze. We haven’t had nice weather since, I dunno, April, and while most people would cry at a 69 dew point I was quite celebratory about that number. Plus, I had a lot of digest from our conversations early, and doing so in nature felt right.
What are ya’ll up to this Labor Day? For many, it’s a long weekend. I’m always off The Day Job on Mondays so it’s kind of an ordinary turn of events for me: groceries, cooking, site stuff. Just getting ready for the week ahead.
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A Mexican-style Brussels sprout salad.
…A simple, flavorful one pan shrimp meal.
…A smoky fall margarita.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Protein bars…Trying to kick up my protein intake a tad and I do like the Pure Protein flavors. They don’t boast that weird chalky texture and do the job to fill me up between meals.
Candles…Currently burning these warm cider candles. So cozy, especially in the early morning.
Favorite Pitcher Drinks for Labor Day
If you’ve got a little partay planned for the long weekend, a) invite me (I probably won’t come but invite me anyway), and b) dish out one of these pretty big batch imbibements for your guests to sip!
Pitcher-Style Basil Vodka Greyhound
Big Batch Honey Tequila Lemonade
Fresh Strawberry Green Tea Lemonade
Shops & Wish List
Fashion
Target…These Darcy platform pumps are quite pretty, I like the white color although I’m not sure how well that’ll hold up over time. Like the denim pattern on these Alessia platforms, and the brown Riah platforms are stunning and I love the velvet texture. Liking this high-neck slim fit tank, too, would work well tucked into high wasted pants or a skirt.
Skincare & Wellness
Tree Hut…Finally got ahold of their iced coffee sugar scrub. It smells like a latte. Fucken love it. I really need to get the cinnamon dolce scent but my Targets don’t seem to carry it yet.
Kitchen & Dining
Crate and Barrel… This cute pumpkin serving bowl is precious for dishing out gameday snacks or, if you’re thinking that far ahead, Thanksgiving grub. I will always love the Le Creuset pumpkin cocotte but need to find a more reasonably-priced dupe. This autumn cakelet pan is super cute, too, for mini treats, or the apple slice version.
Week in Training
Monday, 8.28: 4.31 miles, 10:54 pace + 50 minute full body
What a sweltering pile of shit this morning. Ran 8 x surge, didn’t go nearly as fast as I was hoping but I got it done so I guess that’s enough.
Strength:
- 4 x 10 ea. standing calf raise 50#
- 4 x 12 narrow press 20#
- 4 x 10 diamond squat 50#
- 4 x 10 ea. shrug 40#
- 3 x 15 ea. single leg bridge 20#
- 5 x 8 ea. OH triceps ext. 20#
- 4 x 8 ea. row 40#
- Core and mobility work
Tuesday, 8.29: 5.22 miles, 11:30 pace + 30 minutes upper body
Wasn’t sure if I felt like lifting today or not, but I had extra time this morning without impending work so I opted for a short session. Everything was off today – my running heartrate was incredibly high and I didn’t feel energetic whatsoever while I did weights, but it’s done, at least. Now to watch the progress of The Onion in the Gulf.
Strength:
- 4 x 15 wide curl 15#
- 4 x 10 reverse fly 25#
- 4 x 12 bench press 25#
- 4 x 8 ea. kickback 20#
- 4 x 10 around the world 10#
- Core and mobility work
Wednesday, 8.30: 3.16 miles, 11:10 pace
Treadmill trot post-storm. Didn’t feel like hitting the mill in the morning so ventured over later in the morning. Felt pretty good, especially to loosen up some of the oddity and stress of the morning.
Thursday, 8.31: 3.1 mile walk (49:00)
Oh hey, 3.1 miles on the 31st. Look at me being all matchy matchy without meaning to. Also it was horrendous outside, 81 dew point. Yikes.
Friday, 9.1: 5.01 miles, 11:40 pace
What a shit ass morning, but somehow I found my groove so did the full 5 miles. Go self.
Saturday, 9.2: 8 miles, 11:40 pace + 30 minute legs
While the humidity was 100%, the air actually didn’t feel too bad. The breeze had a tinge of coolness to it. FALL Y’ALL.
Strength:
- 4 x 10 ea. leg press 130#
- 4 x 10 ea. leg extension 100#
- 4 x 12 ea. calf raise 60#
- 4 x 15 hip thrust 65#
- Core and mobility work
Sunday, 9.3: 3.51 miles, 11:24 pace
70 DEW POINT WOO. Amazing the difference that made versus a 77-78. Most people would still melt and gripe over the 70 but dude, I’ll take it after the summer we’ve had.
Total running mileage: 29.2
