sidebar | life and training 8.7 – 8.13
Today’s weather forecast calls for I’m really fucken done with summer.
Excessive heat warnings all weekend – which, if you’re unfamiliar, are a step above a heat advisory and warn of ” real feel” temps up to 115 degrees – and here I am starting to bake pumpkin treats. My logic is that if I usher in fall through my culinary sacrifices, perhaps the weather will catch on.
A pipe dream? Sure. Fun anyway? Absolutely.
This week I had to take care of some life things, like making an eye appointment and sorting out my health insurance situation so I’m not in the pits come October, when my current plan expires. Real exciting. But I guess mentioning it reminds ya’ll that I am, as you are, a person who has adult bullshit to deal with. I don’t have a life planner or consultants out my ass or anything of the sort, it’s all me, with some help when I need it.
I mostly had a nice time of things this past week. A couple coffee dates, a lot of rest, and I’m enjoying my new running plan (by and large). Aside from having my worst run in the history of ever on Saturday, thanks to a ridiculous heat pattern, I’m satisfied with this lower mileage approach and stronger emphasis on strength training. I’m also amazed at the difference a 77 dew point is versus an 80 dew point. Fucken wild. I only scraped out around 20 miles for the week, and I think that’s a good bouncing point before I ramp up in October/November for the Napa Valley Marathon.
Clearly, Little Miss Ba had a nice week of coffee and treats.
I’m noticing, with my lower mileage and a major shift in my mindset towards FMG, that my everyday stress levels are more manageable. I think I went the whole week sans a mental breakdown, that that is an achievement. Which sounds sad, but maybe you can relate. Sometimes life pummels you with far too much at once, and the only coping mechanism you know is to have several good cries.
This week I’m celebrating mom’s 70th (!) birthday. I won’t speak to many details of what I have planned yet because she reads these posts (HI MOM!), but I’m pretty hyped to enjoy an afternoon with her of good foods and always interesting conversations. Especially if wine is involved, which it probably will be. Teehee.
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…Zucchini bread!
…An EASY and tasty tomato shrimp bake.
…A light and fresh white bean salad.
…Soup, because I’m trying to encourage fall to arrive.
…Doughnuts. Autumn doughnuts. Because I’m desperate here, ya’ll.
A Few Things I’m Digging
WTForecast…This hilarious app speaks my language with regards to the weather. You can set the profanity level from G to R and it’ll generate some really humorous captions to go along with the day’s forecast.
Clif Bars…I burnt out of these after marathon training in 2021 but now I think my tastebuds have recovered from that trauma. Enjoying the chocolate chip flavor currently, but the peanut butter banana chocolate chip is my favorite.
Shops and Wish List
Fashion
Target…Really like these Callista pumps, been wanting a pair of heels with a bow detail. When it gets cooler I know I’d wear the cropped hoodie sweatshirt constantly, so I’m hoping to pick one up soon.
Skincare & Wellness
Tree Hut…I NEED their fall collection to drop at Target! Pumpkin Spice body scrub and body wash are top on my list, Apple Macchiato sounds really lovely too. They apparently have a Cinnamon Dolce scent that’ll be available in Target sometime.
Home
Hearth & Hand…Always love their candles and excited to introduce some fall-ish ones! Current arrivals aren’t outrageously autumnal, which is appropriate. Bought the salted honey scent but the harvest spice and autumn cider are also wonderful. Love this cozy chunky knit throw too, perhaps to switch up from my current fluffy pink blanket on my chair.
Week in Training
Monday, 8.7: 4.22 miles, 10:55 pace + 45 minute full body
First day of intentional runningness. 2 mile warmup, 6 x surge (worked down to a 6:50 pace which is an improvement over the 6:58 top speed last week!), 1ish mile cooldown. Though, a cooldown is not a cooldown when there’s an 80 dew point and your heart rate refuses to drop. Still, a satisfying session!
Strength:
- 4 x 8 deadlift 90#
- 4 x 10 skullcrusher 40#
- 4 x 12 squat 60#
- 4 x 12 balanced biceps curl 15#
- 4 x 10 ea. single leg bridge 20# + band
- 4 x 10 ea. balanced shoulder press 15#
- 4 x 10 row 30#
- Core work, mobility for about 8-10 minutes
Tuesday, 8.8: 3.1 mile walk (49 minutes)
Not a very interesting stroll, just the usual jazz and sweatfest.
Wednesday, 8.9: 4.37 miles, 11:27 pace + 40 minute upper body
This went about as well as I expected. There was no air – just sweaty, blistering deadness. I’m really glad I’m dropping my mileage right now, and I’ll probably say that 1000 times before the end of the month.
Strength:
- 4 x 8 ea. biceps curl 20#
- 4 x 10 triceps kickback 15#
- 4 x 9 lat pulldown 60#
- 2 x 12/2 x 8 incline chest press 20/25#
- 4 x 10 ea. front raise, balanced 15#
- 4 x 10 shrug 40#
- 10 minute mobility and core
Thursday, 8.10: 3.1 mile walk (49 minutes)
Wow, a dew point of 79 INSTEAD OF 80. Fucken cold front!
Friday, 8.11: 4.16 miles, 11:17 pace + 10 minute mobility
Rather proud of myself for doing my resistance band training right after my run this morning! The run didn’t feel awful (my heart rate says otherwise), so I was relatively happy there.
Saturday, 8.12: 7.06 miles, 12:02 pace + 38 minute legs
Probably the worst run I’ve ever had. Today we were upgraded from a heat advisory to an excessive heat warning and lordy, the morning reflected what was to be an awful afternoon. I’ve never run a 12+ minute average excepting when I recovered from my hip injury a few years ago. My heart rate was insane. Just a bad morning overall, AND I forgot to set my alarm so I woke up a bit late.
Strength:
- 4 x 20 leg press 150#
- 4 x 12 sumo squat 65#
- 4 x 15 ea. banded clamshell 10#
- 4 x 18 calf raise 150#
- Various core and stability exercises
Sunday, 8.3: 4.09 mile walk (1:06:00)
Total running mileage: 19.8
