sidebar | life and training 9.19 – 9.25

Big, full week of shit to report. I’m happy to report that most of it is positive!

First of all, dudes, I cannot handle alcohol anymore. Saturday night we enjoyed our final dinner up here in the northeast at Legal Seafoods, and I sipped a really nice rose aperol spritz with my food. I was reeling by the final bit, holy smokes. Woke up Sunday morning with a nagging headache, and my run felt like garbage. I don’t drink a lot nowadays, maybe a single imbibement once or twice a week (and usually I don’t even finish them), so I know I’m not accustomed to alcohol so much, but holy smokes. You’d have thought I was out all night with a whole bottle of wine in my system.

Aside from those unwelcome post-drink sensations, I’m sad the trip came to a close. We filled our time really effectively, and I managed to feel comfortable in the three days of socializing which were required of me. I might make it sound like I hate people, but I really don’t, and I’m good at talking to folks – but my battery slumps down to 0 very fast, especially late, and I cherish my alone time maybe a bit too much. Hardcore introversion over here.

Boston and Newport, By the Day

We landed Tuesday around 11 in the morning, took a Lyft to the Westin Copley Place, and grabbed lunch at Dig right down the road. A bit of chill time (and a nap for me) before a tour of Fenway Park. We strolled up the Green Monster, into the press box, over to where Ted Williams hit his 502 foot homerun and the famous red chair where it bonked a guy in the noggen. I respect the deep history Fenway houses, even if I hate the Red Sox as a team. Later in the evening we enjoyed dinner at The Little Whale: some wine, shrimp cocktail, broccolini, and a Mediterranean branzino for me.

Wednesday was the welcome dinner at Newport Art Museum. Apparently, a welcome dinner is traditional for Indian weddings – the bride in this case is Indian. We left Boston after shakshuka at Landwer Cafe, checked into the Residence Inn Middletown, and met up with our Florida friends for drinks, a vegetarian-heavy Indian buffet (lots of paneer, naan, and some fresh salad), and some henna art! As I write mine is still a deep, lovely golden brown on my left hand. Initially the artist put glitter on the ink and it looked radiant.

Oh yeah, and we found Boston cream doughnuts from Blackbird. Ate them in the Boston Commons. So good.

Thursday was the wedding itself. The weather sucked, so aside from a stroll around downtown Newport and quick stops at Sephora and Simple Merchant Coffee for cappuccinos, we laid low at our hotel until around 3:30. Got ready, caught a shuttle from the adjacent hotel down to the venue, and off we went.

The evening was really special. Oceancliff Hotel hosted the event, and everything was just beautifully set up. The ceremony was supposed to take place outdoors, but the rain hadn’t let up so the couple walked the aisle in a lovely ballroom amongst 90+ people. As the vows ended, the skies over the ocean cleared and we were able to head outside for some photo ops while sipping on champagnes and cocktails from the bar. J made the mistake of kneeling down on one knee while trying to take a photo of me, and his friends would not stop teasing him about the faux pas the rest of the night.

Much of the night we spent eating, chatting, and dancing. The ordeal was real fun when the Bollywood music started playing and the kids went wild in the center of the dance floor. As I do, I burnt out around 9 pm and mostly sat on the sidelines asleep with my eyes open. I can’t help my body clock, but I was definitely amused watching some grown-ass adults twist and kick and headbang until the final call for the shuttle rang out at 10:30 and we headed back to our respective hotels.

Friday was supposed to include a yacht excursion, but Hurricane Fiona and the outgoing front caused too much chop in the waters so the crew had to scramble to find somewhere for people to hang out. They found Waites Wharf, a little outdoor space with lots of tables and a bar selling some food. We had been milling around and got some coffee at The Nitro Bar and grub elsewhere. It was a nice day, breezy, and the warm sun offset some of the chill from the wind. Hung out for awhile, then most everyone left to make their way back to Boston since many were leaving the following day.

J and I drove down to Boston Saturday, making a few pit stops along the way. We found some really good bar pizza at Cape Cod Cafe – the crust is excellent, thin and super crisp. Then we beelined to Hilliards for a bunch of chocolate. My God, is that place a wonderland. We picked up some maple and some pumpkin spice truffles, pumpkin caramels, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, and peanut butter chocolate fudge. Divine. I could have gone apeshit there. Landed around 4, just after the damn rental car place closed (assholes), and checked into the Kimpton Nine Zero hotel for the evening. Wound down with dinner at Legal Seafoods on Long Wharf. Shrimp cocktail, a rose aperol spritz, scallops, and Boston cream pie in my ensemble. Delicious.

Finished up our excursions with a trip to Cafe Bonjour for breakfast and Harpoon Brewery. Their pretzels are incredible and every beer we tried was excellent. I liked best their “Dunkin’ Pumpkin” collab, but the Oktoberfest and “Pumpkin!” beers were great too. Zipped back to the Kimpton for our bags and took the T to Logan…where our flight was delayed from 6:15 to 8:45.

We landed around midnight Monday morning, and I was in bed at 1 only to get up again at 4 because habit does not let me rest for long. Ah well. Hoping I catch up in the next couple days.

Lotta words today. At this point I’m glad we’re back and settling back into a routine, even though Hurricane Ian looms and some preparations are necessary despite it’s indirect tract. We might get a lot of rain and wind Wednesday-Thursday so I might as well make preparations in case shit gets hairy. I feel for the folks in the panhandle – they haven’t caught much of a break these past few seasons. I’m headed out later today to pick up what I can. Bitches better not have stolen all the bread.

Be well, folks. Chat later.

The Fuck We Eating This Week?

…A creamy vegetarian white lasagna soup

…A cozy one skillet salmon dinner

…A little something something for gameday

…A simple butternut squash curry

…A fresh, unique autumn salad with juicy pears

…A light and easy aperol spritz

A Few Things I’m Digging

Crackers… Picked up some rosemary & sea salt almond flour crackers from Simple Mills and was pleasantly delighted by how good they are. Usually gluten-free shit kind of sucks but the alternative ingredients in these were undetectable. Plus, I am a ho for a good rosemary cracker.

Blazer…Was a little cautious of the fit of this A New Day Essential Blazer, but it turns out the oversized style works so well with a variety of pieces. Wore it with jeans and a plain tan tee, over a faux neck tank and matching pintuck pants, and a jumpsuit – everything flowed seamlessly with it. The cream shade is sold out but I also love the brown.

Clutch…Love my woven geometric seasonal clutch, the cream color I have is sold out but the apricot is really cute as well! Plus they’re on clearance. Grab em while you can.

Shops and Wish List

Fashion

Target…Circle Week is deadly, man. Grabbed these straight jeans in the “medium wash” and “vintage denim wash” and this obscenely soft pullover sweater (part of my in-flight outfit on Tuesday). Put this mock turtleneck sweater in my cart, probably gray or burgundy, and bought this quarter-zip as well. Love both with jeans for day or night. Then the assholes decided to run a BOGO 50% off on shoes, so I’m eagerly awaiting these stretch Penelope boots and the Eve dress boots.

Allbirds…Caved and bought a pair of the Wool Loungers for wearing around the house. They’re incredibly soft and, so long as they last, the investment is worth it to me since I spend so much time on my feet.

Skincare/Wellness

Olive & June…Love the JJ shade, it’s part of their Pumpkin Spice Collection but I bought it individually. Perfect rustic brown hue for the season. Of course I managed to chip it not 24 hours after my home manicure, but what else is new.

Naturium…Tried out the travel size of the niacinamide gelee and have loved the rich lather and the softness it brings to my skin, so bought the full sized bottle and plan to return to the Cocokind from last week. I think the latter broke me out a bit, and it doesn’t sud up too well.

Biossance…Caught the tail end of their big 25% off sale and finally caved and bought the rose and squalane oil. Really pumped to use this once I run out of my current vitamin C serum!

Anastasia…Bought the Luminous Foundation while in Rhode Island since I didn’t have any sort of base layer for my wedding makeup. Giving it a honest test before I share an opinion so we will see how I like it after a few rounds.

Home

Target…Finally grabbed this cozy knit throw for my reading chair. So comfy. Bought the apple chai woodwick candle before the sale ended.

Week in Training

Monday, 9.19: 12.08 miles, 11:15 pace

Fueled by tortilla chips, hard kombucha, and buffalo pizza. Not sorry. Felt pretty good and am glad I got a double digit run in for the week considering I probably won’t while we’re up north!

Tuesday, 9.20: 6.25 miles, 10:24 pace

Slept like utter balls Monday night – flight nerves and just generally restlessness, I got up twice to double check things that I knew were probably fine but got paranoid about at 1 am. Performed a progression run to shake out some of the energy. This was my first little dabble in lengthening my stride in quite some time, with my fastest mile at 9:25. I felt pretty good, though I’m sure my top speeds are nowhere near where they were prior.

Wednesday, 9.21: 7.41 miles, 10:48 pace + 40 minute full body

Slept really well the night before, but my stomach was still incredibly full from dinner and kind of upset by something I consumed (or just the sheet difference between that food and what I typically eat) so I had some cramping during the run. Still had a great treadmill session and a good lift afterwards.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 press up 40#
• 3 x 10 reverse fly 25#
• 3 x 15 swing SS narrow goblet squat 45#
• 3 x 10 balanced triceps extension 35#
• 4 x 12 balanced bent arm side raise 15# (2 sets on each leg)
• 3 x 10 ea. kickstand deadlift 70#
• 4 x 10 ea. single leg press with knee out 15#
• 4 x 10 ea. single leg squat bw/15#

Thursday, 9.22: 5.6 miles, 10:45 pace + 35 minute full body

Another treadmill run, watching ESPN this time. Flowed between 5.5-5.7 mph and felt really relaxed. Followed up with a nice intuitive strength session – seems that not planning my workouts have made then a bit more enjoyable.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. lunge to press 20#
• 3 x 12 roll up 15#
• 3 x 11 sumo squat to upright row 25#
• 3 x 11 bench press 35#
• 3 x 10 squat to curtsy lunge 40#
• 3 x 10 knee-shoulder tap
• 3 x 10 row 35#
• 3 x 11 bench press 35#
• 3 x 20 ea. oblique crunch

Friday, 9.23: 8.12 miles, 11:05 pace

I think I messed up my final mileage and forgot what I actually did, but either way, toggled the mill between 5.4 – 5.7 mph.

Saturday, 9.24: 7.5 miles, 10:40 pace + 40 minute full body

Spent this whole run thinking of how I might handle a potential hurricane next week. Not exactly a joyous thing to have to consider at the end of a vacation. Lovely miles, choked up when I saw that Albert Pujols got his 700th career homerun while watching SportsCenter on the treadmill TV. I’ve enjoyed these ‘mill trots, it’s been a nice break from pavement.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. balanced biceps curl 20#
• 4 x 10 ea. extension 20#
• 4 x 10 ea. single leg squat 20#
• 3 x 10 ext 45#
• 3 x 10 ea. oh lunge 20#
• 3 x 10 ea. crossbody curl 20#
• 3 x 10 triceps pulse 35#

Sunday, 9.25: 3.23 miles, 10:51 pace + 1.69 mile walk

Woke up antsy and full of weird bouncy energy so I decided to tack on a bit of a run instead of full-force Walking Sunday. Slightly hungover from a drink the night before (yes, one drink. Total lightweight over here) so this didn’t feel the best, but am glad to have moved.

Total running mileage: 50.23 miles