sidebar | life and training 9.2 – 9.8

I’m feeling quite refreshed after a weekend with the fam.

I’d say this was a solid week, compared to many before it. I felt busy but largely not overwhelmed (even though I’m pretty much always grumpy at points). AND, over the weekend, my sister and her fiance flew in for a nice little aside that rounded out the past 7 days on a hugely positive note.

I know I sound like a cracked and stomped upon record with this, but once August shifted to September I felt a little bit of hope for a decent end to the year. I love the fall and winter seasons, even if our weather stagnates until December: the richer color schemes, cozier meals, pumpkins everywhere, all serve to lighten up my stuffy and overheated summer mood. It feels encouraging, and in turn I feel inspired to barrel out more content since I always come up with a bajillion ideas for recipes. I never get to them all, but it’s nice to have a running list.

I did get around to making an adorable little pumpkin garland on Monday. He’s hanging from my bookshelf, and whenever I walk by I can’t help but smile a little. A very small, albeit joy-inducing, little dude that took all of 5 minutes to put together.

The beginning of the week was same-same. Therapy and ice cream aftrwards at Bright Ice Tuesday, then a study session with Little Miss Ba at Oxford Exchange on Wednesday. I really need to hustle with my studying to maintain my goal of testing out in October. I’m still in the first chapter and it’s been a fucken month. Guess that means more coffee dates for me. Damn.

I didn’t realize Oxford hadn’t released a pumpkin spice syrup for their drinks, so I made up for the loss by creating my own PSL at home on Thursday! I’m debating sharing the recipe – what do you think? I do have an older version already, but mayhap it’s time for an update. Never too many pumpkin spice latte options on the interwebs, I don’t think.

Friday, I finally moseyed my way out to Tampa Bay Brewing for an Oktoberfest beer. Slam dunk of a sip. Two of my favorite bartenders were working and in between brief chats I started reading The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, a book that’s been on my list for awhile and I finally purchased right before I drove out to the brewery. I had a tough time getting to TBBC for awhile since driving to that area felt a little fraught, maybe slightly eerie, but I’m so glad I’ve come up for enough air to feel normal again in some old haunts I enjoy visiting. Definitely returning for a pumpkin beer later in the month!

Brought home a pizza from TBBC and watched Ghostbusters 2 for a casual Friday night. The roasted veggie offering is so damn good.

Saturday and Sunday were dedicated to family time. I spent the morning on Saturday working through some modules for a substitute teaching gig, and finished off a batch of fall-inspired cinnamon rolls I CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE. They’re fabulous. And pretty. And I kinda want one right now…Come afternoon I met my sis and her fiance at OE for a coffee and chat. Lovely time. We covered quite a few topics – least, my sister and I did, D was dozing off on the other end of the couch while we yacked at one another.

Sunday rolled around, and I was grouchy all day. I usually am on Sundays because it’s kind of an interloper between my two days off, and is almost always a clusterfuck at work. For some reason, too, it seems my body detects that it’s Sunday and becomes extra fatigued. At any rate, I got through the day, and drove out to my mom’s feeling rather flushed from anticipatory anxiety.

BUT, I had a lovely time of things. I received mail I was absolutely not expecting! That put a really positive twist on an evening that proved totally relaxing, if not too brief. We got in the pool for a bit (it felt fucking wonderful in there), snacked on veggies and chips and guac, and eventually grilled some BBQ wings and shrimp to go with mom’s epic potato salad. Us three are plotting a trip to Chicago next year during the spring. I quite hope we can make it happen.

I’m optimistic about this week. What a relief to say that, considering many days prior were tumultuous at best. I have a couple appointments in the beginning, then a slew of studying, and probably after I finish writing here I’m going to book my flight to Pennsylvania at the end of October for a quick weekend visit to my sib. Sunday I’m racing a 10K, my first in probably 3 or 4 years. I have no idea what to expect since my training cycle was very short and helter-skelter, but I do look forward to the post-race Oktoberfest beers the website promises.

Take care of yourself, folks. Find a little tendril of positivity to start this Monday, and carry it through the rest of the days.

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A festive fall salad.

…CARAMEL APPLES!

A Few Things I’m Digging

Oktoberfest…Finally visited Tampa Bay Brewing after a couple months hiatus and tried their Oktoberfest selection. SO good this year: smooth, easy to drink but not “light” per se. Paired really well with their roasted veggie pizza. Omnom.

Graham crackers…Yep, back into these crunchy little tidbits. I usually make a snack plate with peanut butter, fruit, and sometimes a few chocolate chips. Funny story: when I was a kid, graham crackers were our “you’re grounded but you can have this for dessert” treat. I’d dip mine in milk.

Cinnamon rolls…I’ve come to really love baking cinnamon rolls – they’re one of my favorite multistep projects, and ya’ll are gonna dig the newest iteration. In the meantime, try out my others: Caramel Coffee, Easy Overnight (the classic recipe), Pumpkin, and Lemon Sugar!

Fall Mood Board

Some cozy visuals to get us all in the mood for cooler days (theoretically), fluffy blankets, and warming foods.

Shops & Wish List

Amazon list…Bought another large woven storage basket for an excess of throw pillows, then some bamboo skewers for caramel apples (hyped) and this lovely autumn-themed puzzle I can’t wait to put together when it arrives.

Home

Target…Still pining after all their new fall drops. Want this printed pumpkin pillow, velvet throw pillows, and this faux pumpkin sculpture would look cute on my table or out on the patio. Might grab a few more of these unscented pumpkin candles (they’re only $3!) and I adore these sweater knit pumpkins too.

Week in Training

Monday, 9.2: 7 miles, 9:32 pace + 11 minute lift

Well, I clearly don’t know how to pace 10K workouts. In my defense, it’s been what, 3 or 4 years since I’ve raced a 10K? Took the intervals way too fast, actually at 5K effort, but at least now I’m aware of what 10K shouldn’t feel like! 2 mile warmup, 3 x 1 mile (8:00, 7:45, 7:46) with 2 minute recovery jogs. The first rep actually was pretty comfy, so perhaps an 8-8:05 is realistic for race day, maybe even slightly below if conditions are favorable.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 diamond squat 50#
• 3 x 10 upright row 20#
• 3 x 10 pushup
• 2 x 10 ea. single leg bridge

Tuesday, 9.3: 5.64 miles, 10:39 pace

Took my legs about 3 miles to warm up, but the last little bit of this run felt great. I really value my easy days now that I’m in more of a training mode.

Wednesday, 9.4: 4.25 miles, 10:36 pace

Been feeling a tad “incorrect” these past two days: scratchy throat, weirdly tired (I fell asleep at 7:30 Tuesday evening), and my appetite and stomach feel wonky. No real issues with running itself, however, as my heart rate and paces seem okay. Hopefully it’s just allergies or my body is doing a great job fighting shit off.

Thursday, 9.5: 6.2 miles, 9:32 pace + 20 minute lift

Bombed this workout. My legs felt really goopy, for one, and for another the sidewalks were extremely slick and puddly due to a massive storm that blew through in the evening and overnight. Seriously, that shit was scary. I wonder, then, whether the craptastic nature of this workout had to do with subconscious holding-back due to the unfavorable concrete conditions, or whether I just sucked this particular day. Either way: 2 mile warmup, 2 miles “10K effort” (8:28, 8:12), 3 x 400 (1:52, 1:55, 1:48). I’m still hopeful my body can eek out a sub-8:10 pace during the race in two Sundays, but we’ll see.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 deadlift 100#
• 2 x 10/2 x 8 ea single leg squat 40/50#
• 3 x 10 shoulder press 15#
• 3 x 10 skullcrusher 30#
• 3 x 15 stir the pot

Friday, 9.6: 4 miles, 10:46 pace

Nice easy miles that felt great. Glad to see the legs were looser considering tomorrow is long run day!

Saturday, 9.7: 10.03 miles, 10:47 pace

Wow did I not miss double digit runs! Even though I’m aware the weather has a lot to do with the slog of these miles, I still think this discouraged me from attempted a half marathon this year. Not really a terrible run, just boring and long. Committing to 13.1 might be a stretch for the time being, but we’ll see.

Sunday, 9.8: 5 mile walk (1:16:59)

Total running mileage: 37.1