sidebar | life and training 9.5 – 9.11
Ayyy. Welcome to mid-September. Already. Good lord.
Last week I came down with the sickness of the rhinovirus (i.e. a cold) and still am struggling with a big fat ugly cough remaining from the ordeal. Quite unpleasant. It’s a mix of dry and phlegmy and this Sunday I was especially run down and shitty-feeling. Probably wasn’t helpful that I didn’t sleep for hell Saturday night.
Otherwise, not a lot to report from the week. Sur La Table’s Instagram gave my pumpkin scones some love, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite baked goods on FMG thus far. Many of you from far and wide have found me on the IG machine and I’m glad you’re all here. You’re welcome in this space any time, so long as you aren’t a dick. Well, a dick in the way that I’m a dick is acceptable. I’m incredulous that FMG has grown as quickly as it has of late, and seeing you enjoy the recipes I share and some of the other ramblings I offer warms my heart more than the apple treat I’m baking up as I type. So thank you. I’m happy to have you along on this culinary journey, and hope I’m helping you in some way to rise out of various cooking and baking funks.
Okay, sob sob sob, sentiment sentiment sentiment, moving on.
In a week J and I head up north for a wedding, which essentially translates to three straight days of socializing. Yikes. I wouldn’t call myself difficult to make conversation with, but I am one who really respects my personal space and private time. I’m chatty to a point, then I burn out and want to be alone. Don’t I sound like a real fucken charmer.
Either way, we’ll be around Boston most of the time, so if anyone has recommendations, yell them my way! Loud enough for me to hear, of course, I’m old and deaf so use your outside voice. We plan to tour Fenway one day and visit a couple oyster houses, but our plans are pretty open overall. We haven’t travelled since, gee, Big Sur back in April. It’ll be nice to get out of Florida for a change.
Upcoming trips mean hard work this week. Which brings me to…
The Fuck We Eating This Week?
A gooey gameday pizza…
Creamy soup for cozy days…
A healthy, filling shrimp bowl…
A glammed-up apple condiment…
A warming bourbon sour cocktail…
A Few Things I’m Digging
Popcorn…Lesser Evil Himalayan Sea Salt Popcorn is my new snack of choice since Target seems to have stopped selling their version. Just the right amount of saltiness to match my temperament. Mmm.
Oat milk…Trader Joe’s unleashed their fall concepts and the Maple Oat Milk is always one of my favorites to launch. I bought two containers because I’m paranoid I’ll never see it again.
Television…J and I finally got access to Ted Lasso and dudes, it really does live up to the hype. I love each character in their own way and the story is very human, hilarious, and humble. We’re five episodes in to the first season.
Shops and Wish List
Fashion
Target…More fall attire is making way to shelves and I couldn’t be more excited. Picked up this boat neck ottoman sweater, a good casual piece I think I could swing for a date night with a good pair of skinny-leg pants and heels. Loved how soft these lounge joggers felt, melted right through my fingers, but my size was sold out. Next time. Love the mock neck quarter zip sweater, probably going to plunge in for the gray color.
Madewell…Into this cashmere turtleneck sweatervest. The crossover crop tanks would be great for days at home or for my morning walks, or perhaps a lunch/coffee date with pintuck pants.
Kitchen & Dining
Lodge…My favorite cast-iron brand released a new “Desert Sage” colorway and I am in love. Really thinking of upgrading to a 6 quart enameled Dutch oven if I can find a good home for my current one.
Williams-Sonoma…Love all of their sculptural pumpkin kitchenware collection. I’m this close to getting the punch bowl & cup set and love the gravy boat for Thanksgiving.
Home
Target…Fell in love with the boucle pumpkin pillow and grabbed the orange one for my chair. They’re so soft and cozy. Like the idea of a chunky knit throw blanket like this one and a little tabletop candle, smelled the Harvest Spice last week and adore it so might snag one when I’m at the store.
The Cozy Reading Corner Edit
As mentioned, I want to make my reading chair the coziest it can be. Below are some ideas for revamping a sacred corner of the house to make it comfy and inviting for you during the cool fall months.
Week in Training
Monday, 9.5: 10.08 miles, 11:36 pace + 32 minute back & core
Leftover snot from my cold was the most burdensome part of the run, but otherwise I felt pretty good energy wise. Heart rate was higher than usual, but not alarming, and I took longer walk breaks while drinking water to assess how I felt each mile.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 row 35#
- 3 x 30 feet over dumbbell
- 3 x 12 bent front raise 35#
- 3 x 20 weighted deadbug 25#
- 4 x 8 behind head pulldown 70#
- 3 x 6 pull down 49#
Tuesday, 9.6: 7.2 miles, 10:58 pace + 22 minute swim
Much better feeling run, heart rate was a bit lower. The water was almost too hot to be refreshing in the little pool, but I’m glad for the fresh air after being all stuffed up at work all morning.
Wednesday, 9.7: 10.01 miles, 11:12 pace + 35 minute legs & core
Thinking I’m back to normal after the cold! Heart rate hung out at a 156 average and only needed a couple snot breaks.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 sumo squat 80#
- 3 x 15 leg drops
- 3 x 12 goblet squat twist 40#
- 3 x 15 ea. plank rainbows
- 3 x 8 ea. single leg deadlift 80#
- 3 x 20 ea. jackknife
- 3 x 12 narrow squat 80#
Thursday, 9.8: 4.03 mile walk (1:03:00) + 20 minute elliptical
Friday, 9.9: 8.16 miles, 11:02 pace + 22 minute chest & tris
Actually a decent morning! The rain from yesterday must’ve brought a bit cooler air in since the temps certainly weren’t offensive, and I witnessed a nice breeze.
Strength:
- 3 x 15 boat triceps extension 30#
- 3 x 10 ea. oh press 25#
- 3 x 10 ea. skullcrusher 15#
- 3 x 12 ea. side raise 15#
Saturday, 9.10: 11.01 miles, 11:16 pace + 35 minute legs & chest
Got adopted by a group of runners that apparently see me all the time; the lady at the front of the trio approached me and invited me to join them whenever. It was nice because they run my slow-ass pace and I didn’t feel pushed to go faster. I find most people who’ve tried to run with me prior get impatient with my unwillingness to speed up. A lovely change of pace for an otherwise unremarkable but pleasant trot.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 goblet sumo squat 65#
- 3 x 10 incline press 30#
- 3 x 10 diamond squat 60#
- 3 x 8 ea. single arm press 35#
- 4 x 15 glute bridge 65#
- 3 x 10 close grip press 30#
Sunday, 9.11: 4.15 mile walk (1:05:00)
Total running mileage: 46.5 miles
