sidebar | life and training 1.19 – 1.25
I’m having a bit of a shoe crisis, ya’ll.
Okay, so I’m down to the wire for my marathon: two weeks (actually 13 days now, yikes) until race day and the shoe I thought was going to be my go-to for the race is turning out to not suit me whatsoever. Suddenly a calf knot has appeared out of nowhere and seems to persist during the two workouts I performed in the Endorphin Pros. I didn’t have a single issue with my calf this whole training cycle and definitely attribute the flare up to the shoes.
It’s very hard at present to find the version of the New Balance Rebel I’ve been wearing for my shorter races, but I think it’ll be less of a risk to buy the V5 than to continue on with the Endorphins. From what I’ve read the newer Rebel is cushier but still responsive, and I’m so used to that shoe now I think it might be my best option with so little time left before my race.
God, not something I wanted to deal with before the 26.2, but obstacles happen, and I’m determined to handle this one with grace.
Soft Taper week 1 is over, and now I’m getting into the real gritty days of Grand Taper. Already I’m feeling the grump, the appetite increase, the heavy legs, the lack of motivation. It’s so funny how this is a near universal phenomenon, marathoners galore experience some flavor of the taper crazies during these last days of training. My enthusiasm is shot and all I want to do is sleep and eat. Thankfully, I have some measure of discipline and a love for routine so I’m putting in the work as planned, but it’s been tremendously harder to do so.
Our weather has been tumultuous lately, jumping around from mornings in the 30s to Saturday and Sunday tying record highs for the month. This morning it was windy and warm and rather intolerable out, but the temperature is going to decrease throughout the day and turn frigid by Tuesday morning, and kinda stay that way for the next 7 days or so. The extended forecasts are calling for a 55 degree low for race day, which would be absolutely perfect for me.
Here’s hoping it holds!
Aside from training, and pretty mild week as far as goings-on went. I spent a lot of time piddling at home doing this and that, but on Monday crawled out to the library to return some books and visit Shortwave for an obligatory day-off coffee. I chose the pistachio this time and it was okay, probably wouldn’t get it again.
Saturday, J and I tried out The Salty Donut and were really impressed! Tampa doesn’t have a good variety of quality donut shops but this was top tier. I had the banoffee pie flavor and he chose the yuzu matcha (not my thing), and we both enjoyed lattes on the patio with our treat. We dropped by a sandwich shop so he could grab lunch and I met this cute kitty! She was pretty disinterested in me but did let me pet here a bit.
In the evening we got Chipotle and watched O Brother, Where Art Thou? Great movie.
Good eats this week: sausage and potatoes sheet pan with carrots, seared tuna with rice and edamame, and a turkey-broccoli omelet. I am very into omelets lately for dinner when I’m not interested in prepping anything interesting.
I have a couple days off in a row to start the week, which feels nice, but then most of the rest of the week is swamped, which does not feel so nice. I’m hoping today to sneak out to St. Pete for a coffee since I have a little extra time, and would really like to dive back into my sketchbook and make a drawing or two.
I’m also in the process of switching out my Christmas decor in favor of Valentine’s accessories, and I’m loving how my styling is turning out so far.
Here’s hoping the sun pokes out while I’m recipe testing this afternoon. Right now is hella gloomy and depressing but I also know the front is pushing through the area and making everything feel blah.
Take care, friends! Hug your loved ones and your pets, find your comforts, and stick to your values. I hope FMG feels like a safe space for you to connect and nestle into when the rest of the outside world feels chaotic, stressful, and unstable.
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A hearty classic Italian soup for this major cold snack!
…TACOS! It’s been so long!
…A cozy cocoa for National Hot Chocolate Day!
…A cute and pink cookie for Valentine’s!
A Few Things I’m Digging
Yogurt…Trader Joes’ seasonal fig yogurt is so lovely! It’s whole milk so very rich and flavorful, and perfect for my morning bowls with granola and chopped apples.
Bows…I made a precious bow garland to hang over my bookshelf and used some of the leftover ribbon on my candleholders. I love how these little accessories look – all the pink makes me so happy!
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…Homestyle Pesto Chickpea Noodle Soup
Taco Tuesday…Adobo Mushroom Carnitas Tacos
Wednesday…Fig, Brie, and Caramelized Shallot Pizza
Thursday…One Skillet Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Piccata
Friday Happy Hour…Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smash
Saturday Baking…Strawberry Snowball Cookies
Sunday Brunch…Overnight Lemon Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast
6 Favorite Soups For the Cold Snap
2. Homestyle Pesto Chickpea Noodle Soup
3. Creamy Bacon Potato White Bean Soup
4. Quick and Cozy Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
5. Buffalo White Bean Chili…oldie but goodie!
Valentine’s Decor Ideas
Week in Training
Monday, 1.19: 13.1 miles, 9:16 pace + 13 minute lift
38 degrees with wind this morning. I knew I could do my session outside but opted not to because my lungs would not have a good time with the cold. So, I took it indoors! Ran 2.25 mile warmup with strides outside, then 8 x 1 mile at half marathon pace with .1 mile (about 1:10) recovery at 12:00/mile pace. I toggled between 7.2 and 7.3 mph (8:20 and 8:13 paces) gradually increasing the time at the latter. I felt tired but overall pretty good and it definitely beat dealing with the conditions nature tossed out there. Bundled up for a 2.05 mile cooldown outside before hitting the weights. Yay me!
Strength:
- 3 x 8 ea. lunge 50#
- 4 x 12 sumo squat 55#
- 3 x 15 calf press 150#
Tuesday, 1.20: 7.25 miles, 11:23 pace
Oof, a cold one out there today. My legs were SORE from the run and gym and my lungs just really hate the below 40 weather we’ve been having. So, not the most pleasant trot, but we got it done.
Wednesday, 1.21: 11.5 miles, 9:26 pace + 4.5 miles, 10:30 pace
I almost chickened out and did this workout on the treadmill, but I’m honestly glad I stuck with it and stayed outside despite the 20mph winds! Hey, you never know how race day will be so might as well tough it out. 11k continuous (about 6.8 miles) as 800m at marathon pace (8:34-8:46) and 200m threshold (7:47-8:02). Took me a bit to get used to the Saucony Endorphin Pros and their carbon plate but overall I’m really happy with how I felt and how this went! Good mental win as far as how I handled the stiff gusts.
Afternoon miles were, once again, very windy, but pleasant.
Thursday, 1.22: 8.5 miles, 11:22 pace + 10 minute lift
Very slow easy miles, 144 bpm. My legs have felt quite heavy during my chiller runs and I’m hoping that’s a sign of positive training adaptations since I overall felt okay.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 shoulder press 15#
- 3 x 10 triceps extension 25#
- 3 x 10 mid row 50#
Friday, 1.23: 5.05 miles, 11:13 pace + core work
Man am I sleepy! Taper tantrums have begun. Nonetheless, this was a lovely run at 141 bpm and the weather was perfect for me.
Saturday, 1.24: 16.3 miles, 10:55 pace
Well that was butt. It was hella humid and my running route was all fucked from the parade later in the day and for next weekend. Only saving grace was the porta potties being unlocked so I could sweep in before mile 12 to pee…I think my watch might have cadence locked again because my heart rate suddenly leapt from the 140s into the 170s for no reason and kinda stayed there for several miles. Don’t seem right. Last real long run before race day, though, and taper beings NOW!
Sunday, 1.25: 25 minute elliptical
Total running mileage: 66.2
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