sidebar | life and training 10.13 – 10.19
Do they make vacuum cleaners for your ears?
Seriously, since the brunt of summer I’ve been fighting a clogged right ear. It crops up out of nowhere sometimes: I’ll make a weird shape with my mouth or an odd noise (I do that at work quite frequently) and suddenly I hear a pop-fizz-crack and can hear my own breathing for the next thirty minutes. It’s awful.
I know a logical fix for this would be getting my ears cleaned professionally, and trust me, I’ve tossed around doing that on my birthday to “treat myself.” Isn’t that fucked up, to consider a medical visit a “treat”? I’m insured but shit still costs money and I tend to procrastinate on that stuff if it isn’t causing me extreme pain. Which it isn’t, to be fair, but I’d imagine I’d feel a whole lot better with it taken care of.
Our weather was stupendous last week, straight up perfect. Mid 60s, lower humidity, bright sunshine. Yesterday, Sunday, a rainstorm blew through and left in its wake a cloak of moisture that sucked the breath out of me on my workout this morning. Which, by the way, I nailed, despite more labored breath and a runny nose. They say rain’s supposed to wash away allergens but I’m pretty sure it just washes them up my nose.
This week was life-busy. I’m travelling for my sister’s wedding on Thursday and have a lot of emotions surrounding that – not her getting married itself, I love my brother in law to bits, but of the logistics. I don’t travel too well anymore and the labor strains in air traffic control are causing significant delays and cancellations. Flying already induces anxiety and this extra layer doesn’t help. My mom flies out Wednesday and I know I’ll be staring at her flight tracker the whole damn time until she lands safely in PA.
But, aside from packing and some other odds and ends, I tried to enjoy a fairly normal time. Ba and I visited Shortwave again on Monday for a fall treat, this time their pumpkin hazelnut latte. So good. It was a bluebird day, not a cloud in sight, and we even got to see of Mr. Ship as he rolled out of the port and into open water. Bon voyage!
I’ve been drawing lots lately, still. It’s very therapeutic. Most of my sketches take 1-2 hours depending on how elaborate I make them, and since some of my methods are becoming habitual for me I find that I’m able to get into a groove more quickly.
Saturday we changed Roly Poly’s oil for the first time! Very easy process and I feel better knowing that I don’t really have to deal with it again for another year since I don’t put too many miles on her.
Later we went on a dinner date to Anchor and Brine to quell my craving for steamed mussels. A perfect evening for al fresco dining.
Meals we enjoyed this week: butternut squash soup with grain salad and some rice, bean, and cheese burritos.
I have two 8 hour shifts and a whole lot of crap to accomplish before we fly out on Thursday, so I’m feeling a bit edgy about my to-do list. I know I’ll get it all done and I’m merely becoming paralyzed by what seems to be a daunting ledger of responsibilities, but looking at it where I am now it all feels rather impossible. But, I’m a freak multitasker so I’ll likely surprise myself as usual.
Be well, all. Talk again next week!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…An easy, delectable fall pizza.
…Pumpkin-y cookie bars!
A Few Things I’m Digging
Untapped…Big fan of their maple syrup gels. I’m willing to try other flavors but right now only have the original one. They go down very easily and make a huge difference in how I feel during my long runs.
PB&Js…I’ve been making peanut butter jelly sandwiches on Sundays – sometimes with banana – since I don’t have much time to eat between work and going to my mom’s. It’s also such an easy, tummy-friendly lunch during long workshifts too, with plenty of supplementary snacks of course. Sometimes childhood favorites translate great into adulthood.
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…Butternut Squash Apple Bisque
Taco Tuesday…Crispy Chipotle Tempeh and Black Bean Tacos
Wednesday…Stove Top Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Thursday…Creamy Dijon White Wine Salmon
Friday Happy Hour…Haunted Mansion Margarita
Saturday Baking…Halloween Oreo Stuffed Monster Cookies
Gameday Snack…Sweet and Savory Cheddar Apple and Caramelized Onion Pizza
Shops & Wish List
Fashion
Target…Liking this crewneck pullover. I may have actually mentioned it already…Looking at this cozy knit polo (love the burgundy), this open-stitch cardigan, and this jogger + pullover set.
Skincare & Wellness
e.l.f…Picked up a few pieces for the wedding this week: their Nude Mood eyeshadow palette, eyeshadow brush, and will probably grab their Glow Reviver lip balm to finish whatever look I scare up.
Week in Training
Monday, 10.13: 9.85 miles, 9:18 pace + 25 minute full body
What a GLORIOUS morning! I bombed this 5 x 1600m workout a month ago prior to my PB&J race but today everything was clicking. I’m guessing the weather had a lot to do with it. 75 second recovery between each interval and got increasingly faster as I went: 8:00, 8:00, 7:56, 7:56, and 7:53 were my splits. I felt amazing, though oddly I developed a stitch during my cooldown? Maybe it was the rice and beans last night…
Strength:
- 3 x 10 ea. split squat deadlift 50#
- 3 x 10 ea. side raise 15#
- 4 x 8 chest press 25#
- 3 x 10 plie squat 60#
- 3 x 8 triceps pressdown 28#
- 1:00 ea. side plank
Tuesday, 10.14: 5 miles, 11:06 pace
Another fabulous morning and a nice 148 bpm heart rate!
Wednesday, 10.15: 9.2 miles, 9:17 pace + 4.85 miles, 10:25 pace
Great, fun workout this morning. Ran 7 x 1k at critical velocity (about 35 minute race pace), which averaged 7:43 for me. I started conservatively with the first three reps closer to 10k pace (7:48, 7:46, 7:46) then wove down to 7:40, 7:41, 7:41, and 7:37. Felt strong and enjoyed the speedier sections thoroughly!
Afternoon run was lowkey, warm, but pleasant.
Thursday, 10.16: 8.2 miles, 10:51 pace
7 easy miles at 150 bpm average, then 5 x hill, probably 20-30 seconds per rep, very informal. Ran a 5:57 top speed which was an improvement from last time!
Friday, 10.17: 4.5 miles, 11:16 pace
FRIYAY! A nice chill recovery run at 146 bpm.
Saturday, 10.18: 14.25 miles, 10:40 pace
This was one of THE smoothest long runs I’ve ever had! I felt rhythmic and in control and like I could’ve kept going. Took 2.5 gels (and one before) plus a couple SaltStick tabs. It was a glorious 65 degree morning and I was rolling. I even clocked some 10:20s/10:30s and my heart rate averaged 254. Feels good to feel good.
Sunday, 10.19: 25 minute elliptical + 10 minute walk
Total running mileage: 55.9 (ok 56 for my purposes)
