sidebar | life and training 11.3 – 11.9

To start decorating for Christmas or to not start decorating for Christmas?

Just having a Hamlet moment over here.

Happy Monday, folks! On my 90 minute run this morning the temperature fell from 70 degrees to 64 degrees, and will continue dropping as the day progresses. I mean, shit, we’re under a cold weather advisory. In November?! Nuts. One of the well-known weathermen here phrases such as a “Snuggle Alert.” Our low tonight is 36!

That means a big bundly recovery run tomorrow morning in the coziest sweater I own.

Thanksgiving lies three weeks away, which means it’s high time for my 2025 Thanksgiving Menu! The roundup went live today and houses everything you need for a successful holiday, be it for a gathering of 20 or 2, or even just you. (Ok, Dr. Seuss.) Recipes and tips galore occupy the post, so give it a read and let me know what you’ll be making this year. Can’t wait to see your creations!

This week I cranked my mileage back up to working levels for marathon training, hitting 52 with pretty much no speedwork except some hill strides on Wednesday. Today I ran my first hard session since my 10K race, with 6 miles of tempo/10k work, and it went alright except I’ve been feeling asthmatic lately. Not sure what allergen might be fucking with my sinuses, but something is. Either way I’m happy to start the week with 10 pretty quality miles.

I did a lot of this and that this week, not a whole lot exciting. I did simmer another pot of black bean soup on Thursday and wandered over to get a hot chocolate from the grocery store. It was surprisingly tasty. The day was gloomy and chilled so Little Miss Ba and I sat on the patio at the shop for a bit enjoying the comfy vibes.

Got a couple more sketches done, too. Some of my colored pencils are withering into nubs and I think I’m going to have to splurge on another set soon. I’m starting to transition into wintry scenes since we’re getting more consistently cool weather and Christmas is starting to creep into my thoughts. In fact, I baked a batch of cookies Saturday whilst playing a merry holiday jazz playlist. Not sorry.

I’m always excited about the recipes I have in mind for each grocery trip, but this week I’m extra hyped. I’ll be finishing off the dishes from the Thanksgiving Menu and ensuring they’re all posted by the end of next week (yes, I know that’s a squeeze for some, but like I always remind you, this is not my full time job and I do the best I can!). Cold weather gets me itching for my favorite comfort foods, and we’ve got a lovely array of them coming up.

That’s about all for now. Be well, friends!

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A cozy sheetpan salmon dinner.

…A pot of silky, decadent mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving.

…A warm latte for chilly mornings.

…A delightful chocolate bark for upcoming cookie boxes!

A Few Things I’m Digging

Soup…My Rustic Black Bean Soup is on repeat in this house – I’ve made it thrice in the past two weeks. Love a bowl with shredded cheese, avocado, and a big hunk of baguette. Other ideas? Quick and Cozy Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili, Easy Smoky Chili Con Queso, and Chipotle Pumpkin Enchilada Chili.

This Week’s Menu

Meatless Monday…Rustic Black Bean Soup

Tuesday…Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Mushrooms and Broccoli

Wednesday…Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Salmon

Thursday…Pizza Night Italian Chopped Salad

Friday Happy Hour…Cranberry Cider Bourbon Smash

Saturday Baking…Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Gameday Snack...Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…Like this mock turtleneck pullover (taupe) and snowflake holiday crewneck, or this alpine crewneck pullover...This burgundy tartan mini A-line skort is tempting, I’ve wanted a plaid skirt for ages and honestly do not object to the skort tend…These croissant pajamas are precious and look cozy…

Etsy…Running across so many cute Christmas-themed sweatshirts! Looking for one like the pumpkin sweatshirt I bought awhile back: love this one, this one, or this one.

Home

Etsy…Planning to switch out my wall art for the winter and am torn between these evergreen prints and these watercolor holly berries.

Week in Training

Monday, 11.3: 9.4 miles, 11:08 pace + 23 minute full body

Easy miles post-race! Not doing formal speedwork this week so started off with a longer but chill session. It was so cozy – I threw on a sweatshirt overtop my favorite set, some fall-themed socks, and just let my legs do their thing. 154 bpm so pretty mellow but gearing up to rebuild to 50ish miles and beyond this week and over the next few.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 + 2 x 8 narrow squat 50/60#
• 3 x 10 upright row 15#
• 4 x 8 leg press 180#
• 3 x 10 bridge skullcrusher 15#
• 3 x 10 incline press 20#
• :60 plank

Tuesday, 11.4: 5 miles, 11:30 pace + 5 minute core

In that annoying post-race phase of everything feeling hard. I was also SUPER sore after Monday’s gym so that probably also accounts for the very slow miles. Went on the elliptical after work then did a few core moves.

Wednesday, 11.5: 8.5 miles, 11:03 pace + 4 miles, 10:53 pace

6 x :30 hill after 7 miles. Easy miles felt blah, the sprints felt pretty good though.

Afternoon miles were chill and it was GORGEOUS out, about 82 degrees and dry.

Thursday, 11.6: 7.2 miles, 10:43 pace + 15 minute strength

Lovely morning and my run felt much better! Higher heart rate than I would’ve liked but I also ran oddly quick and my legs were grooving, so I’ll take it.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 wide curl 15#
• 3 x 10 sumo squat 60#
• 3 x 10 ea. OH triceps extension 15#
• 3 x 15 pushup
• :60 plank

Friday, 11.7: 4.25 miles, 11:02 pace + 5 minute core work

FRIYAY! Nice easy miles at 148 bpm, feeling much better than earlier in the week. Spun on the elliptical a bit after work and did a little 50-40-30-20-10 rep core circuit.

Saturday, 11.8: 14.05 miles, 10:49 pace

SO fucking humid this morning, I think 98% when I started, and there was a little fog floating around the bay. Nonetheless I had a pretty decent run and bumped into the couple I see most mornings – we’ve gotten friendly with one another and the guy greeted me by saying “oh hey we were just talking about you!” Love the little early morning camaraderie. Took a Honeystinger before and three Untapped gels during. Making progress with my fueling!

Sunday, 11.9: 25 minute elliptical

Total running mileage: 52.4