sidebar | life and training 12.20 – 12.26
Merry aftermath, all. I’m always melancholic once Christmas ends. Although the holiday season doesn’t technically finish up until after the New Year (or, as bros argue, after the Super Bowl), the festivities certainly lapse once the 25th passes. My birthday falls on Thursday, though the older I get, the less enthused I feel about increasing my age another year.
Christmas Eve was just the perfect level of madness as usual. My sister’s boyfriend didn’t make it in town, but K Facetimed him and we certainly went on a spree of jabbing fun at the poor guy. Once during the evening I fell on the floor laughing. We greeted J when he arrived with Christmas shooters, enjoyed mistletoe margaritas, cheeseboard, a ton of homemade snacks a la mom, and plenty of faux arguments and guffaws and everything in between. Even though all we did was sit around chatting and cracking jokes, it was special and amusing and everything the day should be.
Christmas Day is always mellow for us once the gifts are unwrapped. I was so beat I took a nap on the floor, then escaped for a brisk midday walk before preparing scallops and risotto for dinner. Mom handled the salad and a big batch of our favorite rolls from my childhood. They’re foolproof, I swear.
As far as the gift exchange goes, I’m increasingly difficult to buy for each year, but with FMG growing in prevalence within my daily schedule, I asked for a few investments to pretty up my photos and any hosting I might do once 2022 hits. Mom bought a beauty of a serving board I can’t wait to use, and a tea stand I need to set up to store all my various satchets. K got me Versed’s Rich Moisture Cream to replace my current moisturizer that I don’t love since it contains “fragrance” and feels a bit lackluster. Practical stuff. If you read below in my Digs, you’ll see my really wonderful gift that I’m beyond pumped to break in this week.
Oh, and these SHEEP SLIPPERS. My mom made them. They’re the coziest most adorable things and I smile every time I slide them on.
We enjoyed cooler weather leading up to Christmas, so I got in plenty of afternoon walks. I almost strolled as many miles as I ran this week.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Everything Caesar Baked Crackers…Serious crack. I made these on Christmas Eve and they did not last long at all in the presence of J and I. Buttery, herby, just cheesy enough. Delicious. Grab the recipe here for your next snack-savvy gathering!
New KitchenAid… I’ve been drooling over stand mixers for years but refuse to steal my mom’s despite her offerings. Well, finally, I’ve a gorgeous mint green model of my own. I’m dropping hints about the pasta attachment for my birthday. We shall see…
Rocks glasses… Bought these as K’s gift and now I kind of want a pair for myself. They’d be wonderful for New Years drinks!
Cake pan…Purchased this the other day and I find it so pretty! I’m not in the mood for a layer cake on my birthday so plan for a really decadent but simple sheetcake instead.
Ferrero’s…I always receive a shit ton of Ferrero Rochers in my Christmas stockings and even though I’m not a massive milk chocolate person, these make my knees weak. Perhaps a baked good featuring them in the future?
Week in Training
Monday, 12.20: 4.31 miles, 10:27 pace + 57 minute shoulders and triceps
Pretty crappy run overall. Lift was okay, I definitely went harder than I should have and failed some of the reps, but I did have a couple satisfying breakthroughs so it was definitely not a total loss!
Strength:
- 4 x 10 overhead press 20#
- 4 x 10 overhead barbell triceps ext. #25
- 4 x 16 t raise 10#
- 4 x 10 overhead triceps extension 30#
- 4 x 4 chest press 60#
- 2 x 8/2 x 10 skullcrusher 25/20#
- 4 x 12 alt. eccentric shoulder press 15#
- 4 x 10 ea. single arm triceps extension 10#
- 50 leg drops/40 crunches/30 plank knee taps/20 ea. jackknife/10 inchworms
Tuesday, 12.21: 35 minute cycling (12.4 miles) + 45 minute back and biceps
Enjoyed a spin before work, averaged 121 watts, and a quick gym session.
Strength:
- 4 x 9 biceps curl 20#
- 4 x 12 bent arm side raise 15#
- 4 x 10 wide row 25#
- 4 x 12 incline biceps curl 15#
- 4 x 10 mid row 50#
- 4 x 10 single dumbbell curl 35#
- 1 x 15/3 x 12 hammer curl 10/15#
- 2 x 12/2 x 8 straight arm pulldown 32/37#
Wednesday, 12.22: 5.78 miles, 10:23 pace + 51 minute legs
Felt okay enough on my run to go a full hour rather than my planned 45 minutes. Learning to just take it mile by mile. Leg day is the worst but I did pretty well and moved up 10 pounds on my leg extension!
Strength:
- 4 x 12 reverse squat 90#
- 4 x 20 calf raise 90#
- 4 x 8 leg extension 140#
- 4 x 8 ea. split squat 60#
- 4 x 8 ea. single leg press 80#
- 4 x 16. alt. reverse lunge 30# overhead
- 4 x 15 seated calf raise 90#
- 50 alt. weighted toe taps/40 plank side taps/30 deadbugs/20 ea. hip dips/10 reverse crunch
Thursday, 12.23: 36 minute cycling (12.65 miles) + 45 minute shoulders & triceps
Put on some Christmas jazz music and threw down a quick easy ride and home gym session. Didn’t feel like walking over to the actual gym for my workout but my weight collection in our den did me just fine.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 Arnold press 15#
- 4 x 12 skullcrusher SS 12 boat triceps extensions
- 4 x 10 balanced single arm press 15#
- 4 x 10 ea. single arm extension
- 4 x12 triceps pulse 25#
- 4 x 10 side raise 12#
- I feel like I did something else but didn’t write it down so I can’t remember
Friday, 12.24 (MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!): 7 miles, 10:15 pace + 52 minute back & biceps
Decided to get a longer run out of the way in the morning since it felt really nice out, still not the best run and I was definitely tired by the end, but enjoyed it for what it was. Got my lift in after work since my longer trot left me with no time to go to the gym.
Strength:
- 4 x 12 reverse fly 20#
- 4 x 10 front to side biceps curl 15#
- 4 x 10 row 30#
- 4 x 20 alt. biceps curls 15#
- 4 x 10 back extension 30#
- 2 x 10/2 x 8 preacher curl 45#/50#
- 4 x 10 barbell underhand row 25# bar
- 4 x 10 bent over front raise 30#
- 50 scissor kicks/50 bicycles/50 deadbugs/50 flutter kicks/50 crunches
Saturday, 12.25 (MERRY CHRISTMAS!): 5.55 miles, 10:49 pace + 54 minute legs
Ho Ho Ho! This run was the best I’ve had in a very long time, 156 heart rate average. Pleasant, quiet morning and I was decked out in all my festive gear for the occasion. I didn’t sleep much the night before so felt quite sluggish, but both sessions proved energizing…until I crashed later. Ah well.
Strength:
- 4 x 10 narrow squat 60#
- 4 x 10 leg press 140#
- 4 x 12 alt. lunge 80#
- 4 x 8 leg extension 140#
- 4 x 20 calf raise 80#
- 4 x 12 elevated sumo squat 80#
- 4 x 10 ea. windmill 15#
- 4 x 12 alt. single leg squat 30#
- Core work I forget
Sunday, 12.26: 3.7 mile walk (1:00:00)
Total running mileage: 22.6
Total cycling mileage: 25.1