sidebar | life and training 2.19 – 2.25

BASEBALL IS BAAAAACK.

Hip hip hooray!

I don’t think I’ve said “hip hip hooray” since I was 10. I usually turn to hoorah or huzzah or halleloo to get the point across.

Either way, baseball hath returned to my life, and I am hyped. Granted, I didn’t pay much attention during the offseason except when blurbs about Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani wedged in between the constant, exhausting football analysis on ESPN. But suddenly, it’s here.

I’ve pinned down two spring training games so far. Not sure I’ll make more than that, but it’s a good segue into the season. Spring training matches are tough because it’s so godawful hot and I can only take so much sweating-through-my-socks action. Last year I attended more Rays regular games than ever before since a) the rule changes make live viewings more palatable (particularly when dealing with the Rays who were notorious for 3.5 hour endeavors) and b) I’m often able to get tickets for free.

I don’t know how many of ya’ll enjoy baseball, I know there’s a few of you. To those of us who follow, though, this is kinda like a springtime holiday season.

So whoopdy doo, and dickory dock…

What did I do last week? Not a whole lot. I’m preparing for my trip to Toronto/Pennsylvania, which is in just two weeks! Hard to believe it approached so fast, yet I couldn’t be more ready for it’s arrival. We finally booked our hotel in the city and are shortlisting some things we know we need to squeeze in to our schedule. We’re staying downtown near a lot of the main attractions, which makes traversing to and fro much easier.

Otherwise, a pretty ordinary set of events this week. Friday I visited my two bartender pals at Tampa Bay Brewing, enjoyed a beer and dinner and read some of my book. A cool dude sat next to me at the bar and we watched some of the Padres-Dodgers game on the TV, intermittently commenting about it. ‘Twas nice.

Saturday was mega lazy. The kickoff of the whole spring training schedule, so I spent the afternoon lounging and flipping through various broadcasts. Made a tray of black bean nachos loosely based on these. So good. I tell you what, though, I don’t really love sitting around all day. Makes me lethargic and achy.

I do look forward to this week. I texted my best friend randomly Saturday asking if he wanted to go to a game this week, and luck has it he was taking a half day at work anyway so we got tickets. Should be fun, even though we’ll probably roast.

I’m also gonna be in a major trip prep mode, which makes the adventure feel way more real. Shit, logging my vacation hours in the book at work will solidify the fact that it’s actually happening.

And, of course, I’ve been truly enjoying baking again. It seems around springtime my motivation to make sweets leaps out again. I dunno, spring baking is different than winter baking, maybe because I often incorporate fun colors and candies and maybe also because I know a lot of March birthdays.

What are you eager for this week? Name one thing. Could be tiny, could be large, but if it puts you in a good headspace, hey, it counts!

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…Brownies. Mmmhmm.

…A creamy, spicy one pot pasta.

…Another fun layer cake. Or cupcakes. Cupcakes are dicks, though.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Cake…Layer cakes are so fun to me right now, and my newest Classic Carrot Cake is the shitdiggity if you need a dream of springtime in edible form.

Trail Mix…Obviously this bag is simple a sugar bomb and not a ~healthy snack~ but I love the s’mores flavor.

Candle…This Cozy Nights scent is my favorite lately. It’s plush and comforting without feeling out of season.

Shops & Wish List

Home

Target…I’ve been blowing way too much on throw pillows but how adorable is this little chicken?! Also like this floral mug (not that I need anymore mugs) and egg garland.

Skincare & Wellness

Dossier…Love the idea of their new Discovery Set, and their new Trios. I’d get the lush & lively or toasty & warm varieties.

Tree Hut…Haven’t seen these at Target yet but of their new spring drop I’d like to pick up the Sunkissed Poppy scrub.

GU…For some reason my usual stroopwafels are ridiculously overpriced on Amazon, and Target hasn’t been carrying (the fuck, man) but GU’s Salty’s Caramel are pretty rad so grabbed those instead. I eat one every morning as a pre-breakfast nibble.

Week in Training

Monday, 2.19: 9.01 miles, 10:35 pace + 13 minute lift

Damn that .01 miles ruining my even mileage. Okay morning, very raw and clammy and my legs were extra stiff. I also saw that amusing cowboy hat-garbed fire hydrant I posted above on this run.

Strength:

• 3 x 9 chest press 30#
• 3 x 9 shoulder press 20#
• 3 x 9 row 40#
• 1:30 planks

Tuesday, 2.20: 7 miles, 9:46 pace

Delightful afternoon run. Managed to squeezed these lovely miles in before getting my hurr did!

Wednesday, 2.21: 7 miles, 9:39 pace + 14 minute lift

Another gorgeous day! Not a cloud to be seen.

Strength:

• 3 x 9 goblet squat 80#
• 3 x 10 side lunge 70#
• 3 x 9 deadlift 100#
• 3 x 9 leg press 190#

Thursday, 2.22: 7.17 miles, 9:45 pace + 10 minute core

Lovely lovely afternoon to make all my tanlines worse.

Friday, 2.23: 7 miles, 9:46 pace + 12 minute lift

Apparently 7 is my magic number for miles this week. Super windy afternoon, apparently 40mph gusts occasionally. It’s very uncomfortable when I feel my eyelids moving in the gusts.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 chest press 30#
• 2 x 10/1 x 9 shoulder press 20# (failed the last set)
• 3 x 10 row 40#
• 1:30 planks

Saturday, 2.24: 8 miles, 10:25 pace + 15 minute lift

I think finally, after 2.5 years, my heart rate and endurance are returning to their baseline levels. 156 average heart rate today which is the most normal I’ve seen in a good long time. What a relief. Cool, clammy morning, and I got to see some of the setup for the Gasparilla races taking place later in the morning.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 goblet squat 80#
• 3 x 12 side lunge 70#
• 3 x 10 deadlift 100#
• 3 x 10 leg press 190#

Sunday, 2.25: 6.22 miles, 10:32 pace + 11 minute core

Gasparilla races continue so a little bit of weaving to get around the thickening crowds – they hadn’t started at that point, but folks were gathering pretty quickly. Very pleasant, cool morning.

Total running mileage: 51.4