sidebar | life and training 2.7 – 2.13

When this shindig posts, we’ll be high up on a Southwest flight nosing our way to Colorado until Sunday! This past week closed on a bit of a stressful note, since we suck and completely procrastinated on our preparations for the termite tenting. We got everything done (I hope) but certainly could have been more proactive about bagging our edibles and moving things around to other areas. At least I know my plants are safe with mom!

Are you a hoarder, or do you have an easy time letting go of things you know you won’t use? Typically I hit a breaking point with belongings, edible or otherwise, where I know I won’t touch them no matter how long I keep them in my possession. Such was the case with everything in my storage unit. No problem trashing the un-useful.

What is useful, however, is that my camera came home on Wednesday! SO happy to have it in my possession again. Seems a shutter malfunction caused it to kaput, and then Canon went and passive aggressively threw in a cleaning instructions snippet. I do wonder if that had something to do with the issue, since the pictures lately have a clarity I don’t remember from prior.

My Less-Obvious Packing Essentials

Of course, we all know the importance of clean underwear, and if you don’t, please learn. The usual list contains all manner of clothes, jewelry if you’re into that, skincare, shoes, etc. etc. etc. What about home comforts? Snacks? Trinkets you keep for luck, familiarity, and otherwise? I tend to travel with an array of goodies I couldn’t imagine leaving behind, since they give me a homey sensation or a sense of routine. Below are my individual must-haves for vacations.

Mr. Flurries…He’s my stuffed snowman I’ve owned for years. About as well travelled as me! He accompanied me to Sweden and Norway and The Netherlands, our many trips to Colorado, mom to Pennsylvania, and most local travels. Seeing him lounging on the hotel or bnb bed gives me a lot of comfort no matter where we are.

Socks or slippers…Especially when heading somewhere cold. This time I’m bringing a pair of sheep slippers mom made for a Christmas gift, other times some purple socks she knitted.

Bullet journal…A lesser-known fact about me is that I’ve kept a bullet journal for the past 6 years. I love designing my layouts every week, usually before Saturday long runs. Have to carry it around to log whatever shit we get into when on a trip, and to keep myself organized for when we return.

Workout fuel…Waffles, preworkout and the cup in which I drink it, individual protein packets (whichever I can find), and bars for hiking or sessions and whatnot. Must have my supply of familiars bagged up in my checked luggage.

Chapstick…Yo. Pack some lip balm. Your shit dries out like no one’s business on a plane.

Refillable water bottle…Of course, slurp the water down before security so they don’t confiscate it, but a reusable bottle is invaluable throughout the entire trip. Hydroflask is a great option if you’re looking for something with longevity, or these cool collapsible bottles if you’re tight on space.

Body poof…I hate washing up with a cloth. I always pick up a cheap loofah for the trip and usually discard it in the hotel at the end. I feel MUCH cleaner with one of these than a towel.

FYI, this is the backpack I use for my carryon. I swear it just keeps expanding and expanding and has infinite space.

What do you bring to stay grounded while traveling?

Not sponsored. I’m not cool enough for that.

What I’m Up To This Week

Trying…Skiing! Last time we visited Colorado I suffered a bad calf injury and couldn’t get on skis (we snow tubed instead – so fun!) but this Thursday we’re planning a trip to Loveland for the beginner’s slopes. I’m nervous, but really pumped to give the sport a go.

Packing…Vega and One protein bars, egg white bagel sandwiches, apples and mini peanut butters, grapes, and almond butter cookies I am HYPED to debut next week on FMG. Gotta have snacks to avoid spending stupid money on airport crap.

Testing…NOTHING. No recipe development happening this week, but I will be sharing the usual amount of new shit that I’ve banked up for our travels. No radio silence over here! Anything you’d like to see when I get back?

Reading…The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. The writing style feels a bit juvenile, but the concept might be interesting. I haven’t gotten too far in it yet but there’s a lot of cliche going on. I’m willing to give it a chance, but it hasn’t captured my attention overmuch yet.

Interested in…Curling. Seriously, it’s a game of serious finesse and I actually respect the athletes. It’s less of a muscle sport than one of technique and agility. Those dudes skirting along the ice not busting ass or banging into the stones is pretty impressive.

Buying...Huma energy gels, probably Mocha or Chocolate. Honey Stinger discontinued my favorite flavors and went solely with shitty fruity ones, so I’m going to try something new for my long runs. Also need to stock up on my morning waffles.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Instant espresso…When I don’t feel like brewing up a whole pot of coffee, I usually boil some water and make a Cafe Bustelo coffee with heavy cream in the afternoon. Surprisingly, the grounds are actually pretty good! I tend to bake with them as well.

Tortilla strips…Been putting these Sante Fe-style tortilla strips on any sort of Tex-Mex dish I’ve cooked up. Such a simple way to add some crunch to casseroles, salads, or tacos. Or taco salads.

Mug cakes…When I want a treat without baking up a dozen or so goodies, a mug cake is the perfect option to curb sweet cravings. I made up one for my upcoming ebook but love the 5 Minute Molten Caramel Mug Cake from this week for serious chocolate yearnings.

Plant food spikes…Mom got me a set of these Miracle Gro plant foods and my giant basil plant is flourishing again! His leaves have grown substantially since I inserted the tubes. Give them a try if you have herbs.

Week in Training

Monday, 2.17: 5.25 miles, 10:29 pace + 50 minute shoulders & triceps

Misty, clammy morning miles that felt pretty good all things considered. Not a whole lot of people around aside from some usual suspects.

Strength:

• 4 x 7 overhead press 25#
• 3 x 6/1 x 5 (failure) chest press 70#
• 4 x 9 OH triceps extension 35#
• 4 x 8 push press 40#
• 1 x 8/3 x 7 narrow press 25#
• 9/8/2 x 6 press down 37-41#
• 4 x 8 front raise 20#
• 2 x 8/2 x 7 lying overhead extension 35#
• 5 minutes core

Tuesday, 2.8: 3.72 miles, 10:45 pace + 46 minute back & biceps

Treadhill Tuesday with a 0-4.5% range and 10:3x-11:xx paces. Felt rough but satisfying, as all 4 am runs tend to.

Strength:

• 1 x 8/3 x 7 curl 25# SS 10 hammer curl 15#
• 2 x 9/2 x 8 lat pulldown 70# SS 10 reverse fly 20#
• 4 x 10 ea. single arm balanced row 30#
• 4 x 10 cable hammer curl 32#
• 4 x 10 back extension 35#
• 1 x 8/2 x 6/1 x 5 ea. cable curl 15-20#
• 5 min core work

Wednesday, 2.9: 6.15 miles, 10:33 pace + 52 minute legs

I’m starting to worry less about my speed workout days. Sometimes they feel better than the straight easy runs. 3 miles warmup, 8 x :20 hill sprints with a max pace of 5:47 (beat my last top speed of 5:55!), bit over a mile cooldown. Crisp and lovely morning with not too harsh a breeze.

Strength:

• 4 x 8 ea. bosu ball lunge 70#
• 4 x 12 deficit plie squat 60#
• 3 x 12/2 x 10 leg press 160/170#
• 4 x 12 machine calf raise 150#
• 4 x 10 swing 90#
• 3 x 8 hamstring curl 50# (dudes these suck)
• 4 x 10 ea. cable rotation 11/15# (hip stability work)
• 5 minutes core work including 10 weighted step ups per side. Almost fell

Thursday, 2.11: 30 minute elliptical + 50 minute shoulders and triceps

A relaxed spin on the elliptical before work. This seems to be my crosstraining of choice for now, since each I’ve performed thus far has felt pretty good.

Strength:

• 4 x 10 upright row 25#
• 6/2 x 10/6 single arm cable pulldown 15/20/20/15#
• 4 x 8 ea. kneeling shoulder press 20#
• 4 x 10 single arm triceps extension 15#
• 4 x 6 around the worlds 15# SS 12 pushup
• 4 x 10 skullcrusher 25#
• 2 x 12/2 x 8 bent arm side raise 15/20#
• 3 x 15 diamond pushup SS various core exercises

Friday, 2.11: 5.63 miles, 10:40 pace + 30 minutes back and biceps

Less time to lift after the run, but I was honestly okay with that – my stomach and back were crabby all morning and after my workout I was glad to have not extended it overmuch. 1 hour on the treadmill was good enough for me.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 row 35# SS 10 hammer curl 20#
• 3 x 8 mid row 80# SS 8 ea. concentration curl 15#
• 3 x 12 reverse grip curl 30# SS 10 straight arm pulldown 37#
• 3 x 8 single arm row 30# SS 8 cable hammer curl 32#
• 3 x 10 reverse fly 20#
• 15 biceps curls/15 wide row 15#

Saturday, 2.12: 16 miles, 10:35 pace + 35 minute legs

This run started and finished with me smiling, loose, and happy. I haven’t felt so casual during a run in so long that 13 miles in I thought I might cry a bit. Ran by some friendly folk, including a pal of mine who I didn’t notice until he passed me, and watched a gorgeous sunrise for the last hour and a half or so. This reminded me of long runs past that didn’t end with dejection. A really wonderful start to a busy weekend.

Strength:

• 4 x 10 ea. single leg press 100#
• 4 x 10 calf raise 160#
• 4 x 12 plie squat 80#
• 3 x 15 stability ball hamstring curl SS 8 ea. donkey kick 30#
• 3 x 10 ea. airplane
• 3 x 9/1 x 8 leg extension 150#

Total running mileage: 36.75