32 mile week let’s gOOOOO.
I’m not where I want to be with my running – that’s for damn certain. I’d hoped by now to have a consistent base built up and a tiny bit of speedwork reinserted. A routine of regularity. Instead, I’ve bounced up and down with my mileage to compensate for a wonky knee and this appalling allergy season we’ve undergone.
This week, however, was my most successful since my marathon in February. I logged 32.4 miles, including a 10 mile long run, with no pain, tightness, or soreness to report. This is a HUGE deal for me! When I hit 40 miles the other week several of them were asterisked with discomfort in the joint, but I can honestly say that was not my experience this time around.
My hamstrings? Different story. Tight as hell. Not sure what to do about that other than continue foam rolling and insert some mobility work during my gym sessions.
This week felt endless, busy, and tiring overall. Not necessarily in a bad way, just a lot going on, a lot to work on, but plenty of time for rest, too. My coworker and I were talking about how we both need to intentionally chill the fuck out on our days off, and I couldn’t agree more. “Chilling out” means doing housework at a more leisurely pace, rather than a frantic one, in my book. Not quite the practice we’re looking for here, though.
Our weather has been freaking beautiful lately. Monday I walked to Shortwave for a midday latte. An old coworker of mine works there now and crafted my drink on this day. She did a beautiful job! We sipped and sat and then wandered to Sparkman to enjoy the sunshine and hang out with Mr. Ship. Just getting some obligatory vitamin D in.
Working midday has been a lovely change for me. I am high energy in the morning and have found, with a little experimenting, that starting recipes in the 9-10 am hour works pretty well with my lighting situation. The pace has done me some good, too: rather than rushing when I get home to finish things I didn’t get to the morning before (which, when I work at 6:30/7, I do nothing aside from workout and eat breakfast), I enjoy a leisurely morning and am in no real rush to type away at my computer or casually get some chores out of the way. After work, I typically go for a short 10 minute stroll to reset, then sit down for dinner.
It feels good, this alteration. Sometimes breaking routine has its benefits!
Saturday, J and I enjoyed a beach day! I swear, if our weather was like it was this weekend throughout the whole summer, I’d totally become a Beach Bum. Light breeze, full sun, low-80s, low humidity. It was p e r f e c t. He dropped me off at Grove first so I could try their key lime coconut latte. Honestly? That drink sucked butt. Their coffee is delicious and they craft it beautifully but that flavor missed badly. Still enjoyed the vibes and always love visiting that store, and will definitely be back for one of their more, ahem, standard offerings.
J picked up sandwiches at Uncle Funz, then we wandered out to the beach to eat and enjoy the water. Toes in the sand, sandwich in my hand. I had the roast beef and he got a meatball sandwich, both incredible. I actually repurposed the rest of my grub into a omelet later for dinner. I did wade in the water for a little bit, but it was CHILLY and I only got about to waist height. It felt okay once I stood there for a few minutes, I think my limbs just went numb.
I had some good grub this week! Wednesday’s crockpot was mushroom braised short ribs, and I served them with mac and cheese that I whipped up on Monday (originally paired with bbq chickpeas!) Wednesday was International Waffle Day, so naturally I bought some frozen dudes for breakfast that morning. Made a Thai red lentil curry for supper Thursday with some shit I had in my pantry and fridge – love using stuff up in creative ways. Finally, a super tasty banana mug cake as a sweet treat one night!
Easter is Sunday! Scroll down for my 2026 menu. I’m posting a couple more recipes this week to fill the gaps, but you will have plenty of time still to pick out what you want to make. Of course, let me know what you choose! I love seeing your creations and reading your feedback. Motivates me to keep going here.
That’s all for today, friends. Enjoy your Monday, enjoy your week, and enjoy your holiday!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A loaded up, savory pie that I’m retesting to perfect for ya’ll!
…A cooling no-churn ice cream.
…A springy coffee cake!
…A VERY unique whiskey sour!
A Few Things I’m Digging
Bread…I am going through a bread snob phase and thus bought a loaf of Trader Joe’s Tuscan boule. I am spoiled by now good this bread is, and it’s under $3! Make some slamming avocado toast, it does.
Notable Food Holidays
Wednesday, April 1: National Sourdough Bread Day (the perfect vessel for my Marinated Tomato Basil Avocado Toast.)
Thursday, April 2: National Burrito Day + National PB&J Day (Celebrate the former with some Spicy Chipotle BBQ Jackfruit and White Bean Burrito Bowls!)
Sunday, April 5: National Caramel Day + Easter! (How about some No Churn Bourbon Salted Caramel Ice Cream or a batch of Caramel Coffee Cinnamon Rolls?)
FMG 2026 Easter Menu
Starters
Main Courses
Dessert
Funfetti Cake Cinnamon Rolls *brunch option!*
Drinks
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…Asparagus Bisque
Tostada Tuesday...Chili Lime Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado Crema
Wednesday…Blueberry Feta Cobb Salad
Thursday…Buffalo White Bean Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Ranch
Friday Happy Hour…Bunny’s Hot Honey Bloody Mary
Saturday Baking…No Churn Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Easter Brunch…Funfetti Cake Cinnamon Rolls
Five 30 Minute Recipes for Busy Weeknights
1. 30 Minute Salmon Florentine
2. Crispy Jerk Shrimp Tacos with Coconut Pineapple Salsa
3. 30 Minute Mongolian Meatballs
5. Sheet Pan Hot Honey Ranch Shrimp Bowls
Shops & Wish List
Two Birds Boutique...Just discovered this site, and while their inventory is minimal, I love this pink sand blossom bralette. I’ve been wanting a layering bralette for awhile!
Bubble Lounge Boutique…An alternative to the bralette above is this very similar tan piece, which would go really well with the skirt I bought!
Wayfair…Wanting some towels for my bathroom redo and the sale on this pale pink 6-piece set is tempting. Also looking at this bamboo countertop organizer (love the tissue box in the pic too!).
Target…Sales will be the death of me! Got this lovely brown floral midi skirt and this woven tiered tray for my bathroom.
Week in Training
Monday, 3.23: 7.5 miles, 11:17 pace + 25 minute upper body & PT
Pain free run! I think all the PT and core work is paying off in subtler ways: my running stride has generally felt stronger and more stable since I started spending more time in the gym. Very nice to experience that. My knee gave me no issue, though of course my phlegm did. Performed 2 or 4:30 run/:30 walk intervals.
Strength:
- 1 x 8/2 x 6 shoulder press 20#
- 3 x 12 row 30#
- 2 x 12/1 x 10 triceps extension 25#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded single leg squat
- 2 x 20 ea. banded standing hydrant
- 2 x 20 ea. banded knee thrust
- 3 x 12 ea. BW split squat
- :45 plank
Tuesday, 3.24: 45 minute elliptical intervals + 25 minute upper body & PT
I was SO groggy this morning but the workout was refreshing! I’m starting to introduce some intensity into my elliptical sessions, since I can’t with my runs, and I thoroughly enjoyed this workout. 15 minute warmup, then 5 x 3 minutes “tempo” effort/1 minute recovery, 10 minute cooldown. Got the heart rate up and the effort felt appropriate.
Strength:
- 3 x 6/1 x 5 biceps cur 20#
- 3 x 8 chest press 25#
- 4 x 12 narrow press 15#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded lunge hdrants
- 2 x 12 ball hamstring curls
- 3 x 12 ea. leg extension 30#
- 2 x 20 ea. banded clamshell
Wednesday, 3.25: 8 miles, 11:19 pace + 19 minute mobility
A bit heavier on the 4:30 run intervals instead of the 2 minute ones, and my knee held up well though I was WHEEZING. God, the pollen. I wore a knee strap so I’m not sure if that contributed to my tendon wellness or not, but nonetheless I didn’t have any issues and that’s a good sign.
Thursday, 3.26: 60 minute elliptical intervals + 22 minute legs & mobility
First face-mottling workout since pre-marathon! Kinda felt satisfying to see some red on my cheeks. 30 minute warmup, then 10 x :30 hill sprints (level 9)/1:30 recovery. Finished with a 10 minute cooldown. Good to see some semblance of fitness returning and I really have missed pushing myself during quality sessions.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 ea. single leg press 80#
- 3 x 12 plie squat 50#
- 3 x 10 ea. banded single leg squat 10#
- 3 x 10 deadlift 80#
- 2 x 20 ea. banded standing hydrants
- :30 ea. pistol wall sit
Friday, 3.27: 6.56 miles, 11:26 pace + 20 minute full body
Sore legs but good vibes, no issue with the knee!
Strength:
- 3 x 12 thruster 15#
- 3 x 15 front raise 20#
- 2 x 12 ea. lunge with bicep curl 10#
- 3 x 12 curtsy lunge press 10#
- 4 x 20 calf raise 60#
- :35 ea. Copenhagen plank
Saturday, 3.28: 10.3 miles, 11:18 pace
SO encouraged to have a double digit run without any tweaking or tightness in my knee. I wore my strap and while my legs themselves definitely had issues adjusting to the mileage, the tendons didn’t speak up at all. Really thankful for this. I ramped up to a few 7 minute run intervals (most were 4:30 with some 2 minute ones in there too) so increasing next week looks like a realistic goal. Overall I’m very pleased.
Sunday, 3.29: 25 minute elliptical
Total running mileage: 32.4!
