sidebar | life and training 3.9 – 3.15
Holy pollen.
Happy Monday, fellas! But holy GOD are my sinuses not happy. This whole weekend past I tossed around the am I sick again or is this allergies question, and while I’ve determined its the oak pollen count reeking havoc on my biology, the fact doesn’t make the struggle an easier.
I’ve never experienced spring allergies this bad. My exercise asthma is always a symptom of March through June’s counts, but the snotting/coughing/congestion are pretty new to my repertoire. It is m i s e r a b l e. I just want to lay down and veg all day.
But, we move forward, right? Life don’t stop because our noses are stopped.
I guess this week was fairly quiet? I had an extra day off on Thursday so I tested an additional recipe (which was super tasty but I might have to rephotograph down the line!) and then wandered out to Elevenses for a midday latte. My work schedule is shifting to afternoons so I might not get to visit Elevenses much anymore, since they’re only open Wednesday-Saturday until 4. It’s always a pleasure to get over there. I sat down for a bit with Ba and we read a Middle Earth cookbook that gave me some ideas for my own recipes!
Thursday was also pretty rainy and dreary later on, so I mostly read. I finished two books this week. The first, Pieces of Blue by Holly Goldberg Sloan, was okay, good until the end where the plot just felt rushed. I also read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Somehow I scored this at the library – her books are fucking impossible to check out without a massive waitlist – and it was so worth it. Such a poignant, sad, but hopeful book. My newsletter this week shares a few more thoughts about it!
Saturday was a lovely day off. J and I ventured to Armature Works for the Pickle Fest, which was actually super anticlimactic. Still, it was a lovely day, and we sampled some sushi infused with pickles and a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos dust (so good) and a slice of dill pickle pizza (also good).
We then strolled down the river to watch the water turn green for St. Patrick’s! Don’t worry, the hue fades out after a few hours and they use a fully biodegradable, environmentally-friendly dye. A couple dolphins came to visit and played among the sloshing emerald waves! So cool. It was a lovely day to enjoy the outdoors with my favorite human.
I whipped up these shamrock protein smoothies when we got back. I don’t have a recipe for this but perhaps I can share it? Do let me know if you’re interested!
A couple notable eats from the week: a Greek-inspired orzo salad with a simple oil and vinegar dressing, and pumpkin pancakes from a mix I found in my pantry. Makes me crave fall.
How was your week?
Like I said, this coming one will be an adjustment due to my later work schedule, but I think I can sweep most of my usual afternoon tasks to the earlier hours. Hell, it might even work better that way. We will see!
Happy St. Patty’s, all! Have a safe a fun holiday, and a relaxing spring break if you happen to be on it!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…Classic cookies for Oatmeal Cookie Day!
…More cupcakes because I have SO MANY ideas and 0 self control.
…A cozy springtime cocoa.
…A hearty and filling spring pasta salad!
A Few Things I’m Digging
Orzo…I love Target’s bronze cut orzo. The smaller size is perfect for a rice replacement or pasta salads – it’s just so pleasing to eat! I used it as a side for last week’s Marry Me Tuscan Meatballs.
Notable Food Holidays
Tuesday, March 17: National Irish Food Day (St. Patrick’s Day! Scroll down for five recipes to make!)
Wednesday, March 18: National Oatmeal Cookie Day (try out some Espresso Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies!)
Saturday, March 21: National French Bread Day (I vote Roasted Tomato Bisque to dip a huge hunk o’ bread into!)
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…Marry Me Tuscan Meatballs
St. Patrick’s Day Treat…Mint Chocolate Cupcakes
Wednesday…Greek Macaroni Salad
Thursday…“Bacon” Ranch and Avocado Pasta Salad
Friday Happy Hour…Lucky Charms Martini
Saturday Baking…Spiced Carrot Sheet Cake with Bourbon Vanilla Bean Frosting
Sunday Snack…Spicy Strawberry Salsa with Whipped Feta
Five Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day
1. Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes with Bailey’s Buttercream
3. Lucky’s Charmed Vanilla Doughnuts
Shops & Wish List
Fashion
Target…These cute heel sandals + this straw embroidered floral bag are THE spring combination for beach days…Like this cropped tank, maybe less for working out and more for everyday wear with a pair of jean shorts…
Week in Training
Monday, 3.9: 8 miles, 11:28 pace + 21 minute upper body & PT
Yay graduated to 10 minute run/:30 walk intervals! Knee felt good although my legs were just generally stiff and uncooperative. Pollen season is erupting in a major way and now I’m resigned to feeling like garbage until June. Yay. Nonetheless, I’m happy to be regaining mileage and my lift felt good as well.
Strength:
- 2 x 6/1 x 10 shoulder press 20/15#
- 2 x 10/1 x 8 row 60#
- 3 x 8 triceps extension 25#
- 2 x 20 ea. banded clamshell
- 2 x 15 ea. banded single leg squat
- 2 x 20 ea. banded standing hydrants
- 2 x 20 ea. banded knee thrusts
Tuesday, 3.10: 5.21 miles, 11:32 pace + 21 minute upper body & mobility
Pretty okay run, just the usual aggravated lungs from allergens. I felt flat during my lift for some reason, but it was alright.
Strength:
- 2 x 6/1 x 10 biceps curl 20/15#
- 2 x 15/1 x 12 chest press 20#
- 3 x 12 narrow press 15#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded lunge hydrants
- 3 x 10 ea. knee thrusts 5#
- 3 x 10 leg extension 30#
Wednesday, 3.11: 5.29 miles, 11:20 pace + 14 minute mobility
Gosh I love allergies.
Strength:
- 3 x 20 deadbug 20#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded standing hydrants
- 3 x 10 ea. hip flexor lifts 5#
- 3 x 20 hamstring frogs
- 50 crunches
Thursday, 3.12: 7.5 miles, 11:20 pace + 25 minute legs
One of those rare runs where I enjoyed a tailwind on the return trip! Pretty rough out there between sniffles and the wind, but felt okay overall. Knee was a normal amount of grouchy but chilled out for most of the session!
Strength:
- 3 x 15 ea. single leg press 70#
- 3 x 8 plie squat 50#
- 3 x 8 deadlift 80#
- 3 x 8 ea. banded single leg squat 10#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded standing hydrants
- :30 ea. single leg pistol wall sit
Friday, 3.13: 4.3 miles, 11:11 pace + 18 minute full body
Lovely weather this morning excepting wind…and my rebelling sinuses. SO bad today. My knee got a little crabbier than it has been so I’m not sure what’s going on there. Going to keep a very close eye on it in the coming days.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 thruster 15#
- 4 x 12 front raise 20#
- 4 x 8 curtsy lunge press 10#
- 3 x 20 calf raise 60#
- :35 ea. Copenhagen
Saturday, 3.14: 10.08 miles, 11:25 pace
Yeesh, this was hard. My allergies have been BAD this week, probably worse symptomatically than ever. My nose was running, my ears clogged, my throat skritchy…I blew a lot of snot on this trot. My knee ached in the background for quite a bit of this, which was not encouraging, but didn’t get to the forefront enough to cause me to mess up my stride, which was encouraging. I also was shite about my fueling (my fault) and it was warm and sticky out. Not a good recipe for a solid run, but we did it anyhow!
Sunday, 3.15: 25 minute elliptical
Total running mileage: 40.4
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