sidebar | life and training 4.11 – 4.17

What’s up, kids? How was your week? And happy belated Easter, Passover, and Ramadan, to anyone who celebrates one of the trifecta. I didn’t do anything spectacular. J went to his parents’ house while I stayed in since mom’s been a bit under the weather. I did make a banging sandwich for supper, though, and I’m pretty hyped to share it soon.

I’m now knee-deep in taper and sit 6 days out from Big Sur. The weather’s deteriorated around here and I’ve been feeling extra stuffy and flat. The latter is apparently characteristic of taper, but since it’s been a descriptor most of this training cycle, I don’t think its fair to attribute the sensation to my lower mileage. Aside from a couple weeks at the tail end of training, I kept pretty low weekly stats. I guess the drop is enough to potentially make a difference, even so, but I’m not convinced that’s the catalyst in this instance.

Either way, we head out Friday morning for a long travel day. I recently got approved for TSA Pre-check so that’ll take some hassle out of the adventure. Security lines midmorning, I’d imagine, will be a shitshow and a half, especially on a Friday.

I don’t think we have anything elaborate planned for Friday, just dinner somewhere around San Jose and probably grabbing a few groceries. The airport is about 2 hours from Monterey so commute is the name of the game. Saturday, we’ll visit the expo to get our bus departure time, bib, and whatever goodies we find. Sunday is go-time. The rest afterwards is just fun and games, and hopefully not too much limping about.

Here’s an inquiry: how much luggage do you take for trips longer than a week? I really hate having a carry on suitcase and a backpack, so I try to be as minimalist as possible. I haul my Swiss Gear laptop backpack as my personal item – I swear this thing has endless space and just expands and expands no matter how much shit you stuff inside. My marble American Tourister hardside suitcase serves as my checked bag (I believe I have the 28 inch bag). For cosmetics and liquids, I stick them in this sizeable Sonia Kashuk “Loaf” bag.

Aside from those organizers, I usually try to be creative with my space. For instance, rolled up underwear in shoes, lots of ziptop bags, other items stuck inside sweaters (especially fragile things). It’s amazing how much room you can conjure just by having a little storage savvy, without spending money on elaborate cube systems or vacuum bags.

What I’m Up To This Week

Racing…The Big Sur Marathon. Obviously.

Testing…Honestly, not a whole lot. It’s a busy week in life and I don’t want to create a ton of leftovers before we leave, but I’ll be making a couple kinds of noodles to help us carb up, as well as some tasty sweet rolls.

Treating myself…to a manicure! I haven’t done my nails in half an age since we aren’t allowed to at work, but since I’ll be gone awhile I figured most of the job will chip off before I get back and I can enjoy a nice pampering session to help me relax. What color should I do? I’m thinking lilac or mint, or something springy at least.

Eating…So many Trader Joes Maple Cookies. They’re my addiction right now. Popcorn is also my biggest snack attack.

Drinking…Trader Joes Candy Cane Green Tea. I’m going to deplete my stores eventually since it’s seasonal and I’ve already blown through quite a lot, but while I have some bags left I intend to enjoy it fully.

Traveling to…Chicago, after California. We missed quite a lot of dining and leisure spots since we were mostly there during the week when we visited in October, and lots of places only open Wednesday or Thursday through Sunday. We hope to get in a Wrigley tour and a day at the Art Institute.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Cereal…Impulse bought some Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Crunch cereal and it is divine mixed with a bowl of popcorn. That sweet and savory life is the life for me, yo.

Chickpea meatballs…I’ve hammered down the basic batter for awesome vegetarian meatballs and I’ve really enjoyed playing with different variations. I’d suggest giving these Weeknight Sticky Sesame Jalapeno Chickpea Meatballs a go this week!

Graham crackers…Been my night snack of choice lately with a bit of almond or peanut butter. So tasty! Honey Maid Cinnamon Grahams are my weapon of choice.

Hummus…I nailed a homemade hummus recipe I’m eager to share with y’all, but in the meantime, why not pull out that last can of pumpkin from the fall and enjoy a pumpkin hummus board?

CBD ointment…With heavy training comes niggles and aches. We use Sacred as a topical treatment and aside from feeling really nice and refreshing, it actually works to alleviate angry muscles and tendons.

Nothing sponsored, no links are affiliate. Just sharing personal opinion and offering some of my favorite things.

Week in Training

Monday, 4.11: 5.16 miles, 11:01 pace + 44 minute shoulders & triceps

First official day of taper and honestly it didn’t feel any different than the bulk of my training. Not that I really expected it to. I wore the Adidas Adios again and I’m pretty sure I don’t like them. They’re loud and make my legs feel flat and unenthused. The mesh upper is also super transparent and seeing my socks makes me feel insecure.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 ea. leg extension to overhead press 15#
• 3 x 12 OH triceps extension 35#
• 3 x 10 ea. balanced press 20#
• 3 x 10 chest press 70#
• 3 x 10 narrow press 25#
• 3 x 10 bent arm side raise 20#
• 3 x 12 triceps dip
• 3 x 10 chest fly 20#
• 3 x :30 tippy toe wall sit
• 3 x 20 alt. plank reach back
• 3 x 10 ea. weighted deadbug 10#
• 3 x 20 weighted Russian twist 20#

Tuesday, 4.12: 4.33 miles, 11:06 pace + 45 minute back & biceps

Man, my GPS is not having a good time lately. Historically, there’s one segment of mile 2 where I run in a tunnel and sometimes my tracker catches me and other times not. Today, I apparently zigzagged back and forth. Ah well. 5 x up and down my usual bridge in a new pair of 1080s. So boing! The bright whites aren’t gonna last long, though.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 squat to curl 20#
• 3 x 12 ea. balanced single arm row 35#
• 3 x 10 boat biceps curl 20#
• 3 x 10 narrow lat pulldown 71#
• 3 x 12 preacher curl 55#
• 3 x 12 reverse fly 25#
• 3 x 10 ea. cable woodchop 32#
• 3 x 10 ea. windmill 20#
• 3 x 12 ea. weighted bird dog 10#
• 3 x 15 ea. jackknife 10#
• :45 weighted boat hold 10#

Wednesday, 4.13: 7.16 miles, 9:47 pace + 45 minute legs

Woke up remarkably stuffed up so I knew allergies would definitely play a role in today’s session. My legs were also stupidly phlegmy this morning and felt tight and uncooperative all throughout the run. I was surprised my paces were what they were given the stubbornness of my body. 4 miles marathon effort at 9:14, 9:04, 9:00, and 8:58, which is pretty good pacing as far as I’m concerned. Just wish I could’ve breathed!

Strength:

• 3 x 12 deadlift 100#
• 3 x 10 jump squat 60#
• 3 x 12 plie squat 100#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg press 100#
• 3 x 10 leg extension 130#
• 3 x 12 alt. sit squat 35#
• 3 x 20 banded lateral hops
• 3 x 20 ea. knee drives 10#
• 3 x :40 on/:20 off squat knee-out
• 3 x 15 ea. weighted banded bird dog 10# SS 10 ab rollups 10#

Thursday, 4.14: 30 minute elliptical + 45 minute upper body

Slicing down one day of strength training so did a lighter session hitting most of my upper body muscle groups. Been in a rut many mornings but the movement felt alright overall.

Strength:

• 3 x 12 curl 20#
• 3 x 10 bench press 30# SS 15 leg drop
• 3 x 12 press up 35# SS 10 triceps extension 35@
• 3 x 10 ea. kneeling curl 20#
• 3 x 10 underhand row 40#
• 3 x 10 press down 32#
• 3 x 12 kneeling front raise 15#
• 3 x 15 ea. cable rotation
• 3 x 20 plank rolls
• 3 x 20 plank knee to elbow
• 3 x 10 knee in 10# OH
• 50 bicycles/30 jackknives

Friday, 4.15: 3.65 miles, 10:57 pace + 1 mile strides

Easy straight 40 minute run, then restarted my watch for a mile of stride 20ish seconds or so/walk until I recovered. I averaged faster that single mile. Oops. Hopped down to the 5s for my strides so I’m satisfied.

Saturday, 4.16: 12 miles, 10:30 pace + 45 minute legs

Pretty warm in the morning and a wonky run, but not terrible. Ran 4 miles solo to start then hung along with a friend for 3 – my pace was WAY faster than I usually do here, but it wasn’t killer – and finished off with 5 on my own. I like running alone most, but sometimes company is nice to have. Took in a Maurten at mile 6 and overall felt strong.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 narrow elevated squat 100#
• 3 x 12 ea. leg extension to OH press 15#
• 3 x 15 calf raise 170#
• 3 x 15 leg press 170#
• 3 x 10 ea. curtsy lunge 60#
• 3 x 15 knee ins 15#
• 3 x 12 narrow press to toe tap 20#
• 3 x 10 ea. weighted single leg hop 10#
• 3 x 20 shoulder tap to 10 ea. hip dip

Sunday, 4.18: 3.2 mile walk (50 minutes)

Total mileage: 33.3