sidebar | life and training 4.20 – 4.26
YIKES I need a hair buzz.
In case you’re new here, or haven’t been paying attention to all my nuances (can’t blame you there), I’ve boasted an undercut for over two years now, along the sides and the back. I love it, it keeps my head breezy during the upcoming summer months and honestly, I think it looks kinda hot.
The downside is having to refresh the bald every month. And it goes from fine to itchy in a fucken blink.
So, that’s on the agenda today. How are you this Monday? I just finished a rad little 10k pace effort and it was a great confidence leap for this summer’s training. It was not pleasant out this morning, about 72 with a 70 dew point, and only climbing up from here. Yesterday I was very conscious salt and electrolyte consumption and I think the extra minerals helped keep my head clear and my legs turning during this session. Noted for future workouts, and for you: electrolytes work!
I might get myself out for another pool day today, so long as I get my running about done in good time. Last week I managed to pass a slow afternoon by the pool – no Little Miss Ba this time, it was too windy for her.
I don’t often let myself have truly lazy days, but Saturday I think I needed it. I haven’t been sleeping well lately, perhaps because it’s getting warmer out and my AC doesn’t really catch up until the middle of the night, or some other factor(s) otherwise unidentified; but, I wake up constantly and my sleep just seems stressful. And shit, my dreams?! Weird as fuck. So, I made my recipe (which I’m posting tomorrow, YIPPEE!) and read and napped the rest of the day.
By the way, I finally signed up for my summer 5k series, so it’s officially official. Death by watermelon for the third year straight, woohoo!
For dinner, J ordered pizzas from Motorworks and I made a glorious chopped salad with shit I had in the fridge, and we watched The Muppets Christmas Carol. The 25th of every month is Christmas Movie Day in my house, and that little new tradition is so endearing to me. Also, probably the best retelling of the Dickens classic ever?
For all the rest I got Saturday, on Sunday I was a groggy slug all day. Sometimes I think sleeping in doesn’t suit me, especially when I feel as restless as I have most nights lately. I might just wake up at my normal time on Sundays and spend the couple hours I have before work milling around and getting stuff done on my computer. I don’t think I’m made for 9+ hours of sleep. 7-8 suits me just fine.
Are you a big double-digit-hour sleeper, or is moderation the name of your game?
Oh, I FINALLY washed Roly Poly! The amount of crud that rolled off her beautiful silver exterior was just embarrassing. I can’t believe I went almost 5 months sans giving her a bath. Shame on me.
As per uje, here are some of my favorite eats from the week: a big chopped Greek-style salad with tuna and avocado toast, Caesar pasta salad with canned salmon one night and pulled bbq pork another, pulled pork tacos, a big ice cream cone at 10am, and a pulled pork pimento toast (went back for a second later!)
Hope ya’ll enjoy the final week of April! Are you ready for Derby Day? Peep below for a few recipes to inspire your race day spreads!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…Buttery, dilly shrimp rolls!
…A colorful and fun ice cream.
…Pretty cupcakes for Derby Day.
…A banana cocktail for Cinco de Mayo!
A Few Things I’m Digging
Pickles…Pickles with everything! This week’s Dill Pickle Chickpea Salad Sliders are one of my favorite recipes I’ve shared recently, but in general I’ve been loving pickles as a snack or to pack with my lunch bento boxes for work. Dill all the way – none of that bead and butter shit.
Appetizers…I’m really enjoying developing dips and appetizers lately. These are usually concepts I avoid because I have no idea how to use up the leftovers, but I’m getting better at tailoring recipes for, say, meal prep the rest of the week.
Notable Food Holidays
Thursday, April 30: National Raisin Day (bake up some Big Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!)
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…20 Minute BBQ Corn Pizza
Tuesday…Spinach and Cream Cheese Enchiladas Verdes
Wednesday…Sheet Pan BBQ Butter Salmon and Ranch Potatoes
Thursday…Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
Friday Happy Hour…Pineapple Mango Iced Green Tea
Saturday Baking…Classic Chocolate Chunk Zucchini Bread
Sunday Picnic…Dill Pickle Chickpea Salad Sliders
Five Derby Day Delights
1. Dill Pickle Chickpea Salad Sliders
4. Hot Baked Cheddar Bay Shrimp Dip
5. Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits with Honey Bourbon Strawberry Jam
Shops & Wish List
Target...Getting into summer mode here! Love this fringed shell beach towel and really want to grab this pink 18-can cooler…
Wayfair…Moving onto my bedroom redecoration and looking into this lamp (the pink and gray shades) for our nightstands.
Week in Training
Monday, 4.20 (heh): 9.25 miles, 10:01 pace + 28 minute upper body & PT
BLAZED IT on 4/20. Not really, but this was my first workout of 5k training! Ran 12 x 400m at 5k goal with 90 second recovery. My range was 7:18-7:22 and I averaged 7:20, so right where I wanted to be. I missed 3 out of the last 4 reps due to the headwind, which was 20+ mph, but can’t exactly fight those elements and I think I held up well despite the intense hinderance. I’m very pleased with this and hope I can sustain the efforts once it warms up and gets more humid. It was dry as fuck out and I barely broke a sweat, which was crazy!
Strength:
- 3 x 8 shoulder press 20#
- 4 x 10 triceps pressdown 24#
- 3 x 10 mid row 50#
- 3 x 8 triceps extension 30#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded single leg squat
- 2 x 20 ea. banded standing hydrant
- 2 x 15 ea. banded single leg bridge
- 2 x 12 ea. split squat 10#
Tuesday, 4.21: 4.5 miles, 11:20 pace + 30 minute upper body & PT
I’m pretty sick of how windy it’s been lately. Stiff legs and a stuffy nose this morning.
Strength:
- 3 x 8/1 x 6 biceps curl 20#
- 3 x 8 narrow lat pulldown
- 3 x 10 narrow press 20#
- 4 x 10 chest press 25#
- 3 x 12 ea. leg extension 40#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded lunge hydrants
- 2 x 12 ea. kneeling lateral leg lifts
- 2 x 15 ball hamstring curl
Wednesday, 4.22: 8.75 miles, 9:46 pace + 30 minute mobility
Thankfully the wind died down and the morning was pleasant. Ran 3 x 2k at *hopeful* half marathon pace, aiming for a range of 8:12-8:16. My splits were perfect! Ran 8:15, 8:14, and 8:13, all on 75 seconds rest. A good early season tempo trot.
Thursday, 4.23: 65 minute elliptical + 30 minute legs
Felt like doodoo today, perhaps allergies played a part because I was a bit wheezy on my spin. And so tired! Not sure why as I slept pretty well. My heart rate was okay so I’m not getting sick or anything, I just had a sluggish morning. Lift felt nice though, surprisingly!
Strength:
- 3 x 10 ea. single leg press 90#
- 4 x 10 diamond squat 40# SS 10 narrow squat 20#
- 3 x 8 ea. single leg deadlift 30#
- 3 x 10 inclined deadlift 70#
- 3 x 8 ea. banded single leg squat 10#
- 2 x 20 ea. banded standing hydrants
- :30 ea. pistol wall sit
Friday, 4.24: 7 miles, 11:39 pace + 27 minute full body
New shoes yay! But a very slow run. I felt fine but my legs were content just plodding along at almost 12 minute miles the whole time. Whatever. I slept pretty terribly the night before so I guess my bod just needed the recovery.
Strength:
- 3 x 7 thruster 20#
- 4 x 6 ea. single leg deadlift row 25#
- 1 x 12/2 x 10 front raise 25#
- 4 x 6 ea. bicep curl lunge 15#
- 3 x 10 curtsy squat press 15#
- 3 x 10 ea. calf raise 50#
- :35 ea. Copenhagen plank
Saturday, 4.25: 11 miles, 11:20 pace
Sticky little morning, a decent little run. The sunrise was absolutely gorgeous on my cooldown stroll. Not much to note here, kind of a typical Saturday session and my highest weekly mileage since pre-marathon!
Sunday, 4.26: 25 minute elliptical
Total running mileage: 40.5
Leave a Reply