sidebar | life and training 4.21 – 4.27
The humidity hath cometh.
This morning my weather app read 85% humidity, and boy did I feel it. We’ve enjoyed some warm albeit very dry mornings lately and while my body isn’t really acclimated in general to the warmth yet, the lack of moisture in the air certainly helped the lung situation. Well, no more, I guess. On my run this morning my whole respiratory system was protesting. Rioting. I managed the workout but my face matched the color of my pink heart coffee mug from which I’m currently sipping my morning americano.
It’s interesting to see some of the neighborhood come alive as spring melts into Floridian summer. At least, before the real disgusting months kick in. Early morning music rang from the boats on the dock (though I kinda wonder if it was left on by accident), people wander about the island in sarongs, the scent of coconut peels through the wind. There’s a charm to the hot weather that isn’t really lost on me despite my daily grumbling.
I spent a good portion of Saturday afternoon poolside – and so did the rest of the complex. The air was dry and a little breeze disrupted the heat, and the water felt gloriously cool upon first dip. I swam a few laps, ate a BLT, and we shared a few cookies I’d baked up that morning. I escaped sans sunburn. Read lots of my book. I vowed to myself to spend more time by the pool before it got unbearable out, and so far I’ve enjoyed a couple sessions. This coming weekend we’re getting resort day passes to one of the swanky hotels across the street, and I’m pretty hyped.
This week was especially quiet. I stayed home most of the time, did some yoga, had a lot of quiet moments. I didn’t quite have enough cash to take Little Miss Ba out so we nibbled our treats on the couch. I think I’m in homebody mode of late, content to keep up my living space and hide under the throws on my couch with a book. Sometimes travel and adventure appeals, sometimes stillness does.
I’ve a few domestic projects in mind, mostly in the kitchen. I want to try my hand at homemade macarons (no way I’d share them on FMG first time around, I’m a total noob and I’m sure they’ll suck), and with one of my recipes this week I’m making a strawberry jam to accompany. They say summer should feel slower than the later seasons, and I’m trying to embrace that mindset.
Some meals I enjoyed this past week. Easy fried rice with peas, broccoli, and carrot, crab enchiladas, and biscuits trial 1 with chorizo gravy. Yumbo.
How was your week? Full of interesting outings or spent at home?
Not a whole lot else to report. Until next time, friends!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…Saucy stuffed shells!
…A fresh and light Derby Day julep.
…Flaky buttermilk biscuits.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Biscuits and gravy…Whipped up a batch of my buttermilk biscuits (which I’ll be retesting and photographing this week!) and a homemade chorizo gravy. Holy delightful. Something to be said about southern comfort food.
Coffee…Brewing this Guatamela Antigua coffee. One of my favorite beans through and through. At the right grind it makes a really lovely espresso shot as well for my americanos.
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…“Bacon” Ranch and Avocado Pasta Salad
Tuesday…Creamy Shrimp Salad Tostadas
Wednesday…One Pot Smoky BBQ Salmon and Pea Risotto
Thursday…Blueberry Feta Cobb Salad
Pre-Derby Happy Hour…Guava Mint Julep
Saturday Baking…Milk n’ Cookies Layer Cake
Sunday Snack…Hot Baked Cheddar Bay Shrimp Dip
A Very Blueberry Roundup
I’ve found myself with 7 pounds of fresh blueberries from my farm adventure a couple weeks ago, and how will I use them? With any number of the following blueberry treats. Check it out!
Blueberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins
Shops & Wish List
Fashion
Target…Obsessed with this sandwash romper and really like the neckline of this maxi dress. I adore this blueberry print bikini (+ matching top), I’m quite due for a new swimsuit. And these tailored shorts, in the olive shade.
Home
Target…These disposable rose gold plates + napkins would be perfect for a lowkey outdoor gathering. Thinking about this strawberry notebook as my next journal.
Week in Training
Monday, 4.21: 7 miles, 9:53 pace + 40 minute legs
4 x 1k workout this morning. I figure this week I’ll reduce volume if my groin keeps giving me grief, but overall I felt okay during this session – the muscle gets more agitated when I’m running slower rather than faster, which is odd. Shot for 10K effort during this workout and felt strong! 4:56, 4:56, 4:49, and 4:48 for my intervals, which were 7:58, 7:58, 7:47, and 7:45 respectively.
Strength:
- 4 x 8 ea. single leg deadlift 70#
- 4 x 8 diamond deadlift 70#
- 4 x 8 alt. front lunge 70#
- 4 x 6 ea. single leg press 130#
- 4 x 8 ea. split squat 50#
- 3 x 12 ea. standing hydrant 25#
- Leg burnout
Tuesday, 4.22: 4 miles, 11:15 pace + 25 minute back & bis
Did not feel great on this run – groin was painful and didn’t improve enough for me to feel comfy continuing with even my mileage reduction plan. Big fat bummer. Guess it’s elliptical and extra gym workouts for me.
Strength:
- 3 x 8 face pull 41#
- 2 x 6/2 x 10 reverse fly 25/20#
- 3 x 6 reverse curl 15#
- 4 x 10 T row 55#
- 3 x 6/1 x 12 ea. crossbody curl 20/15#
- Arm burnout
Wednesday, 4.23: 50 minute elliptical + 37 minute legs
Day one of my hamster wheel imprisonment. Trying to remember that the elliptical is the elliptical and running is running, and the former is never going to be a direct substitute for the latter – shit, I trained for a marathon mostly on the elliptical and while I finished some of the adaptations DEFINITELY didn’t translate! Performed 20 x :30 harder/:30 easy, like my running workout. Worked up a sweat and overall felt pretty accomplished!
Strength:
- 3 x 8 elevated front squat 60#
- 3 x 10 leg press 170#
- 4 x 15 machine calf raise 180#
- 4 x 6 ea. side lunge 50#
- 4 x 8 reverse lunge 70#
- 2 x 15 ea. clamshell banded
- 2 x 10 ea. single leg squat 20#
- Leg burnout
Thursday, 4.24: 50 minute elliptical
9 x 20 second “sprints” this morning. A very sweaty and effective workout! I pedaled as hard as I possibly could on levels 8-10 for these. Challenging and satisfying for what they were.
Friday, 4.25: 40 minute elliptical + 25 minute chest & tris
I don’t know why but I never want to get my ass up for my Friday gym workout. Slept quite a bit later than I intended and visited ye ole hamster wheel for a chill spin, then got my weights done in the afternoon.
Strength:
- 4 x 8 chest press 30#
- 6/8/10 shoulder press 25/20/15#
- 4 x 6 triceps pushdown 41#
- 4 x 8 narrow press 25#
- 2 x 6/2 x 12 lateral raise 20/15#
- 2 x 25 second Copenhagen plank
- Forearm stands
Saturday, 4.26: 11 miles, 10:56 pace
Yay running! A few days off seemed to have done the hip and groin well. Felt a bit of tugging towards the end but overall there was no pain and the discomfort was a solid .5/10. Allergies, however, were a 25/10. Holy wheezing. Every time I took a deep breath on my cooldown walk I started hacking. Still so glad to have hit the pavement and ready to continue training next week!
Sunday, 4.27: 5.1 mile walk (1:23:15)
Total running mileage: 22 miles + 2 hours 20 min elliptical
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