sidebar | life and training 4.29 – 5.5
Derby Day AND Cinco de Mayo on the same weekend? Man, do I sympathize with bartenders.
During a visit to my favorite brewery this weekend, I struck up a conversation with the bartender (cool dude, never seen him before) who relayed some fun stories about the previous day’s Derby viewing at the brewery. First off, I’ve found the best way to get servers/bartenders/baristas to relax is so share that I am also in food service, so anything they say is completely relatable to me. I find it funny to see how the effect of common workforce experience makes them completely chill out and talk to me like I’m an old friend.
Anywho, he told me how insanely busy the brewery was on Saturday, how he only made two mint juleps the whole night (the fuck, people, that’s the official Derby drink!), and how entitled people are, believing their orders should be out lightning fast when clearly the entire dining room and kitchen is suffering under the weight of copious orders. He had to comp a very impatient couple’s entire order because they were about to go all puff-chested and make a scene at the bar because BooHOo we hAVe to wAiT.
I’ll give you a little hint about something called situational awareness: if an entire facility is stuffed to the brim with patrons, you’re gonna have to be patient. So sit your ass down, shut your piehole, and find ways to entertain yourself whilst waiting like EVERYONE ELSE IN THE ROOM. You are not a special snowflake because you’re rich or old or have three unruly kids you shouldn’t bring in public anyway and don’t know how to interact with outside society.
Rule #1 of life: Don’t Be a Dick.
Now that we’ve established that, I guess I can share the rest of my week, huh? ‘Twas a pretty decent one.
Monday I met up with a pal for happy hour at Flamestone Grill. I remember the place being better than it was – I last visited maybe four or five years ago. I had a St. Germain spritz (though I had to teach the bartender how to make it, heh) and the margherita flatbread, which was alright.
The week kinda blew by after, I don’t much remember it aside from just working and baking a new cake (SO FUN). I got happy hour at Lona on one of the days, and just ordered a lump of guacamole and a capirinha. Hit the spot.
Friday the same friend and I met up at a bowling alley to shoot a few rounds of pool. I haven’t picked up a pool stick in ages and the first game I pretty much fucking sucked – he made it real clear that my form was ass. Once that was somewhat mended and I had half a Sam Adams summer lager in my system, I actually started doing pretty well and got on a good mean streak for a spell. Won the second game, barely lost the third. Very chilled out evening, something I kind of want to do more often if I can.
Saturday I finished off the aforementioned cake – it’s perfect, ya’ll, and will be shared in a couple weeks – and then wandered out for an hour of kayaking. Got really hot that afternoon but thankfully the clouds rolled in and mostly shielded us for the duration. I got to see Mr. Ship from a new angle! Didn’t do much the rest of the day aside from eat and watch the Kentucky Derby. Can’t help but kinda get into it, especially when an underdog whoops ass unexpectedly.
Sunday I participated in another virtual iteration of the Wings for Life World Run. This year was definitely not the same largely because the friend that usually joins moved out of the country. I wasn’t too inspired, so I ran before the race started and just walked for the race itself; I was also extremely tired for some reason. I even napped later in the day which just doesn’t happen anymore.
In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo I whipped up a paloma (at 10 am, heh) and baked some black bean nachos for lunch. Dropped J off at the airport for his weeklong trip, then drove out to Tampa Bay Brewing for a beer and soft pretzel. I’ve been craving a pretzel for weeks, and it really hit the spot even though between that and the nachos I probably ate enough sodium to fill a countertop saltbox. Oh well. I spent time talking to the bartender and reading my book. Very easygoing way to end the week.
This week I’m hoping to organize a little get together with my friends – they haven’t met one another yet and I’m eager to make that happen. Otherwise, a hell of a lot of cleaning and some cooking are in order. I keep telling myself that I need to delouse my eating habits, but my snack game has proven too strong. I know how to feed myself, but I’ve been on a lazy streak with everyday meal prep.
Sometimes, though, ’tis the season for lackadaisicalness. Small steps, I need, to get shit together again.
Have a fabulous week, friends!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A creamy white lasagna.
…A lemony Mothers Day brunch.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Pool…Hadn’t shot pool in ages until last Friday. A pal and I duked it out for three rounds – I lost 2/3 but by the end I actually started getting into a groove. Fun, casual way to get the brain cogs turning and just have a good time without too much adventurousness needed.
Skillet dinners…Simple and quick is the name of my game lately. Loved my One Skillet Greek Olive Shrimp and Rice from last week – Lemon White Wine Shrimp and Orzo, Thai Basil Coconut Curry Salmon, Coconut Lime Salmon, and Cheesy Baked Pizza Pasta are among my favorites.
Sandwiches…Eating so many peanut butter banana or Nutella banana sandwiches lately. I’m so fucking lazy for lunch that these are just quick and easy enough to get calories in without thinking too hard. I usually pair one with carrots and ranch + grapes.
Mother’s Day Treats
Give mom what she really wants: a swanky spread. Here’s some ideas to say “I love you” to your mom/momly figure on this special day.
Brunch
Overnight Lemon Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast
Dessert
Classic Carrot Cake with Bourbon Maple Buttercream
Spiced Carrot Sheet Cake with Bourbon Vanilla Bean Frosting
Lavender Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Coffee Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies
Week in Training
Monday, 4.29: 8 miles, 10:33 pace + 13 minute lift
Very quiet out there, breezy, and felt pretty wheezy. Whatever allergen pops up this time of year is fucken killing me right now.
Strength:
- 3 x 8 triceps extension 45#
- 3 x 7 lateral raise 20#
- 3 x 10 lat pulldown 60#
- :30 hang/1:00 core work
Tuesday, 4.30: 6.57 miles, 10:39 pace + 14:00 lift
Another day of wheezing through the pollen.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 curtsy lunge 80#
- 3 x 6 ea. single leg squat 60#
- 3 x 6 ea. leg press 120#
- 1:30 core work
Wednesday, 5.1: 6.51 miles, 10:46 pace + 10 minute core work
SO incredibly congested this morning – I honestly don’t think anything helps. It’s gotten to the point that my ears are getting clogged up.
Thursday, 5.2: 5.56 miles, 10:48 pace + 11 minute lift
Heart rate was better on the run this morning, but still felt like allergenic hooey.
Strength:
- 3 x 9 triceps extension 45#
- 3 x 8 lateral raise 20#
- 3 x 10 lat pulldown 60#
- :30 hang/1:00 core work
Friday, 5.3: 5.56 miles, 10:48 pace + 15 minute lift
Horrible, horrible sinus inflammation this morning. Not a great run. I need to remember to take sudafed before a run because that shit brings me back to normal real quick.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 curtsy lunge 80#
- 3 x 7 ea. single leg squat 60#
- 3 x 7 ea. single leg press 120#
Saturday, 5.4: 8 miles, 10:29 pace + 10 minute core
Okay, I stopped at 7.99 miles by mistake, but honestly my GPS was probably off a bit anyway since it picked up the first mile marker on a delay.
Sunday, 5.5: 6.53 miles, 10:43 pace
Actually felt okay today minus some seriously heavy legs.
Total running mileage: 46.7
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