sidebar | life and training 4.8 – 4.14

Who in the fuck thinks it’s okay to make a Bavarian pretzel crunchy?

I have my suspicions that the place I went might’ve overbaked my pretzel, because anything other than a soft, chewy Bavarian pretzel is criminal. My German instincts say so. One is supposed to relish in tearing off a hunk of the bread, dunking it in mustard or cheese sauce (mustard for me, always. So much mustard), and relishing in the textural fantasy that is the fluffy, buttery, salty delicacy.

Had to get that negativity off my chest to start off.

I’m not mad last week’s over. I felt like I whirlybird-ed through too many moods in too quick a time span. Tuesday for some reason I spiraled into a serious depressive episode and couldn’t shake myself out of it – especially when some facets of anxiety crept through and I sped around at 100mph rolling and organizing my backdrops feeling all once pointless and full of misfiring energy.

Honestly, I blame the eclipse for this shit. But it was also responsible for those cool leaf shadows in the first photo.

So I went over to Cypress Point Park near the Tampa airport, laid on a towel, and took a semiconscious nap for an hour. It was very peaceful out there, some folk around splashing in the water or sunbathing, and occasionally airplanes would whiz overhead and I’d look up to see what airline headed away to its unknown destination. Saw a Delta, a couple Southwest, a Spirit.

Then I drove out to another park on Davis Island and spent some time reading in front of the water. I practically passed out to sleep once I got home. One of those sadness-induced slumbers that felt like the only logical conclusion to a day where I hardly wanted to function.

I thankfully woke up feeling a little less stifled on Wednesday. The rest of the week wasn’t terrible, excepting my usual workday blahs. But I always seem a little disrupted, a little unnatural, after a day like Tuesday. The knowledge that I struggled so hard hangs over me like a noxious mist, makes me wary of moving too fast else it wraps around and cloisters me again. Walking on eggshells, folks say, but around myself.

Friday I got a damn good margarita at Sparkman Wharf. Sat out by the water and read for a bit. Twas nice.

Saturday I was supposed to kidnap my best friend’s fiance for an evening together. Almost right when I got off work Friday, though, I got a text that one of her close friend’s passed away that morning. Fucking devastating. Naturally, we cancelled the plans, but I did end up ordering her a sub from one of her favorite sandwich shops on Saturday just as a “thinking of you” gesture.

So, instead, I wandered off to St. Petersburg for a mini day trip. Visited the Chihuly Collection, a gallery of glass sculptures that were quite stunning to behold. My only hitch was the $20 admission for an adventure that quite literally took me 20 minutes, but I guess I can forgive it somewhat since Chihuly is an independent artist who probably needs to pay a pretty steep rent.

Then I strolled over to Book + Bottle, the most adorable concept. A book store/wine parlor/coffee shop snuggled right off Central and 6th, with a cozy interior and a few sidewalk tables. I bought The Collected Regrets of Clover, a book I’ve had on my radar for awhile, as well as a black coffee and chocolate croissant. I swiped a rocking chair outside and just sat for awhile enjoying the weather.

I’m always so invigorated by my little weekend escapes. I seem to discover something interesting each time.

Sunday was a frazzling day at work – one of those 50 bpm shitshows, as I call it, where I was oddly calm but my sleep was crap the night before and thus my brain was whirring at warpspeed while also lagging by 10 seconds. No idea if that makes sense. I met up with a friend for lunch (and a good strong old fashioned) before seeing Civil War (and another good strong old fashioned). I have mixed feelings about the movie. I have no desire to see it again, but I appreciate the visual impact it had and I think it relayed its message in a subtle and effective way. Very jarring, well acted, and disturbing, but once is certainly enough.

My only real plan this week, other than life-ing, is to visit a rock gym nearby. My friend brought it up the other week and I think I’m finally going to give it a whirl. And probably embarrass myself. But hey, I’m sure other people there will, too.

Enjoy your Monday, fellas. And I suppose the other days, too.

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A zesty shrimp pasta salad.

…Scones!

…Another fun, decadent fruity layer cake.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Dressing…I don’t buy salad dressings often except when hit with a fit of laziness…which has been the case lately. Tried out Bolthouse Farms Classic Ranch, it’s quite tasty and the ingredients aren’t super weird.

Lunchables…Homemade, that is. Keeping up with the eating-like-a-child theme. I use some type of organic round cracker, sliced colby jack, Tofurky (love the peppered slices), and usually pair the little stacks with carrots and ranch and some grapes or a clementine.

Shops & Wish List

Skincare & Wellness

Colourpop/Fourth Ray…Curious about the avocado + aloe double shot serum and the reveal 10% AHA serum. Also would like to try the liquid lite glow drops. Love me a good highlighter.

Week in Training

Monday, 4.8: 8 miles, 10:35 pace + 12 minute lift

Whatever pollen exists out there is making breathing real unfun lately. Chilly morning, probably the last we’ll have for the season.

Strength:

• 3 x 7 triceps extension 40#
• 3 x 7 Arnold 20#
• 3 x 7 straight arm pulldown 41#
• :30 deadhang/1:00 core

Tuesday, 4.9:7 miles, 10:39 pace + 14 minute lift

Run felt good this morning, cathartic.

Strength:

• 3 x 7 ea. single leg deadlift 80#
• 3 x 10 jump squat 50#
• 3 x 9 ea. leg press 110#
• 1:30 core work

Wednesday, 4.10: 6.2 miles, 10:37 pace + 10 minute core

Quiet out but the allergies were hitting strong, so not the most comfortable run from a breathing standpoint.

Thursday, 4.11: 6.25 miles, 10:34 pace + 11 minute lift

Miserable allergy morning. This time of year is ROUGH in that regard.

Strength:

• 3 x 8 triceps extension 40#
• 3 x 7 Arnold 20#
• 3 x 8 straight arm pulldown 41#
• :30 hang + 1:00 core

Friday, 4.12: 6.52 miles, 10:44 pace + 14 minute lift

A front swept through yesterday so there was a LOAD of wind, but a very pleasant morning. The streetlights along one part of my route were kaput and I encountered a downed palm tree that apparently nope’d out during the storms.

Strength:

• 3 x 8 ea. single leg deadlift 80#
• 3 x 8 jump squat 60#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg press 110#
• 1:30 core work

Saturday, 4.13: 8 miles, 10:34 pace + 10 minute core

Kinda proud that I didn’t alter my strength training schedule at all this week! Run felt rough again due to allergies and I just wanted to be done the whole time.

Sunday, 4.14: 7 miles, 10:48 pace

Felt pretty good this morning and a little less wheezy!

Total running mileage: 49 miles