Google: How to run when running feels like poop?
Answer: Haven’t figured that out yet.
Happy Monday, folks. Still striding through mediocre runs. I know the logical answer most InstaExperts and beyond would throw down is to merely stop running. Do something else. But for a Type-A ADHD-er who also cannot function without patterns and routines, simply switching to something less satisfying is a surefire way to wig out the ole dopamine receptors.
I’m coming to the conclusion that I may not be racing this year. I hate to say it aloud, but I’m also partly okay with it. Why bother when sessions aren’t giving me the satisfaction training usually offers? I had a good season in 2025, and while it sucks to not be able to put in back-to-back successes, sometimes that’s just how life works and not everyone has a cute, linear training progression like the Interwebs would suggest.
So what do I do? I think I might try out very short speed sessions, sprints, for a couple weeks and see how I respond. The volume will be much lower but it might be a fun switchup since endurance and stamina clearly aren’t working for me at present. I haven’t hashed out this plan very much, but I’m currently swiping through a few articles about sprint workouts and doing the math on how to set them into my training without being overly ambitious.
I have to remind myself, though, that running isn’t everything. I’ve other shit going on in my life, too. But it is a key component of my morning and a tool for self-confidence, so giving it up entirely without really having to is an option I want to avoid. I’ll just keep modifying until I figure it out.
At any rate, that’s that. I had a good week otherwise, with an extra day off on Wednesday to buffer my work shifts. I spent that day working on a cake recipe I CANNOT WAIT to share (there’s a lil sneak preview on my Instagram!) and hanging out with Little Miss Ba by the pool. We’ve had a lot of rain and dreary skies the past few days due to the depression in the Gulf, so a sunny day outside before that whole shindig erupted was certainly good for my psyche.
On Saturday, J and I went bowling! In our 8+ years together we’d never hit the lanes together, so this was a fun little bonding experience. I practically grew up in a bowling alley and was pretty good as a kid – with some mediocre sessions here and there in adulthood – so the sport is second nature. I scored a 120 and two 160s, and J threw a sneaky turkey during the second game! Turkey = 3 strikes in a row, FYI.
I do hate cosmic bowling, though. We didn’t realize Saturdays featured all-day strobe lights, and my sensory aversions did not enjoy the noise and visuals. A note for next time.
In the evening we grilled burgers by the pool. I was starving so my brain stopped working for a bit until I got some food in me, but otherwise it was a pretty night with a slight breeze, and all the rain had cooled the water down significantly.
Sunday was National Ice Cream Day! In the evening we hit up Chill Bros for their Bonfire S’mores scoops on waffle cones. Perfect end to a really shitty, stupid, dysregulated day on my end.
Good eats…Lots of fun summer dinners this week. Cooked up some chicken sausage and peppers, crispy chicken Caesar salad, and a fabulous Italian-style pasta salad with this cracker-cut salami from Target.
Summer break is winding into back to school season, which means fall, which means I’m starting to daydream about pumpkin and cider and all sorts of cozy things. I’m also planning my 2026 Thanksgiving menu and am really hyped about what I’ve configured so far. Yay!
Take care and be well, friends.
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…Healthy chickpea wraps!
…A ridiculous s’mores brunch treat.
…A classic pitcher drink.
…A unique and summery salmon skillet.
A Few Things I’m Digging
S’mores…All about that chocolate-graham-marshmallow trio lately. My S’mores Cupcakes and Toasted S’mores Fudge Brownies are worth a looksie and a makesie, and keep an eye peeled for a couple new recipes upcoming!
Sausage and peppers…I had a giant footlong of this combo at the Rays game last weekend and was obsessed with recreating it at home. I used this andouille-style chicken sausage in my iterations and folded it all up in a nice soft white hot dog bun. Mmmm.
Morning rain…We’ve had a weird weather pattern this week with storms brewing well before dawn. They haven’t disrupted my running (I’d be annoyed otherwise), but waft down while I’m at my table drinking coffee and working on my computer. So relaxing!
“This Is How To Actually Take a Rest Day”…Read this article today and, while I know rest days are crucial, I often have trouble taking them because they feel like a disruption in my routine (and I have a real hard time sleeping in, so filling the morning gap is an extra layer of difficulty.) I think what I need is to reframe my morning “reward” on those days I don’t workout, so I can maintain my early start while not feeling compelled to use my exercise as the main thing around which I wrap the rest of my predawn hours.
Notable Food Holidays
Monday, July 20: International Cake Day (holy shit I’ve SO many layer cakes, but my all-time faves are my Milk n’ Cookies Layer Cake and my Classic Red Velvet Layer Cake!)
Tuesday, July 21: National Junk Food Day (more like national treat yoself day! Old Bay Summer Snack Mix comes to mind.)
Thursday, July 23: National Vanilla Ice Cream Day (any of my vanilla-based flavors will do, but for a classic treat, try my No Churn Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.)
Friday, July 24: National Tequila Day (really digging my Spicy Serrano Peach Paloma lately!)
Saturday, July 25: National Hot Fudge Sundae Day (No Churn Vanilla Hot Fudge Ice Cream, for sure, or the cake I’m planning to post on Thursday!)
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…One Pot Baked Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese
Tuesday…Sheet Pan Spicy Sweet Potato Fajita Bowls
Wednesday…Maple Chipotle Salmon and Avocado Rice Bowls
Thursday…Jalapeño Blue Cheese Pizza
Friday Patio Hour…Green Apple Summer Hydrator
Saturday Baking…Old School Frosted Fudge Brownies
Sunday Snack…Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Chili Marinated Tomatoes
Summer Beauty Favorites
Five Fabulous Bakes for International Cake Day
2. Toasted Coconut Lemon Layer Cake
4. Peaches and Cream Layer Cake
Week in Training
Monday, 7.13: 7.25 miles, 10:16 pace + 29 minute legs
Attempted workout #2. This was HARD, but I think I managed it a little better because I was able to adjust after the first rep was clearly not where I thought I might be. Ran 5 x 800m at a threshold effort, though it felt a bit more challenging than it should’ve. I averaged 8:07 overall and was leastwise very consistent in all the reps: 8:06, 8:07, 8:08, 8:07, and 8:08.
I enjoyed my lift today, however, except having to spend too long trying to unscrew the knob that allows you to adjust the leg press bench. Someone with fucken gorilla hands tightened the shit out of it.
Strength:
- 4 x 10 front squat 40#
- 3 x 15 ea. calf press 110#
- 3 x 12 leg press 160#
- 4 x 6 ea. leg extension 60#
- 3 x 15 side raise 10#
- 3 x 12 ea. lateral hip lift
- :60 wall sit
- 1 minute BW squats
Tuesday, 7.14: 3.5 miles, 11:50 pace + 21 minute back & biceps
Another solid Tuesday lift!
Strength:
- 4 x 8 biceps curl 20#
- 3 x 8 mid row 60#
- 3 x 12 overhand biceps curl 10#
- 3 x 12 face pull 37#
- 2 x 15 ea. standing banded hydrants
- 2 x 15 ea. lunge matrix
- 50 crunches
Wednesday, 7.15: 4.5 miles, 11:16 pace + 29 minute legs
Warmup -> 8 x 100m strides -> cooldown. It was satisfying to get a bit of turnover in and I managed a 5:50 top speed, which isn’t much to sneeze at but was a bit better than I was expecting!
Strength:
- 4 x 12 walking lunge 30#
- 3 x 12 hamstring curl 30#
- 4 x 8 deadlift 80#
- 4 x 15 hip thrust 50#
- 3 x 12 ea. split squat BW
- 3 x 20 plank leg lifts
- 30 bodyweight reverse lunges
Thursday, 7.16: 3.5 miles, 12:03 pace + 24 minute chest & tris
Strength:
- 2 x 12/1 x 10 triceps pressdown 32#
- 3 x 10 shoulder press 20#
- 3 x 10 Svend press 20#
- 4 x 6 triceps extension 35#
- 3 x 12 narrow press 15#
- 3 x 10 ea. banded hydrant
- 2 x 20 banded hamstring frog
- :75 plank
Friday, 7.17: 4.25 miles, 11:13 pace + 15 minute mobility
6 x 150 stride featuring quite a light show! Storms drifted down the west coast and while I could see the flashes pipe up, the swells stayed quite far away from me. I averaged 6:27 for the strides and I’m really enjoying the turnover work even though these stride sessions aren’t exactly workouts.
Saturday, 7.18: 10 miles, 11:59 pace
Sunday, 7.19: 25 minute walk
Total running mileage: 33 miles
