Rain, rain, go away, I want to sit in sunshine today…
Happy Monday, fellas! We had quite the washout over the weekend, mostly on Sunday. The downpours were so heavy that the power went out for about 2 hours while I was at work. Two of my coworkers were shipped off to help elsewhere while my boss and I stayed put. I spent most the time cleaning. The bleach was not the most enjoyable thing to inhale in a building with 0 circulation, and by hour two the lack of AC was creating a very stifling environment.
Hence, Sunday was a pretty weird day, and I felt off-kilter leading into the afternoon. I was tired anyway since my rest days often yield an extra sluggish energy (probably due to the lack of AM endorphins via no formal exercise). Plus, the continuous deluges didn’t help to lift the brain fog. I even got caught in one on my evening walk. Aside from the fact that my clothes soaked through, I kinda enjoyed my jaunt in the rain.
My coworker had shoulder surgery this past week and will be out for at least 6 months, so I gathered up some meal preps I’d made for J and I and drove them over to him after my shift. If I’m generous in one way, it’s by providing food – I think that measure of gift-giving is part and parcel of my love language. When I don’t know how to help, a fresh meal or tasty treat is my default. It was nice to see him briefly and ensure that he was doing alright, and I’m sure a familiar face from the outside world felt like a touch of normalcy in his forced isolation.
I’m transitioning from pre-sprint training into the heavier stuff this coming week, and my first workout today left me GASSED. It was so satisfying to run as speedily as I did, and the walking recoveries saved me from surefire hyperventilation! I’m nervous for and also anticipating the progression from here. The intervals might get shorter, but the intensity is rising. Can’t wait!
This week was a quiet one as far as my interaction with the outside world goes. The volatile weather didn’t inspire much adventure, nor did I get to sit outside and bask in the sun. I was able to squeeze a couple afternoon swims in on Tuesday and Saturday when the sky was merely hazy and not dropping water bombs, which was lovely and spontaneous.
I’ve seen the term “Augtober” floating around on social media, and honestly? I fucking love it. I’m gearing up to draft my 2026 Thanksgiving Menu post and already have part of the concept written in my Notes app. I’m so excited for fall development, even though I’m also enjoying the tomatoes and peaches the summer yielded. We’ve got a couple more recipes on that theme coming, including tomorrow’s one pot meal, so don’t worry – the hot weather lovin’ ain’t done yet!
Good eats…Italian sandwiches (these were a HIT with us!); gyro bowls with tomato olive salad, pearl couscous, and tzatziki; leftover caprese salmon and garlic bread; pesto chicken thighs with rice and bruschetta; Italian Caesar wrap; and tomato garlic ramen with leftover salmon, which was a surprisingly delightful combo!
This made me laugh, because it’s SO ME.
Let’s have a good week, shall we? Until next time!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…This year’s primary autumn salad!
…Loaded, stuffed cookies.
…A bright and fizzy peach cocktail.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Village salad…Not necessarily *authentic* but for meal preps this week I tossed together sliced grape tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, red onion, roasted red pepper, and kalamata olives with some lemon, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Served with tzatziki and Trader Joes’ gyro slices and pearl couscous – super comforting, healthy, and tasty! I’ve been eating the salad combo with various leftovers as well. Yum.
Similar note – Trader Joes’ olive tapenade is BOMB! I spread some good heaps on Italian sandwiches I prepped this week.
Sweater/shorts set…I am absolutely PINING after this Quince Half-Zip Sweatshirt + matching shorts. Have had the tab open for a few weeks now. Hopefully I can snag them up soon for fall.
“9 Things To Do To Maximize Your Workout Recovery“… Most of this advice is familiar to me, but sometimes it’s nice to read and remind myself of how my Sunday rest day benefits me. I am a very active, routine-oriented person who feels stuck when I’m out of my typical element, and Sundays can be a struggle for that reason.
I’m trying to create a new Sunday ritual that embraces my slow mornings! More on that maybe later since I’m not exactly sure what works yet.
Side note: perhaps a mega-comfy new pajama set will help inspire restfulness. I’m eyeing this oversized long sleeve set for the job!
Notable Food Holidays
Monday, 8.3: National Watermelon Day (let’s whip up a late-summer Smashed Hot Honey Watermelon Cucumber Salad, and why not serve it with Fresh Watermelon Lemonade?)
Tuesday, 8.4: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day (peep below for five delectable options!)
Saturday, 8.8: International Beer Day/National Zucchini Day (dig in to some Classic or Double Chocolate Chunk Zucchini Bread! And just crack open a beer if you feel like it.)
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…Pesto Tomato Avocado Caesar Pasta Salad
Tuesday…Spinach and Cream Cheese Enchiladas Verdes
Wednesday…Blackened Shrimp Skewers with Tequila Avocado Salsa
Thursday…Avocado “Bacon” Club Sandwich with Herby Sub Sauce
Friday Cozy Hour…Campfire S’mores Hot Chocolate
Saturday Baking…Gooey Molten S’mores Skillet Cookie
Poolside Sunday…Jalapeño Street Corn Dip Chili Dogs
August Style Inspo
Five Craveable Cookie Recipes for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
1. Chewy Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Movie Night Popcorn Chocolate Chip Cookies
3. Egg Yolk Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
4. Bourbon Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
5. Coffee Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies
Week in Training
Monday, 7.27: 6.5 miles, 10:32 pace + 26 minute legs
Holy GOD it was hot. 84 degrees. Only saving grace was the breeze which, as always, was annoying to face during the intervals but a godsend during the cooldown. I had a lot of trouble bringing my heartrate down despite mostly walking the recoveries between sets. 3 x 800m at 7:58 pace (7:58, 7:58, 7:57, which surprised me), 4 minute recovery, then 5 x 250m (6:16, 6:28. 6:26, 6:21, 6:25) with 90 second walk. The cooldown was rough and I had to stop a few times to get my breathing down. Not fun.
Strength:
- 4 x 8 squat 70#
- 4 x 12 ea. single leg press 100#
- 3 x 10 sumo goblet squat 45#
- 3 x 8 leg extension 110#
- 3 x 12 runner shoulder press 15#
- :65 wall sit
- :60 tick tock lunge
- 5 minute stretch
Tuesday, 7.28: 3.5 miles, 10:46 pace + 21 minute back & bis
Absolutely horrible out today. Ran 15 x :15 on/:45 off, not really sure what my paces were since there may have been GPS interference. Maybe I was also just off my game, who knows. Thankfully, a shorter run, though!
Strength:
- 3 x 10 biceps curl 20#
- 3 x 8 face pull 41#
- 3 x 12 waiter curl 25#
- 4 x 10 cable pulldown 58#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded lunge hydrants
- 2 x 15 ea. lunge matrix
- 50 crunches
- 5 minute stretch
Wednesday, 7.29: 6 miles, 10:43 pace + 22 minute legs
Crushed this workout! It felt a bit less oppressive out today and there was a decent breeze, and I as a result enjoyed this effort. 10 x 300m at mile pace, averaged 6:43 with very consistent splits; 2 minute recovery in between.
Strength:
- 3 x 8 ea. split squat 15#
- 4 x 6 ea. single leg deadlift 50#
- 3 x 8 hamstring curl 40#
- 4 x 10 deadlift 80#
- 32 bodyweight tick tock lunge
- 5 minute stretch
Thursday, 7.30 3.25 miles, 12:22 pace + 25 minute chest & tris
Recovery day + 7 x 50 meter hill with 90 seconds walk/jog in between. Got down to a 4:53 top speed which isn’t bad considering how tired my legs felt!
Strength:
- 3 x 10 shoulder press 20#
- 1 x 12/2 x 10 triceps extension 30#
- 3 x 15 Svend press 20#
- 3 x 10 ea. single arm triceps pushdown 11#
- 3 x 12 chest press 20#
- :35 ea. Copenhagen plank
- 2 x 20 ea. hydrant
- :65 plank
- 5 minute stretch
Friday, 7.31: 4.55 miles, 10:51 pace + 18 minute mobility
This felt much better than last Friday’s rendition and I’m super happy with the result! 400-300-200-300-400 with 90 second walk/jog recovery. Splits were: 6:57, 6:40, 6:13, 6:33, 6:46. First rep missed but I also might’ve been dealing with GPS interference.
Saturday 8.1: 8 miles, 11:20 pace
Happy August! A long run workout with some fast pace-changing segments. Ran 3.25ish miles, then 3 x (200m stride/200m walk/200m stride/400m jog). The 200s were mostly in the mid-high 6:2x range. I recovered with a 15 minute easy run, then finished with 6 x 100m hard stride (low 6s with two 5:5x averages sprinkled in!) and a .8ish mile cooldown. My legs are toast and I am grateful for my rest day tomorrow!
Also went to the gym for a lil stretch sesh that felt so good!
Total running mileage: 31.8
