Four days off in a row proved sublime.
Happy Monday, everyone! I often struggle mightily with extended time off, with balancing my ever-present need to move about and feel ~productive~ with finding ways to slow down and enjoy the activities I want to enjoy. I fixate heavily on what comes next, rather than practicing mindfulness of the now and worrying about later, later. Such is part and parcel of my flavor of neurodivergence.
Since starting medication, though, equalizing work and play is easier. I’m focused when I need to focus and still when I need to be still. I can get shit done and move on to the next thing with a feeling of readiness rather than dread. Or, I can scrap my to-do list and rest if that feels better. Which I guess is how normal people function?
Mindblowing.
At any rate, I enjoyed Friday through today off and think I took pretty good advantage of the hours. On Friday I reworked my apple pie recipe and folks, it’s pretty fucken perfect. Afterwards I went for a swim with Little Miss Ba hanging out under her umbrella on the lounge chair; we dipped back in the pool later after a pause for coffee.
We took Polly over to Elevenses for a cappuccino. The place was slammed, which was so nice to see, so Ba and I grabbed a table outside and sweated through our respective wool. Worth it, though. The patio is covered and there was a decent breeze, so despite the humidity it definitely could’ve been worse.
Saturday I embarked on my first double digit long run since my car accident. The rains on Friday night (I should say, the mASSIVE storms, holy shit it looked like a hurricane blew through) brushed away some of the humidity and left behind a decently refreshing breeze; hence, it felt far more pleasant and somehow I got into a decent rhythm. Despite the stats reading pretty dismal, my body was in sync and I don’t think my heartrate was as high as Garmin claimed. My pace was still subpar, but from a morale perspective I call this run a win.
That evening we drove out to the Rays game to view part one of Evan Longoria’s retirement ceremony and Rays hall of fame induction. I was bored out of my mind during the speeches but the game itself was quite engaging and fun. I enjoyed this MASSIVE (and massively overpriced, as per) sausage and peppers treat for dinner.
Sunday I passed most of the morning baking a new brownie recipe I’ll be sharing this week, pausing in between steps to get a 20 minute swim in before the pool got too crowded and the sun too hot. I visited mom in the afternoon for coffee and some chats. Always my favorite when I get to wander out there.
On my plate this week: my One Skillet Blueberry Braised Salmon with rice and broccoli, cucumber cream cheese toast with turkey slices and chips (so good), easy freezer burritos, buffalo wings and cucumber toast again, crispy chicken Caesar sandwiches with sweet potato fries, and an MTB on focaccia. Damn good food.
I was supposed to race this past Saturday, which also marks one month since my car accident. Obviously, I skipped out on this event. I thought I’d sulk more about it, but I’m honestly faring better than expected. I guess I recognize that forcing myself to go to something in which I don’t have the fitness or desire to partake would leave me feeling more drained and dissatisfied than just accepting where I’m at currently. My workout today did not lend me any encouragement that fall racing will prove any better, but at least there’s time to configure that.
Little steps, little building blocks. I guess that’s all I can hope for right now.
Hope you had a gentle week, all, and this week is even better for you.
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A good grillin’ recipe for National Hot Dog Day!
…A cozy cocktail that’ll have you dreaming of autumn (no, it’s not pumpkin).
…A ridiculous layer cake. Can’t reveal much!
A Few Things I’m Digging
“ADHD and Imposter Syndrome“…This article was a good read since I’ve struggled with feeling that my diagnosis was wrong or I’m somehow convincing myself that I don’t have a true neurological condition rather than not trying hard enough to overcome my everyday symptoms.
Wings…Tried Trader Joes’ Hot & Spicy Wings from the freezer aisle. Super tasty for a microwave-friendly meal! I dipped mine in guac since I didn’t have any ranch around.
Fries…Ore Ida sweet potato fries are excellent. I enjoyed a batch Friday night with a crispy chicken Caesar sandwich (on a pretzel bun, oh my)! I used Trader Joes’ frozen chicken tenders and my classic Caesar dressing recipe.
Notable Food Holidays
Monday, July 13: National Beans n’ Franks Day (I got nothing for you here, sorry.)
Tuesday, July 14: National Mac n’ Cheese Day (Scroll below for my faves. Definitely loving my One Pot Baked Crab Mac & Cheese right now.)
Wednesday, July 15: National Hot Dog Day (Working on a recipe this week but it probs won’t be up in time.)
Sunday, July 19: National Ice Cream Day (Keep an eye out for this week’s recipe roundup email blast! And give my No Churn Bourbon Salted Caramel Ice Cream a go.)
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…White Dill Pickle Pizza
Taco Tuesday…Weeknight Spicy BBQ Shrimp Tacos
Wednesday…One Skillet Blueberry Braised Salmon
Thursday…Korean-Inspired Spicy Tempeh Lettuce Wraps
Friday Happy Hour…Spicy Serrano Peach Paloma
Saturday Baking…No Churn Key Lime Pie Ice Cream
Sunday Snack…Pull-Apart Peach Caprese Garlic Bread
Effortless Summer BBQ Styles
Five Mac Dishes For My Carbs n’ Cheese Girlies
1. One Pot Baked Crab Mac & Cheese
2. Baked One Pot Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese
3. Stove Top Buffalo Cheddar Mac n’ Cheese
4. No Boil Spinach Artichoke Mac n’ Cheese
5. No Boil Baked Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese
Week in Training
Monday, 7.6: 6.7 miles, 11:56 pace + 25 minute legs
Strength:
- 3 x 10 diamond squat 60#
- 4 x 10 ea. calf press 110#
- 3 x 10 ea. leg extension 50#
- 3 x 10 sumo squat 60#
- 3 x 10 front raise 30#
- 3 x 15 Superman 10#
- :60 plank
Tuesday, 7.7: 3.25 miles, 11:48 pace + 21 minute back & bis
I felt okay today. Not great, but okay. I’m trying to shift my mindset from training to wellness and hopefully, with a little practice, the transition will smooth out and I’ll be able to just enjoy the run rather than get swallowed in the comparison trap.
Not sure why, but my lift was fabulous today!
Strength:
- 3 x 8 biceps curl 20#
- 4 x 6 mid row 60#
- 4 x 6 hammer curl 20#
- 3 x 10 face pull 37#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded standing hydrant
- 2 x 15 ea. lunge matrix
- 50 crunches
Wednesday, 7.8: 4.5 miles, 11:55 pace + 27 minute legs
Trying to neutralize running into a simple tool for wellness rather than attaching myself to results, pace, and heart rate. This run was okay, but it’s still so hard to see nearly 12 minute miles with a 154 heart rate average. I did try to insert some whimsy by letting out a small “woohoo!” when I crested the bridges on my route. That felt kinda fun.
Strength:
- 3 x 20 walking lunge 20#
- 3 x 10 hamstring curl 30#
- 4 x 12 deadlift 70#
- 3 x 12 ea. split squat 10#
- 3 x 12 hip thrust 50#
- 30 BW lunges
- 3 x 15 stir the pot
Thursday, 7.9: 3.5 miles, 12:06 pace + 24 minute chest & tris
At least my heart rate was in the 140s (147)!
Strength:
- 3 x 10 triceps pressdown 32#
- 2 x 10/1 x 12 shoulder press 20/15#
- 3 x 15 Svend press 15#
- 3 x 10 triceps extension 30#
- 4 x 6 chest press 25#
- 3 x 10 ea. plank leg lifts
- 2 x 20 banded hamstring frogs
- :60 plank
Friday, 7.10: 4 miles, 11:45 pace + 16 minute mobility
Saturday, 7.11: 10 miles, 11:43 pace
This was a Good Run. I’m not sure where it came from: perhaps it was my time in the water yesterday, the BOMB chicken Caesar sandwich I had for dinner, or just a general improvement. My heartrate was really high but I also think my watch might’ve cadence locked in the middle. I was supposed to race today but honestly, a long, slow run fit the bill far better.
Sunday, 7.12: 25 minute elliptical
Total running mileage: 32
