sidebar | life and training 9.22 – 9.28

My task bar currently advises me that we are having “Very Hot Weather” right now. And it’s almost October. *Groans*

Happy Monday, peeps. Yep, we’ve had no reprieve from summertime yet, although forecasts promise a touch of coolness later this week. By that, I mean lows of 73 instead of 76. Woopdy doo. Perhaps that’ll drop our dew points into the 60s, which is a difference-maker, I’ll grant you.

My mom and me got together yesterday and were discussing where we’d ideally move given the chance. Our biggest non-negotiable, aside from no longer residing in The Deep South, is climate. Seasons. Being able to embody the coziness of autumn and spring with the environment matching the vibe. If I were to narrow down to two locales I’d choose Chicago-area (the burbs, not the city) or the Northeast corridor, Pennsylvania or Massachusetts.

We have roots in Illinois, my mom’s family is from there, and my sister lives in Penn. There’d also be a pretty dope job opportunity for me in Illinois if given the chance, and J’s career has few inhibitions since he works from home.

My other stipulations? I need a garden, not a huge one but a plot I can plant some herbs and veggies, a functionally-sized kitchen and my own study for my art/yoga/etc. Right now my shit is piled all over my dining table. And I need to whisk my mom up to near where I am so she can live close by and visit my garden plot.

We’ve probably a ways to go before making a move, but it’s nice to think about. Florida is not my forever home and I am eager to leave it as soon as I can.

My balls-hot morning run today consisted of a really good tempo workout. I’m easing back into my higher mileage and speedwork and today’s session, while long, wasn’t extremely strenuous but served as a nice confidence booster. My focus as I lead into marathon training will be stamina over short intervals: I recover far better from threshold/tempo efforts and need to improve in those areas anyway, since my underdevelopment there held me back in both my 5ks and my 10k.

I just need the weather to catch up, dammit.

J visited a friend in Toronto late in the week so I spent a lot of time at home drawing, cleaning, and eating up leftovers before piling in new crap during the week. Seriously, guys, I drew so much and I’m absolutely loving spending my afternoons in front of my sketchbook. I’m still reading like hellfire but I like the focus and active attention spent with colored pencils. Right now I’m most inspired my autumn scenes (big shocker) but I don’t plan to limit myself at all. Ready to go wherever the whimsy takes me.

Saturday’s weather was odd, spitting showers sometimes and a peepshow of sun during others. I baked up a brunch dish I am so excited to share soon, then took Little Miss Ba out to Shortwave for an autumn coffee. I chose their honey apple cinnamon latte and my god was it good! The drizzle outside made for the perfectly comfy outing, albeit I was a miffed at the family who parked their stroller right behind my chair.

I ate good foods this week, and I’m proud of being somewhat inventive with my meals while trying to use up random shit in my fridge. We had a kale and orzo pasta salad with sundried tomato pesto, a kale pizza with leftover bolognese, and a random fried rice with a bag of mixed veggies and mushrooms. Always love a good fried rice.

Oh, and I vaccuumed Roly Poly, but that isn’t all that interesting.

That’s all I’ve got for you today, folks. Have a great week!

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A big batch of chili with ALL THE TOPPINGS!

…A cute and colorful Halloween treat.

…A warm and cozy fall cocktail.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Pumpkin yogurt…I think my favorite pumpkin yogurt so far is Siggi’s Pumpkin & Spice. As with all their skyrs it’s not to sweet but definitely has a cozy undertone of cinnamon, and is perfect in my morning yogurt bowls.

Cocktail glasses…I ADORE these spooky skeleton stemless wine glasses. Used them in an upcoming cocktail and can vouch for how nice and firm their handfeel is.

This Week’s Menu

Meatless Monday…Creamy Caramelized Mushroom Swiss Tortellini

Wednesday…One Skillet Rosemary Lemon Salmon and Creamy Dijon Orzo

Thursday… Pizza Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Friday Happy Hour…Cinnamon Maple Cider Paloma

Saturday Baking…Baked Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts

Sunday Brunch…Cream Cheese Swirled Pumpkin Bread

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…Like this wrap midi skirt though the length might be an issue with my barrel legs…These soft v-neck sports bras are my favorite and I love their autumn colorways (maroon, brown, and dark green namely).

Week in Training

Monday, 9.22: 7.7 miles, 11:21 pace + 20 minute full body

First run post-10K. Legs were definitely sore and stiff but by the end I felt pretty good, heart rate was only 153 bpm despite the humidity so I think I’m recovering well.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 front squat 50#
• 3 x 10 shoulder press 15#
• 4 x 8 ea. bridge chest press 25#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg squat with toe tap 20#
• 3 x 20 plank shoulder tap
• :30 plank

Tuesday, 9.23: 4.25 miles, 11:21 pace

Very wheezy run this morning, not sure if allergens are acting up or what. My legs felt good but my sinuses and lungs were STRUGGLING.

Wednesday, 9.24: 8 miles, 11:06 pace + 20 minute full body

Oof. The allergies were strong today. Apparently “dust and dander” are EXTREME here so maybe that’s what’s what, but it’s getting old real fast. Thankfully my tiny elliptical spin in the afternoon felt a bit better so perhaps that’s a good sign.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. lunge 40#
• 3 x 12 skullcrusher 30#
• 3 x 15 calf press 170#
• 3 x 10 face pull 37#
• 3 x 10 pushup
• :45 plank

Thursday, 9.25: 6.25 miles, 11:14 pace

Groggy morning miles and SO hot. It was 79 with a 76 dew point, just like the brunt of summer. Awful.

Friday, 9.26: 4.25 miles, 11:07 pace

Much better run, albeit still heavy legs. 150 bpm heart rate is a good improvement so maybe I’m finally in a solid recovery space post-10k!

Saturday, 9.27: 11 miles, 11:01 pace

161 heart rate and felt like I was wheezing a little. It was SO hot and gross out – where the fuck is fall? Still glad to get a baseline long run in and hoping better temps help my recovery along.

Sunday, 9.28: 25 minute easy elliptical + 10 minute walk

Total running mileage: 41.5