sidebar | life and training 9.29 – 10.5

Who the fuck charges full price for a new ice cream cone when a customer politely admits they didn’t like the first one?!

Boys and girls, I’ve been ranting about this to everyone I know all weekend after Saturday’s snafu in St. Pete, and at least I’ve received validation that I got totally gipped by the girls at the counter. Now, hear me, I don’t think they were being intentionally malicious, but they might’ve just not known what they were doing, and I was pretty upset about the whole affair.

I work in service, and have for 14 years, so I know it’s common logic to offer a replacement if someone rebukes their first attempt at a product. Now, I also know in very small businesses this is not practical – one sale could make or break the budget, I get it – but this particular shop is not terribly tiny. They own at least four or five locations around here.

Again, I don’t think the workers were being temperamental. Maybe unaware. Either way, I couldn’t even enjoy my replacement cone because I effectively spent $20 on two scoops.

I did message the parlor on Instagram, and I assure you my words were calculated and kind. I am never abrupt or confrontational unless I’m being outright insulted. They have yet to reply but I’m not expecting immediacy.

Ok. Rant over.

The rest of our day out Saturday was really lovely. We visited Shiso Crispy, a place I’d never heard of but J found randomly in his searches. It’s a good truck converted into a brick and mortar with a quaint little patio dining setup and an indoor hub with the fucking funniest graphic on the bathroom wall. If you know you know. I had tuna bao and he got the BBQ shortrib. I’ve never experienced bao before and WOW I am a convert. The dude was also playing some killer throwback hard rock tunes and we chatted via IG for a little bit about how he started up his business.

We wandered over to Mezzo Market’s first soiree of the season. It was cute and bustling but holy SHIT did we both get so goddamn hot. I visited the How’s Your Day Honey booth and bought a jar of fall wildflower honey for my nightly Harvest Tea. So delightful. After that though we were getting sweaty and cranky and ready to just hustle right out of there. I was not dressed appropriately, yo.

Otherwise, this week was quiet and busy. I spent a lot of time in my sketchbook and penciled a few new drawings with which I’m very pleased. I love my afternoons scrawling on paper, just doing what I feel like doing. It’s very peaceful.

Great meals of the week: pumpkin gnocchi from Trader Joe’s with fall pasta sauce, veggie sausage, and green beans; sweet potato wild rice autumn salad with feta; and “beef”, rice, and veggie soup. Cozy and comforting but all of it so simple.

We FINALLY have some 60s in the forecast this coming week and I cannot wait. This morning’s run was a stupid 76 with a 74 dew point. I’m over it. OVER IT, I tell you!

Enjoy your week, kids. Till next time!

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A redo of an oldie but goodie salmon skillet.

…A spooky and tasty mojito.

…Fall bagels!

A Few Things I’m Digging

Bao…I tell you what, I’m a fan! Never thought much about bao, and lived on the assumption that a meat-free protein would be available anywhere (jackfruit and mushrooms don’t count, that ain’t protein). The ahi bao I had at Shiso Crispy was gamechanging! The bun is such a fun and satisfying texture.

Halloween recipes…I don’t much get into Halloween but I’m having lots of fun this year with my concepts. So far? We’re looking at a spooky margarita, a blood-curdlingly good mojito, and giant stuffed cookies, with more in the mental works.

Threshold runs…My body hasn’t been responding well to fast intervals (5K pace and below) but anything around 10K and above I am eating up. Loving my higher mileage and longer but slower sessions. I’m seeing progress and recovering well, which are good signs! My intervals usually range from 7:5x-8:xx and 800m-2 miles in length, depending on the workout goal.

This Week’s Menu

Meatless Monday…Quick and Cozy Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

Tuesday…Spinach and Cream Cheese Enchiladas Verdes

Wednesday…Roasted Butternut Squash and Cheese Stuffed Shells

Thursday…Maple Chipotle Salmon and Avocado Rice Bowls

Friday Happy Hour…Sweater Weather Buttered Bourbon Cider

Saturday Baking…Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Gameday Snack…Caesar Pretzels and Crackers

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…Caved and bought this fleece polo sweatshirt + matching shorts (Rust hue). They’re SO cozy…Eyeing this crewneck pullover, like the crop fit, and these sports sandals to replace my current house shoes…

Week in Training

Monday, 9.29: 9.7 miles, 9:24 pace + 21 minute full body

First workout since the 10K and it went SO well! While long, the paces weren’t strenuous and I’m focusing now more on longer stamina intervals rather than short, intense bursts – I don’t recover as well from those and the tempo/threshold focus will help me during my marathon. 2 mile warmup, 3k at tempo (8:19), 3 x 800 at 10k (7:55, 7:53, 7:50), 3k at tempo (8:13), 1.7 mile cooldown. Felt great even with the headwind en route back.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. split squat 30#
• 3 x 8 narrow press 25#
• 3 x 10 diamond squat 50#
• 3 x 10 ea. single arm triceps pressdown 15#
• 3 x 20 hip hurdles
• 1:00 plank

Tuesday, 9.30: 4.75 miles, 11:22 pace

147 bpm! A little more pleasant this morning with a coolish breeze, so that was nice.

Wednesday, 10.1: 9 miles, 10:56 pace + 3.5 miles, 10:45 pace

Hill reps this morning! Felt great to get some power work in although I was everywhere with my paces. No biggie, though. Ran 7 miles easy then 8 x :30 uphill/1:30 recovery, hit a top speed of 5:21 which isn’t bad for not having done hills in awhile.

Easy afternoon miles to round out at 12.5 for the day.

Thursday, 10.2: 7.15 miles, 11:21 pace + 20 minute full body

Heavy legs but an okay run overall. Came back and managed to get a little strength workout in – always proud when I do it because I just really loathe the weight room.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 ea. single arm row 25#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg press 100#
• 3 x 10 shoulder press 15#
• 4 x 10 sumo squat 60#
• :75 plank

Friday, 10.3: 4.25 miles, 11:14 pace

What a lovely morning! Very windy but I felt awesome and wanted this run to keep going but ran out of time. 145 bpm so my body was definitely grooving with the lower temp.

Saturday, 10.4: 13.1 miles, 10:56 pace

FINALLY a good long run! The first two miles were really aggravating actually because I was having some serious wardrobe malfunctions with my shorts: I had so much in my pocket the pants kept falling! Thankfully that sorted out but I had to stop a couple times to try and redistribute the weight. Otherwise this run felt amazing. I fueled with a Huma gel at mile 4 (don’t love these but they’re what I’ve got right now) and a HoneyStinger Gold at mile 8.5ish, and took a few SaltSticks as well. The wind was nice and I was just grooving happily the whole time. Encourages me for marathon training next month.

Sunday, 10.5: 25 minute elliptical EASY + 10 minute walk

Total running mileage: 51.5