Do you remember where you were when 9/11 happened?
Every year, I’m startled to realize that more than half of my coworkers either weren’t alive or were barely conscious when the 9/11 attacks happened. A whole generation exists that can’t fathom the stark changes between 2001 and the years following: the differences in airport etiquette, the subtle in-flight transitions like the closed captain’s cabin door, being unable to board a plane without peering over one’s shoulder, hoping the quiet, frowning person in the last row didn’t somehow overstep security measures before boarding.
I was 7 at the time, in second grade I believe, and recall less of the day itself and more of an instance a few years prior. We lived in front of a very small airport largely used by recreational pilots (sometimes it was a fairgrounds too). I loved listening to and watching planes take off and land from our screened lanai.
I either played hooky from school or was too young to attend, but my mom and I were in the house when we heard a very loud crash from down the street. We went to the porch and saw a plane smoking atop our neighbor’s car. The mailman apparently went to see if he could help the victim, who died, and I vaguely remember him talking to my mom and both of us peering at the scene for a time.
It turns out, our little, innocent airport was one of the training grounds for the 9/11 pilots, and the one who crashed was very likely tied to that organization. To this day, I often have recurring dreams about watching planes drop out of the sky like raindrops, in droves; I’m never onboard, always spectating. I’m absolutely sure my subconscious is pulling up memory files from that experience.
My tiny town, a centerpiece in such a tragic occurrence. Who’d have thought?
Anyway, I don’t intend to scrounge up politics or anything of the sort, rather, I wanted to merely share a thought and a memory. I hope all of you reading this who live in this country bowed your head at some point in respect, even just for a second. Gave someone you love a big fat hug.
I’ve been working a shit ton lately and haven’t had much time or energy once I get home. It’s been difficult to not give myself a lot of tasks on my days off. Mondays are usually busy with grocery shopping and meal planning, but Saturdays, aside from finishing a sweet treat I start during the week, boast much more casual time if I allow myself to block out several hours for leisure. This week I did not do that, and man, I should’ve.
However, I did make space for a small swim in the early morning, which did wonders for my legs and my soul. We’re still in the 90s most afternoons here so the water is pleasant, and hopefully a few more splashes remain in my future before my tan fades until the spring.
Sunday was a stressful day at work, and somewhere during my shift I decided a hot chocolate walk with Little Miss Ba was just the thing after I got home. Publix has a coffee shop nestled in the corner, and the simple cocoa did the trick.
J and I later grabbed dinner from Angry Chair Brewing. The beer selection kind of lacked, which is unusual for that place, but the nachos were A+.
Good eats…Bacon ranch tortellini with grilled chicken (failed recipe development but tasted bomb); sheet pan pollo asado fajitas with pico; French onion chicken meatballs with garlic breadsticks; and pork belly fried rice! I also NAILED some latte art with a homemade soy cappuccino. If you’ve ever dabbled in barista-dom, you know that soy milk is ridiculously tricky to draw with. I’d say my feather is pretty nifty.
That’s all for today, pals. Talk next week!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…Some fun and cheesy breakfast sliders!
…A cozy fall mojito.
…Some sort of apple treat I haven’t fully decided on. Cookie bars? Cupcakes? Stay tuned!
A Few Things I’m Digging
NA beer…I bought a six-pack of the Athletic Brewing Fest Brew, and I’m extremely impressed! I rarely drink nowadays but it’s great to have this alternative when I’m feeling a beer but don’t want the boozy aspect. I want to try their Dark & Gourdy pumpkin beer too.
Satchel…Bought this faux suede commuter satchel that I’m quite excited to transition to. My old bag was ripping apart so it was time to get the Bas (Little Miss and Miss) a new cozy home.
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…Roasted Apple Pumpkin Bisque
Taco Tuesday…Sheet Pan Blackened Shrimp Poblano Tacos
Wednesday…Honeycrisp Apple and Blue Cheese Autumn Salad
Thursday…Sage Butter Cider Glazed Salmon
Friday Cozy Hour…Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte
Saturday Baking…Peanut Butter Chunk Pumpkin Bread
Gameday Snack…Buffalo Cheddar Pumpkin Pizza
Autumn Table Finds
Five Fresh Ways to Avocado
1. Marinated Tomato Basil Avocado Toast
3. Roasted Garlic Whipped Ricotta Toast with Avocado and Herbs
4. Pesto Egg Bacon and Avocado Breakfast Wraps
5. Burrata Avocado Toast with Basil Vinaigrette
Week in Training
Monday, 9.7: 10.25 miles, 11:53 pace
Nope’d out of my planned 500m intervals and instead went for a long, slow run with 7 x 100m strides. I planned 8 strides but I felt kind of woozy after the 7th so I decided to cut it and trot along for a quick cooldown instead. I was vibing during most of this session and hit a 5:16 top pace for the strides, with which I’m very satisfied! Intuitive training is sometimes good for the morale.
Tuesday, 9.8: 4 miles, 11:57 pace + 17 minute lift
SO humid but not unpleasant, there was a slightly cooler tinge to the air perhaps!
Strength:
- 3 x 5 biceps curl 25#
- 2 x 6/1 x 10 mid row 70/60#
- 3 x 10 narrow goblet squat press 40#
- 3 x 8 narrow seated pulldown 71#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded elevated clamshell
- 50 crunches
- 5 minute stretch
Wednesday, 9.9: 6.5 miles, 10:44 pace + 3.19 miles, 11:01 pace
12 x 300m at 5K pace with 1 minute walk in between. Averaged a 7:18 pace, which was the lowest end of my range, but boy was I all over the place. My reps went from 7:10 to 7:23 as I had a pretty hard time finding that rhythm, probably due to a wide cleft between the sprints I’m doing and the very slow easy runs. This was challenging but I’m generally happy with the result!
Took Ba to the treadmill due to storms for my double run, which felt good after a long workday!
Thursday, 9.10: 5 miles, 12:08 pace + 21 minute lift
Easy miles, it’s nice to see my heart rate going down a bit despite my pace still being slow.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 triceps pressdown 41#
- 3 x 12 walking lunge 30#
- 3 x 8 chest press 70#
- 3 x 10 ea. single leg press (high stance) 90#
- 3 x 10 shoulder press 15#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded knee drive
- 5 minute stretch
Friday, 9.11: 4.05 miles, 12:15 pace + 15 minute mobility
8 x 50m hill after a LONG workday on Thursday. I felt okay when I woke up but wanted to get my butt in gear, so decided to keep my planned sprints on the schedule. My speed wasn’t quite there, I only reached a 5:02 top pace, but my form was strong and the session was invigorating.
Saturday, 9.12: 11.25 miles, 11:59 pace
Pretty nondescript long run, didn’t feel too bad though my feet were sore for some reason?
Total running mileage: 44.5
