sidebar | life & training 4.22 – 4.28

New and notable: I need to learn how to sleep again.

Yes, very exciting way to kick off a Sidebar post, but hey, I talk about reality here sometimes and reality is my sleep is shit recently. If you ask me why, well, I can’t quite tell you. All I know is that I wake up at least 4-5 times a night for no apparent reason other than to kick the blanket off a foot or throw a pillow across the couch or stare up at the ceiling wondering why the fuck am I awake right now? I ain’t being robbed or some shit.

I’m sure several factors contribute to my sleep quality. Stress, for one. General discomfort. My stomach’s also been finicky in the evenings. The nights I do have decent – can’t even say good, just decent – sleep follow ones where I’ve barely stowed a wink of shuteye. Not exactly a healthy pattern to follow, however.

As a result, I’ve read quite a few anecdotal shindigs about magnesium and its potential for regulating the sleep cycle. I think I’m going to give it a try. Obviously, this is not medical advice. A trial period, in my view, won’t hurt. I’m tired of being tired.

Everyday weariness, though, that’s a whole other ballgame.

(Speaking of ballgame, you know what’s sad? The Rays just got swept by The White Sox. What in the fuck is up with MLB this year?)

Anywho, onto the week. Aside from my nighttime woes, it was an okay one. Wednesday I traversed to Wild Rover Brewing and my god, what a vibe that place is. British pub meets brewery, with a Polish bartender. Met up with a friend there and tried out a nitro white stout that tasted straight up like a cup of coffee (with a side of fizz) and their margherita flatbread. Had some really genuine, vulnerable conversations – my favorite kind, when the mood’s right. I think both of us left feeling a little better about ourselves.

Thursday I FINALLY got to see another friend that I hadn’t hung out with since early March – her birthday, actually. I hope we never go that long between hangouts again. Visited Miller’s Ale House, I just got a blackberry bourbon smash that was surprisingly dope and stole some of her fries. We had a lot to catch up on and sat for a good two hours bullshitting about our current statuses in life. Again, meaningful talks and necessary connection.

Saturday I had some grand plans for myself that I had to squash for two reasons. One, kayaking: the winds were pretty intense and I figured being on the water would be unpleasant at best, possibly hazardous at worst. Two, rockclimbing: on my run that morning I stepped on some large object and rolled my ankle. It was fine while I finished my run but started really smarting midmorning, so I put my feet up all day and didn’t do diddly squat. Felt rather dejected and useless.

Thankfully, though, my foot was fine on Sunday – unless I did some stupid motion on it – but my initial after-work plans got squashed. So, as per, I made my own. Rode out to St. Pete and bought a book at Book + Bottle, then moseyed to Intermezzo for a paloma and a little reading time. Still ended up having a fine afternoon despite the last-minute switchup.

Well, this week, hoping for more good friend time. Sunday we’re running the Wings for Life World Run, I think for my fifth time? We always do the virtual race since Florida no longer hosts a destination route, but its always a fun time regardless. Sunday is also Cinco de Mayo, so you bet a couple margaritas are in the mix.

Have a lovely week, friends!

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A simple and savory shrimp skillet. With a side of alliteration.

…A creamy and/or spicy margarita. Dunno which yet. Or maybe it’ll be both.

…Gooey, decadent brownies.

…I might do another cake because fuck it.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Hair clips…For some reason I’m really into fruit hair clips. I bought a lemon one and a watermelon one recently. They’re just so cute!

Shops & Wish List

Fashion

Target…Into the idea of jumpsuits/rompers again; liking this linen mini jumpsuit. Also like this halter tank top, chino shorts (the purple ones), and linen ankle joggers.

Week in Training

Monday, 4.22: 8 miles, 10:29 pace + 12 minute lift

Sticky morning but a nice breeze.

Strength:

• 3 x 6 triceps extension 45#
• 3 x 12 lateral raise 15#
• 3 x 8 lat pulldown 60#
• :30 hang/1:00 core

Tuesday, 4.23: 5.61 miles, 10:42 pace + 13 minute lift

Very nice morning but felt a little more labored than usual. Maybe because my alarm shot me awake during an apparently intense dream.

Strength:

• 3 x 14 curtsy lunge
• 3 x 8 jump squat 70#
• 3 x 8 ea. single leg squat 50#
• 1:30 core work

Wednesday, 4.24: 5.54 miles, 10:52 pace + 10 minute core work

Didn’t feel my best this morning, just very allergy-ridden in the lungs. Nice weather, though.

Thursday, 4.25: 6.45 miles, 10:51 pace + 11 minute lift

I don’t really remember my run on this morning except that it happened. Hmph.

Strength:

• 3 x 7 triceps extension 45#
• 3 x 6 lateral raise 20#
• 3 x 9 lat pulldown 60#
• :30 hang/1:00 core work

Friday, 4.26: 5.56 miles, 10:47 pace + 14 minute lift

Okay run, and rushed afternoon lift and walk since I had to finish up a cake I worked on (stellar) that took over two hours to photograph.

Strength:

• 3 x 8 curtsy lunge 80#
• 3 x 10 ea. single leg squat 50#
• 3 x 9 jump squat 70#
• 1:30 core work

Saturday, 4.27: 8.53 miles, 10:33 pace + 10 minute core

Actually kinda pleasant out and I felt better today than most of my other runs this week – despite some seriously shitty, broken sleep.

Sunday, 4.28: 7 miles, 10:42 pace

Got into a decent groove and my legs felt pretty loose. Thankfully, Saturday’s janky ankle seemed to have corrected itself.

Total running mileage: 46.7