It’s officially spring, but apparently some of your northerners are getting a bout of winter-like weather. Below freezing? Seriously? Also, why is the weather such a bonding thing? This is your official invite to come visit me in Florida because, as I mention below, there is a short window left before it becomes a 24/7 sauna.
Now that we have that intro out of the way (shout out to the weather for always being there), let’s catch up with what’s going on fitness, food and life-wise.
Fitness
I’m running the Iron Girl Clearwater Half Marathon on April 10 (I’m a race ambassador!) and, let’s just say that the race has snuck up on me. I ran 8 miles on Saturday and will do 10 this weekend but I’m still on the low-end of the preparation scale. What’s new? Part of me has a desire to train for a goal race but the other part is just loving “sleeping in” and running 4-5 miles a few times a week. As the weather is getting hotter I’m (literally) running out of time and races available so I will probably wait until fall for a goal race.
As for regular exercise, here is a rundown of last week’s workouts so you get an idea of where I am fitness-wise and/or for some ideas if you’re in a rut:
Sunday: 3 mile run
Monday: Off
Tuesday: 4.5 mile run with my dad
Wednesday: Megaformer class with my mom
Thursday: 4.5 mile run with my mom
Friday: Upper body weights (see below for workout)
Saturday: 8 mile run solo. It took me, no lie, 5 miles to find my groove. I was running 9:15 min/miles until mile 5 and then I settled into 8:45 min/mile for the remaining 3 miles.
Here is (what I can remember from) my weight workout. It had a chest + tricep focus:
3 sets of 12 reps each
Block 1:
Chest flies
Tricep extension (on a cable machine)
1 minute plank
Block 2:
Push-ups
Tricep dips
KB swings
Block 3:
Chest press
Overhead tricep extension
Russian twists (w/ KB…I did 24 instead of 12)
I used to do a workout recap every week and while I’m not bringing that back yet, I might include a few random weeks like this. Thoughts?
Food
Recent food “obsessions” that I just have to share: cedar plank salmon (my mom bought a cedar plank and it is life changing), grilled foods, strawberries and roasted carrots. You know, I like to be as random as possible. After eating out for every meal in California, it feels good to be cooking at home.
Dinner outside!
Life
We are in the “Goldilocks” months of Florida life. Not too hot, not too cold. Not too buggy, muggy or humid. Just freaking right. I’ve been spending more time outside, eating, sitting, reading, walking, running, etc. Eating meals (comfortably) outside is such a blissful thing for me. Reminds me of summers growing up when we would eat outside after long days of playing in the backyard. The dog loves it too!
However, Daylight Saving Time. File it under: things that throw me off my game. My parents have made fun of me because I’ve complained about the time change and its effect on my energy. But, man, that ish did some serious damage. The red-eye flight the day before the time change didn’t do me any favors but I’m all sorts of off when it comes to sleep. Anyone else? Or am I just a baby who needs a solid sleep schedule? I don’t like that it’s still dark at 7 a.m. but I know as it gets closer to summer that will change.
I want to share two posts from two of my favorite bloggers. Both struck a chord with me.
Food, Fitness and Feeling Good via Jen @ Peanut Butter Runner
How a Blogging Break Saved My Blog via Margaret @ Young And Rungry
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One last thing….March Madness IS madness. Shout out to Utah for ruining my bracket.
If it makes you feel any better i had Michigan State winning it all…. they busted me in the first round!
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My parents did too so they were more upset than I was with that one!
The time change totally messed me up too! It wasn’t until this weekend I finally felt like I recovered from it. I appreciate the sun staying out much, much later, but, ugh, why do we do have to go through losing an hour to get it?? At least its something to look forward to when we get that hour back in the fall. As much as I love watching basketball, I’ve never filled out a bracket for March Madness. I don’t follow any teams beside my own so I have no idea who I would pick to win. I would have thought Michigan State but that all went down the drain last week haha.
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Uh glad I’m not alone in my sleep madness. It took me a full week to really recovery. Ha yeah Michigan State’s loss was a major upset. No one saw that coming!
You’ll be golden for the half! Can’t wait to hear about it :)
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Congrats on your AWESOME half this weekend! Super speedy :)
I watched a recap on the news of March Madness this morning during my workout so I feel like I know what’s going on without needing to know anything more. I honestly don’t care that much but it is a cultural thing so if I must oblige I will :-) Food obsession right now, putting hummus in soup. It’s like a dumpling soup and it’s delicious.
I workout in the morning. Working out after I get done with work at 7 would be rough :-(
Ellie recently posted…Week In Review: The Return Of The Mango
I like it because I’m a sports fan but I can see how it’s kind of random and overwhelming :) I think working out after a long day at work would be rough too. My energy is (oddly) much higher first thing in the morning.
Sorry to hear about your bracket! No lie- for the last few years I participated in March Madness (and fantasy football) and got WAY too involved in it. Like losing sleep and getting really worked up over it. I’m not one of those people who can just stand by and have fun with those brackets I guess! This year I decided not to do it and it was a GREAT decision!
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I think if I bet money I would be like that. But my family and I just do it for fun and the winner gets to pick dinner or something!
I want a cedar plank. Salmon cooked that way is indeed amazing! Add that to the list of things I’ll get for my dream kitchen when I don’t live in an NYC apartment…
Haha yeah a grill is not quite conducive to a NYC kitchen.
Awww i love that you work out with your mom and dad!! If i lived in the same city as them, i definitely would!
And i work out after work – the only time that I feel works for me during the week!
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They are my favorite workout partners! I’m fortunate they love to run too :)
I LOVE salmon so much! I don’t think I’ve ever had it on a cedar plank though but it sounds delicious. I’ve never filled out a March Madness bracket… shameful I know haha. My boyfriend is running 2 different pools and he is SO into them, he spent several hours on Saturday morning “grading” them haha (is grading the right term?).
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I could seriously eat salmon every day :) Haha you should have joined him! My family and I always fill out individual ones for fun and the winner gets to pick dinner or something silly like that.
I DID fill out a bracket and Michigan State’s ridiculous loss busted it. I love that you described the current weather situation as “Goldilocks” SO TRUE. I love Spring and I’m so not looking forward to the sweltering summer ahead #FloridaProblems
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Michigan St. ruined my parents’ brackets but luckily I didn’t have them going far! I’ve oddly come to love summer in Florida. But I’m not looking forward to the humidity!
I love salmon so much!! I have never filled out a March bracket… I need to gain some more knowledge on that stuff haha. The time change has been making me super sleepy. And MA is getting hit with snow today :( Need some sunshine! Hope you have a good start to your week girl!
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Snow? UH! It’s chilly here but still nice out. I never have much success with the NCAA brackets, but it’s still fun to fill out and “play” along.
I’ve been meaning to use my cedar plank that I got from sizzle fish a while ago and just keep on forgetting about it. I totally need to try it asap! I don’t know what i’ve been waiting for!
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Use it soon! It adds such a great smoky flavor to all fish.
I first had cedar plank salmon at a restaurant called Seasons 52 and it changed my life. The second I got home I ordered a plank off amazing and look EVERYTHING on it. The flavor is just incredible.
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Seasons 52 was the first place I tried cedar plank salmon too! Love theirs, but now it’s nice to have it available at home.
Can I come live in you 24/7 sauna? Thanks!
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Haha the offer still stands :)
I feel that struggle of wanting to sleep in vs working out. But I could never work out in the evening because I’m a grandma and get way too tired. Also I think we need to start a salmon appreciation club…because it’s my jam!
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Grandma over here, too! After 5 p.m. I’m in major stay-at-home mode.
Yes! Loving this Florida weather!. Just moved here from Atlanta at the end of December, and I have no complaints yet. Though I’m told that the summers are miserable. We’ll see!
Yeah it does get pretty bad in August and September but I have come to love the heat. The humidity on the other hand…
I didn’t do a bracket because I’m horrible and always lose to people that know nothing about basketball and pick based on what colors they like. A friend texted me when the MSU game was almost over and said she picked them for me. I still can’t believe we got crushed in the first round!
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No one saw that coming! My parents both had them winning. I never do well overall but it’s fun to play along!
Yes to workout recaps!! I love reading them! Current food favorite: apples. I guess I’m just feeling simple like that!
I just bought some Honeycrisp apples (my fave!) so I’m in an apple-apprecaition mode too :)
Emily! Haha I’ve come to your site like 100 times today and am just now getting to comment! Well first of all, thank you so so much for the link love! You’re just the sweetest. I also love your life update it really feels like texting a college friend like “please catch me up.” I’m excited for this race you’re about to do! They always sneak up on us, but I have no doubts in your fitness, I know you’ll do great! Your food is making me SO hungry. I’m strawberry and salmon obsessed as it is, but throw in this nice weather and I want it every single dang night. Was it cooler in Tampa today? Burr it’s been randomly SO cold in Tennessee. Okay, I’ll leave you alone now I hope you have a great week!
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That’s exactly how I feel about your posts, which is why we we need to meet up ASAP. To “catch up” in real life ;) Ah yes there was a random cold front yesterday in Tampa! Today isn’t as bad but I still need a jacket.
your meals look absolutely amazing!
i love the heat – the awful, humid, disgusting, oppressive heat that everyone hates lol. my husband included, so we can only eat outside during spring too because he complains during the summer. me, i like to sweat. all the time. i know, i’m a weirdo. i really should just move to florida, but again, that husband.. drags me down ;)
I am running the Iron Girl 5k! I would LOVE to meet you!
No way?! YES! Does the 5k start at 7? The half starts at 6:30 so I’ll be in the area probably before 6.
I personally LOVE this time change since it’s light longer and I can go on a night run if I need to or I can walk out of a late afternoon library session and still see the sunlight! The one night of lost sleep does stink though and I’m sure combined with the red-eye, it had a bigger effect than it normally would- hope your sleep schedule gets back on track soon! :)
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Your meals always look so fresh and delicious!
I’m definitely a morning workout girl. I just don’t feel right until I’ve sweated it out haha!
Kristy @ Southern In Law recently posted…Travel: Exploring New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula
I agree, I’d much rather wake up and workout first thing than have it hanging over my shoulder all day.
I love eating outside! It’s so peaceful and refreshing :) I typically work out in the midday after I get done with school. Hope you have a great rest of your week.
Blessings,
Edye // Gracefulcoffee
Edye recently posted…2016 Goals
I agree, eating outside is just a literal breath of fresh air haha
Thanks so much for linking to my post! :)
YES to cedar plank salmon (and all salmon!) and good luck with your race prep!
Thanks, Jen :) The cedar plank has me feeling all summer-like with the smokey smell and taste. Bring on grilling season!