Friday Thoughts 43
Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Thoughts. Old school today, no Instagram posts, just rambling about things as they come to mind. Enjoy.
Anniversary
Saturday is our wedding anniversary. As we like to say, it’s our 5/12 anniversary. We got married 5 years ago, and starting dating the same day 12 years ago. For our anniversary date, we’re trying to cross off one of Hannah’s goals for the year - to climb Mount Washington. Say a prayer to the weather gods for us in hopes we get a clear weather window. Every time we hike together, the weather tends to be terrible, like at the Beehive in Acadia a few weeks ago.
Here’s us at the gym a couple days after our wedding in 2019.
Olympics
I hope you’ve been enjoying the incredible display of athleticism at the Olympics. I’ve been watching whatever I can. Last night we watched the women’s gymnastics all round, and the timing, power and control these athletes have is unmatched. There’s nothing better than seeing someone really stick a good landing.
I’ve also watched women’s rugby, skateboarding, men’s gymnastics and a random assortment of tennis, table tennis, canoe slalom, kayaking, judo and boxing this week. I’m still eagerly awaiting weightlifting, but we still have a few days to go.
Something I’ve been pondering: how many olympic medals will be given out to athletes that compete barefoot?
Running Streak
After posting the blog yesterday, I did in fact get out for a neighborhood run. The streak climbs to 32 days. I do well with challenges like this, in fact, I probably prefer them. That’s kind of been the theme of my training for the past year too, pick something and just keep doing it over and over. It started last summer with simple kettlebell workouts, which led into back squatting everyday on the Easy Strength program, which sent me into weightlifting competition prep and as soon as that meet was over I was right into running.
My original goal for the year was one of our core values; consistency and moderation over intensity. And to figure out a plan to lift and run and be more a more well-rounded, but I just don’t think that’s my style. Not right now at least. I’m not sure how long I’ll continue the streak, but for now I’m going to keep it going.
The gray dots indicate a day that I ran, gotta get one in today!
Bars
I did get in a nice lifting workout yesterday too during Nolan’s nap.
EMOM 25: 1 power clean + 1 pull up
Hannah came into the garage mid set and told me I look weird wearing shoes, since I’m ALWAYS barefoot around the house and haven’t been doing any lifting that requires footwear. I thought it was a huge compliment. While my feet are in tip top shape, my hands are deconditioned and I’m sporting some nice blisters today.
Heavy cardio like this was a staple when I first started running ultras and besides being strong in general, is one of the reason my body can take on rugged trails without crumbling apart.
Beach Boys
Here’s our recipe for a perfect beach day with toddlers. Get there at 4pm, everyone else is leaving, the sun is less aggressive and it’s still just as hot. Bonus points for low tide, the more room to play and run the better. Play hard in the water for 30 minutes, eat snacks for 30 seconds, play hard for another 30 minutes then get out of there in time for baths and bed. Beach wagon is a must, as is diet cokes for the grown ups. Last night Elliot got tossed around by waves and loved it, and Nolan was chasing after seagulls, growling at them - he might be hanging out with Clem too much.
Thanks for reading you, see you next week!
Justin Miner
@justinminergain