beer

Ultra Training Week #7: Long runs are long.

- Mel

This week of training brought my first 20-mile run (I think I have seven 20+-mile runs on this plan). I swapped my long run to Sunday, so that I could run with my usual group — which meant waking up for a 6:30 am (!!!) trail run on Saturday at Jester Park. Once I was out, I didn’t mind one bit (added bonus of seeing the sun rise over Saylorville Lake).

When my 20-mile long run came on Sunday, I could barely eek out 17. It was a rough morning — and more than just a mental block. I was breathing WAY too heavy for an 11:30 pace and my legs felt like lead. Meh. Bad runs happen, right? I enjoyed the course my friend mapped out though; it took us on a loop around downtown’s paved trails. I did need an extra rest day this week after doing my back-to-back half marathons the previous weekend, so I took that on Tuesday (with a side of full body massage). Though even with four days of running, I completed 40 miles.

WEEK AT A GLANCE:
Monday – Rest Day
Tuesday – 4 miles Extra Rest Day / Massage
Wednesday – 6 miles (Trail)
Thursday – 8 miles (Treadmill)
Friday – Rest Day
Saturday – 10 miles (Trail)
Sunday – Long run, 20 miles 16.85 miles

week 7 ultra training long runs blog
Long runs are long.

Week 8 is my cutback week, and I’ll be focused on getting my strength training/cross-training back on track. I’m also signed up for an intro to kickboxing workout that is sponsored by our local lululemon. OMG am I going to start having nightmares about Billy Blanks again?!

WHAT’S ON TAP?
My road trip to Madison last weekend resulted in finding a gluten-free dedicated brewery called Alt Brew. It was so amazing to have a flight of beers! I brought home a sixer of their kolsch, which is so delicious that I wish I bought more. I wish one of the midwest gluten-free beer producers would distribute to Iowa! So if anyone is in Wisconsin and would like to send me some more of their delicious gluten-free beers, please message me! Also accepting any and all beers from Burning Brothers in St. Paul (particularly their IPA).

WHAT’S FUN?
The mid-week Trail Run Series with Fleet Feet and Des Moines Park & Rec has been SO FUN. It’s brought so many people out to the dirt and woods to play, and I just love seeing that enthusiasm from our local running communities. This Wednesday, we’ll be running out at Grandview. I also get to assist with marking the course, so you can officially blame me if you get lost! ?

DSM parks rec trail running series
Yep, that’s me! ?

SOMETHING, SOMETHING:
Well, my grad school application is submitted. Now I sit around and wait to see if I’m accepted for Fall semester (which starts on September 25 *gulp*).

AUGUST MILEAGE TOTAL: 116.2 total miles
SEPTEMBER MILEAGE: 67.1 miles
WEEKLY MILEAGE: 40.9 miles
MILEAGE FOR THE YEAR: 723.71 miles
LAST RACE: Haven’t had time to review my two Labor Day weekend races, but coming soon!
UP NEXT: Capital Pursuit 10-mile race this weekend.

Weekly Therapy: ho Ho HO

- Mel

the week:
We had our Christmas tree delivered, and while tall and beautiful, I don’t know what to do with it. I hate the white LED lights we had on our tree last year (the boyfriend put them on anyway), and I don’t want to put bulbs up knowing that I’m leaving the cats alone for a couple days (especially given that half of them are vintage… the ornaments, not the felines). The cats have been mostly ignoring the tree, but I’m convinced (even from last year) that our smallest cat hides up in it somehow. She’s sneaky! The boyfriend (lazily) put up lights and garland outside, which looked like a six-year-old threw them up… and the lack of vision or thoughtful end result really irritates me (especially when asked for my opinion, and the response is all “it looks fine!”). He’s in such a rush to decorate and wrap presents all the sudden, and… I JUST WANT TO GO ON VACATION.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

We definitely decorate with completely different styles in mind.

weekend:
Pittsburgh Ballet’s Nutcracker on Friday night marks the beginning of my ballet season package (amazing birthday gift from the boyfriend). We’ll probably have dinner at Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room again too. NOM.
Saturday, work. Meh. But then we can hang out with our out-of-town friends who are visiting Pittsburgh for the football game.
And SUNDAY is our annual Toys for Tots charity scrimmage. #teamGrinch

seven things, seven days:
1. Malley’s Pumpkin Pie Truffles. Mmm-hmm, that’s right.
2. My Ortho follow-up was uneventful. No MRI needed at this time, since my foot seems better.
3. Reading The Wolf of Wall Street in anticipation of its Christmas Day movie release! There’s a lot of eye rolling on my behalf, but it’s a quick, fun read.
4. Started receiving my Graze snack boxes*. First one was mostly uninteresting; second shipment was SO much better! RIP: Foodzie and SprigBox.
5. Packing for a vacation that is more winter than current winter IS HARD.
6. Cat sitting for friends is fun. I just can’t resist the fur babies! See also: CAT KARMA.
7. The 13 Best Psychology and Philosophy Books of 2013 {via brainpickings}

*My Graze friend code is: MELIND3TP — use this to get your first box free!

Weekly Therapy: taking care of old business

- Mel

the week:
The background colors and layout here at 30-something Therapy were bothering me for a long time. I contacted a few designers about tweaking the blog, but got some serious sticker shock. I decided to figure it out on my own…

So, check out my new site layout — mobile-enhanced now too! And please let me know if something is wonky.

Speaking of new layouts, we met with a contractor about possibly recreating the space on our second level. It’s a weird layout and really doesn’t define a first and second bedroom, mostly because of 12 foot glass doors separating the two spaces, but also because of a terrible bathroom addition. We can’t really do much with our attic space either because of space (and possible historical) constraints. He had some great suggestions, and would solve the problem for us using the space we have — AND only 3-4 months of stress! Next up is a meeting with an architect.

weekend:
A little happy hour with derby buddies on Friday night and an EPIC bottle share with friends on Saturday. Hangover on Sunday, natch. True story: we had to go buy two more dining room chairs to fit our anticipated party size.

seven things, seven days:
1. I am love with this all-natural hot chocolate mix from Silly Cow.
2. Is there nothing better than coming home to a professionally-cleaned house? Especially so when you plan to host 15 guests on the weekend.
3. Finally had x-rays for lingering, nagging derby injuries on my left hand and foot. No visible fractures, so likely ligament damage on each (blargh). So much healing time.
4. Signed up for unlimited month at CrossFit, which includes a strength training program. Did you know that I can deadlift 133 pounds?! Me neither.
5. There is a thing called rice nog from the brand Rice Dream (I use rice milk in my cereal). I *squeed* a delightful squee when I found it in the grocery store. And thoroughly embarrassed myself in the presence of strangers.
6. Special order: Bulleit boubon truffles from Sinful Sweets. Mmm-hmm, that’s right.
7. Who are the “Masters of Sex”? I’ve been wanting to download and watch this Showtime series about Masters and Johnson. Sunday’s hangover might be the perfect opportunity.

Weekly Therapy: I do bruise easily.

- Mel

the week:
June spending freeze. Blah.

BUT… back to derby practices! Already have All of the Bruises.

weekend:
Bout weekend! Starting off with a team pasta night and viewing party (oh gawd, helmet cam) and game on Saturday (and much-needed after party). Sunday will be much relaxing. And likely, a hangover.

If you’re not following my schedule, you know that this weekend starts the Three River Arts Festival and Jazz Festival downtown. These are things that make me miss living downtown greatly. Friday also marks the “opening” of the Point State Park fountain. Will probably take some time on Sunday to check everything out. Likely, get a bike ride in since we only live 1 mile away! (given that my bicycle is actually in working condition, after sitting in the basement for an entire year… *sigh*)

52 books in 52 weeks:
#15. Delusions of Grandeur by Jason Najum. WTF did I just read?! It was like one long internet rant about society. Review: don’t read this.

seven things, seven days:
1. Made the Yelp weekly again! (this time, for Sandcastle water park – a fun summer thing to do in Pittsburgh)
2. Fathead’s Headhunter on tap at home
3. Finally got strawberries in the garden!
4. Did you know that I am a closet Western movie fan? This list from Art of Manliness is a good start, but the exclusion of “Once Upon a Time in the West” is flabbergasting.
5. Inventor of ADHD says it’s a “Fictious Disease” on his deathbed. Woah.
6. Weekend therapy will be these peaches and cream cupcakes from Burgh Baby.
7. PR pros are crazy. Like a fox!

Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week: the celebration continues!

- Mel

It’s Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week! The hangover on this 30-something is a doozy. But there’s still a few days left to celebrate.

Sort-of started the celebrations last Saturday with my friend’s bachelorette party, hosting brunch at my house and then attending a Venture Outdoors programs — a hike-meets-beer-tasting (beer from Max’s Allegheny; not an official PCBW event, but it coincided appropriately). We had a really good time (me, especially so, shopping for her honeymoon attire). The lingerie gift idea was fun (a piece for every night of the honeymoon), and you could totally tell a little personality from each friend in her gift.

Sunday, amid some errands, we stopped into Bocktown for their 17th tap and delicious lunch. They were featuring a Black IPA from a local home brewer. It was awesome. Plus, they finally added the kielbasa reuben to the permanent menu.

beer founders brunch pcbwpappy beer pcbw

I also decided to spend my day off (how convenient!) with friends at the Founders brunch at Piper’s Pub. Yes, there was a lot of KBS. Too much. I really enjoyed the Doom though. Boxty breakfast soon turned into Liquid Lunch, followed by trips to two more bars to find the PCBW collaboration brews, then getting SOAKED in the afternoon rainstorm. Damn you, new shoes for giving me blisters.

When I finally got home, I napped (epic), then woke up for ANOTHER beer tasting happy hour at James Street — this one, paired with local chocolate company Sinful Sweets made with the Brooklyn beers. I have the hangovers. Bad.

Looking forward to a few more events though: tonight, #asistradition (a few Southside bars have tasting events plus I wish I could participate in the underwear ride — alas, practice); Friday, the Beer Barge (we couldn’t get tickets, so we’re volunteering). We’ll round out the weekend with a home Power game and tailgating with some of our fave craft beer peeps.

I consider this week a success. Did you participate? What were your favorite events?

Also, read my Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week {part two!} article and column in the recent issue of Craft Pittsburgh. Find at your favorite craft beer bars.