Hey there! How are you? What’s been going on?
The Tuesday Tune-Up is where we can have a weekly virtual coffee date and catch up a bit.
I get to share some of the adventures I’ve been having lately when it comes to food, fitness, family and Duran Duran (and other music) and you let me know what you’ve been up to in the comments!
This was not the healthiest of food weeks, I’ll admit but it was certainly worth it. I got the chance to go out with Jay for a night out at one of my favorite restaurants in LA, The Church Key. The restaurant has atmosphere, excellent food, and kitschy but delicious drinks:
I don’t like gin but lavender will get me to try any drink.
Brioche Donuts with brown butter glaze and cinnamon caramel with a small chocolate milk shake on the side. I don’t even like donuts but these made me a convert!
We actually went to another place for dinner but went to the Church Key for after dinner drinks and dessert and it truly made the night.
However, the next morning I really required the healing power of breakfast burritos because…(see Fitness for explanation):
I’ve injured my back…again. My long time back issues have been more than well documented here on the blog(see here and here) but I’ve been actively working on strengthening my core muscles for quite awhile.
On Thursday afternoon I wasn’t doing anything strenuous but my QL muscle decided it had been working too hard to support my L4/L5 and L5/S1 areas and spasmed like a mo-fo. I now can only stand and walk like Quasimodo’s cousin. Here’s proof (notice how my spine is curved to the right):
I’m able to walk a little more upright but I’m back in PT and my thoughts of running the LA Chinatown Firecracker 10K in March may need to be delayed. I know that this cycle of recovery is going to entail exploring new avenues to encourage long-term success. Stay tuned!
It was a quiet weekend for our family but we did watch the Super Bowl with friends. The #LikeAGirl commercial really got to me. As a female and a parent of a son, it’s always been important to me to show Wild Boy what it means “to do things like a girl”. Even with my physical setbacks, I aim to show my child that both mental and physical strength are important and equally divided between the genders (or is it sexes, I never know).
I decided to post this photo to Facebook and Instagram to show my #RunLikeAGirl pride.
I may not be a fast runner or a long distance runner but in my injured runner state, I can’t tell you how much it meant to have this comment on my Instagram from the amazing American long-distance runner, Kara Goucher (who is also a mother to a son and is from Queens, NY!):
I want to show my son and myself that “doing things like a girl” means power and progress!
Duran Duran still at work on their album and people are not happy about it. There was a nasty open letter to the band circulating (which I can’t find to link to – but know that it is NOT this one from Daily Duranie) after all of the positive press that Spandau Ballet has generated regarding being very interactive and generous with fans.
I’m all for free speech but this particular letter made Duran fans (or maybe just this one Duran fan) look petulant and bratty. We’re all getting antsy about the new album and possible tour and sure, we’d love it if band members were more active on social media but please, just sit tight and let the men do their job!
In the Duran Duran meantime, some very interesting concerts are coming around! I don’t know about you but my eye is on Death Cab For Cutie (at the Hollywood Bowl in July) and U2 (who just added a 5th show in Los Angeles) this summer and Howard Jones and the return of Mike Peters of The Alarm to LA and NYC very soon!
Because I really love Death Cab and I’m excited for the new music that is forthcoming from Art Alexakis and Everclear (the album is called “Black Is The New Black”), I’m sharing a fabulous Everclear cover of Death Cab’s “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”:
So that’s a summary of what’s been going on in my world this week.
What about you? Let me know!
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So sorry about your back Melissa!!!!! Do you do weights for the back & the core? Do you work your legs too? I am not sure of your actual workout routine is why I ask.. working both the back & the core are crucial to helping stay away from back injuries And the legs too. 🙂 I am sure you know this but I know too many that work core & not back OR work abs & not the total core. 🙂
I’m so sorry about your back issues and the recent angst. That x-ray is scary my friend!!! I trust you know how to strengthen and recover but be sure to take care of your mental game as well. You’ve been here before and this too shall pass.
And OMG I still cannot get over the Kara Goucher like!!!!! That would just make my entire year!!! You deserve it 100%.
Love the name “church key” as I had no clue that’s what you call a bottle opener…at least that’s what my SIL’s family claims…is that right or are they just totally joking??
I haven’t worked with weights in awhile, Jody but I think the time has come for me to return to them (once I’m cleared from PT). I’ve been doing lots of group classes but I believe I need to work more individually in the future to make sure I strengthen my weaker areas and can better make modifications for myself in the future.
I may need to ask you for input on routines sometime!
Thanks for the love, my friend!
This strain is nasty but maybe it’s a sign that things need to change in my fitness repertoire…again!
The Kara Goucher thing definitely made me smile but that was all you!
As to the Church Key thing, I’m not sure but I wouldn’t be surprised.
Hoping you are well and that training in the cold isn’t killing you!
I am always here! 🙂
Thanks J!