I finally ran again!!!!!!!! It felt absolutely amazing. As promised I took it very easy, pace wise, and there were a ton of walking breaks. This was basically a run/walk/run kind of a run, and it was exactly what I needed. My new running buddy Molly (who I seriously think I can no longer run without!) and I were just chatting the entire time. It’s been 3 weeks since we saw each other last so we had lots to talk about I apologized a few times when I had to take breaks to walk but she was super understanding and just said she wanted to have fun. We certainly did that and I’m SO proud of myself. I ran/walked 11 miles (average speed 10:57) + walked probably another 1.5 miles during warm-up and cooldown. That’s a lot of miles covered for someone who just recovered from the flu. I’m just amazed at what my body can do. Yay!!!!!! (PS – when did running become so fun?! I can’t get enough of it!!!)

Pre-workout breakfast: 1 ww toast with Barney Butter and 1/2 banana + coffee

During the run I had 1 Clif shot block (strawberry flavor). I thought the flavor was really delicious (like strawberry preserves in a block) but the texture was not at all was I was expecting. I was expecting a firm gummy bear type thing, but this thing was sticky!! Really sticky. I don’t bring water with me on my run and this was a problem right away. The second I put that thing in my mouth I instantly started mentally thinking about where I could buy water. Thankfully there was a gas station only a few minutes away. I don’t know if it was the shot block or the fact that I didn’t push myself very hard, but I had plenty of energy the entire time. I’m looking forward to having more of these on my next run. I will make sure to have water with me, though. Otherwise it’s not pleasant

Post-workout lunch: grilled zucchini, eggplant, roasted beets, tomato and goat cheese paninis

I grilled the veggies while getting for the run in the morning. A little planning goes a long way. This was exactly what I wanted after recovering from the run -  lots of warm veggies + goat cheese. Mmm

Then Adam and I continued our sofa bed hunt (I think we’re getting a fancy futon) and I got a sugar craving. Wow that never happens I got a craving for a very specific cookie from When Pigs Fly when I realized we were in the neighborhood of the bakery, but they were out of it I had to get a different cookie – chocolate heath bar and this guy was nearly the size of my head!!

This cookie was actually kind of dry. It wasn’t bad, just not great. I ate it throughout the day, and at the end finished it. Not sure if it was worth the calories but I was a hungry monster all day so whatever (I burnt ~1300 calories during the run/walk!)

Mid-day snack: oikos, peanut butter granola + organic berries (raspberries, strawberries, Maine blueberries)

Open wiiiiiiide

Dinner: CPK wild mushroom pizza (on thin crust)

I swapped a slice of my mushroom with my father in law’s chicken bbq. Yummy

I ate 1/2 pizza at dinner, and then another 2 slices as a late night snack. The pizza seriously doesn’t taste unhealthy although I know it’s still caloric. Does running so much justify all this food? Probably not. I was listening to my body, though, and fed it. I’m cool with that.

At night, a little champagne was also consumed (I only had a few sips)…

… and a few caramel filled milk chocolate turtles:

Plus some roasted almonds and pecans (unpictured). No more nuts straight out of the bag. That’s a new rule in this house. Dangerous habit.

Do you run by yourself or have a running buddy? Which one do you prefer? I just love chatting with Molly during our runs – it makes the time fly by. Most of the time I even forget I’m exercising!