Longest Run Post Marathon + Ice Cream for Days
Well hello there and welcome back to another brand new week. I can tell this week is already off to a much better start than last week. In all honesty, I woke up last Monday grumpy and NOT ready for another Monday. However, today, I woke up with energy, had a great cup of coffee, an even better time with Jesus, and cranked out some work for my athletes. Now, I am hopping on here and chatting with all my favorite virtual friends. So, here’s to a new week of new adventures and goals! Does anyone else love fresh starts like I do (most of the time, haha)?
I hope your weekend was soul refreshing and filled with all your favorite things. After a busy and non-stop weekend last week, I was craving a slow and easy paced weekend and that’s exactly what we had over here. YES please.
Let’s rewind to Friday night…
Friday night, I had the craziest and most intense headache I think I’ve ever had. I was bummed to kick the weekend off on such a bummer note, especially since I had to cancel plans on meeting up my girlfriends for coffee and dessert. Instead of catching up with my friends, I fell asleep around 9 pm and woke up, Saturday morning at 8:15. I guess I needed the sleep and my head felt much better after getting so much sleep.
Saturday
Landon and I woke up craving a slow morning and a delicious breakfast. So, Landon ran to the grocery store to pick up some necessities, while I got ready to whip up a fabulous brunch. Usually, I like to crank out my long runs, early on Saturday mornings, but since I was just coming off of a splitting headache, I eased into Saturday morning with eggs and pancakes. It was definitely the right decision.
After our deliciously filling breakfast, Landon and I waited for our food to digest and busied ourselves with home projects, organization, and Christmas planning. I don’t know what it is, but I feel like this weekend all the Christmas feels hit and I was beyond tempted to play Christmas music and whip out the Christmas movies. I resisted, firmly decided that I would/will not cave until after Thanksgiving, but we will see if I actually make it. 😉
Ninety minutes later, Landon and I left for a cold run, outside together, with Benaiah all cocooned in his stroller. Since Landon didn’t need to run a long run this weekend, he and Benaiah turned around after a mile and headed back home, while I finished up my run outside. I ran about 3 more miles, turned around at 4 and came home by 7. I knew I wanted and needed (I have a half marathon in two weeks!) to get in 10, so I finished the last three up on the treadmill for a total of 10 miles! I was so pumped to get my runs back in the double digits. Overall, aside from the cold, the run felt really good. I felt strong and comfortable during the whole thing. I finished around a 9:15 pace for the entire run and was happy with my pace.
Post-run shenanigans involved smoothies and play time with Niah. I honestly don’t remember all of what we did for the rest of the afternoon, but I know it involved some more house projects and dinner prep. (We are party people, I tell you.) The cold weather and the freezing run, had both Landon and I craving warm comfort food which ended up coming in the form of a homemade shepherds pie. I basically grabbed a ton of veggies out of the fridge, sauteed them in a little olive oil, added some grass fed beef, and a can of tomato sauce. After they were thoroughly cooked, I added them into a 9 x 13 and topped it with homemade mashed potatoes. After cooking for 35 minutes, we dove into a warm, hearty dinner that was totally life giving.
Once Benaiah went to bed, Landon and I ended our evening eating small bowls of homemade ice cream (using THIS amazing recipe!) and watching part of the Incredibles. I know, we are such children. But, a classic is a classic.
Sunday
We compensated for our laid back Saturday with a little busier than usual Sunday. I was on worship team for our church, which meant we were guaranteed to get to church on time! We arrived at church an hour early, so I could practice with the team, while Landon and Niah hung out an Einstein bagels. I don’t know if you guys know this (you probably do) but I love singing and sharing my passion for music with the church body is such a gift. I was grateful to help. There’s something about worshiping with a team, an hour early, before the business of Sunday morning service begins, that is so special. After practice, we worshiped with the congregation, soaked in a great message, and spent time connecting with friends over lunch. (Our church has a meal after every service, together, which is amazing.)
I could tell Benaiah was getting pretty sleepy around 12:30 and since we knew we had a busier evening, we headed out around 1 to make sure he had a nap time. I was right and our sleepy boy took a solid hour nap, while Landon and I got in a nap of our own. I am officially old. After both of our naps, we headed to a friends’ house for dinner. We had a great time getting to know their family more, eating amazing chicken chili, and devouring ‘little chocolate square things,’ (as one of their kids called them aka brownies.)
Like champions do, Landon and I came home and ended the evening with a little more of that homemade ice cream, conversation, writing out our week goals together, and dreaming about the future together.
And now, here we are and I am feeling totally refreshed and ready for this Monday, thing. Bring on the new week!
Questions of the Day
- What is your favorite weekend treat?
- Was your weekend busy, low key or both?
- Are you guys people who take naps or not?