Before I dive into today’s post I want to shed light on the tragic events that happened on September 11, 2001.  Many lives were lost and lives were changed forever that day, and I can’t help but take a moment to recognize them today.  We will never forget.

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Hey Friends!  Happy Friday 🙂

Good morning from Jake’s Brew Bar!

This morning I started my day with a class at The Ballet Physique and now I’m getting a little blog work done at this adorable coffee shop across the street before a meeting 🙂

Breakfast was delicious and easy thanks to my Love Grown and Justin’s to-go packets! (and a wonderful almond milk latte!)

I feel like it’s been forever since I have chatted with all of you, so I am happy that I can take the time to share some updates from the week with you!

This weekend, Brian and I don’t have a TON planned but we are going to a movie tonight and we are going hiking on Sunday.  As for the rest, we will just have to wait and see!

Five Things I Ate:

I just have to start this “food” section out by letting you know that Wednesday I had an insatiable hunger…then yesterday I ran 18 miles so, I was also pretty darn hungry and well, today? Yep…hungry again! Ha!! When I have days like that I really try to eat lots of little meals rather than snacky foods.  I put my mini meals on a plate and eat them sitting at the table and I make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.  This helps me stay satiated a little longer 🙂

• Earth’s Best Banana Raspberry Brown Rice Baby Food Packet:  Since I mentioned my run, I thought I would start with the fuel I ate during my run.  This baby food packet!!  It tasted really good 🙂 I ate it at about the halfway point (9 miles in) and felt really great until mile 11.5 when I got a cramp.  Not sure if it was because of the food, but I think I will stick with the butternut squash and banana packet I ate last time.

• This Fall Nourish Bowl…so delicious.  I wrote down my measurements and took some photos so I plan on sharing the details soon.  This bowl has a bit of rice, sweet potato, sauteed kale, and shredded chicken.  Really delish.

• Iced almond milk latte from Thump!  Monday, Brian and I took Bernie on a long morning walk that just happened to end at Thump, which is a coffee shop down the street from our apartment.  🙂

• This eggplant tomato skillet…I mentioned it last week and then I made it again this week so I could photograph it for you and share the recipe and I totally forgot to take pictures! HA!  So…we will be eating it next week again.  That being said, Brian is totally happy about that because this recipe really tastes so good!

• This is my typical lunch (at least this week):  Shredded chicken, white rice (easier on my digestion), roasted zucchini and carrots, spinach.

I have the chicken, veggies and rice all cooked up ahead of time.

I just toss them all in a pan with the spinach to warm it up and wilt the greens, toss it in a bowl and I’m good to go!  So tasty and satisfying.

Workouts and Marathon  Training Recap:

After a “taper” week last week, I had my longest run yet of 18 miles.

I definitely ran slower than usual, but I got the 18 miles DONE!  I am still in disbelief that I ran for 3 hours.  Today (the day after) I am feeling a little sore in my glutes, hips and hamstrings but that is to be expected.  I plan on foam rolling, stretching and doing lots of walking to keep things feeling good.

Earlier in the week I did a quick 3 mile run and was happy to have a comfortable pace of around 8 minutes per mile.

After running for 3 hours, it’s amazing how SHORT 3 miles really feels!

Other workouts I did this week:

• CXWORX
• Walking the dog
• Ballet Physique Skinny Jeans

Five Things Making Me Happy:

• Sleeping Bernie…so adorable!

Just snoozing next to me while I study.

Sleeping under the bed in the guest room. So cute I can’t stand it!

• I took my organic chemistry final!! YAHOO! Guys…I feel like a new person.  I serious weight is lifted off of my shoulders andI am so ready to MOVE on 🙂
• Having fun things to do this weekend other than study! I am so pumped for our hike on Sunday and for our movie tonight.
• Shopping for dog halloween costumes….HA!

This would look GREAT on Bernie!

• Meg (from A Dash of Meg, now Meg the RHN) is coming to Boulder!! We have been blogging friends for a few years now, so I am planning on going to her event with Shawn so I can finally meet her in person!! 🙂  Anyone in the Denver/Boulder area want to go with me!?

Posts I Have Loved:

• Why I’m Banning Cheat Meals from My Life and You Should Too via Lifting Revolution
• WIAW:  Simple Changes via The Real Life RD
• Pomegranate Blueberry Acai Bowl via Fairy Burger
• Paleo Pumpkin Bars via Hummusapien
• Home Workout:  Super Strong Stability Ball Workout via Your Trainer Paige
• 7 Tips for a Healthy Relationship with Food via The Lean Green Bean
• Small Space Friendly, Quiet At Home Bodyweight Workout via Pumps and Iron

Alright friends! That’s all for today 🙂

I hope you have a fantastic weekend and Friday 🙂

Your Turn!

• You know I love to hear from you! Share your weekend plans with me 🙂 (or something great from the week!)