The weather was positively perfect for my long run day.  It was entirely overcast, 70 degrees, and breezy–I was even lucky enough to get rained on a few times. 🙂

My run was one of those fabulous runs when you just don’t want to stop and you feel like you could go forever.  It’s such an amazing feeling, and I really try to enjoy it when it happens (because the next run may be torturous!). I focused on maintaining a steady pace, controlling my breathing, and enjoying the wonderful weather.

I only intended to run 6.0 miles, but it was so nice out that I ended up blasting 8.75 miles!  This makes me feel so much more confident for my 15k and half marathon.  Here are my statistics:

• Duration: 1 hour, 28 minutes (8.75 miles)
• Average Heart Rate: 165 bpm
• Maximum Heart Rate: 186 bpm
• Calories Burned: 761 (someone’s going to be HUNGRY later!)

Towards the end of my run, I noticed a slug in the middle of the sidewalk.  He was being attacked by fire ants and scrambling to get away. Since he was clearly losing the battle, I picked him up, brushed off the ants, and set him in the grass.  Circle of life be damned, I felt sorry for the little guy!

Pre-Run Snack

I’ve decided this is the #1 pre-run snack for me.  A piece of WW toast, 1 tablespoon of PB, and a coffee.  I should’ve eaten MORE for this run (I got hungry around mile 7.0), but I didn’t know I’d be running so far.  I probably would’ve thrown in some nuts.

Post-Run Breakfast – Sweet Pot-ana Oatmeal

I was starving by the time I got home, so I quickly made myself a protein shake (1 cup milk, 1 scoop Muscle Milk Light).

Inspired by HangryPant’s comment that her favorite food combo is sweet potato and banana (mashed), I decided to use the leftover 1/2 baked sweet potato from last night’s dinner to make Sweet Pot-ana Oatmeal, a combination of sweet potato and banana!

My oatmeal consisted of: 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup water, 1 small sliced banana, 1/2 baked sweet potato (with skin), and 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar.

I added the baked sweet potato to the pot 1 minute til the end, and gave everything a good stir.  It was a delicious combination and nice to get in a veggie with breakfast!

I am tremendously late to my doctor’s appointment! Gotta run! See you for lunch….