Yesterday was actually pretty busy. Nothing stressful, just an on-the-move kind of day. Since I was awake super early, I’m pretty sure I was running on adrenaline through the afternoon and evening. Most importantly, I focused on refueling my body.
The half marathon was the longest and fastest distance I had ever ran. Usually I experience a raging appetite after my long runs, but yesterday was different. My appetite was off and I felt like my stomach could only handle so much. I knew I needed to feed my tired body, so I took an “eat what you crave” approach.
I started with a mini bagel with PB and some bites of apple immediately after the race. Race organizers were handing out plenty of food and drink, but I had packed this snack at home and gave it to my mom to hold. It was just what I wanted after running, so I opted out of the freebies. Sorry – no photo - I was more than a little caught up in the excitement!
After coming home and cleaning up, my family took me out for a celebratory lunch. They let me choose the location. It’s weird…all I wanted was the Lite Chicken Dinner at Davenport’s.
I started with a warm roll. Then I enjoyed my entree.
I was hungry, but when the food arrived, my appetite diminished. I did manage to eat one piece of chicken – need protein! – plus all of my veggies and a few forkfuls of rice. It tasted good and my body felt settled after eating. Bonus: I have a piece of grilled chicken for my lunch salad today!
When we walked out of the restaurant, I wave a heat hit me. It was summer in RI yesterday! We experienced temperatures in the high 80′s. That meant, I chugged water! I continued about my afternoon, reminiscing about the race and blogging – thanks, Jared, for the blog help!
Before long, it was time for an afternoon snack. I broke into my race swag for something tasty.
I really love this Luna Protein bar. The cookie dough flavor is my favorite and the chocolate coating tasted pretty good. I felt like I was savoring a candy bar! I ate my snack on the road. I went with my mom to pick up the weekly essentials at Market Basket. By the time I got home, I was starting to fade. When the dinner hour rolled around, I had no energy to cook. I took the easy way out!
Dinner was a small baked sweet potato topped with baked beans. I included a side of corn and a bowl of cantaloupe. Maybe it wasn’t the most conventional meal, but I wanted it and I liked it! I enjoyed eating on the deck and sipping iced tea with my meal.
Once the temperature dropped a bit, I headed to my Gram’s house. I shared pictures of the day and relived the most exciting moments! Grammy was at the race and I think she was just as thrilled as me about the experience 
. We decided to stroll to the nearby ice cream shop for kiddie cones of soft serve. Delish! Again, I was a slacker blogger and forgot a photo. You can just imagine a perfectly twisted, creamy cone of the good stuff.
By the time I got home, I needed to go to bed. STAT! Only problem, I couldn’t sleep. It was a hot, uncomfortable, restless night. I felt like I simply couldn’t settle down. I laid there whispering to Lucy and trying to quiet my body and mind. I ended up getting some rest, but not enough…early to bed tonight!
Refueling continued when I woke up. I ate a hearty banana oatcake for breakfast.
I topped my dense oatcake with almond butter and mashed banana. It’s not the prettiest picture, but it sure was tasty! Expect to see more of these as the mercury rises. They are packed with nutrients and serve as a great substitute for a bowl of oats. I loved it!
It’s raining, hot, and humid. I’m still drinking lots of water to stay hydrated. I always know I need water when I start to feel a twinge of a headache. It hasn’t happened yet, so my approach is working!
I can’t believe the weekend is over. It’s time to take on another week. Enjoy!
