I have had some stellar runs recently. First up, I reached a new PDR (personal distance record) this past Saturday on my long run. I had to wait to head out for my run until mid-afternoon during nap time. My motivation had started waning and the increasing temperatures worried me. I knew I would regret not going, so I got myself out the door and to the trail. Then, I promptly pulled out the best run I have had to date.

I ended up running SEVEN miles in 1:04:07!! I kind of surprised myself with this run.

• Mile 1 = 9:23
• Mile 2 = 9:29
• Mile 3 = 9:28
• Mile 4 = 9:02
• Mile 5 = 8:41
• Mile 6 = 8:57
• Mile 7 = 9:03
• Average = 9:09

I had that runner high feeling the entire time and felt like I could have gone for even longer. I posted on Facebook (bec Facebook friends get info like this early) that I used to think people who ran 7 miles for fun were crazy…and now I’m one of them. 😀

Then, I continued the great run trend with my workout yesterday. I have decided for my own sanity and to best fit our family’s schedules that I will complete one of my runs each week on the treadmill so I can finish it along with my morning weights workout. To keep myself from keeling over with treadmill boredom, I have deemed that workout a “speed work session” so I can play around with numbers and have some fun with intervals.

Yesterday I completed a speed work workout I picked up from Runners World’s Smart Coach program I took a quick peek at a couple days ago.

• 1 mile @ 6.0 mph (10 min pace)
• 3x through - 0.5 mile @ 7.8 mph (7:42 min pace) followed with 0.25 mile @ 6.0 (10 min pace)
• 6.0 mph (10 min pace) until I reached 35 minutes

The speed work started off not feeling like too much of a challenge, but by the third and final half mile at 7:42 pace I huffed and puffed profusely. I actually had fun pushing through such a challenging run. Who knew I would enjoy speed work so much?

All this running mumbo jumbo is to say that I have certainly been feeling inspired in the running department lately. And that led to this…

It’s official!!! Savannah, here I come. I WILL be ready to rock and roll! 😉

I also wanted to let you all know that I decided to focus solely on this half marathon this year. I believe that physically I could do the second half marathon I considered, but I really want a super fun race like this to go down as my first half marathon memory. I look forward to racing with some other awesome blogger friends, having a trip with my husband, and accomplishing something I never thought possible. I can’t wait! And I hope you will join me through the ups and downs of training. I know I will need you!

• What’s something exciting you’ve experienced recently?

I wish I had made extra of these Peanut Butter Banana Flax Muffins I made to bring as part of a meal for someone who just had a baby.

[I used this recipe but instead of 2 cups all purpose flour, I used 1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour and 1/2 cup ground flaxseed.]

I wish there were more hours in the day. I had so much to do yesterday that I did not sit down for lunch until 1:30. That also meant I had to eat lunch whilst nursing.

I wish laundry would fold itself. 

I wish my phone screen actually worked.

And I wish my husband didn’t bum phones off friends recycling them at our church.

I wish I was a better mom some days. I don’t believe I am a bad mom, but some days my patience wears a little thin with Makenzie and I hate that.

I wish I could get more creative in the kitchen. I have eaten a version of the following three things way too often recently.

Actually, you know what? A lack of creativity isn’t so bad. Those meals are delicious!

I wish you all knew exactly how much I appreciate each of you. It saddens me that recently I have not had as much time as I would like to read/comment on your blogs. I hope you can recognize my support and care for you regardless.

I wish date nights happened a lot more frequently.

Saturday night was fabulous! And for those wondering about my dress decisions – I ended up borrowing one of my mom’s dresses. Haha!

We ventured to the Buckhead area of Atlanta for dinner at Via, an Italian restaurant we purchased a Groupon to awhile ago. Who says date nights can’t also be frugal nights? I loved getting to try someplace new.

I ordered the spinach salad to start. It came with caramelized onions, hardboiled egg, and pancetta in a balsamic dressing.

It had so much flavor. I loved every bite. Peter even preferred it over his house salad.

We ended up sharing two things for our dinner. A pizza with basil, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, red onions, black olives, and pepperoni.

As well as some goat cheese fritters with strawberries and a balsamic glaze.

I really liked the pizza. It reminded me of some of the pizza I had in Italy. As for the goat cheese? You all know me, right? If you think I loved it, you would be correct. I could have made a meal out of those alone.

After dinner, we started heading home because I didn’t know how Braedon handled taking a bottle from my mom (he can act finicky with bottles of my pumped milk). Luckily, he did great so we decided to stay out a little longer. We checked into seeing a movie and I was thrilled to remember Water For Elephants is now out.

So, we killed some time with an ice cream pit stop before seeing the late showing of the film, which I thought was very well done. I love the story line and think Reese Witherspoon & Robert Pattinson portrayed it well.

I hope we can have date nights more now that Braedon is old enough for others to watch him and Makenzie together more easily. I missed dates! Plus, Peter & I believe they matter so much in a marriage. You have to keep the relationship fun. We also believe in keeping our marriage at the forefront because a solid marriage helps make a solid family in our opinion. Here’s to more in our future! 

• What is your perfect date? I actually adore dinner & a movie dates.