Today was what every Sunday should be about - resting and recharging for the week ahead. I have officially caught up on sleep – 10 hours of sleep last night!! – and once again had a very low-key day. In fact, most of my day was brought to you by the all so fabulous Ms. Clean Eating Chelsey.

A couple weeks ago we both decided to do an impromptu gift exchange because:

a) we both love packages in the mail
b) we love each other a freakish amount (read Chelsey's beautiful tribute)
c) why the heck not?

Friday afternoon I received the mother load of goodies from this fabulous lady and used many of them today – from the nut butter in my pumpkin oats breakfast to a bit of reading during the kiddos’ naps. She knows me well. We’re like one and the same person, so it makes sense. Check out the goods!

First up, some foodie love. I received some new bars to try, Archer Farms nut butter blend (rocks on pumpkin oats!), and Trader Joe’s peanut flour. Oh, how I have longed to try that stuff. I may need some suggestions on how to use it though.

Next, I found goodies to keep me company after a long day – an easy mix to fancify wine for a fruity cocktail and Lindt chocolate. Should it surprise me we sent each other the same bar? No. No it shouldn’t.

And she knows I can use some ways to decompress - with a pumpkin candle and two really good sounding books. I cracked open The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake today. I already love it! Which I should since my most recent reading has consisted solely of muscle talk and tables that make my head spin.

Plus, she sent me the cutest little Halloween socks for the cutest little wee ones. Along with some new headbands to try out.

Lastly, we cannot forget the best part of the package.

I may or may not have opened that bag immediately following that picture.

And Peter & I may or may not have conquered it over the course of the weekend. Ahem. Candy corn = a weak in the knees Tina. I have no shame that my “lunch” yesterday actually consisted of numerous large handfuls of candy corn followed by a 2.5 hour nap for dessert. I call it the long run recovery formula for champions. Hey – it must work seeing as I had zero soreness today!

• What would you  put in a blogger gift exchange care package?
• How do you like to use peanut flour?

Wow. I tell you what, wow! <— Can anyone name that movie???

Eleven miles is a seriously long time to run. Unless you’re Kara. Then it’s cute. And she can call it that because she is so hilariously awesome. You have to love blog friends who can motivate you and help push you through!

A few other things that pushed me through?

• my normal fuel – PBJ english muffin before + espresso love Gu during
• wanting to get out of the cold
• energy from awesome runs this week (I ran 6 miles in under 50 minutes Tuesday!)
• good music

I realized it has been awhile since I’ve shared the songs that inhabit my workout playlist. I often forego music during weights, the elliptical, and shorter runs – but, boy, do tunes make a difference for speed work and long runs! I now present you with…the FFF Song Superlatives!

Song That Makes Me Run Faster – Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard)

It also makes me think of my college days…

Song That Makes Me Want To Bust Out Singing – Your Love Is A Song (Switchfoot)

Seriously such a beautiful song.

Song That Never Gets Old – Baby Got Back (Sir Mix A Lot)

Song That Makes Me Feel 12 Years Old But Will Stay On My Playlist Because I Don’t Care I’m A Dork – Party In The USA (Miley Cyrus)

I’ll own my dorky ways.

Song That Puts A Smile On My Face – Just The Way You Are (Glee Cast version)

Song That Makes Me Want To Scream Because Shuffle Wants To Play It So Many Times It Drives Me Batty – Lose Yourself (Eminem)

And I can’t take it off until I re-update ALL my songs because I got a new hard drive and iTunes is ridiculous.

Song That Makes Me Want To Shake My Hips Mid Run – Escape (Pina Colada Song)

source

Can’t I be there right now???

Song I Know I Shouldn’t Like But Just Can’t Help Myself – TGIF (Katy Perry)

source

The lyrics are so bad, but the beat is so good for running.

• What would your choices be for any of the song superlatives?
• Does your shuffle like to play the same song way more often than others?