Yesterday’s run was a watchless one.
I didn’t realize that I had forgotten my Garmin until I got to my starting point and there was no way I was driving back home to get it. So, I went out without a watch and it felt really nice and relaxing. I’m guessing I ran about 6 miles total based on how long I was out running.
Runner’s PSA—> If you are hooked on your garmin/paces/mileage/splits/everything… go without a watch every now and then.
I wanted to get in a few strides/fartleks throughout the run and so instead of doing them based on time (I usually do 10 x 1 minute on, 1 minute off) I just randomly went fast until the next stop sign/tree/mailbox/whatever sounded like a good idea a bunch of times with recovery jogs in between.
I went for my run in the middle of the day so it was in the 70s but my body already feels a little bit more adapted than it did a few weeks ago to the warmer weather. WIN.
I took a different route with a lot of different sights. One of the things I really love about running… it gives me time to come across things like this that I would never really notice driving by and just soak them in.
Let’s talk about a few things that have happened since we last talked about our daily life highlights!
*Brooke and I saw Dr. Bennett to stay on top of my IT Band staying happy and Brooke did approximately 140 cartwheels in the waiting room.
*Brooke earned a toy the other day and she went with the play-doh ice cream kit. So if you are wondering what we are doing now daily from 3-5 pm—> we are playing ice cream parlor and it makes me crave ice cream the entire time.
*We ate a fresh mex salad in honor of Cinco de Mayo today.
*Brooke wrote cards for her teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. When she picked out the donut cards at the store I shed a tear of pride.
*We played with the most fun and energetic chocolate lab I have ever met.
*Brooke takes getting her stamp at the end of gymnastics for doing a good job very seriously. I wish stamps motivated me. I’d be a whole lot more productive in life.
*Last night we spent a lot of time outside which Brooke was clearly upset about.
*First round of the season. The three necessary summer ingredients.
*I have a feeling this is going to be a weekly thing for us.
*Only problem—> she wanted her s’more without chocolate and I don’t know how I feel about this.
*DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE SHIRT THAT YOU NEED!!!
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Happy Cinco de Mayo!!! What is your favorite Mexican dish?
Any fun s’more variations that you have tried?
How often do you run without a watch or phone tracking your distance?
How often do you take a new running route?
58 comments
Michele @paleorunningmomma
My son also wanted a “just marshmallow s’more recently! I think it was because I only had dark chocolate and he’s just not a big fan. Love that huge mex salad, happy Cinco de Mayo!
Sarah @ SarahRuns26
Sometimes we use the Ghirardelli squares that have caramel or peanut butter in them for our smores. They are the perfect size for it and taste delicious. The dark chocolate ones are awesome too.
It depends on if I’m running alone or with others and how much time I have to play. I love new routes but I also love my current routes too, so it’s a win either way!
The chocolate lab looks like our dog Sam!
Emma @myfullfatlife
ghiradelli squares?! omgosh that sounds good! I will have to try that
Sarah @ SarahRuns26
It’s so good! Even the ones with mint or raspberry filling go really well for smores!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Okay, the ones with caramel in them would be SOOOOOO good! Great idea Sarah!
Steph @ loveandlunge
I didn’t even realize today was cinco de mayo haha! I lived in texas for awhile, so tex mex food is my go to when I really want a good, hearty meal. I love a good taco salad, but I love nachos with queso way more. And tres leches cake. sooooo goood.
and I really need to do more un-watched runs. Some of my best, most relaxing runs have been this way and I always forget how good it feels to just go.
Natalie
I usually have at least one watchless run per week. They really are very relaxing and stress-free. I wish I had some of the beautiful views you do on your runs!!
I could eat chicken quesadillas with avocados for almost every meal and be happy. Also, I’m with Brooke on the no chocolate in s’mores. (I’m not a chocolate fan.) I don’t really like marshmallows, either, so I typically just eat the graham crackers only. Add some peanut butter on them, and you’re golden. :)
Hollie
I try and run without a watch at least 1-2 times per week. I find it helps me focus and relax. Plus there isn’t a huge point on recovery runs.
I don’t know what we will make for dinner tonight but probably something themed.
Michelle
I love enchiladas! They’re definitely my favorite Mexican food, but I’m happy with tacos or quesadillas too! We only have the ingredients for tacos so that’s what we’ll be having for dinner tonight.
I don’t usually run without my watch, but sometimes I turn it around so I don’t look at it the entire run. But just knowing it’s tracking my distance and pace makes me run faster…I should probably try running without it for easy runs.
Hannah @ Will Run For Coffee
Living in London, it’s hard to find new running routes that don’t involve a million stops at traffic lights etc. I have about three routes which work really well. Earlier this week, I got up early and drove a little further afield to run 12 miles in woodland/parkland and it was SO nice to go somewhere new. It’s a constant debate for me – is a run worth sitting in traffic for e.g. an hour, or taking public transport, to get to? Trouble is, I otherwise get bored of my same routes.
Watch-less runs only happen by accident and result in extreme annoyance. I’m a data junkie, and it somehow doesn’t seem to count if I don’t have my watch. I appreciate this is absurd, but hey – I don’t make the rules. (Oh, hold on….I do).
Chelsea @ Chelsea Be Healthy
Oh my! Now I’m craving s’mores!! Those things are highly addicting! YUM!
I could survive on chips and salsa alone. But lately I’ve been a big fan of shrimp/chicken fajitas!
I usually try and switch up my running route as often as I can! Its so nice to change scenary from just running around my neighborhood!
Flower
Mexican food and my stomach hate each other but May favorite Mexican food is a margarita Lol happy convo de Mao!
Loribeth
I LOVE Mexican food. My favorite is chicken fajitas! And I love smores. I think I should try making those smores bars, too, they sound really good. I usually run with my IPOD so I have music and a regular watch (so I can glance and make sure I get back to work before my lunch break is over) but if it is raining steadily or if I am in a rush I will go without. I can do without the watch, but I really like having the music. And my city is working on connecting a path we have had that runs about 8 miles one way with other stretches of greenway/paved trails. I have run the 8 mile portion so many times (it’s where I run each day, it’s easy, it has mile and half mile markers, it’s right downtown where I live and work) but I am now excited that I will have a few other options to mix it up. We biked part of the new section yesterday, it was so cool!
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes
Fish and pork tacos are my favorite! I can never decide which one so my husband and I usually each order one and share.
I almost always run with my watch but lately I’ve only been looking at the clock rather than pace.
Staci
I love themes for food. So tonight….I might have to make some tacos. I love them with steak/fish/chicken, cilantro, lime, onion and avocado!! mmmmmmm….I never run without a watch. I will run without looking at my pace but I like having the distance recorded. In your case where you drove to a starting point, yeah I would have just ran too. :)
We had s’mores for the first time a week ago or so. The kids were so happy!! They always use the leftover graham crackers to make cereal out of it!
Mollie
“One of the things I really love about running… it gives me time to come across things like this that I would never really notice driving by and just soak them in.” I LOVE THIS. This is one of the main reasons I run. I’ll never forget exploring cities by foot, from Cambridge, England, to Seattle, Charleston where we now live, Chicago down lake Michigan, Central Park…running is so much more than exercise.
And, if you’re ever back in San Diego, go to Tom Hamm’s lighthouse and order the Smore’s for dessert. I’m drooling right now thinking about it.
Lou
WHen are you getting your dog?
The Hungry Runner Girl
We decided to hold off for a few more months because we have a lot of travel that we are doing until the end of the summer and don’t want to leave him/her a lot. We still can’t wait though!
Amanda @ Exploring Life & Things
I need to be better about not always running with my Garmin. If I forget it I always turn on the Map my run app on my phone. And oh my gosh I love any and all Mexican dishes. Shrimp taco salads are one of my faaaaaves!
Ultra Run Couple @UltraRunCouple
So I actually rarely use a watch. Since I run with Todd, he keeps the time and, if we are doing speed work, he paces me. I am spoiled like that!
I also do not like many Mexican food dishes, so this holiday is not as exciting for me as most (Todd does love the Mexican food, though).
BUT, as I talk about on my blog that will post later today, we are super excited about another holiday happening this week and what it means for us as ultra runners!
Karrie
A s’more without chocolate?!?!?! That’s just crazy.
I love taco salads. They are always so fresh and the meat is sooo good. Regular tacos are pretty good too.
I usually always run watchless for easy runs but I always have my phone on me so I can track the distance. It feels weird if I don’t and I don’t like to do it if I’m by myself.
I like to switch things up, but I usually always end up sticking to the same running routes.
Jenny
All the Mexican food for me. Seriously, I could eat Mexican food of just about any kind forever . We are doing chicken tacos for dinner and I’m excited for left overs so I can have it for 2 more days.
I hate marshmallows. So I’ll have the chocolate and the graham cracker if someone eats my marshmallow. I’ll cook it, just don’t want to eat it.
Christine
Does a margarita count as a Mexican dish? I love mine with fresh lime juice, agave, orange liquor and tequila! And a side of guac and chips!
We love s’mores with justin’s peanut butter cups – only problem is I feel guilty eating more than one, ha!
I just got a garmin in February (I’ve been running for 8+years, I’m slow to the game!) and I don’t think I could run without it now! It’s like my running buddy :-)
Bethany (Lulu)
I agree with Brooke, I always have my s’mores without chocolate too! I get a lot of weird looks ;) haha!
And that salad looks so good- I love love Mexican food, I could eat it all day, every day!
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures
Enchiladas are my fav. Smothered with cheese!! I forgot it was Cinco De Mayo today. Might need to change my dinner plans for tonight :)
We always enjoy smores when we go camping, but my kids pretty much just want it deconstructed – eating the chocolate part first!
Tammy
I haven’t tried it yet, but a friend swears by “S’mOREOs” – Un-twist an Oreo cookie, lick out the inside filling and use the Oreo instead of a graham cracker. I love the comment about using Ghirardelli squares! I’ve got to try that!
Meredith @ the cookie chrunicles
I make cold smores which are so good! The recipe is somewhere on my site but involves cool whip chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. They are so good!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I’m going to have to find this… that sounds too good!
Kaytlin
Churros! Or, Chile Rellenos! Or a burrito. Or Chipotle (so college…)
Twice a week, I force myself to watch-less and it is such a good mental/physical relief. Most fartleks I do watch-less as well, as it makes me more intuitive to pace control.
The Hungry Runner Girl
That is AWESOME Kaytlin! I’m going to have to follow your lead because I really want to be more intuitive about my pace!
Wendy
I ran without my Garmin yesterday too! It hasn’t been wanting to charge lately (might be time for a new one), so I decided to just go! And you’re right… I felt relaxed, and totally at peace during the run. I think I got in a smidge over 6 miles :) And, I took a new part of a favorite running trail, so it was great seeing new scenery!
My family and I love s’mores! I love them made with Recess peanut butter cups!! Yummy :) I can’t wait for summer now! The boys out of school, hubby done teaching… nights around our fire pit! The best!!
barbara
Peanut butter cups or peppermint patty in place of the Hershey in smores are both winners
The Hungry Runner Girl
BRILLIANT. Those both sound amazing!!!
Mel_OutRunCF
My favorite local restaurant makes “smores” for kids dessert and they look so good. They make their own homemade chewy sugar cookies with chocolate drizzle on top and they have roasted marshmallows in the middle and Dulce de Leche camarel. I do like mexican food a lot, especially fresh Taco Salad.
Becky
Gahhh s’mores are everything!! I’ve been craving one for like a month non-stop! Have you ever tried them with a reese’s cup?!? Well I haven’t either actually, but it sounds incredible!!
Amanda
Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Chicken fajitas on the menu tonight. I love Mexican food and I’m pretty sure anything can be amazing if you just add queso.
I would rather have plain marshmallows roasted, nothing s’more. I get too filled up on s’mores but can eat a million roasted mallows.
I think working in a hospital has my brain programmed that if you don’t “chart” it, you didn’t do it. So I try to always run with some kind of tracker so that my miles go on my log. But I don’t focus on the miles or pace often.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
That donut card is just so darn cute! I may need to get that for my Dad. He’s a total donut addict. He goes to the grocery store every morning to get them fresh. Not the best for his health, but when they’re that age what are you going to do?
Julia @ Drops of Jules
No fun S’mores variations for you, but if you have not already, you must grab a pint of Ben & Jerry’s S’mores ice cream. It will change your life.
Katrina @cardioandkilos
Smores are a summer staple for me!! I can’t let a season go by without one :) I’ve tried so many different cookie combinations when I can’t find graham crackers or don’t want them – Oatmeal cookies work amazingly well!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Oatmeal cookies… that sounds like heaven!
Michelle
That salad looks so good! I googled Fresh Mex to see if there was one by me in Cali, but only Baja Fresh and Chevy’s came up.
Is it just called Fresh Mex? I want that salad! :) Help!
The Hungry Runner Girl
HEY MICHELLE!!! My favorites are Cafe Rio and Costa Vida! If you have either of those close to you then you HAVE to go asap!!! Or come visit me in Utah and we will go:)
Michelle
Yes! You have got me HOOKED on Cafe Rio!! In absolute LOVE with that salad. What the heck is in there that makes it so good? Just wish it didn’t take so darn long every time I go in there. Thanks for the recommendation. :)
You are the BEST:)
Marissa @ Run Riss Run
Mexican is my fav! I would have to say my favorite dish would have to be shrimp tacos or vegetable enchiladas.
S’mores with homemade marshmallows are the best and I totally agree with Brooke about no chocolate on s’mores. I love marshmallows and chocolate, just not together. Oh, and roasted Peeps are amazing!!
I try and run at least once every other week without my watch or music. I have loops around my neighborhood that I run, so I still pretty much know how far I’m going but without the pressure of pace :)
I love new running routes, but it really depends on the time I have available and usually I am trying to bust out a run before my kiddos get up for the day, which equates the same old boring routes.
Kristen @ Glitter and Dust
Have you tried the Ben and Jerry’s S’mores flavor? SO good.
I rarely run without my watch, but every once in a while I will leave it at home when I have an active recovery run or am supposed to go slow. It’s amazing how light and naked my wrist feels without it.
The Hungry Runner Girl
I haven’t tried that flavor yet… I need to right this second though! That sounds amazing!!
Julie Van Boven
heey :D I always used to run with my watch unless it had low battery (in which case I’d be like: dumb me you should have charged ;) ) it made me discover a serious problem at the beginning of 2016. All my times were worsening drastically but I felt more or less fine outside of running. I finally went to see a doctor after I could not believe anymore that a 10k took 20 minutes longer than usual. The verdict was anemia. I got iron supplements and today was my first race since then :) it wasn’t the best start to the year, I went into todays 10 mile race without expectations, but I felt back completely and improved on last years time by 12 minutes ;) so happy day! When times were really bad and I had gotten the diagnosis I felt disinterested in reading what the watch said. I haven’t taken it back since and completely ran by feel today. Thanks for creating such a nice, supportive blog :) have a good night!
The Hungry Runner Girl
CONGRATS on the 12 minute improvement from last year! AMAZING and so glad you figured out what was going on with your body Julie. You are amazing!
Susan
I’m one of those unusual people (okay…so most say WEIRD!) and I don’t like S’mores. I love all three ingredients and will eat them separately but I just don’t like them all smashed together.
The Hungry Runner Girl
I will try to understand you;) I kid! At least you like all three ingredients! Hope you are having a fabulous day Susan!
Olive
Smore without chocolate!? Say it ain’t so! :D Well I’m still recovering from the NJ marathon on Sunday –> my legs feel almost today after not being able to go down stairs like a normal person :) I could have done a recovery run today but opted out to get extra sleep!
The Hungry Runner Girl
CONGRATS on your marathon last Sunday!! Good for you to get more sleep today! The more rest after a marathon the better!
Lisa Meyer
Yup I totally forgot my watch on my run yesterday too! I was so lost not knowing my distance and time throughout but it was a nice break from not stressing about how far I went.
And s’mores without chocolate?! That is not acceptable!! :)
Christy
For teacher appreciation week I made little gift bags with graham, chocolate and marshmallows. The card read “thank you for being awesome. I wish you could be my teacher s’more”
Kelsea Sullivan
Wish I had a fire to make s’mores, so looks like my microwave will have to make due instead! Great post once again.
Taylor K
Try adding a dab of peanut butter (or almond butter) to your s’mores. My family has been doing this since I was little, and we call them s’moreps. You won’t regret it!
Taylor
The chocolate is the best part! lol … I love fish tacos.. yum!
Rachael @ Catch Me if You Can
mmmm smores I love the classic!! i’ve seen a few variations though with strawberries and nutella that is begging me to try it out! i used to love getting stickers when i was younger, i wish stickers still motivated me like they did then!! I dont like running for feel i never run as far as i should and dont go as fast as i need to the watch is my motivator to keep moving