Red rocks, rest days and that awkward moment…

Sundays are rest days in our world.  Instead of getting up and running I stay in bed and Brooke is my alarm clock, we eat breakfast (Honey Bunches of Oats was the choice yesterday) and then we do the church thing.  

I am a huge fan of taking 1-2 rest days a week.  All of my other workouts feel a million times better when I throw in rest day(s) each week.   I also get injured way less often when I take time off each week.

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Another storm rolled in after lunch so we did the best thing possible…

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Naps and some reading in bed.  So far I am hooked on this book (I am easily pleased though so don’t take my book recommendations too seriously).  I stayed up way too late last night reading too… 

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Once the sun came out again we went to Pioneer Park to go explore.  

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These red rocks though.  

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Being down here is getting me extra excited to run the St. George Marathon again in October.  This place is so beautiful.  

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Brooke kept telling me she was rock climbing.  

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We somehow all fit into a group selfie.  

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We were pretty ready for dinner after all of our rock climbing and Texas Roadhouse called our names.  I wish every restaurant had a big barrel of peanuts to eat while you wait for your table.  It prevents me from experiencing hanger.

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I will probably be adding marshmallows to all of my sweet potatoes from this point forward.  I don’t think I’ll be able to go back to non-marshmallows after eating one this way.  

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And in the car on the way back we had these.  How have I not tried these before?  Seriously.  So good.  

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Some fun things for your Monday to check out:

THE BOSTON OF HALF MARATHONS—>  November 21st in San Diego!

Spotify Announces New Feature for Runners—> ’The streaming music app will match music to running pace…  Using the hardware in smartphones-like the accelerometer and GPS capability-to determine pace, Spotify Running can create customized soundtracks to match a runner’s tempo.”  Ummm awesome.  I will be using this.   

-It’s the Nordstrom 1/2 Yearly Sale….  These shoes, this shirt, and this watch are calling my name.    

How to Recover after a Marathon.  Loved reading the science behind marathon recovery.  Sometimes being patient and letting ourselves truly recover is harder than the actual training:)

-I don’t know how I came across these Hate Running but Do It Anyway Quotes but this one made me laugh pretty hard:

I Hate Running Quotes

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Peanuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts…  what are your favorites to snack on?

How many rest days a week work best for you and your body?  

Favorite type of M&M’s?

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65 comments

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Cashews, at least one rest day a week and peanut butter M&M’s rock my World.

Happy Memorial Day!

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I take one rest day a week. I seem to find that on Monday when I’m back to working out that my body feels strange like old and rickety. It’s stiff and hard to move. In some ways, I dread the rest day because by working out it keeps things limber and open. I don’t know if that’s just me or a getting old thing.

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Thank you for posting about rest days! I was debating taking one today, and deep down I know I’ll benefit, but it’s like this was a sign it’s the right choice!

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Love the quote, too funny :) I take either one or two rest days per week too. When marathon training it’s always 2 since there’s more to recover from!

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I usually try to take 1 complete rest day and 1 active recovery day each week. Sometimes it is just one, but I usually feel better after two. Crispy M&Ms are my absolutely favorite. I love that they’ve made a return!

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I can kill a bag of macadamia nuts in one sitting.

Even being pregnant I do well with working out 5-6x a week. I don’t go hard every day, sometimes it’s just a 5k walk, but I really try to be active almost every day of the week.

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I have found I need at least one rest day per week. If I don’t have one, I find myself very injury prone. When getting into higher mileage,I think it’s important to take more rest days so your body can recover and bounce back quicker.

I seriously loled out loud to that niKe quote, I’ve never seen it before but it’s hilarious!

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I’m allergic to tree nuts so only peanuts and almonds, I’m ok with that though and love them both!

I run four days per week, cross train two days and take one full day off. It works best for me!

Peanut butter m&ms are my favorite!!

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I love almond M&Ms did you share them? ;)

Love that Brooke likes to be outside like you.

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I recently found your blog and am so inspired! I’ve taken a LONG break from running and with your encouraging words in your blog I have been able to get back into the healthy running lifestyle. I’ve signed up for a half in fall and am thinking about running a full. I find that after I make my goal (ie running a race) it is easy for me to just stop and pull back from training. What keeps you going?

Thanks so much for sharing your training, recipes and insights into life. You’re a life safer – you got me off the couch! God Bless!

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Brooke looks so freakin’ cute in that little church dress!!! She’s getting so big!
My favorite is probably the cashew… or any nut that is wrapped in an M&M. Have you tried cashew milk? It’s thicker than almond or skim — very creamy and delicious.
I take at least one day off per week during spring-fall, and at least two in the winter. If I need an extra, no big deal. I work nights, so my day off is usually the last day after a stretch of nights in a row. I come home from work, take a nap, and veg out the rest of the day.
I love all M&Ms, but Reece’s Piece’s win my affection.
Happy Memorial Day!

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My favorite M&Ms are the dark chocolate or the peanut butter. Pretzels are up there, too. Can I just say all of them except the white chocolate? Okay, good.

I need to go to Texas Roadhouse to try those sweet potatoes!!! It’s like a mini sweet potato casserole for one! Can’t all foods just be covered in marshmallows? I think everyone would be a lot happier :)

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Cashews are my favorite!
Rest days: I’m the worst about taking them! I prefer active recovery days.
I love the pretzel m&m’s!
Brooke is so adorable!!!

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Lol for that awkward moment!

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I love cashews, almonds and peanuts–especially if they are honey roasted!

I definitely have to have a day of rest each week to stay healthy and avoid injuries. I usually take off on Mondays, so today is my rest day. :)

I don’t like chocolate, so M&M’s aren’t my thing, but orchard Skittles are SO good!

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I love the St George temple! So pretty!

I usually only run three times a week, cross train twice, and have two rest days. (Basically the Run Less Run Faster plans. I love them.). It’s a lot less than most do, but it is the magic equation for me. I haven’t been injured in five years.

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Whichever ones are covered in chocolate at the moment are my favorite;-)
I’ve been taking 2-3 rest days per week this training cycle and they seem to be helping.

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Love peanut butter M&M’s, so addicting!! I usually take 2-3 days depending on what I’ve done and how sore I am! Those rocks are absolutely beautiful! Love your outfit in that first picture :)

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m&m’s used to be MY THING. I was obsessed with plain and crispy (which recently came back to stores!) and liked the peanut butter variety too. It’s been too long since I had a bag though! I don’t really like nuts, never did, but I love peanut butter.

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The red rocks in St. George are seriously beautiful. It was stormy one day when I was there last month and it made for some pretty outrageous colors and sky! Glad you are having a good time.

I can’t eat walnuts or pecans, but love most other nuts (aside from cashews, for some reason). When it comes to M&Ms, I’m all about the original chocolate and peanut butter. Is there a bad M&M though?

Rest days = YES!!! At least one a week… sometimes two!

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Those rock pictures are epic! I have never seen that type of landscape, but it looks entirely beautiful.

I prefer peanuts and cashews.

Recently I have been hooked on mini-M&M’s…I have no idea why, but maybe the mini-factor.

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I like peanuts best! And I LOVE dark chocolate M&M’s………and also the peanut butter ones!

I usually do 3 rest days a week, although I don’t race a lot, so I am not really in training much of the year. When I am training for a race I rest 2 days a week.

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My mom and I already have plans to hit up Nordstrom for their sale today ;) I like almonds and walnuts for snacking but lately have been loving sunflower seeds.

I pretty much always take 2 rest days, some weeks it’s more. My rest days are the epitome of rest (aka lots of couch time).

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I love all the nuts–can’t choose just one. I like the peanut and almond M&Ms the best. I take 1 (sometimes 2) rest days per week and I have come to enjoy them and see them as an important part of training.

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I’ve been on a HUGE M&Ms kick lately! I try to mix up which type I get each time, but I think my faves are the pretzel ones.

I love most nuts. Almonds and cashews are probably my favorites.

I run four days a week. I find that more than that is too much for me; I always feel like I’m on the verge of getting injured if I do more than that. I try to work in some cross training but am not the best about it.

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haha that is an epic group selfie!!

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I love to snack on cashews the most, but I also love pecans and peanuts. I’m allergic to almonds, and I only like macadamias in cookies or chocolate covered.

Fave M&Ms would have to be peanut butter with coconut coming in at a close second.

I need to take 2 days off per week. Physically I could probably do one rest day, but mentally I need the break.

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‘sharing size’ packages of m&ms are a joke, right? It is probably the most shameful and depressing marketing ploy cause then o am reminded every time I eat them how I never share. Peanut m&ms are the best. Duh.

Cashews, pistachios, almonds. In thay order. Unless they are the honey roasted Chipotle almonds. That changes everything.

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That selfie is awesome, I can barely get three people in mine!

Those rocks are stunning! I can see why you love that marathon so much.

I can destroy any nut, I don’t have a preference.

Peanut M&Ms are amazing!

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ALL the raw nuts. Lately pistachios have been like crack.

Have an amazing day!!

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MACADAMIA nuts! I wish they weren’t so expensive!!

The rock climbing thing is adorable! I love that you’re instilling a sense of outdoor adventure in Brooke. It took me well into my mid-20s to discover that I love running and outdoor stuff because my parents never really exposed me to any of it since they don’t like it.

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I honestly don’t take one single rest day, and it’s worked for me for years! My body just does and feels better when I keep it moving every single day. I vary the intensity/length of my runs, obviously, so some days act as “moving rest days.” It works for me!

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I love those red rocks. I need to climb those at some point.
I had peanuts roasted in the shell. I had a handful of them on Saturday too. Delicious and so handy.
M&Ms with almonds are my absolute fav.
I’ve been in Nike sneakers and just couldn’t do it. Hilarious!

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I always take 2 rest days. Sunday is always one of them. The other depends on how I feel and schedule. I learned that I do better by taking that rest day the hard way. 4 years of almost always having some kind of injury sucked but now I figured it out. Peanuts almonds and cashews. Always peanut or plain m&ms though.

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Peanut butter m&ms are my favorite. I’m also a big fan of the mini m&ms.

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Your getaway looks wonderful and so much fun!
I snack on almonds and like the different flavors Blue Diamond makes. Wasabi soy is delicious!
1-2 rest days for me too!
I am a sucker for the peanut butter m&m’s or the pretzel. Yum!

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Almonds are my favorite nut!
I usually rest 1-2 days per week from running.
Happy Memorial Day!

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Pretzel m&ms are my favorite! And I love Texas Roadhouse!

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I love snacking on cashews, but peanut or dark chocolate M&Ms are the best! I “should” take a rest day every week, but I usually end up picking up a spin sub class or something and it turns into once every couple of weeks. :\

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Crispy or PB M&M’s are my favorite!

And I totally agree with you about the 1-2 rest days a week. I’ve been pushing myself to swim on Fridays and Mondays instead of run and it’s helped SO much!

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I take one rest day every week, sometimes 2 if I am beat. When I don’t listen to my body I end up injured.

I prefer to snack on almonds and walnuts but I add cashews and pistachios to overnight oats, oatmeal and my smoothie bowl.

St. George looks beautiful!

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One of my family’s traditional Thanksgiving recipes is sweet potatoes with marshmallows and I look forward to it every year! We cook the potatoes, then peel and mash them, mix in some canned pineapple (seriously!), bake them in the oven, then add marshmallows on top and re-bake until the marshmallows are melty and browned. Sounds weird, but it’s super-delicious!!!!

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Those red rocks are gorgeous!! And I love almonds the best.

I take 1 day a week off running, and peanut butter M&Ms for me please.

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Hahahahaha!!!! That Nike meme is hilarious!

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Ba-hahahaha!! That’s an awesome quote!

Salted cashews…omg. Or Tamari Almonds…or pistachios…I don’t think I can choose!!

While not available here, I picked up those mint flavored M&Ms that you showed us, while I was in Texas last December…THEY are my fav…but up here in Canada, the plain M&Ms are my favorite!

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I’m not a big fan of nuts, but love but butters. Weird.
1-2 rest days per week
Peanut butter m&ms and mini m&ms. Mini and better the regular size, I swear. But now I want to try almond. I’ve never had them.

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“Are better than” … I hate typos!

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I love that it was “Are better than” was the typo you corrected. I needed a good laugh tonight “…but love but butters.” :)

Thanks for the laugh! I am seriously not picking on you. I just found this really funny. I hate hate typing on my iPad or iPhone because I can’t do it without a million typos! :)

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Lmao!! Didn’t see that one!

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That’s really cool about Spotify! Maybe that will be a reason for me to actually make an account.

I am taking a rest day today bc I think I did something to my neck and it is NOT happy with me.

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I love cashews and almonds – I like all M&M’s but peanut butter are probably #1

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I love peanut m&ms but the new crispy kind are pretty good :-). I don’t eat a lot of nuts but I like almonds when I do.

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Classis M&M’s for me! I love them- always have and always will.

I usually do 3 rest days a week, and that works for me.

And, cashews are my favorites to snack on. Yum!

Have a safe trip getting back home!

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I love those almond m&ms, but peanut butter are my favorite!

I love snacking on almonds!

I take 1-2 rest days a week.

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Oh my Goodness!!! I will have to try the sweet potato with the marshmallows!! Texas roadhouse is my hubby’s favorite restaurant and we go at least once a week!!! How is it that I have NEVER knew about this!!! Looks amazing! thanks for sharing!!

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I take 1-2 rest days a week. Typically I’ll take Monday off (since I do my LRs on Sunday) and sometimes I take Saturday off (to rest up for my LR on Sunday). I don’t need much motivation to rest ;)
Recently I’ve been scheduling myself to swim on those days though. When I get the motivation to drag my butt to the gym I do a leisurely swim to help loosen my muscles. Nothing major. nothing too fast.

Fav nuts: pistachios, cashews, almonds :)

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*I love cashews and almonds :)
*I run 4 days 1 day cross training and 2 days rest, this started with my recent training schedule and I am loving it!
*I can’t eat M&M’s do to my allergy to artificial flavoring….

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Your church outfits are adorable! Both you and Brooke look snazzy. :)

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I usually take one rest day a week. I don’t like taking a rest day, but it helps my body recover from the week! I love snacking on almonds with orange cranberries (from trader joes). Peanut butter M&Ms are my favorite!!!

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Love almonds to snack on!
1 day of rest is a must!! Sometimes 2 if my body needs it
Dark chocolate peanut M and M’s!!!

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Almond M&Ms are something people in the UK always ask US friends to bring over for them, as they’re not sold here (apart from in the M&M store). They’re soooo good!

Actually….I have friends visiting from Texas next month….(a cunning plan is forming).

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Where is that pink tee from (in the group selfie)? The sleeve length looks perfect! -so hard to find!

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I love the skirt you’re wearing to church! And that sweet potato looks delicious!

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Peanut Butter M&Ms!! I used to eat these by the large bag full in one sitting. Glad I broke that habit. I’m really excited to try out the new Spotify for runners too. I only wish that I still had unlimited data…

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I used to take 2-3 rest days a week, but for this training plan I’m going to try and have 1 rest day, with a day or two being recovery days instead.. I’ll go for a slow short jog, do stretches or yoga or something else. It’s giving me legs a rest, but also helping them recover quicker, and possibly burning calories and staying active when I’m doing it… :)

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