Sometimes you have to do the stuff you don’t like.

It kind of looks like I have an afro in the below picture and I probably did after today’s workout.

I’m not happy in the picture because I felt good (hence why I am resting in the grass) or because I loved my workout (because I didn’t all) but mainly because I have the small hope that I don’t have to do a similar one for a very long time.

I thought it was just a bad running day last Saturday but I think in reality 400s (.25 mile repeats) are just really tough for me.  My body prefers to do moderately fastish paces over long periods of time way over SPRINTS/all-out efforts for short distances.  I would take a long tempo run (I actually really like those) over a 400 workout any day.  Sprinting has never been my thing and as I was explaining that to my coach he reminded me that in order to reach my goals… I’ve got to do the things that aren’t always ‘my thing’ and make them my thing in order to reach those goals.  Shorter speed will translate to endurance speed so I’ve got to keep working at it in addition to the workouts that I do like to do.  Gotta get some leg turnover going.  

The workout:

10 minute warm-up

12 x 400m —> average of 1:18 (I thought my legs were actually going to fall off for 7 of those)  1-2 minute recovery jogs in between each one.

3 x 200m (37 seconds for these) w/ 200m recoveries.

10 minute cool-down

7.5 miles total

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Brooke got to hang out with grandma during those 7.5 miles and my mom sent me this picture.  Brooke has become an expert at eating the frosting off all of her mini wheats.  I have absolutely no idea who she would get the idea to do that from?!

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I went and saw Dr. Bennett this morning (he has been keeping me injury free for the last 13 months) and he worked on two areas that have been hot spots for me lately when I run… the gluteus minimus and my right calf.   There was a huge knot in my calf that he worked on—> stupid knots hurt so bad when they are getting rubbed out but it felt a million times better afterwards.   

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PS—>  does anybody else’s garmin freeze every single day?  It is driving me crazy.   I am always able to get it to restart but I am just wondering if this is a common problem or not.

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We saw Megan D afterwards and she gave Brooke her new favorite sweatshirt ever for her birthday.  She won’t even take it off when we are outside in 80 degree weather. 

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Megan also knew that I was running low on one of my food staples and picked some up for me at TJ’s (our closest one is 30 minutes away).  

She is a saint.

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This girl is one of my absolute favorites.  She is moving out of the COUNTRY (BOOOOO) and so we had a farewell lunch before she leaves.  I’m going to miss her like crazy.  Maybe Brooke and I should start saving in order to go visit her.  

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You know how certain foods remind you of certain people?  Every time I come across jicama I am reminded of my sister.  When she was a teenager she absolutely loved this stuff and I remember thinking she was crazy as I watched her snack on huge chunks of it. 

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Came home and rounded out my meal.  You guys were right, Vanilla Chex is the best.

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My view while I get to talk to you guys:)

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Have you ever lived abroad?  Where?  

Current favorite cereal that you can’t get enough of?

Any foods that always remind you of certain people?

4 food staples that you try to have at all times at your house?

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75 comments

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I always have fresh fruit (any kind, not picky about that), peanut butter, eggs and chocolate! I love jicama! So good!

Certain foods remind me of my grandma, but that’s about it.

Love Brooke’s new sweatshirt!

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Chocolate is a happiness staple for me:) Thanks Sarah and enjoy the rest of your Wednesday!

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You had 12 400’s to do? Holy cow are you a rock star for finishing them all (and so speedily!).

My current favorite cereal is Trader Joe’s Fiber O’s. They have a horrible name, but they are SO crunchy and delicious.

Four food staples: carrots, avocados, spinach, almond milk.

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Thank you Joy! I am going to have to try that cereal… everything at TJ’s is delicious. Avocados are a staple for me too. Hope you are having a fabulous day!

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I can’t get enough of plain rice Chex right now. I snack on it dry by the handful!
4 staples are bananas, eggs, rolled oats, and coffee.
I lived abroad in Germany for half a year. Loved it there!

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Nice workout! I am the same way about the shorter stuff–it’s so difficult!

Favorite cereal ALL of the time is Cinnamon Toast Crunch. That post-cereal milk is magical.

Four staples: bananas, Wheat Thins (of course), Nature Valley granola bars, avocados

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The frosting is what makes that cereal good. Smart girl for eating just that haha.
Right now my favorite cereal is Special K yogurt and berries. I always thought it was a diet cereal but lately I’ve been eating it all the time.

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Jenny, that cereal is bomb. Thank you for reminding me about it!

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Yeah, never even thought to try it until I was visiting my husbands grandmas house and realized it was the only real edible thing in the house. Now I’m glad it was the only thing in there haha.

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You’re a rock star for running 400’s! My first competitive running experience was the 400 event for 7th grade track. I HATED IT and I would feel a big knot in my stomach every time I saw a track after that for years. It’s amazing that I do it for fun now.

I went to New Zealand for two months, but never took up residence there!
Honey Nut Chex!!!

4 things I always have on hand at home:
Coffee, Chocolate Milk, Eggs and lately Bacon is my favorite thing to eat after a hard workout. It’s got fat, protein, salt and it’s delicious!

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ALL CHEX IS THE BEST

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I almost always have some sort of cookies, Peanut Butter, Cheese and eggs at home. And some sort of chocolate……

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It really makes my heart happy that she likes the hoodie. I mean, I am not sure anything can top the swimsuit I got her for her first birthday, but you know. My favorite part of our visit was her making very sure that you WOULD be sharing that almond butter with her. Lol.

Your workout sounds harrrrd. All your workouts have been hard. Way to get it done you are my hero.

Eat those vanilla check in coconut milk if you want to make that bowl even more amazing.

Peanut butter, berries, spicy avocado hummus, and plain Greek yogurt.

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hahaha did I share though is the real question. I must try this spicy avocado hummus that you speak of. I sure love you and thanks again for everything. Can’t wait for LUNCH!

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My husband’s grandma used to make an amazing chocolate cake with caramel frosting. I always think of her now when I have cake.

I always have yogurt, protein bars, apples and string cheese in the house. They’re my essentials!!

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Awesome workout!!!! I am so with you on not liking 400s. My workout was 10 x 400s in 1:37 with 400m recoveries in between. It took ALL of my strength to slowly jog the mile from the track back to work. Miss you!

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hahaha yes! The ten minute cool-down felt soo hard ha. Great job Linda and I miss YOU!!!!

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I didn’t even learn what jicima was until last year!

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My current favorite cereal that I can’t get enough of are Rice Krispies! I eat them with fresh berries (any type) and cashew milk. Yum!

Green jello reminds me of my grandparents because when my siblings and I were younger, we would go over their house and they ALWAYS had green jello in the fridge. Peanut M&Ms remind me of my papa because he always has them at his house.

4 staple foods: oats, peanut butter, whole wheat bagels, and grapes!

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Never lived abroad! I wish. I’m thinking about moving to ireland someday….

I love chocolately cereals, but the “healthy” kind, like envirokids or things like that. the leapin lemurs or koala chocolate crisps… the other cereals have TOO fake of a cereal taste for me.

the smell of vanilla coke makes me think of rum. and thats no bueno.

Eggs, almond milk, almond butter, some sort of snacking food.

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-I only studied abroad, in England :)
-Can’t get enough Cinnamon Chex!! (GF)
-Peanut butter, for sure. Eggs for the hubs, cheerio’s for the child, and some sort of granola bar.

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30 minutes from t-joes!?!? You poor thing… Seriously, I’d die! I have two within 5 miles. I’ll never take that for granted again.

I haven’t lived outside the country, but my twin sister has been living in Italy since 2005. It’s painful to have her so far, but it’s not a bad place to visit! Longest I’ve stayed with her was 5 weeks.

I always have fruit, grape or heirloom tomatoes, ice cream and cereal. Like enough for armageddon.

I love EnviroKids cereals. Amazon flakes, gorilla munch, leapin lemurs, koala crisp, peanut butter panda puffs. Our t-joes carries some of them. Not overly sweet and gluten free!

It is difficult for me to eat any authentic, home cooked Italian food without thinking about my husband’s grandma. She was the best cook ever and I miss her (and her food) so much!

So many foods make me think of my mom. Tootsie rolls and especially the chocolate tootsie pops, hot dogs, bologna, blintzes, blueberries. She still eats all these things! Wait….not all at once though. That’d just be gross.

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OMG. I lost my Mom, but her FAVORITES (and I can’t even hear the names without thinking of HER)–were chocolate tootsie pops, (she ate these even to the end of her life literally, when she couldn’t even eat other foods) and tootsie rolls and well….anything CANDY involved. thanks for bringing back those memories!

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Awww, Donna…so sorry for your loss. But that’s is so funny that she loved them, too!!! And for the pops, only the chocolate ones will do!

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peanut butter, oatmeal, apples and coffee. I could survive on these four!

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That Minnie Mouse sweatshirt is adorable!!

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Please tell me your secret to getting your Garmin to un-freeze! My Garmin 10 has been freezing quite a bit lately and I always have to wait for the battery to die then charge it again to get it going. :( I am worried it will happen on race day (nightmare!) for marathon #6 coming up — REVEL Canyon City Nov. 7. I’ve been enjoying following your training and I’m glad it’s going well (even on the hard days :) ).

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Oh the Garmin freeze, gotta love it. I used to occasionally have issues with the 410 which I’ve had for years and then a few years ago I got the 620.

Here’s what my problem was: Anytime Garmin has a software update (and they recently did) my Garmin would freeze if I hadn’t updated. Now I login to Garmin Connect once a week to check for updates and as long as I keep the software updated I usually don’t have any issues.

I say usually because there is one more thing. The metal prongs on the charger and the metal connections on the watch need to be cleaned frequently especially if you sweat like I do, (I sweat like a sauna, for real). Use a q-tip or an old toothbrush and dip it in isopropyl alcohol and gently clean those connections. Wipe dry with a soft cloth. I was doubtful when I read that this would keep it from freezing but it works.

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Thank you for the tips on the Garmin! Very helpful!

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I also had the Garmin freeze problem only I didn’t fix it and one day it stopped charging and started doing really weird things (vibrating constantly, turning off athe ra domain times, etc. Garmin help desk was really helpful when I called and said it’s a software update. They tried to walk me through multiple fixes but to no avail. Apparently mine was too far gone and had to be replaced. Garmin replaced it for free even though it was out of warranty. Moral of the story….keep the updates updated ;) who knew?

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THANKS GIRL!!! I am going to check for updates now! You are the best!

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Almond butter, plain greek yogurt w/ berries, eggs, and chicken.
Brooke is cute in her sweatshirt, new clothes are the BEST.
I am VERY old school, I run with out electronics at all. I love to listen to my footfalls and breathing and I don’t care how fast I am going usually run for a set amount of time or have a measured distance prior to running. Guess I am weird?!

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It’s funny, I was a sprinter in high school and was always more comfortable with that than running long distance. As I’ve gotten older, I challenged myself to do longer distances and grew to love it. Now I don’t love sprinting as much. I think we all go stages in our lives, but it’s good because they challenge us mentally and push us to do something outside our comfort zones.

I lived in Spain and Mexico. Went to school for awhile in Spain and backpacked across Europe. I worked in Mexico for many years. It was the best time of my life. Loved my time in both places & wouldn’t trade it for the world!

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Love Quaker Oatmeal Squares (Honey Nut flavor is the best) but next time you are at TJs you NEEEEEEED to try the Honey Almond & Flax 9 Whole Grain Crunch Cereal. It’s high fiber, high protein and tastes like a cross between a really crunchy granola and Honey Smacks. It’s fantastic with milk, in vanilla yogurt or by the fistful straight out of the box :)

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I’ve recently moved to a new city and found a running group. I ran with them for the first time last week, and they are way out of my league. I have been contemplating all afternoon whether or not I should meet up with them again, and your post made me tell myself to just show up and do what I can!! Thanks!!

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I have been eating oatmeal squares lately, but not with milk, but crushed up on top of plain yogurt and peaches.

I always have the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin spice cake mix cookies (priorities).

I live overseas right now, in Saudi Arabia, and I have also lived in Guinea, West Africa.

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Your crushed oatmeal squares/yogurt/peaches mixture sounds like heaven! WOW… you are in Saudi Arabia? That is incredible!

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Quest Bars
Whole wheat bread of some sort
Ice Cream
Almond milk for my coffee and protein shakes

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Ummmm wow!! What a speed workout! I died after 1 400m last week haha… You are awesome!
VanillaChex?! PLEASE come to Canada. I’m still obsessing over Vanilla Shreddies, they’ll have to do for now…
Biscuits and Honey butter = my nana:)
I must have bananas, peanut butter and apples in my house at all times. I can do without the rest for a little while at least:)

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I wish I had lived abroad! What a cool life experience.
Fave cereal: I rarely eat cereal, but I eat a ton of oatmeal.
Food staples: strawberries, mâché rosettes, lemons, coffee!

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Food definitely reminds me of people! Banana chips and apple chips remind me of my sister. Hershey miniatures remind me of my grandparents and I like to keep them in the house. Lobster makes me think of my Dad. (He used to work as a lobsterman and still has a couple traps.) I could go on…

Staples are peanut butter, chocolate chips, vanilla greek yogurt, and salad greens.

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I lived in Argentina as a foreign exchange student but it was only for a month. I loved it though! Current cereal obsessed is cinnamon toast crunch.

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Wish I would have studied abroad when I could!
Current favorite cereal is Cinnamon Life
I must have English muffins, peanut butter, fruit (a variety), and salad greens!
Brooke is too cute in her sweatshirt!

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I currently live abroad in the Bahamas!
I used to love cinnamon toast crunch and french toast crunch as a kid.
I always have peanut butter, apples, popcorn and some form of sweets/chocolate/candy :)
chef mix and monkey bread remind me of family/christmas time and lemon cake of my grandma. and any form of candy (esp. candy corn and peeps) remind me of my mom!

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THE BAHAMAS!?! Can we come visit you?

I have a feeling any form of candy will remind Brooke of her mom too:)

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haha anytime :) We even have a few marathons down here if you’d like to run in paradise hah (or just enjoy the beach/ocean/island things)!

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I LOVE Cinnamon Chex!! I can’t really have them in the house though because I will eat them ALL. In a bowl with milk, or dry out of the box, I just LOVE them!

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cinnamon chex really is the best ever.

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Oh my gosh, I love jicama too! Just plain, not in salad, and no dressing. Your sister is now even cooler in my eyes.

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I keep seeing jicama recipes everywhere these days! I need to find this stuff! I just saw a recipe for jicama BBQ somewhere and am dying to try it.

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I live in Hong Kong… But I’m from California and totally brought that same kind of TJ’s almond butter back with me to HK after going home for Christmas haha (and taco seasoning and corn tortillas ;)). A def necessity!!

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Currently reading you from London! Love seeing Brookers grow up. Makes my heart swell with happiness.

Looking for races here in London and Europe but I do miss my running route in Washington DC

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Brooke looks just like your mother in that shot!

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I lived in London for 8 years.

I don’t eat cereal.

Ice cream reminds me of my mom – I think it’s her favorite food ever.

I always have coffee, cheese, sweet potatoes and almond butter in the house.

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I love Brooke’s sweatshirt!!!!!!!!!!! Can Megan send one to me?
I lived in Scotland and Sweden for a semester, and in Brazil for a year. I love to travel!

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I moved to Chicago when I was 11 from England! It was a huge change but I got to travel to so many amazing places in the U.S! I moved back home to England 3 years ago and as much as I loved living in the States, I’m so happy to be back home :)

My little sister has the same sweatshirt as Brooke and wants to wear it every day! She always picks out everything Minnie Mouse related, she’s a little obsessed!

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I have the Garmin 220 and it drives me CRAZY- I always have to reset it because it will just act like a timer and not tell me my distance or pace… just my time! So frustrating!! I never had any issues with my Garmin Forerunner 10 but have had multiple problems with the 220!

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I free with you, 400s are really tough on my body. You gotta pace yourself while still sprinting the majority of the time and I think that’s what kills me.

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I have been all about Honey Bunches of Oats lately. I eat it for my evening snack :)

I have never been a fan of speedwork but I always feel like a rockstar after I finish a really hard track session!

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current favorite cereal: peanutbutter panda (it’s by a company called EnviroKids and its AMAZING). super random but meatloaf reminds me of my sister- we always got to choose our birthday meals and she always chose meatloaf :)

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If you like vanilla chex you HAVE to try these bars- a vanilla chex crispy treat with freeze dried strawberries: http://iowagirleats.com/2014/04/07/strawberry-shortcake-no-bake-treat-bars/

I brought them to girls night and we inhaled the entire pan in 2 minutes. We’re good eaters, but still. Demolished them!

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These sound amazing! and I’ve never even had vanilla chex :)

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Thank you for the recipe… I MUST try those now!

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I am feeling similar after this morning’s Yasso 800s! YIKES! Luckily, I won’t be seeing them too soon again as well : )

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Over-easy eggs remind me of my grandpa. He would always have eggs with a cup of coffee for breakfast. He always put lots of pepper on them which seemed weird to me at the time because I grew up in rural Wisconsin and pepper was considered “really spicy.” Ha!
I swiped one of his mugs from my mom’s house so I can think of him sometimes. I am also a total over-easy egg junky. Add a mixed greens salad with vinaigrette with the sloppy yolks, and I am one happy runner.

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Oh my gosh the Minnie sweatshirt is too cute!

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I have lived abroad in Indonesia (from age 7 1/2 – 12). It was the most awesome experience and I would not change it for the world!

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I’ve lived in Chile (my mom is Chilean), Brazil (mission), and Scotland. Loved them all for different reasons.

Life is/has always been/will always be my cereal of choice.

My food staples are Clift Builder Bars the peanut is my favorite. I also like Aspen Mills Honey Wheat Bread. I also keep the Isagenix IsaLean Creamy Dutch Chocolate shake. mmmm…. I am making myself hungry!

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Oh I have to do things that arent my ‘thing’? #MkayBye

Jk but seriously your splits are awesome. :)

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Dang! My husband told me I needed to see if my Garmin needed updates…he’s usually always right.
I served a mission in Germany. It was pure awesomeness. I saw that you know Amber Dunford. I was in the MTC with her husband and we served in the same mission.
Favorite cereal is oatmeal w/fresh peaches and malt. It’s sooo good.
As long as we have bread, eggs, milk, and cheese I figure we won’t starve.

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Such a small small world!!! That is awesome that you served in Germany!

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If you haven’t tried Cinnamon Chex then you definitely should! Way too addicting.

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I just started following your blog after stumbling onto your Boston marathon report. Phenomenal run. And thoroughly enjoy reading your blogs.

I have two hot spots that have been bothering me since I started my marathon bucket list 3 years ago, knot in left calf and right hip pain that do not seem to go away despite orthopedic surgeon, PT’s and chiro visits. How does Dr. Bennett treat your right calf? ART? Graston? I would love to find a Dr. Bennett in Houston area.

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I studied abroad in Florence, Italy last Fall. It was incredible (my fave European city), and traveling all around Europe for a semester was unforgettable. I left a year ago on Monday! Crazy how time flies!

And I agree- vanilla > cinnamon chex.

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I just had the same problem happen to me with my Garmin. I had synced my Garmin with my new laptop, and this laptop decided to use the Garmin as a USB and store some computer files on it. So my Garmin would fill up it’s memory after just 1 run or less!
If this is the case with you, plug your watch into your laptop, then open up the folder for it. If you see any folders copied from your computer, delete them and PROBLEM SOLVED (well.. it solved my problems, at least :) )

Have a great day!

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