Hi everyone!
I have had a relaxing yet productive Saturday morning!
I was up after only 6 hours of sleep for some reason- I was wide awake, so I got up and used it to my advantage. I continued on my never-ending loads of laundry!
I had one of my delicious Almost Nuttin But Pumpkin muffins for a light, pre-run snack:

Then I hopped on the treadmill and had a kick-butt 4 mile run:
- 2 min. walking warm-up @ 4.0 mph, incline 4% (0.1 miles)
- 4 mile run @ 7.0 mph, incline 4%
- 3-4 min. walking cool-down (4.0 mph, incline 4%) 0.23 miles
- Total duration: 40 mins.
- Max heart rate: 176 bpm (90% of max)
- Avg. Heart rate: 156 bpm (80% of max)
This workout was HARD. Very hard. After each mile, I paused my workout for a quick 10 second water break.
The last mile was especially hard. I honestly didn’t know if I could do it. My heart rate was increasing and I was finding it hard. I took a quick water break at 3.6 miles, and pushed myself through the last half mile somehow.
I’ve heard it many times, but running is such a mental sport.
The influence of your thoughts is powerful beyond belief. It is very easy to get discouraged when running and to quickly have your workout goal spiral downward.
I focused on the music and the digital track on the treadmill monitor to distract me. I told myself that I could do it, it was almost over, and I also did some deep breathing.
And that got me through! I was entirely sweaty after my workout and I quickly got a deep chill standing around in the workout clothes. I had a nice hot shower! :D
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Then I had a really satisfying breakfast:

- Sliced up melon
- 2 slices of Eziekel sprouted grain bread
- ~ 1-2 Tbsp. of Eden’s Apple Butter
- ~ 1 Tbsp. MaraNatha’s Raw Almond Butter
- Candy Cane Lane Peppermint Tea


And my little ‘squirrel-watcher’ kept me company:


Both the MaraNatha’s Almond Butter and the Eden’s Apple Butter have great nutritional profiles:

I still can’t believe that there are only TWO ingredients in the Apple Butter: Apples, and Apple Juice! It tastes like a smooth, buttery, delight.
More squirrel-watching…. :D

See you later for some fun posts :D Have a great Saturday!!!
You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back.
— Barbara De Angelis
Way to get that heart rate up! What a tough treadmill workout you had. Those great food shots are making me hungry!
wow- what a great view! I got to look at the wall when i eat breakfast. well, usually the computer monitor, but what else is new?
Kelly Turner
www.everygymsnightmare.com
Thanks for checking out my blog! Great job on this morning’s run, and that breakfast looks yummy! Now i’m hungry! Have a great weekend :)
wow your run seriously impresses me, great job! :)
And that breakfast sounds heavenly, I LOVE Maranatha Almond Butter!!
Have a great day!
Insanely amazing Saturday for ya – period.
Fufilling workout….
Delicious warm meal….
Great Morning!
I just got a HRM too. Did you go somewhere to get your lactate threshold tested or are you just using age guides for your zones? Thanks for any tips!
ps LOVE your cat’s markings…never seen a domesticated cat like that.
That was great run. I think you get me in a head to head.. haha
oooo how I LOVE me some APPLE BUTTER, I put in and on everything!
Your muffins look delicious!
And I totally agree that running is a mental sport. I like to break up my workouts into managable chunks. A half mile seems more doable than saying only 3 more miles. :)