Things I love Thursday

In honor of my run this Saturday, I thought I'd share what I use when I run.  I don't like the taste or the funky feeling I get when I drink sport drinks.  It requires a little more forethought that grabbing a scoop of Cytomax or a bottle of Gatorade.  But, in my mind, its worth it.  I got to try this at a boot camp I did last year.  At the end of class, our coaches brought us all one at the end of class.  I love it!  Its refreshing, healthy, and doesn't leave me feeling funky after I drink it.



The other thing I like on my longer runs is


I like the chocolate.  I have tried a couple other flavors, and wasn't impressed.  A friend described the chocolate flavor as brownie mix.


The last thing I am so glad to have back (I lost mine and had to buy a new one) is my iPhone armband.  I have apps I like to use for running, and on longer runs, I don't like to have to hold my phone in my hand.  Having an armband is great.

Find more Things I Love Thursday here @ Diaper Diaries.

What exercise do you like to do and what equipment do you have to have?

Menu Plan Monday

Happy Father's Day!  Today, we're having sliders, home-baked fries, baked zucchini rounds, and cherry pie for dessert!

This is going to be a short week, and I'm trying to use up as much food from my fridge as I can.  We lave for Seattle on Friday morning for my half marathon and a mini-vacation.  Lake, bar-b-que, hanging out with great friends, here we come!!

Monday:  Terriyaki chicken with broccoli and brown rice

Tuesday: Macaroni and Cheese (one of these days, I'll share this recipe!)

Wednesday: homemade hot pockets (I'm going to use my homemade pizza dough recipe and use some of the lunchmeat and veggies we have left in the fridge)

Thursday: leftovers for my hubby and me.  My stepson is heading down to his grandparents' house while we're gone and I pick my son up the next morning for our flight.

You can find more meal ideas here at Organizing Junkie.

I digress...

I am taking a break from food posting, and wanted to share something about me. I started running about 6 weeks ago, and I'm loving it! I am doing the Couch to 5k program and it feels so good to be outside and do my exercise, even in the cold weather. I just registered myself for the Mermaid Run in Mountain View in April. I signed up for the 10k, since I will have 2-3 5ks under my belt by then. I am so excited to be doing this! I'm running the 5k Resolution run in my hometown on New Year's Day. My son is so excited, because I signed him up for the kids' run after my race. I think the week after Christmas, we'll go to the track a few times and he can practice running a longer distance. He's definitely a short distance runner, so fast! I never thought I would be a runner, p until about 2 months ago, I hated it! To be able to accomplish these things at almost 40, what a rush!

What do you do for yourself that makes you feel great? What exercises give you that feeling where you keep wanting to do it?