Each Run is a Piece

Happy weekend!

Last night David, Dixie and I drove back to our hometown (2 hr. drive) after I got off work. We didn't get to sleep until almost 2:30 a.m., but that didn't stop me from getting in my 9 mile long run this morning! It was the highlight of my week, honestly :) I did 9 miles in 1:37 and was pretty strong except for the last 1.5 miles... those were tough! What keeps me pushing when my muscles cry and my breathing gets tougher is this: Each run is a piece of my marathon. I want to push through and run hard now so the Ashley on marathon day will push through those challenging 26.2 miles!

Now back up to yesterday :)

The delightful Ryan and I attended an intense hot power yoga class near downtown Orlando to start the morning off right. This was my first class at a yoga studio (I've only done classes at my gym and on tv) and I loved it!

We refueled with a What's the Dilly Philly sandwich from Ethos Vegan Kitchen! Love this!

Since Whole Foods is on my way home, I found it completely necessary to get a big vegan chocolate chip cookie :)

I also ate breakfast and dinner yesterday, but those weren't nearly exciting as David's Birthday!

Tomorrow (9/6) is his 23rd. Since we'd be away from home for his bday I threw a mini-celebration for the big boy at home before I went into work. With his homemade card and gift he got a Whole Foods mega cupcake- vanilla cake with buttercream icing. Happy Birthday David!

Today (after my run of course!) was David's family gathering. They get together every few months to celebrate everyone's birthdays in groups. David and I were both celebrated in today's festivities!

There was so much good food there. His family is Italian so they eat in stages over several hours: bruschetta first, then pasta and sausage, then eggplant, chicken, etc.....

I explained to his family my decision to go vegan and they were pretty supportive. My meal was vegan but I did have some of the non-vegan desserts. At family parties like this I seem to want to have some of what everyone else is raving about. I'm not sure if this is taste or just habit, but since it only happens once every few months, it's okay for now. My belly does hurt- just like I expected!

Dixie was a part of the festivities, too! Check out how she lounged all over us.

Seriously, how cute is she?!

When David was helping to blow the candles out he spit his gum on the cake. Eww!

I hope you're enjoying your weekend, too!