Today’s Workout: Physical Therapy, lower body exercises
Before I start this post, I just want to mention a bit about my running! Its been going really well which I’m really happy to report 
I met up with Katherine this past Sunday and planned to run about 4 miles. She was going for 11 that day so she met up with me about halfway through her run.
We ended up having a really nice run and chatted the whole time. I felt so good that I ended up running about 5.5 miles! YES, 5.5!!! With NO knee pain or IT Band strap. I was sort of sore Monday because my body has been de-conditioned by this injury, but I’m thrilled my knee seems to be doing well.
I wanted to share this to let anyone else with this injury know that it CAN go away… its not easy, but its possible. Here’s to hoping this lasts as I keep increasing mileage. Hope everyone out there is improving, too!!
I still hate my IT Band!
*******
Wow, is July really over?! I can’t believe it, feels like this summer is flying by. Anyone else feel like this? Anyway, if you remember from last month, I became involved in the Foodie Pen Pal program started by Lindsay@ The Lean Green Bean. Shecreated this program for bloggers, blog readers, and food lovers to connect with other people around the country and share foodie items. Click here to learn more about how to join and sign up! Trust me, its super fun and you should try it!
This month
Maya was assigned to me and sent me an awesome package. That’s two GREAT ones in a row! Not only did she send me some great food, but also a really nice letter. She wrote it at the time when I was seriously in need of some running motivation and her words really meant a lot to me. Thanks Maya
So what did she send me in addition to the letter? Here it is:
My goodies!
Larabars: These are always a winner, how did Maya know I’m in love with these?! She sent me three flavors and I loved them all
Can’t go wrong when you send me granola/healthy bars.
TJ’s hot and spicy mustard: OBSESSED! So glad she send this because I would never have tried it on my own. But now when I go to TJs I need to get this. I dipped this in pretzels and my sister and I devoured it. It didn’t last long in my house.. amazing!
Peach Chutney: This looks so tasty but I haven’t tried it just yet. I finally bought groceries this weekend (yay for having food in the house) and am planning on putting this on some chicken. I’m really excited to try it!
Perky Jerky: Another big winner. I have always been a beef jerky fan but this put all the other brands I’ve tried to shame! The beef wasn’t too dry, which is a big deal and makes all the difference. Love the protein in these babies
Pan Pita: This was a little treat Maya added to my package to make your own pitas! Basically, you use bread and whatever you want to put inside to create a sandwich that is supposed to come out looking like a Crustable. I love things like this and can’t wait to use it!
So fun!
Sunsweet Prunes: I hadn’t ever tried a prune until I got this package and I have to say, I’m liking them! They have a good amount of fiber which is great. I like them when I don’t want to have chocolate but need something sweet!
Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food Chocolate Fudge Bite-lettes: Love love love. These were so tasty and HEALTHY at the same time. What a nice solution when I’m craving chocolate! Ingredients of this gluten-free food include: rolled oats, vegan chocolate chips, dates, and coconut. Apparently they are sold in Whole Foods so I may have to go find them
Roasted chestnuts: Preface: I’ve never had chestnuts before. I wasn’t sure what to expect here but the texture of these threw me off a bit. Once I ate them, they were pretty good but the texture distracted me!
Thanks again to Maya for an awesome package, I loved it all and am so thankful for another great month of Foodie Pen Pals! Looking forward to next month for sure.
*******
Way to go 5.5 miles! WOOT! I signed up for Foodie Pen Pals for August!
Yay!! You’ll love it I’m sure, its so fun
wow looks like you got an awesome package this month! i LOVE larabars!
Aren’t they awesome?! Love em!
I hate my ITband too! Good thing you’ve got some fun sweets to work through the discomfort! Go treat yourself to a massage…you deserve it!
Thanks girl! Haha sweets make everything better. OOo I’d love a massage
You’ve got some good treats to try!! This Foodie Penpal thing sounds super awesome! Really wanna join! Oh, and SunSweetOnes are SO good! I use to eat 1-2 a day just because they were sweet and a good lunch dessert! The fiber and keeping me “regular” was another plus hahaha!
So glad to hear the stupid ITband is holding up and not bullying you around anymore! Congrats on knocking those miles out chick!
You should join, its so fun!! Its helped me try out some new foods that I never would have tried before. Super fun.
Hows your IT Band doing by the way?!
Awesome run!! Wahoo!! Getting back after an injury is always exciting once you start realizing you can increase your mileage!
Agreed, its super exciting!! I feel like a brand new person haha
Glad to hear you’re running is going well again
Thanks girl
Congrats on your pain free run! I am so excited for you
and I think I would LOVE to have a foodie penpal! who wouldn’t want amazing treats sent to them every month. You’ve got to post when you try making your own pitas!!!
Thanks so much, I’m so excited
You should join the foodie pen pals program its really great!
I’m so happy to read this post – you’ve got your mojo back!! Kind of crazy – Bronx is going to sneak up on us.
Thanks girl
Bronx is definitely coming up fast, its insane! Plus they just posted the fall/winter races so I have to sign up for some of those. Lots of things coming up!
Everything looks great! If you want a smoothie recipe for your prunes let me know, I have one that I have had before and it is really good!
I’m glad that running is going well, keep up the great work
Oh I’d love a smoothie recipe, I love my smoothies