You know how you sometimes get an unexpected text and it just makes your day?!

I had been deliberating if I should use my free 3-day pass at the “upscale gym” beginning today or tomorrow, and this text totally sealed its fate. I was PUMPED to have a running buddy, especially someone like Brooke who ran cross-country all throughout high school and college.

Kevin and I were at Sbux, rediscovering why we’re best friends when I got the glad tidings. The Skinny Peppermint Mocha is pretty wonderful. We were actually doing our weekly planning meeting. Sounds totally nerdy, but it’s actually really awesome. It’s something we’ve been learning about in our Marriage + class, and you wouldn’t believe how helpful it is until you try it. I’ll tell you more about it someday when we’re experts.

A new boutique just opened up next door to the Starbucks so I dragged Kevin James on in. He was a fan because they serve cookies & bottled water to waiting husbands. Wow! They know how to get us. I fell in love with this purse. Would you pay $98 for it? It’s going in the blog to remind Kevin that it’s a Christmas option.

Brooke and I decided to take our run to Cherry Creek State Park. Kevin & I had been there once before, but both Brooke and me are afraid to run there solo. It’s a little too isolated & creepy. Plus there are wild animal tracks! Two are better than one!

Oops, dead end!!!! We began at a nice chatty pace and continued to talk almost the entire time. That was so nice. The only other person I’ve ever run with before that can do chatty 8-and-a-halfs is my dad. The last mile was pretty much pure torture because we had to run uphill into the super strong wind. But we made it. We did 4.39 miles in just a hair over 41 minutes. I think we would’ve been under 9-minute-miles, but we had to stop a few times for mud/being totally lost!

We both have the same wispy hair issue going on after a good run! I was totally coveting her shorts. I have some of the fitted Nike shorts, but they are quite a bit shorter. Those are like the perfect length. I hate the knee-lengths, but the shorter ones getting irritating!!

Check out my dirty shoes. We’re so hard core. When Brooke had to go, I decided the Boykin was looking a little too perky and needed some exercise. Off we went to the little dog park nearby to wipe that little smirk off his face. We did some fun sprints on the grass, and I even got him to jump over the little waterway thinger. He’s getting so brave. After we ran a few miles, we decided to practice off leashing! He did even better today. I was so proud. I basically just jog around behind him to make sure he doesn’t head for the highway or go crazy for another dog. Boyd and I ran 3.8 miles bringing Saturday’s total to 8.19. Not a long run, exactly, but I figure I’ll really be packing in the miles during my free gym days this week!

Boyd is serious about refueling. Next thing I know, he’ll be throwing back Gus. He’d be crazy for those things.

I, however, was not so diligent about rehydrating which left my mouth completely dry & salty. Kevin was not a fan. He actually spit after I kissed him and took a piece of gum to get the taste out of his mouth. Rude.

By this point, I was STARVING. I ate a bowl of Special K before Starbucks, but I hadn’t been ready to eat lunch yet before the run (coffee really fills me up) and by the time I was done with Boyd it was like 6PM!!

On a whim, we had purchased this all-natural chicken apple sausage stuff so I was brainstorming a way to use it. I cooked it up with apples, onions, celery, spinach, and a little brown sugar. I think I was good up until the point until I decided to add tabbouleh. Kevin still liked it (I think he really did. He ate a lot and I KNOW he was snacking all afternoon while I was running). I ate a little bit, and then went for a Lean Cuisine pizza (with the pepperoni picked off). I’m the worst. I think I should’ve added Stovetop Stuffing instead of tabbouleh, but I was trying to be all healthy blogger. Just kidding. I totally would’ve gone with the stuffing, but I didn’t think of it till afterwards. And we happened to have leftover tabbouleh in the fridge. Oh well.

Apple pie in a ramekin! Kevin would have definitely preferred another mini apple crisp, but we were out of butter. Lisa taught me to make pie crusts with oil rather than shortening. Omg. It’s so much easier, and I’m not a pie fan so it works for me. We used it to make Caramel Apple Pie, and my preschool-aged nephew practically made it himself! No pastry cutters for us.

Ramekin Apple Pie

Crust (via food.com)

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/4 cup canola oil

Filling

• 1 apple
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter (I used canola oil, yuck)
• a pinch of salt

The filling is placed on the bottom of a large ramekin, and you just press the crust on top and cut two slits. Easy! This actually only made one, but I lurked around and sampled a few bites.

How did you spend your Saturday afternoon? Was it as gorgeous where you live as it was here in Denver? The sunshiny afternoon was pure bliss. Hope you weren’t like more poor honeypie doing homework!

Do you have a running buddy? Brooke and I are planning to run together again next Saturday. Hooray. I also have Boyd, and, of course, I love running with Kev-kev. I prefer to do hard workouts alone, but the exception may be if I can coerce Brooke into marathon training with me. I know she has it in her, but she’s not as comfortable with the super endurance workouts… yet!

What’s the last text that made your day? Any “let’s go run” text really cheers me up!

P.S. I’m loving the Lululemon Love Notes!