Highlights of My Summer

Now that August is over and Labor Day is this weekend, it signals the end of summer for most people. 🙁 (Although, it has felt like October for the past few weeks here!)

I am forgetting how long summer is—even in Minnesota they are still having 80* days. Oh how I miss it!

Now that summer is coming to a close, I thought it would be appropriate to share my top 5 highlights from this summer.

#5 – Running my second marathon.

In June, I ran Mayor’s Marathon and completed my second marathon in 3:44. Sadly this was 2 minutes slower than my first marathon and 4 minutes away from qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

I was bummed, but I did meet one of my goals by running the entire 26.2 miles; I did not stop to walk at all.

#4 – Not working!

Ah, the joys of being a teacher! Not working all summer was definitely a highlight of the summer. But don’t think for a second I spent my days on the couch and being lazy.

In reality, it was the exact opposite: I trained for the marathon, I had the time to cook and bake a lot more than usual, and actually had spend time with Craig in the evenings instead of rushing around to get ready for the next day.

#3 – Spending extra time with this guy.

When Craig and I are both working, I feel like I never see my husband some times, so it is nice to be able to have lunch with him, go on bike rides and walks together in the evening, play disc golf, and just hang out.

#2 – Camping in Denali with my aunt.

I had a blast camping in Denali with my aunt, Sue, who came to visit for 2 weeks. We were able to see Mt. McKinley in its entirety.

#1 – By far the best part of my summer: going to Minnesota for 2+ weeks.

I had so much fun hanging out with my sister, spending time with family, shopping, seeing friends, and being warm!! 😀 (I was NOT ready to come back to Alaska.)

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Workout

A run before the sun!

Distance: 3 miles

Time: 26 minutes

Weather: dark

Sightings: a moose that wouldn’t get out of my way. . . . come on, mister, I need get my run on! 😉

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Lunch

My lunch today featured these Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas.

I originally found the recipe on Megan’s blog a while back.

Admittedly, vegetables are the one food group I really have to be conscientious about eating. It takes more effort to get enough vegetables (I usually try to eat 3-4 servings a day.) than grabbing an apple or eating cheese and crackers.

There were a ton of veggies in this dish: red pepper, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, corn, and onions.

These were awesome and incredibly flavorful! I will definitely be making this recipe again.

And please don’t look beyond the plate.

I was shedding a few tears the other day when I saw this. 🙁

Adios! I’m hitting the gym tonight to lift weights and then hopefully spending some time reading My Sister’s Keeper. 🙂