I’ve been out of town on a road trip with my momma. This time last year our family was dealing with a serious health issue with my mom and this year I’m on a roadtrip with her. How freakin’ awesome is that? We went on a tour of the deep south: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and back to Texas! It was a good time. Plus, I am a southern girl. I wanted to deny it for many years, but I love the south. I think going to Ole Miss really changed my view of the South.
I missed the Georgia sign because I was driving and my mom isn’t too handy with the camera. I would have had to have driven past that sign a dozen times for us to get the picture. In all honesty, we went on the trip to take care of some family business. While we were doing that I decided to run a race, but that’s a whole other post.
Packing for a road trip is so serious for me. It’s almost exhausting. I never want to put myself in a situation where I’m not prepared so that means extra clothes are packed, workout clothes and running shoes are always with me, and there are tons of snacks and regular food for me. My cooler situation is a little bit too much, but it’s something that I have to do. Guess what though? I forgot to take a picture of my cooler. I always forget. So here’s what was in my cooler: strawberries, blueberries, luna bars, lunch (I packed a lunch for on the way there) of a stir fry and veggies, yogurt, almond milk and apples. I also bought some apples and oatmeal and when I got to where I was going I went to the grocery store to buy some stuff. Breakfast and lunch were pretty much taken care of so I wouldn’t have to worry. In the meantime, when I wasn’t eating out of the cooler I was tearing up the salad bar at Whole Foods.
Of course, I still got my workout in. I had the pleasure of running the mountains in Birmingham. Let me tell you that was rough, but it made my view for breakfast so much better. I enjoyed eating my oatmeal on the porch. My family is truly blessed and sitting there it made me miss my grandparents. I felt very close to both of them in those moments.
I was running on the treadmill when I was doing taking this picture so that’s why it’s a little messed up. This gym was amazing and the view was the best. I think I could workout there everyday if I could. I went to a Body Pump class which is similar to the Group Power classes I go to at home. And then I got on the treadmill because you know, I’m training for my marathon. The treadmill was one of those fancy Jillian Michael’s treadmills and I really liked it. No matter where I am, I workout when I’m traveling. I try to get it done in the early morning so it doesn’t interrupt the day or interfere with anyone else’s plans for the day. Since I am training, I wake up a little earlier to get my runs in…or on Wednesday evening I ran late in the evening after we drove 9 hours. I think it was necessary! So you can make time when you’re away to get a small workout in!
Everyone has been talking about the Quest bars (low carb low sugar gluten free protein bars) but I can’t find them where I live. When I was leaving the gym I saw they had some (very little left) so I bought what was left. These bars were not cheap. I think I paid $11 for four bars, but they are good. It kind of makes me mad because I can’t buy them around here. I’m going to have to order them from the internet. They are really good and I enjoyed them a lot more than what I anticipated. I got the chocolate brownie and banana nut muffin kind. I want to try the others.
Most importantly I got a chance to spend time with my mother. It was much needed. Yes, I missed my husband, but I got to talk to my momma about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. It’s amazing the conversations you will have when you’re in the car with someone for that long and then get to where you’re going and there’s no internet or television. It was a great bonding time that we really needed. Once again, I am blessed and thankful for all the people in my life.
After we left Alabama, we moved on to Georgia for my race and I’ll have my race recap up tomorrow.
So, why are you blessed? I want to hear about all the great things in your life if you’re willing to share.
