Love Long Weekends

May 30, 2016June 6, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 4 Comments

I love long weekends. I mean, who doesn’t?

But for me, this long weekend came at just the right time. This was the first weekend in a while that B and I weren’t double booked and I was overdue for some relaxing, productivity and fun. So what did my long weekend and?

A few long walks. It was hot so I opted not to run (hello overheating pregnancy body!), but instead made sure to hit my step goal each day with a few walks. And the weather was perfect for them!

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A massage! I got my first prenatal massage at Massage Heights and it was GREAT for relaxing. I’ll share a review soon, too (update: here’s the review!).

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A visit to the West Side Market. Because we hadn’t been in a few weeks and I was seriously craving some fresh fruit.
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An Indians game! They ended up losing but we had amazing seats right behind home plate pretty much and it was a gorgeous evening. And they had post-game fireworks!

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Some productivity. I caught up on work and emails, did some meal prep (a few freezer meals for post-baby) and some baking.

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Ice cream. Because Masons is great and their peanut butter and jelly ice cream hit the spot (not pictured- the scoop of honey baklava ice cream).

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More relaxing- two beach days!

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Brunch outside! B and I enjoyed some crepes and French toast.

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And of course a Memorial Day BBQ.

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Cheers (nonalcoholic of course) to a short week!

Some questions for you:

Did you enjoy a Memorial Day BBQ? What was on your plate?
What’s your favorite thing to do when the weather’s warm? Go to the beach!

I’m linking up today with Erin, Katie and the weekly wraps.

WIAW: Rhubarb Crisp and Ice Cream

May 25, 2016May 22, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 5 Comments

Happy What I Ate Wednesday party people! Hopefully you’re enjoying a great week and it’s feeling more and more like summer where you are (if you’re in one of those places that’s lucky enough to enjoy seasons and in North America … BIG if I know). It’s finally feeling warm again here and it’s only fitting that on this WIAW I had a rhubarb crisp dessert with ice cream. Because that just SCREAMS summer, doesn’t it?

Yes, I had other food too. The day started with a smoothie slash smoothie bowl.

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And a snack- a cut up apple. 20160519_135402

Lunch was breakfast! Or brunch I suppose? Egg whites, lentils, spinach and a veggie burger. VERY satisfying.

But I also had some toast and a peach. We had no more nectarines and I really wanted something juicy. 20160519_131642

Some Swedish Fish for a snack! When was the last time you had these bad boys? It had been YEARS and someone brought them in for a meeting we had in the office. They were so good! 20160519_134935

For dinner, I had plans to go out with a coworker who was celebrating her 20th anniversary at our office. We were also celebrating my future bebe 🙂

We went to Spice, one of my favorite local places. I had an amazing goal cheese tomato salad, flat brea and we split this rhubarb crisp. With ice cream. 20160519_183520 20160519_190556 20160519_194758

I got home around 8 and normally would have gotten ready for bed, but had to play catch up with some work things. I was up until around midnight, so it called for a midnight snack – some homemade granola!

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Don’t worry – I ate it before midnight so it still counts as my Thursday, right? And that was my What I Ate Wednesday eats.

Some questions for you:

Is it still called brunch if you already had breakfast? Or is it just breakfast for lunch then?
When was the last time you had Swedish Fish?

Let’s Taco ‘Bout the Weekend

May 23, 2016May 23, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 14 Comments

I had SUCH a wonderful weekend. Seriously. It started with a day off and long walk with B, then chilling with my brother who SURPRISED me with a trip to Cleveland, spending time with my parents and then being showered with love during my taco-themed baby shower! I couldn’t have planned for a better weekend and am still feeling in the love bubble from all the greatness of the weekend! (Or maybe it’s from the tacos ….)

The weekend started with a walk around downtown and the Flats on a gorgeous day….

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Then some coffee shop hopping with Greg.

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Then dinner at Taza with my family. 20160520_190112

And dessert at Cowell & Hubbard. 20160520_214250

Obligatory family photo! ❤ 20160520_201108(0)

Saturday morning B and I took another walk around downtown. 20160521_102241

And then it was shower time! Time for a Mexican fiesta. Yes, that is a taco piñata that the amazing hostess, Cuoghi made. Screenshot 2016-05-21 21.35.51

Cuoghi and I.

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Some of the amazing taco-themed food. Screenshot 2016-05-21 21.10.03

Me and my momma ❤

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And my “aunt” Pam – family friend forever – I can’t believe she made the trip all the way to Cleveland from Connecticut!

Cari and me 🙂

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Me and the “awesome aunts”

And yes, we managed to save room after the shower to get dinner with my family. Superior Pho, again. 20160521_194148 20160521_194133

Sunday included some brunch at Phuel (and yes, of course I had my favorite yogurt and granola) and more hanging out with my family. I hate when they leave – and it’s crazy to think the next time I see them all B and I may be a family of 3!

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Followed by a nice walk on a new area of the Towpath.

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And a little work – not that bad when you can be outside enjoying your favorite local tea!

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Dinner was on our own. Since we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and spent most of the day outside (and not cooking) – we had leftovers for dinner. A perfect end to a GREAT weekend with family and friends!

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Some questions for you:

What’s the best themed shower you’ve been to?
Which cuisine do you prefer – Lebanese, Mexican or Vietnamese?

I’m linking up today with Erin, Katie and the weekly wraps.

WIAW: A Meatless Monday

May 18, 2016May 18, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 8 Comments

I’m not a vegetarian. In fact, for the first month or so I was pregnant, I couldn’t STAND vegetables. I lived on carbs and meat. Thankfully, that phase is over and I’m back to eating veggies – so much so, that I’m still incorporating the occasional Meatless Monday into my lifestyle. So these eats are courtesy of my Meatless Monday. Enjoy my What I Ate Wednesday!

Breakfast was my usual these days – overnight oats. Topped with some cinnamon and about half a banana.

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And followed by an apple for a mid-morning snack.

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Lunch was breakfast! Or I guess brunch? Egg whites, a veggie burger, some avocado and sautéed spinach. SO good. I used to eat this for breakfast daily but lately have been feeling more of the oats or fruit and yogurt for breakfast, so it was nice to have this for lunch.

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Lots of fruit for snacks. A cut up nectarine and cutie. Followed by a pear later on in the afternoon. 20160516_130228

For dinner, I made some baked spaghetti squash and topped it with some homemade tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, parmesan, spinach and arugula. Here’s the ugly pic (includes a little hunk of bread too). 20160516_191513

And here’s a less ugly pic – well it was a Snapchat but you get the idea.Yes, I posted it to my story so if you happen to follow me you saw me making this. Screenshot_20160516-191429

And of course some dessert! I made some coconut flour peanut butter banana bread on Sunday and it was SO good for my after dinner treat. With some warm almond milk. 20160516_180509

And that sums up my day of eats from yesterday. Now, some questions for you:

Do you like almond milk? Ever have it warmed up?
What’s your go-to breakfast?

Cleveland Marathon Challenge Series 5k/10k Race Recap (subtitle #1- rain, sleet, wind and hail and the most Cleveland race ever; subtitle #2- 35 weeks pregnant and still running!)

May 17, 2016May 17, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 1 Comment

As you know, this past weekend, I completed the 5k/10k event of the Inaugural Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Challenge Series. When I signed up for the event just a few months ago, I admit that it sounded easy peasy. Over the past several years, I have run the Cleveland half marathon; however, this year, being 8 months pregnant, I decided to sign up for some shorter races. Truth be told – it was much more difficult than I had thought!

Friday night I got in some good carbo loading at the VIP Marathon Reception. As an ambassador, I was lucky enough to get an invite. B and I got to see Jack Staph, the marathon president, speak, enjoy some delicious food and hang out with some of my favorite running buddies!

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PSA – I LOVE these people. They are all so inspiring in their own stories and I have thrived on the support and encouragement of them this year!

Saturday morning started early with the 5k, at Edgewater Park. The conditions were not REALLY ideal – it was 50 degrees (YAY!) but super windy (20+ mph winds) and on and off cold rain. I knew it wasn’t going to be a great race when my legs started hurting immediately from he start. Lately I have been feeling sore during or after runs – but after having a few good runs this week, I was hoping to feel good this weekend.

I may be smiling in this photo but it’s only because B told me that a camera was on my left

But I pushed myself and B and I finished the 5k in under 10 min/mile pace, which had been my goal.

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look how windy it is!

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Sunday morning the day started even earlier and cooler and windier.

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Of course I had to use the bathroom and we waited in the porta potty line for ages. We were finally ready to head to the start as the last of the runners and walkers were beginning – so at least we had the time to take a starting line selfie!

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The course was new this year! It was the first year I had done the 10k, but the 10k, half and full all run the first 3ish miles together. And I liked it! We ran through my neighborhood, Playhouse Square, the Campus District and some other flat terrain before hitting up the hilly bridge and Shoreway. B ran with me the entire time, so he was able to snap some photos. 20160515_074817

I took it easy. I was still sore from the 5k and wanted to keep my heart rate lower than the day before (it got into the 160s a few times), so we played it safe and slow. Despite it RAINING, SNOWING AND HAILING and it being super windy and getting a few cramps and BH, I felt pretty good the entire time! Even as we were finishing, B goes to me “maybe you could have run the half marathon!” Um, who knows 🙂 Anyway, we finished the race a lot slower than I typically run, but I’m sure it was for the best. And we still got our three medals!

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All in all, it was a good race! Despite the not-so-great weather, there were still some people out cheering the runners on, which was great. AND my friend/running buddy Erica even came out with this AMAZING sign!

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Finishing the 10k confirmed that I CAN still run. I’m stronger than I think and even at 35 weeks pregnant I haven’t lost myself – I’m still a runner. Just a pregnant runner 🙂

I’m feeling really good about completing the Mini-Challenge and the new Challenge Series for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. I know so many people who did the 8 km and the half or even the 8k and the full, and I know that I’ll be back and one of those combos one day soon!

Some questions for you:

Do you have any races coming up?
Have you ever done a two-day race series?

I’m linking up today with Erin, Katie and the weekly wraps.

Weekend Update: CLE Marathon Weekend

May 16, 2016May 16, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 14 Comments

Whew that weekend flew by. A few days of running, working, meeting up with my old race friends and some semi-cruddy weather made the weekend go by pretty fast. I’ll be putting together a full race recap, but in the meantime, here is my weekend – one sentence per photo style.

Friday afternoon, hitting up the Race Expo with Cari!

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I picked up some new Sparkly Soul headbands.

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Friday night was the VIP Ambassador Race Reception, so B and I got a little dressed up and hung out with fellow Cleveland Marathon Race Ambassadors!

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A little carbo loading before the race.

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Saturday morning was the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon 5k.

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Followed by a little work event.

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And another trip to the Expo!

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Then to the movies.

Sunday morning we woke up to COLD and SNOW!

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Not typical May running weather (and colder than our December weather) but we made it to the start just as the race began. Screenshot_20160515-134232

Oh and it was SNOWING during the run – can you see the flakes on my jacket?

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B snapped a few photos of during the run – easy to spot me in the bright yellow jacket. 20160515_081049

I felt good when we finished!

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Partially thanks some great fans cheering us on.

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Three medals, two races for completing the Challenge Series!

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After warming up, a post-run brunch of egg whites and pancakes was in order.

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Spent the afternoon being semi-productive and working, shopping at Target, doing laundry and watching movies (ok I watched part of The Duff – I suck at watching TV for more than an hour at a time).

And a little banana bread baking!

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We had the ultimate comfort food dinner at B’s parents house – spaghetti and meatballs!

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And that about sums up my weekend, one-sentence-per-photo style.

Some questions for you:

When was the last time you ran a race?
Sweet or savory for brunch? I’m usually a savory-all-the-way bruncher, but while being pregnant I have to have both! I never would’ve ordered pancakes 35 or so weeks ago 🙂

I’m linking up today with Erin, Katie and the weekly wraps.

AND PS – Happy Anniversary to my MOM and DAD! ❤ So excited to see them this weekend 🙂

Thinking Out Loud: What I WON’T Miss About Being Pregnant

May 12, 2016May 12, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 2 Comments

I’m due with our first child in one month. I can’t believe it – in just over a month (or who knows when), I will have to care for another human being. It’s intimidating, and I’m by no means ready at all.

I’ve been lucky, my pregnancy has been pretty easy. Despite being high risk and having the “normal” pregnancy issues, I’ve been blessed (KNOCK ON WOOD) with a great past few months. In fact, I even made a list of the things I will miss about being pregnant- here…who does that?! BUT there are a few things I’m looking forward to about not being pregnant anymore.

Running. I know it’s not going to happen overnight (yes, I know I have to recover from giving birth) – but I can’t wait until I can go for an easy run again that’s actually easy – I don’t feel like like I have to pee the entire time, it’s not hard to breathe, my body doesn’t hurt the entire time (and then for days afterwards) and I’m not paranoid about falling. Oh, and I don’t feel super full. I’ve been trying to keep up running for nearly this entire pregnancy, and although I’m still keeping up the miles, it has NOT been easy.

I’m smiling in the first shot because I’m NOT running.

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People commenting on my body: I know I said that most people are super nice and accommodating when you’re pregnant. But there are also the people who the second you become pregnant suddenly feel like your body/looks/weight is an acceptable topic of conversation. While it would never be okay to tell the person next to you in the store that they are huge and do they really need three different types of nut butter (UM YES OBVIOUSLY), for some reason, if you’re pregnant, it is perfectly acceptable. “Are you SURE you’re not due until June?” “Whoa, this baby is really happening, I guess!” “How much weight have you gained?” “Are you really going to get bigger?” “Wow, you’ve really … grown … overnight!” And these are all comments I’ve gotten from people I know. It’s funny that pregnancy makes people somehow forgot that it’s MY body and I don’t need to be reminded that I have a cantaloupe living inside of me.

Food and drink: Yes, I said it. I miss drinking. I miss everything about it. From having a glass of red wine with a good homemade Italian meal (that may include some uncooked pepperoni to snack on), to having a few drinks with friends, to sitting on the patio with beers, to even a Bud Light Lime in the summer (#dontjudge). I miss it all. Also, I started a list of foods I can not WAIT to enjoy, guiltlessly. Sushi. Unpasteurized soft cheeses. A good Italian sub with all the meats and cheeses. Smoothies. Soft-serve. Kombucha. The list goes on and on. While I haven’t 100% stuck to the “do not eat” list (raw honey lover 4 life), I’ve been pretty good and I can’t wait until I have a meal with all of the above. Yes, someone please bring me some epoisses, sushi, runny eggs, kombucha and fro yo the second I am able to eat it all again.

My skin: OMG who are those people that are GLOWING when they are pregnant? It is NOT me. Unless by glowing you mean super greasy? I swear, since finding out I was pregnant, my face has returned to its puberty days – but worse. The bright side? I guess I’ve gotten better about learning how to wear makeup, something I’ve never really understood how to do before. It’s out of necessity.

Exhaustion and sleepless nights: So I’ve heard that after you have a baby you also get little sleep? So this may not go away … but I will not miss the third trimester fatigue, which sometimes hits me around 3 p.m. (which is also when my backaches start from sitting in an uncomfortable chair all day with scoliosis AND a squash in my belly… sorry coworkers if I’m a crooked zombie at our 4 p.m. meetings) and then makes me helpless for the rest of the day (this is why I need 4 nut butters – hellllllo peanut butter and crackers for dinner!) but then I somehow can’t get comfortable enough to sleep at night. Let’s just say by Thursday I’m pretty much useless until I get to rest up over the weekend. And yes, I’m editing this post at 2 a.m. because I am having one of those said sleepless nights, so today is going to be rough.

And in about a month, I know all be worth it (right mommas???) but some days it is just hard!

Want the other side of the story? I also wrote about what I’ll miss about being pregnant, here..

Joining up again today with the Thinking Out Loud linkup.

WIAW: Cinco De Mayo

May 11, 2016May 11, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 5 Comments

Cinco Cinco Cinco De Mayoooo … woopwoop! That’s right, I’m sharing my Cinco De Mayo eats for What I Ate Wednesday. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a very Mexican-themed day–but I did try with dinner!

The day started with the return of the smoothie bowl! It had some vanilla protein powder, ice and some frozen blueberries and raspberries. I had not had one of these in AGES and it was so good!

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And a snack of a plum.

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Lunch was a ginormous salad I had made – so good. It had a little bit of chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, feta, avocado, tomato and a Japanese sweet potato (hidden). 20160505_123904

And a few ginger candies. 20160505_133049

My afternoon snack was some yogurt and granola and cashews. 20160505_150349

And then I headed out to Barrio to celebrate Cinco De Mayo! I didn’t imbibe and only could be there for a little, but thy do have the best chips and salsa.

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Before dinner, I admit I had another sweet snack – one of these freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. It was SO good.

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Dinner was semi-Cinco De Mayo themed? I made some cilantro lime quinoa with avocado, feta, broccoli and black beans. I paired it with some chicken and cumin/lime roasted potatoes and cauliflower.

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Confession – I couldn’t finish my plate. I’ve been getting super full while pregnant and my stomach was too full to finish dinner. After dinner, I made some granola, but somehow found room for a bowl 🙂 You know, for quality control. grnaola

I really wanted to do more Cinco De Mayo themed food and even a fun dessert (homemade churros perhaps?) but pregnancy fatigue sat in and I was too tired after dinner and making granola to do much else. Still, a satisfying What I Ate Wednesday.

Some questions for you:

Did you do anything fun for Cinco De Mayo?
Do you like smoothies? Smoothie bowls? Which do you prefer??

Training Tuesday: It’s Race Week!

May 10, 2016May 10, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

YOU GUYS- IT’S HERE. Cleveland Marathon Race Week!

Eep.

In the words of Jessie Spano, I’m so excited…I’m so excited… I’m so..I’m so.. Scared?!

I’ve never been scared by a 10k before. No, typically this time of year I’m ready to run the half marathon or even gasp (once, sorta) the marathon. But this year, things are different. I’m doing the 5k 10k Challenge series.

In case you’re new to the blog or living under a rock, I’m pretty pretty pregnant. So needless to say, running has been a little … interesting?

How I think I look running:

How I actually look:

This past week, my runs have included runs/walks with me stopping for 1 (or 2) bathroom breaks. Stopping because of a cramp. Or Braxton Hicks. Or just because my legs are darn tired and my uterus hurts.

That being said, I did get in some miles – and even if I’m not in the best physical shape of my life right now, I am so emotionally ready for race weekend where I’ll be attempting to run the 5k and 10k Challenge Series.

Week of May 1: 15.23 miles – lowest week. ever. but i don’t care – almost race day!

Sunday: 0 miles!

B and I were in Boston, then flew back and I emceed a banquet, and we didn’t get home home until around 5 p.m. where I was too exhausted to even complete making dinner. So no runs.

Tuesday: 3.53 miles outside plus walking cooldown

Run with two walking breaks with a running buddy! It only took me 8 months, but I finally ran with another friend who lives downtown. I felt bad that we were going so slow, I wasn’t really able to talk and keep up the pace- but we did it!

Wednesday: 4.11 miles outside plus .5 walking cooldown inside

Run with B! This one did not start well – I made B change our route about a mile in because the baby was pushing on my bladder waaay too much and I wasn’t sure if I’d need a bathroom break. Felt better a few miles and a walking breaks in but still stopped for a quick pit stop.

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Thursday: elliptical
Somehow slept through my alarm- but managed it in about 55 minutes on the elliptical. At least I finally got some sleep!

Friday: 5.5 miles- 4.5 run outside with a little walk and 1 mile cooldown inside

Another run with Erica! We had to stop and walk only once, but I did stop and take this photo. It was just a gorgeous morning!

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Saturday: no run, just a walk with Jane. We walked to Ohio City and around the area, getting in about 10,000 steps.

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Some questions for you:

Is the weather getting nicer where you are (finally)?
Do you get nervous during a race week?

A Weekend With My BFF

May 9, 2016May 9, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

One of my best friends, Jane, visited me in CLE this weekend for one last hoorah / girls weekend before the baby is born. It was pretty much the weekend that any pregnant gal could ask for – lots of relaxing, some walking, great weather, tons of food and ice cream.

The weekend was supposed to start with a cooking class – but unfortunately Jane’s flight had a 4 hour delay and she didn’t get in until close to 10 p.m. 😦 We did pick up some delicious Taza, however, and enjoyed catching up over some delicious Lebanese takeout.

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Saturday was gorgeous in the morning, we we decided to walk to Ohio City for brunch and tea. I have never been to the West Side Market Cafe for brunch before and it was great – we split a cornbread waffle and huevos rancheros. The perfect sweet/savory combo!

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Then we hit up the Market for a few goodies, and walked to Cleveland Tea Revival for some iced tea for our walk home.

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We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing, gossiping about high school friends, watching Netflix, etc. You know – normal girls weekend activities. It was great! I even snuck in a short nap before dinner – Superior Pho.

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And of course, some ice cream for dessert. Tasters duo at Mitchell’s.

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We stayed up late chatting more and watching The Princess Bride before passing out on the couch.

Sunday morning was pretty lazy as well – we had some breakfast at my apartment before taking a short walk around downtown (again, beautiful blue skies!). Jane had to be at the airport around noon, so after B and I dropped her off, we went for another walk.

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We hit up the local Metroparks and got in a four mile route that we’d done before – usually for running – and of course stopped for a few pictures. I even got a few “Happy Mother’s Day!” comments from strangers. Guess it’s obvious I’m due soon? (kidding)

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I had to catch up on a little work, so we went to Blackbird Bakery, but sadly they were out of pastries (I guess that happens on Mother’s Day …) – I did enjoy a decaf cafe au lait while finishing up a few things from my to do list.

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B also made me a delicious I’m-almost-a-Mother’s Day dinner. It was such a nice day out, I was craving something summery and the ht the spot. And so colorful!

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