This week…

I’m running the New York Virtual Half Marathon tomorrow. Honestly, that is the only solid thing that I have on my training list, and it made meal planning for the week a little harder. I’m not sure if I’m going to carry my training straight into full marathon afterward or if I’m going to take a week off to work out and run intuitively based on how I’m feeling.

Last week was a really good reminder that balance matters too. Wednesday night soccer for the big was canceled unexpectedly, which turned into an impromptu family night out at Texas Roadhouse. Then later in the week, I surprised the big with a dinner and show date night. At first, he asked for Red Lobster, but then changed his mind to a Happy Meal from Mickey D’s before we stopped at Five Below for a quick browse around and then finally heading over to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical at our local theater. Neither night was “on plan,” and I’m ok with that. Those kinds of memories matter. Sometimes the plan looks like choosing the memories and getting right back into the routine afterward, instead of trying to follow the schedule all of the time.

Either way, this week’s meals for myself and the family are centered around recovery, performance, and sustainability. Because, after completing a half, the nutrition after matters just as much as the training that was put in before.

The focus this week stays the same:

• high protein
• balanced meals/moderate carbs
• easy meal prep
• family-friendly dinners.

My goal is to prep my breakfasts on Sunday afternoon/evening to make mornings easy. I’ve been really enjoying the ease and convenience of the premade salad bowls at my local grocery store, so I’m sticking with that. Sometimes I add extra chicken, sometimes I add a protein drink…whatever works for that day. Keeping breakfast and lunch grab-and-go makes mornings so much easier, especially when I’m trying to get two sleepy boys up, ready, and out the door.

While I like to keep breakfast and lunch focused on my goals, dinners are built to feed the whole family (easy to feed big with super picky little) without needing separate meals. Dinners like salsa chicken tacos, cheeseburger bowls, salmon, and protein pasta are hits with the whole family but still support my nutrition goals.

Sunday – Half Marathon Day

Breakfast (Pre-Run)

• Blueberry Protein Oatmeal Bowl

Plus:

• Fairlife milk + vanilla Javvy coffee

During the Run

• electrolytes
• running fuel every 35–45 minutes

Recovery Snack

• protein shake
• banana

Lunch

• premade salad bowl with extra protein

Snack

• apple + peanut butter

Dinner

• Sheet Pan Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

Monday – Recovery & Refuel

Breakfast

• Blueberry Lemon Protein Overnight Oats

Snack

• hard boiled eggs
• berries

Lunch

• premade salad bowl with extra protein

Snack

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Pudding

Dinner

• Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Tacos

Tuesday – Back Into Routine

Breakfast

• Blueberry Lemon Protein Overnight Oats

Snack

• Chomps stick
• blueberries

Lunch

• premade salad bowl with extra protein

Snack

• Greek yogurt parfait

Dinner

• Cheeseburger Bowls + Roasted Potatoes

Wednesday – Balanced & Simple

Breakfast

• Blueberry Lemon Protein Overnight Oats

Snack

• protein shake

Lunch

• premade salad bowl with extra protein

Snack

• apple + peanut butter

Dinner

• Honey Garlic Salmon, Rice & Broccoli

Thursday – Protein Focused

Breakfast

• Egg & Turkey Sausage Breakfast Bake

Snack

• hard boiled eggs

Lunch

• premade salad bowl with extra protein

Snack

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Pudding

Dinner

• Chicken Alfredo Protein Pasta

Friday – Easy Friday Night Dinner

Breakfast

• Egg & Turkey Sausage Breakfast Bake

Snack

• Greek yogurt + berries

Lunch

• premade salad bowl with extra protein

Snack

• turkey sandwiches

Dinner

• BBQ Chicken Flatbreads + Salad

Saturday – Crowd Pleaser

Breakfast

• Egg & Turkey Sausage Breakfast Bake

Snack

• protein shake

Lunch

• premade salad bowl with extra protein

Snack

• fruit + nuts

Dinner

• Steak, Sweet Potatoes & Green Beans