When I got back from my run this morning, I discovered about half the contents of our kitchen trash can strewn across the living room and a very guilty-looking Dexter.

He is such a strange dog.

Seriously, he is one of the best dogs that I know. He’s one of those that just wants you to be happy, so if you even hint at disappointment, he’s gets all sad and rarely, if ever, repeats the same offense.

When we first moved into this apartment last summer, he dug into the trash once, got a scowl from Dave and me, and never did it again. So why today? My shock at finding broken egg shells and chewed up coupon flyers on my floor was finally explained by Dave: “Oh, I threw a piece of bacon in the trash after breakfast.”

I knew I hated meat for a reason.

I assume he found it because there was no piece of bacon to be found.

But I guess I can understand the desperation and determination when you’re searching for something that you reallllllly want, and just have to get your paws on it.

Actually I experienced it today when I met my mom, my aunt and my sister-in-law (and nephew) at the Outlets. Gap Outlet makes my money disappear. I seriously walk around that store saying, “gimme, gimme, gimme.”

Kind of like my nephew’s insistence for my camera:

Or like my post-run search for food. After my run, I was in such a hurry that I didn’t get to eat until I was out the Outlet food court. Unfortunately I was too late and was plagued with an annoying headache all day. Thinking that more food would solve it, I spent the entire day with my trap wide open hoping that something edible would end up in the bottomless pit that is my stomach. I felt somewhat like Pacman.

Seriously, peeps, I can’t stress enough the importance of refueling within an hour after your long runs. Your body is most receptive to nutrients at that time, and if you miss that window, you spend the rest of your day feeling defeated and hungry. I am certain that I ate more than I needed to today (8 mile runs should NOT make me this hungry). Actually I don’t think I was even hungry, my body just needed something, so I gave it food—but I gave it too late.

Be smart, friends, and refuel right away.

I’m off to dig around in the trash for some scraps and maybe some Ibuprofen.

Ever feel like a bottomless pit and that you can’t get enough food?! What’s your favorite thing to eat after exercise?

I love to eat a fried egg sandwich or a rice and bean burrito…but I could eat a rice and bean burrito for every meal. In fact, I had one for dinner!