Date-Walnut-Nut Butter Energy Fudge

When my husband, nephew and I ran the Shamrock half marathon on Sunday, I wanted to have a batch of Almond Date Energy Nuggets for us. But I did not have any almond butter in the house. What I did have was extra Date-Walnut Filling from the hamentaschen and some NuttZo seven nut & seed butter (chocolate).

Out came my spoon, I dipped it into both and…a match made in heaven!

As usual, after I made them, I cut them up and into the freezer they went. These are a much softer texture, so they are best for pre-run energy, rather than to take with you on a run. I brought them with us to snack on before the start.

As for the half marathon… I did not feel ready to push for speed, my goal was simply to finish and to share a few smiles while I did. We were in Virginia Beach and the theme was, of course, St. Patrick’s Day. My husband and I thought we would have similar times, so we were in the same starting corral.

We kissed goodbye, wished each other good luck and were off. I watched as he pulled ahead of me when I started my run-walk. Then noticed that we were close to each other at 5 miles. But from then on, he was ahead, sometimes I saw him, others I did not. When I did see him was when he crossed the finish line 16 seconds ahead of me! I don’t think we could have run as close a race had we actually tried to run together. I am happy, I set a new PR at 2:08:45. As for my nephew, he completed his first half marathon in 2:23, even with an injury. It was cold and very windy, but it was a great morning! (I will stop short of calling it fun, but in a way, it was).