Not as bad as it could have been!
I went on my last “long” run today. I say “long” because it was 7 miles, which seems short, but just what I fancied doing. I think after next weekend I am going to enjoy doing this length of run a lot more. Anyway, Andy got a Garmin for his birthday and let me try it out, so I had that on alongside my Nike+. The plan was to compare the pace and distance etc, but it was only once I started that I realised that he likes km, and I like miles, and I just was not working out the maths that well in my head. Anyway, my pace went from 6.24 per km, up to 6.28 on a steep hill, got back down to 6.20 and finished at 6.19. Each time I glanced at it the pace was between those numbers, and I did feel quite fast but also like my legs were going like clockwork. I did the 10k in 63 mins (fast for me) and overall did 11.4 K in 69 mins. That seems to be about 7 miles anyway.
But, the worst bit- at exactly 5k I felt a ping! One of my bra straps had come undone. For the ladies, I have a Shock Absorber Run bra- it is brilliant, and has 2 straps- one across the back of the neck, and one normal one. At first I thought the top one across my neck was what opened (it is like a bikini clasp) but I soon realised that I was wrong. The straps adjust (again like a bikini) by sliding a plastic loop into slots of fabric. I am not sure if I just rushed to put it on, but that was what had worked its’ way loose. The one that goes down along the left shoulder-blade. Not sure if I have explained it right. Anyway, I tried but there was no way I was able to do it back up while running (and I was not going to stop and take it off to sort it out) so maybe that was why I ran faster??
Anyway, I enjoyed that run and glad that I felt strong and speedy- I have been feeling like a plodder of late so I am glad my legs still work. Those 20 miles seem ages ago now! This week I have a 3 and a 2 miler, so I might do a few fast paced bits on Monday, but the other one will be gentle to keep the legs ticking over.
Also, exciting news, I tried my new food processor today! It did take me about 20 mins (and then it took Andy to actually work out the problem) to get it to work. Turned out I was not quite putting the lid on properly. Anyway, after seeing these amazing looking raw brownie slice things on Emma’s blog, I knew I had to try them! The original recipe is here (I book marked it already!) but I changed it up a bit and only made half, so my recipe is below.
And of course any excuse for me to use my new measuring cups! This is the base + topping waiting to go in the fridge.
And this is a slice on my plate (spoonful so you can see the base).
Mmmmmmm it is amazing!
So, for the base, whizz 1 cup pecans and 1 cup chopped dates in a food processor. Then add 1/6 cup cocoa powder and a tbsp agave, and mix some more. Press this into a small pan lined with baking paper (pressing it with the hands was much more successful than with a spoon) and leave in the fridge to set.
Then melt 1.5 tbs coconut oil. Put into the food processor 1/6 cup date syrup, 1tsp agave, (I had no maple syrup), 1tsp rice dream milk, 1 tsp cocoa powder and blend it up. Then pour in melted coconut oil and 1 tbs almond butter (this has salt in it, which is why I missed out the salt from the original recipe). Pour this over the base and leave to set again.
Just in case you did not see before, here is the exact same picture again!
It really is that good! 🙂
So make some if you have not already!
I put some pb on there, but I think I should have made a sauce instead as of course, the smoothie being freezing cold, the pb did not melt! Duh. Anyway, this was delicious.
These are so good- with chewy raisins as well as carob flakes. Mmm. And the carob flakes are good because they do not taste that nice on their own- they are not like chocolate chips where you could eat a handful. I think, anyway.
Yum- although I think they were left in the sun for a bit as they coating is now a bit cracked. Ah well all tastes the same.
Again that was delicious. I love that rhubarb yoghurt as it is not too sweet.
The raisins on the chocolate were lovely- sprinkled on the top. But the chocolate had a strong rum taste which was a bit strange- may have to give the other half to Andy. As one who does not like alcohol it was not my fave. Although I used to love those “rum truffles” that you got from bakeries- they were like big fudgy balls coasted in chocolate 100’s and 1000’s- I don’t remember them tasting of rum though (my Dad used to get the for me when I was little sometimes)- anyone else remember those? I wonder what they were made of.
They look pretty anyway, I always love blueberries in baking as they go all jammy in the middle. I am hoping the yoghurt keeps them nice and moist too.