Author: Maria Runs

While I really appreciated the routine of a run and then the parkrun quiz, I am much happier now that I can go running with my dad instead, and that has replaced the quiz for me in the past two weeks. I did think I’d go back and do the quiz at some point, but have not got around to them yet.

This week parkrun launched (not) parkrun, where you can add your time to the results page (a maximum of one 5k per day, wherever you like), and then each week your fastest 5k time will be added to your home parkrun, and they even publish and send out the results.

Dad had mentioned that he wanted to run a 10k, but my brother wanted to run a 5k, so I arranged to head over there early, the two of us would run a 5k loop ending at their house, and then my brother could join us for for the second 5k. Dad had planned out the routes- the one we ran went through farm fields and tracks, and then the one with my brother was the same as last week, heading to Jersey Farm parkrun to do a loop of the course and then heading back.

It was so enjoyable to be out there- the weather was good, the sun was shining but it was cool in the shade, and it did not feel like we had run a 10k, it felt more like a 20 minute run. It just shows how much difference company can make.

Afterwards we sat in the garden (at three separate tables) and had breakfast- just a lovely start to the weekend. I added my time for the first 5k to the (not) parkrun page, although it was a bit hard to work out how to submit my time.  I thought it would be a link on my profile, but it wasn’t- I had to log in to the detail change part and do it somewhere there. I really liked getting the results email on Sunday night, and looking down the list I recognised a lot of names (mainly from my running club). Of course it is’t as good as parkrun, but it does get closer to the experience, especially now I can run with Dad and Tony, have breakfast together after and then get an email.

My packed breakfast- cardamom bun and tea

Once home we did a few bits outside- painting the trellis that is going on top of the fence (we did 2 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday- they are quite fiddly). I also did the second coat on a picture frame, planted out a few more plants from the greenhouse, and a spot of weeding, as well as taking time to enjoy some of the elderflower cordial made last weekend. So refreshing.

It’s in a jam jar because I didn’t think about needing glass bottles until I was finished making it. 

We decided to have waffles for dinner on Saturday- my favourite savoury choice at The Waffle House is the hummus and avocado one, so we did a sort of imitation, topped with hummus, avocado, rocket, sundried tomatoes and sweet chilli sauce. So tasty but very filling and we definitely needed a walk after that.

On Sunday morning I went for more of the WGC 20/20 route, doing a mostly out and back for 10 miles. A lot of the route was in the woods, and I made it nearly to the top end of town so I think I’ve done nearly half the loop now. The whole route is 13 miles, so I think I might head out in the other direction at some point to try and see where it goes.

It was fairly overcast but brightened up by the time I got home.

The rest of Sunday was spent pottering around at home- I made some cookies (the delicious Pret chocolate almond butter ones), painted the other trellis, had tea in the garden and watched a bit of TV. We watched the documentary about the Salisbury Russian poisoning which was really interesting. I really liked how they portrayed the main characters, particularly the head of public health who kept doubting if she was capable of doing it (instead of the usual characters who are always so confident in their abilities).

Have you joined in with (not)parkrun yet? Or have you sorted an alternative Saturday routine? 

On Saturday morning I made a cup of tea in my insulated mug, packed a bag with a cinnamon roll in it, and then drove over to my parents house. Now that we are allowed to exercise in groups (staying 2m apart of course) we had decided to have a run. My brother came along too, and at 9.15 the three of us ran a 5k, taking in some of the Jersey Farm parkrun route.

Of course I had on my “it’s still parkrunday” top- very glad I purchased this. The fabric is really good too- really nice and airy so perfect for hot days (I prefer a t-shirt to a vest as it’s better to keep your skin covered, but often the fabric is quite thick).

Once back, we went through the garage and into the garden. Dad had set out extra tables, so him and Mum sat at one table, my brother at another and I had the final table. I’d brought my own breakfast so I had no need to touch anything that wasn’t mine. We sat around for a few hours, and it was so lovely to catch up in such a relaxed way. Luckily the weather was good. Mum and Dad have loads of bird feeders in their garden, and lots of nesting boxes, so we saw a fledgling sparrow, goldfinch and blue tit.

Once home, we then headed out to meet Andy’s parents on a walk around some local woods. It has been nice to see people in person, but I felt very paranoid about staying away after being in work and such close contact to children all week.

On Saturday night we watched 13th, which was a film about racial inequality in the USA- it’s from a few years ago but very relevant to now.

On Sunday I wore my St Albans half marathon top because it was also on Sunday 15th June, but 5 years ago. It was soooo hot outside and I took lots of walk breaks, and regretted the choice of top because it’s quite thick fabric. I’d been inspired to have a go at making elderflower cordial after a child in my class made some and then a friend had a go, so I took a bag with me and kept an eye out for the flowers. I did a bit more of the 20/20 route, seeing more lovely fields and woods.

At one point I ended up in a little village and saw a postbox and got very excited but it was just an ER one!

On the way back I picked some elderflower for the project to begin later.

Then to breakfast! We had some John Lewis vouchers so decided to get a waffle maker. This was our first attempt and I was very impressed. The only trouble is deciding which toppings to go for- I had banana and chocolate spread on one, and oatly creme fraiche and maple syrup on the other. Super tasty.

Then it was on to make the elderflower. It’s got to sit for 48 hours infusing away after the initial cooking. It does smell really good though.

I didn’t realise until I read the recipe that it’s the pollen that gives it the flavour, so you don’t rinse the flowers, you just check they are free from bugs!

We did some gardening but it was baking, so I also sat in the shade having an iced tea- I made up some Peach Cobbler tea, left it it to cool and then topped with almond milk. It’s so good.

I had put some plants in the little hanging pots and put them up on the trellis, and even though the lights didn’t come on until around 10pm, it just looks so pretty now.

Do you like elderflower? What would you top your waffles with? We are planning on recreating the hummus and avocado one next week.

Last week felt easier, having already been through it once already. Monday was yoga in the morning and a walk in the evening, Tuesday was a run in the morning and a walk in the evening, Wednesday was a run in the morning and yoga in the evening, Thursday was a run in the morning and a walk in the evening, and Friday was a walk after work. The early alarms felt much easier this week, and I really like getting home and not having to rush to get changed and head out again.

I made pizza one day (using the sourdough starter) and banana bread another day because what else do you do with three brown bananas?

My eye pillow came in handy for yoga.

Sadly Disneyland Paris announced that the half marathon weekend in September has been cancelled. We had worked out the logistics so that I could do the 10k and half – Andy was going to get the Eurostar on Friday morning and collect the bibs (as you have to get them the day before), then after work on Friday I would get the Eurostar, we’d be there for the weekend and travel home on the Sunday afternoon. We still have the train booked, so we are not sure if we will still go (apparently they are opening on 15th July), but we can’t get a refund for the train so we may as well wait and see.

We had booked a weekend in Helsinki for the end of July, but we got a refund on the flights this week as they have cancelled most of the flights each day. It’s disappointing but I am not sure I want to go on a plane anytime soon, and things might not be open anyway so it would not be like a normal weekend away.

Our Studio Ghibli show was postponed to August 2021, and our Ash concert (originally put back from March to September) is now in Feb 2021. It seems that rapidly anything scheduled for the autumn is going to be pushed back further.

We finished watching The Last Dance (really enjoyed that, even though I had no idea about basketball and had to ask Andy all sorts of basic questions like how many in a team, how many points do they get for the net etc)- I like a sport doc that is good even if you don’t know about the sports.

We then started watching the thing about Peter Falconio (the backpacker who went missing in Australia) but somehow ended up watching the episodes in this order- 2, 4, 1… no idea why as we used the Channel 4 i-player thingy so you would think it would direct us to the first one first! It jumps around a fair bit in time, so we only realised after watching 2!

I was inspired by a friend to have a go at elder-flower cordial, so I spent some of my runs hunting for it. I found what I thought was some, and took a piece  home to check, (it was) but it wilted quickly so I realised I’d need to pick it on the same day as making it- a weekend project. I did see some lovely sunrises, and despite all the rain, most of my runs were dry (a little drizzle on Tuesday).

On Thursday Andy was watching a live podcast, so I decided to watch Mary Poppins returns- I feel as if I am snuggling up under a blanket when the  film titles start- it’s such a comforting film (and catchy songs, apart from the stupid product placement song…).

On Friday I baked some cinnamon rolls in preparation for Saturday (a socially distanced run with my dad)- I was really looking forward to it, and it properly made it feel like the weekend was here. We allowed ourselves the next Queer Eye episode too- don’t want to burn through them too quickly!

Do you have anything booked that you are hoping won’t get cancelled or postponed? Are you a banana bread fan? Any good TV recommendations? 

Last weekend started as always, with a run (listening to WMN), the parkrun quiz (10/15 that week) and then pancakes.

The weather was lovely first thing, but it soon clouded over. Never mind, a good time to get on with all the weekend jobs (cleaning, tidying, washing etc). Early afternoon we decided to have a walk, as there was a higher chance of rain at 4pm. As we were out we could see huge dark clouds in the distance and heard a few rumblings of thunder. We got home, washed our hands and then the heavens opened. It was crazy, with torrential rain, hailstones and lightning overhead. I don’t mind rain, but I was very glad we were home before that!

I made some rosemary roasted nuts (from the Fearne Cotton book- so many fab recipes in there) and then we settled down to begin our project- the WDW Lego castle. We listened to a podcast while we worked, and basically finished the first layer.

On Saturday night we watched The Lovebirds (with Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani), which was a comedy film (reminded me a bit of Game Night) and quite funny.

I also found out that parkrun UK used one of my photos (in my new apricot top)!

On Sunday I decided to run a bit more of the WGC 20/20 route. I went past the golf course and then instead of turning right (like last time) I followed the signs left for around a mile before turning back on myself, and finishing the loop. I found fields and woods only a few miles from home that I’d never been to.

Just wonderful.

Once home  (and I’d had a shower and breakfast) Andy’s parents popped over to sit in the garden, although sadly after around 30 mins it rained so they had to go home.  I was a bit worried about it, because of being back at work (in an enclosed space with children, exposed to all the germs from those families etc) I feel I am now more likely than ever to have picked it up, but it was their choice and we made sure to sit a long way apart.

I made some Chelsea-style cinnamon buns (a sort of mixture of two recipes, using the dough from the cinnamon bun recipe and adding in the dried fruit filling), and we had one in the afternoon after a few garden jobs.

In the evening we finished watching The last Dance, and then somehow the weekend was over.

Do you have any weekend rituals or routines at the moment? Do you tend to stick to the same routes or do you like exploring new areas?  I have such a bad sense of direction that often I have to get out google maps on my phone to work out where I am, and I also worry about accidentally ending up in a field of cows or something. This 20/20 route is fairly well marked with only one confusing part (a sign for a public footpath but then closed gates in front of houses with no clear path through).