Category: General ramblings

Helping and baking

Saturday started out by me picking up my Dad and brother and heading to Parkrun. I had been on a lot of runs in the week, and they needed volunteers so I had signed up in the week. This time I was barcode scanning- pretty simple you would think …

For those of you that don’t go to Parkrun, it is such a clever system- on the finishers line is someone with a timer device- they press a button each time someone finishes so it records the time, then at the same time when you finish you are handed a numbered chip, 1 for the 1st finisher and so on, and then you queue up and have your personal barcode- from the Parkrun website– scanned along with the chip so they link your barcode with the time that you finished- later on they must upload the scanners and calibrate them with the timer– it is so clever!

Anyway, they started off by announcing that last week there was a new record for fastest female at any UK Parkrun! Hannah Walker came first in the St Albans one last week, finishing in an amazing 15.55! We gave her a clap even though I don’t think she was there, although with around 200 runners it would be hard to spot everyone.

Then they headed off- the course heads off and then is 3 laps of the lake, so you can’t see most of the runners from the start/finish area, but it was not long before the first person (I keep wanting to say winner, but it is not a race!) was heading back. I liked scanning as it was good to congratulate all the runners- a few first timers asked about how it worked, and one lady pointed out that her friend had “never done anything like this in her life before” which is one of the reasons why it is so great- there are loads of children but also older people giving exercise a go.

My scanner was not very sensitive (it had trouble with laminated barcodes or sweaty ones!)- one lady handed me her barcode and it was wet (I hope from water, but possibly from sweat!)- I tried about 4 times to scan it, but it wouldn’t beep, so I tried stretching it as it was a bit wrinkly, and it ripped totally in half! I was mortified! They can take down the barcode number and link them up later, but luckily the other scanner worked! Phew!

My Dad managed a new pb (23.14- I can only dream of that time!) and my brother did well too.

After that it was a bit of pottering around town, and then some baking.

While wandering around the internet the other day I came across a recipe for Nutella cookies which looked like the easiest thing ever! All you needed was nutella, flour, an egg and some fudge pieces (which I still had from Dr Oetker).

I thought they would spread more when I baked them, but they didn’t.

They are tasty (we shared one just to check quality control purposes of course) but I am not sure they were as gooey as I expected- perhaps I should have made them bigger as then the centres would have been softer.

I also made some more scones- I used the gluten free recipe from the other day, but added in a tsp almond extract (again from my Dr Oetker parcel) and some dried cherries.

They smell wonderful!

As they were cooling all I kept getting was wafts of almond- if only Andy would let me have scones instead of a proper dinner!

Did you have a good weekend?

Waffles and walks

Gosh, Friday already! Time flies when you are having fun!

Earlier in the week I made some ice lollies and they are delicious! I could not find my ice lolly mould so I bought a new one from Lakeland (in the sale, plus the mould can be used to bake with too).

I had to measure the capacity of the moulds first- I think these came to about 250ml. I used a couple of tablespoons of coconut cream, a little agave, and then raspberries (from our allotment- the novelty is not wearing off!)- puréed it in the food processor and then into the freezer they went.

They came out of the mould really easily (they are silicone) – I was very impressed. I am already thinking about my next batch- something with peaches I think.

On Thursday I started on a watermelon- this was so refreshing. I had a busy morning (doctors visit, seeing my Mum, then going in to work) so in the afternoon I just tried to stay cool at home.

Then I went to pump- my that was a sweat fest (and battling to put on my sports bra was not fun- such hard work in the heat)! They have air-conditioning in the studio so at first it felt so cool, but that didn’t last for long. I did manage a slightly heavier weight in the biceps track (I tacked them on the outside- last time I did this I gave up a few seconds before the end as I didn’t realise we were that close to the finish), and my arms have been paying the price today!

Earlier in the week I was sent some Cocofina coconut water, so I had some to cool down with as soon as I got home- delicious. I like most coconut water that I have tried, and I loved that this was 100% coconut water, nothing else, and the 200ml carton was a great size too.

While the sun has been shining I have been going out on walks during the day too. I could not believe how brown the grass had got on the fields, but after a couple of showers it has gone back green again.

This morning I went on a run- I went on the 6.8 mile loop and listened to Marathon Talk- they had a team do the Thunder run (which is a 24 hour race where you see how many loops of a 10K route you can do- they had a team of 8 but some people did it solo- so impressive)-I found the run tough yet again, but I am not worrying about it. My next half marathon is October, so I have time in September to start increasing the length of runs, hopefully when it is cooler again.

I had some fruit and yoghurt when I got home, and then as Andy was working from home we went to The Waffle House for lunch.

I went for a fresh mint tea with a hummus and avocado waffle- Andy had one of the specials which was pulled pork with coleslaw, plus a coffee milkshake (he wanted to try one as one of our friends always raves about the milkshakes)- the dessert waffles (as always) were so tempting but we were both very full after that.

I spent the afternoon relaxing and listening to the film show on radio 4- it was good listening to them talk about films I have actually seen (we went to see The Heat on Wednesday and I giggled quite a lot during it)- then we went out on a walk  (and later we have to walk up to the allotment)- so lots of walking recently but that’s all good!

Tomorrow morning I am barcode scanning at Parkrun, and then after that I don’t know…

Plans for the weekend?

Cinema trips and keeping cool

Hey guys, how are we all doing?

A few weeks ago Andy bought himself an unlimited cinema pass, and the great thing is that on Orange Wednesdays I count as the free one. Combining that with the fact that the cinema is air-conditioned and we have been going there quite a bit recently.

The only trouble is that I normally go running on a Wednesday evening, so it can be a bit rushed (especially as you don’t book a seat). Last week I still had my cough so I didn’t go running, so we headed up to see Despicable Me 2 after dinner. It was quite funny, but I enjoyed the first one more.

Blurry shot of my Wednesday night dinner; spinach, tomatoes, courgette, balsamic, pesto quinoa, hummus and ryvita- I needed something cold!

This Wednesday I went running, rushed home (well, I tried- the run was tough in the heat so I jogged home and then walked the very last corner), showered and had dinner before we headed up to the cinema. We were planning on seeing Monsters Inc, but by the time we got there it had sold out. The car park was totally rammed, I have never seen it that busy. I think the air-con was calling to many people!

So, instead we saw World’s End, which was quite funny too. The pubs were all in Welwyn, and some of the street shots were too (I think some others were Letchworth) so it was quite strange to see our local town on the big screen!

On Thursday I went to work in the morning, popped to see my Mum after lunch and then headed to the allotment to do some weeding. After an hour of weeding (yes it needed it badly) I was rewarded by finding these two courgettes on one of our plants.

We had one for dinner with some pasta and pesto before I went to pump- can’t get fresher than that!

Pump was tough- the studio felt so lovely and cool when I first arrived, but after the first track sweat was pouring off me. I really noticed that I had missed 2 weeks, and my legs are still stiff today.

On Friday morning I headed out for a long run- I wasn’t sure how far I would go, in the end I went out for just over 3 miles, then turned around and came home. It was not too warm at that point, although I was in need of a cold shower when I got home! I had to wait in for our new sofa, so just got on with work and pottering. It has been too hot for the hairdryer so I have just been sitting around with wet hair all day.

After it was delivered I walked across the fields to the allotment and did some picking (when I did the weeding I forgot to bring a tub)- loads of raspberries, gooseberries, a few blueberries and 450g (I weighed them) blackcurrants!

Not bad!

This morning I picked up my brother and Dad (who had just driven back from Switzerland and wanted some exercise to stretch his legs) and headed to Parkrun. I got all my things ready last night, but in the morning I realised my Garmin battery was flat. When I told my Dad he said “did you need it today then?” thinking I meant a car GPS! I wasn’t expecting much today, as my legs were stiff from pump and I ran yesterday, but as usual the start went and everyone rocketed from the line. My Dad was off ahead, and I managed to settle into a rhythm, although I could feel on my last lap of the lake I was slowing down. My brother overtook me with the end in sight, but I couldn’t muster the energy to even try for a smackdown!

I am still waiting for the results- I know it wasn’t a pb but I am interested to see how it went- I am guessing 28 or 29 minutes. I showered at my parents and then we enjoyed a croissant in the garden- what a lovely start to the day. I think the garden was the coolest place (in the shade) as there seems to be more of a breeze today.

On a side note, I have been loving watching the athletics in Lyon this week (all the athletes are amazing but watching the visually impaired runners doing the relay was something else), and now the Anniversary Games- so exciting! Plus, as I went out for a run this morning I feel I have earned my (new) sofa time!

My Dad and Andy took our old sofa to the tip, and so when they got home I made us smoothies to cool us all down; this contained frozen tropical fruits and blueberries, a little almond milk and some coconut water.

Have you seen any good films recently?

Have you been watching the athletics? 

Edit- just got the email- 28.13 was my Parkrun time so pretty good (although that is my official worst time)- 29th out of 66 females. 

Race kit and shopping

Hey peeps- the week is flying by!

I have been in work each day this week (our last official day was Monday) but it has been lovely to take my time. On Tuesday I went out for a run before heading in to work (and went in with wet hair as it was too hot to use a hairdryer), and last night I went to the Sweatshop run. I was thinking maybe I should have just gone out on my own first thing, but I like seeing everyone there and I do run faster, even though this time I was on my own, I think trying to keep up with the front runners (well, keep them in sight) gives me a bit of a speed workout!

These are my essentials for a summer race! Sun-cream is a must- I used to have some Boots sport sun-cream (I think sports stuff is better as you need to sweat to cool down, but you don’t want the cream to run in the heat) but that ran out, and I had read some good reviews of the Banana boat stuff (which was cheap on Wiggle by the way). It didn’t run, and even though I had sweat pouring off me (especially during the wait for the goody bag/water) I didn’t get any in my eyes at all. Nuun tabs are my favourite way to replace electrolytes- plus they are handy as they are so small- sometimes I put one in a bag in my pocket, and then add it to the water at the end. As this time we took a bag for the drop I just packed the tube, and had one in my water when I had finished.

Baby wipes are another essential if I have any travelling involved- even to wash the salt off my face they just help me feel a little more human. This time I changed into fresh clothes in the toilets, so they came in handy.

I never take an mp3 player or headphones with me, but I do take my Spi-belt to wear, as that can fit my phone, a tissue and hand sanitiser (some more essentials especially if there are port-a-loos).

I have been doing a spot of shopping this week- I picked up some Tea India (Cardamom chai for Andy and Vanilla chai for me to make iced tea with)- yummy.

I saw this cute top/dress in Tesco and could not resist- I think it will look summery with some short leggings.

I made a lovely chai latte with the vanilla chai the other day- ice, cooled vanilla chai and soya milk- refreshing 🙂

What would be in your race kit? Have you bought anything exciting this week?

Danio yoghurts

Hey peeps- how are we all doing?

I think I have to start each post talking about the weather, just in case you live in a cave or something. Last night we had some crazy thunderstorms here- really loud and long thunder rumbles, and very heavy rain. I went out for a run before 7am this morning (amazingly missed the rain) and our front door was filthy as the rain has sprayed dust and dirt all up the door.

Anyway, a while ago I was sent a coupon to buy some Danio yoghurts.

From their information: it is a new super thick and super tasty strained yogurt, high in protein and low in fat.  Available in six flavours. The secret behind Danio’s thick texture is that it is made by a method of straining which uses more milk than standard yogurts and makes it high in protein.

They are thick Greek-style yoghurts (strained) with a fruity sauce on the bottom. I didn’t realise when buying them, but some are 0% fat, and some are not (and those ones have added cream).

I stocked up on a range of flavours, including strawberry, raspberry, cherry, peach, passion fruit and blueberry.

I thought the peach would be my favourite (I am having a bit of an obsession with peaches at the moment- so summery) but I think actually it would be a toss up between the cherry and the passion fruit (which I didn’t take a picture of but the sauce had seeds in it and was lovely and tart). But they are all lovely- I could not tell the difference between the 0% and the other one, although I didn’t try both at the same time. I always preferred the 0% Fage, and so I would probably just choose those ones in the future. I bought some more yesterday but they were on offer in Tesco’s and the only flavours left were 0% ones, so I got a couple more strawberry ones.

The yoghurts were indeed very thick, and there was plenty of the fruit sauce in them. There is added sugar in the sauce, but I would rather that than artificial sweeteners any day of the week, and they have a good protein content (e.g. the cherry one has 13g protein) and are pretty filling. I found them great as an afternoon or post dinner snack.

Are you a yoghurt fan? What flavours do you like? I don’t tend to buy them each week, but when I have them I do enjoy them, especially in this weather it has been lovely having cool food to eat.

*I was sent a voucher to buy the yoghurts, but all opinions are my own.