General ramblings - Maria Runs

Nameless runner

Hey everyone,

I hope you all had a good week. I am still on track for my 4 runs this week- the run on Wednesday was super tough- they did a route which I did once in the summer, but I was not quite sure of it. The people at the front rocketed off, and after less than a mile I could only see one person ahead (the person from the shop was doing a run/walk with someone behind me)- anyway, I went wrong and accidentally took a short cut- ended up meeting them again, they left me again, and when I got back to the shop (after 3.5 miles) they were not even back, having added on even more to the route. I looked at my miles on the Garmin after, and I was not going any slower, so they must have all been faster. I was so tired after that!

Anyway, what I wanted to talk about was carrying ID with me. I mentioned this before, as I carry nothing with me- no phone (sometimes I do if I am going a long way but my phone is a bit bulky and annoying to carry, plus one less thing for a mugger to steal from me), no wallet or anything. I did at one point carry a pound coin in my pocket, but I keep forgetting to do that too (not that there are many phone boxes around anyway). I do sometimes worry about what would happen if I fell and hurt myself, as no-one would know who to contact etc. I always tell Andy where I am going, but I have a bad habit of running through worst case scenarios in my head (e.g. what if I get bitten by that dog and then I fall over into the road and a car runs me over…) so I finally got around to doing something about it.

I was looking at wristbands, but then it is another thing to remember, so I ordered a shoe tag from here. It is a little velcro pouch (apparently waterproof although as it is not water tight you could not submerge it) with an “I.D. Inside” label on it, so hopefully someone would notice it, but my name etc is not visible to people as I run past. Inside you just put a little card tag which you fill in with name, phone numbers, medical info etc. The pack I ordered had a spare one if any details change.

Then it just attached to my trainers- I just had to loop the tag through the laces and it’s done.

I went out on a run after work today (number 3 of the week)- of course I still let Andy know my route and when I leave/ when I should be back, but it is a little bit of extra precaution to take.

If you go out running/ cycling etc alone, do you carry anything like this with you?

Perfect pancakes (again, and this time the real recipe)

Pancakes for a leisurely Sunday breakfast are becoming part of my weekend routine. I made the batter the night before again, to speed things up a bit, and they turned out so pretty again!

The black stuff is mincemeat, not burnt apples!

To make the batter, mix in a bowl:

20g peanut flour

20g wholegrain spelt flour

1tsp baking powder

40g pumpkin puree

60-70ml soya milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

I also added in some cinnamon, but I could not taste it in them, so next time I would leave that out.

Then, in the morning, I have it down to a fine art. I heat up the pan over a medium heat, and drop the first 3 pancakes on there (I like little ones- easier to flip), then heat a tsp coconut oil in a little milk pan. While that is melting, chop up an apple and add to the pan with the coconut oil. Sometimes I add a little coconut sugar here too if I fancy them to be more caramelised.

Flip the pancakes once little bubbles appear, and shake the apples in the pan a bit. Make a cup of tea (teapigs chocolate flake tea is my Sunday breakfast tea of choice currently).

Put the first lot of pancakes on the plate, put the second lot on to cook, and then add some mincemeat (I shall be so sad when my supply of the lovely Meridian stuff runs out) to the apple, just to heat it through.

Serve with a little pb, and enjoy.

After that relaxing start to the day, we headed into London. We had a little walk around Covent Garden, went for lunch at Pizza Express, and even managed a bit of time in the National Portrait Gallery, before going to see Let It Be. I was expecting more of a musical (you know, a bit of a tenuous story) but in fact it was basically Beatles song after Beatles song, being played and sung live. It was fantastic- very lively and good fun.

Then we popped to Starbucks for a drink before heading home. A lovely relaxing Sunday.

I mentioned on my facebook page that the Deep Freeze gel really impressed me, so I thought I would mention it here too. I really think that ice baths or cold showers really help after a long run/ hard effort, and in the summer I will often spray my legs with cold water at the end of a shower. Apparently they do it to racing horses? Anyway, the idea is that the cold water contracts the blood vessels, and then when you warm up again after, nutrients etc flood in and help with recovery.

Anyway, after the 11 miles on Saturday my knees were a bit stiff, and my hamstrings always get tight, so I put some on. On Sunday I felt tired (as tired as you would normally feel after a long run and a busy week I suppose) but my legs were not stiff at all. I am really impressed! So worth a try I would say, and more appealing than a cold shower in this weather. I must warn you, at first it just feels cool, but after a few minutes it does actually feel freezing- it did take me by surprise!

Jantastic is now into Febulous- we have to choose the length of the longest run each week as well as how many per week. I have started with 4 runs, as I managed this on 3 out of 4 weeks, even with the snow- it was having a heavy cold that put a stop to one of them. I think I put down to do 10 miles next week, then 13 (for Brighton) and then drop back to 6, as I am not sure what I will feel like doing for those last 2 weeks.

Oh, and don’t forget you can enter the giveaway on my last post– I am loving all the answers so far.

What is your idea of the perfect weekend breakfast? Actually, can I choose The Waffle House?

Perfect hot chocolate and a giveaway

So when I got home from work on Friday I was super tired, but I went out on a run for two reasons- I needed my third Jantastic run of the week, and I like a run after body pump as it helps loads with reducing stiffness. I did a short and fairly quick 2 miles, and that was enough for me!

The temperature had really dropped though, it really was very cold! I think I underestimated how cold I would get, and got quite chilly in the evening after dinner. Hot chocolate was the solution, and I have now the perfect method for it.

Yum, so frothy! I heat the milk in a little jug in the microwave (I use some kind of alpro light stuff), and then put the chocolate in the bottom of a mug (I use Montezuma’s hot chocolate, which is chocolate shavings, but small chocolate chips would work just as well) and pour a little of the warm milk on top. Then whisk it up with an aerolatte (or a mini whisk) until the chocolate melts and the milk froths up. Then pour over the rest of the warm milk.

Perfection.

This morning I went out on an 11 mile run. I did it in just over 2 hours, and I felt OK and a few times decided to go a bit faster for half a mile or so.

My legs were a little stiff when I got home, so post shower I tried out the Deep Freeze gel I was sent. It felt cool at first, but after a couple of minutes the iciness came through- a lot! It had quite a clinical smell, but not as strong as the Deep Heat. Hopefully it will help with the stiffness a little.

Right, on to the giveaway. I was sent a little parcel of goodies for my blog a while ago, from Jamie, to help with fitness and motivation and goals.

So, I have a little giveaway with a couple of the items from the parcel. The Hairy Dieters Cookbook, and some Clipper Green Tea (I love the range of Clipper Teas- my favourites being their Earl grey and their Apple and Ginger).

I love watching the Bakers/ Bikers, and they lost a lot of weight by making sensible swaps and cutting down on portion sizes etc. The book is jam packed with healthier versions of meals; breakfasts, soups, curries, casseroles, tagines, lunch ideas, and even a little sample meal plan. A lot of them are meaty ideas, but you could easily sub them for a substitute and keep the sauce/ flavours the same I would think. It has some fab reviews on amazon, so if you fancy winning it, all you need to do is leave me a comment, saying what meal/ food you would love to be healthified. Mine would be caramel shortcake.

UK people only please, and you can get an extra entry by liking my page on facebook, or by linking to this on your blog. Leave me a comment to say if you have done these things too (or put it all in one comment- I will just write your name on more than one piece of paper, as I am all technical like that).

Over to you!

It will close next Friday, and I will pick a winner next weekend.

Compliments

Hey everyone.

So, what has been going on this week? On Monday I was still a bit stiff after the near 10 mile run on Sunday, and it was lashing down with rain after work, so I was pretty pleased to have a planned rest day!

On Tuesday I only had time for a short run after work (in the wind)- 3 miles done but at a pretty gentle pace. Never mind, I was saving it for Wednesday!

When I left to run up to the shop, it was so windy, and I did think that I could just run around the block- as long as it was over a mile I could count it towards Jantastic, and no-one would know! But as usual I am glad I went. We did the route known as “the hill” (because basically around here it is flat as a pancake, and this route has one short hill at the start)- this is a pretty good one, although there is one very dark patch, so I have to slow down loads. Plus there is an underpass which I hate (because I am a scaredy cat) but this time each time we got to a roundabout the people at the front had to run to the back, so we were together as a group for most of the way. Half a mile from the shop I tried to speed up a bit as I could see some of the fast ones still, and realised they were adding a little loop on! Urgh. In the wind. But I did it, and when I got back I was nearly last, as the people at the actual back had not added on the extra bit, and the guy from the shop said they were saying about how much faster I was getting. That was nice to hear, as I know I am a bit of a plodder. I am terrible at receiving compliments (isn’t everyone?) but I do feel that trying to keep up with the faster people is what has helped me (and I did say that to them).

Cannot work out how to rotate it…

Anyway, I kept my watch going for the run home (but it does not count the run up there as I don’t turn it on then), and I was super pleased to get the 4.5 miles under 10 min mile pacing. So good to be under the double figures 🙂 And good to have another 5+mile run midweek.

And then, look at what came in the post! The pack for the Brighton half! How exciting! I hope the wind dies down a bit though.

Tonight I got to try out the Ultimate Gym Bra, when I went to body pump.

I was kindly sent one to review, but I will at a later date as my brain is a bit tired now.

Tomorrow I plan to have a short run in the evening (after going to get some oil for my car, whoops) and then a long run on Saturday morning. I am aiming for about 11 miles, and then I think probably next weekend I will have a shorter one, maybe 8-10 miles. The week before the half I will be not able to run as much anyway because I have parent meetings one two evenings, so it will enforce a bit of a taper!

Oh, and all the members of Run Blog Bake! Make sure you log on and choose the length of your long runs for Febulous- I have done but I might edit them before the Monday deadline.

Hooray it is nearly Friday!

11 things (thanks Lara)

Hey, gosh the week just flies by doesn’t it? It has been another busy one. After work on Tuesday the pavements didn’t look great, so I went to aerobics instead of a run. Wednesday I had a late meeting, so finally got home after 8pm- missed my Sweatshop run (I knew I would this week) -no way I was going out then! Thursday I went to pump, and Friday I did a short run (3 miles) after work, before the snow. Which never came to anything, I think we just had rain here overnight.

Our neighbours built a snowman and then painted it- although now it looks a lot worse for wear!

This morning I went out for a run before breakfast. My road is just awful now- so much ice. I slipped along a lot, (even walking in the road instead of the pavement was no better) but once I got to the cleared pavements it was fine. 3.4 miles done- 3 out of 4 runs this week, and tomorrow will be my long run.

Not much snow/ ice left outside now, although the street is in the shade and so is much worse.

When I got home I had some coconut water (we were given this in our Ocado order- it was lovely) and a satsuma as soon as I got home as I was quite hungry, and then made breakfast after my shower.

The pancakes were the best ones I have ever made! I made the batter the night before, as they take so long to cook. I think it was 50g pumpkin puree, 20g peanut flour, 20g wholegrain spelt flour, 1tsp baking powder, and some soya milk. I didn’t measure the milk, jut poured it in until it was a batter consistency. I think using the peanut flour with the normal flour made them hold together better.

Yum yum! With an apple cooked in some coconut oil, and mincemeat stirred in. Plus a little chocolate pb. And a teapigs chocolate flake tea.

Right, onto the 11 things. The lovely Lara has tagged me in a blog award, and if I don’t do it right away, I will forget!

The Rules

Each blogger posts 11 random facts about themselves.
Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.
Choose 11 new bloggers to pass the award to and link them in your post.
Go to their page and tell them about the award.
No tag backs.

So, I have to tell you 11 things about me. I mean, I think I ramble on a lot here, so I am not sure if there is anything new. There must be something.

1. My Grandma was Austrian, so we used to visit the extended family there a lot when I was younger, but I have never been there as an adult.

2. I tried to learn German at school, but we moved and I changed secondary schools, so missed the first 6 months, and never managed to pick it up. This still annoys me as I feel I should be able to speak it.

3. I am terrified of spiders. Especially the big black hairy ones. I try very very hard not to look scared when I come across one at school (don’t want to scare the kids) but I have on occasion leapt onto a table because I thought I saw one. Luckily that was after school, so just colleagues saw me.

4. In fact, the first time I met one of my friends (we met at work) was when she came into my classroom and I was stood on a chair trying to hoover up a giant black spider that was hiding under a cushion in the book corner. Great first impression (although she doesn’t like spiders either).

5. I don’t like alcohol. My parents do, and I have tried all sorts, but never liked the taste. Not even alcoholic chocolates!

6. I lived at home when I went to Uni. At that point I could not drive so the journey was 30 min walk, over an hour on a bus each way- think for a 9am, lecture I had to leave home before 7am. Not sure how I did that!

7. It is 10 years since I passed my driving test (as I only learnt in my final year of uni).

8. I hate long fingernails. They creep me out. I always keep mine short.

9. I love Michael Palin- watching him on TV/ reading his travel books. I love that he is so interested in everyone, and he just has a great thirst for travel and knowledge.

10. I was not allowed to wear jeans when I was little. But it never bothered me as I thought they looked like uncomfortable drain pipes. I bought my first pair when I was about 15 I think, and now I live in them probably 50% of the time!

11. I muddle things if they have the same initial letter. For example when I was younger I confused Berlin with Belfast.

Here are the questions Lara wants me to answer:

1. If you have a middle name what is it?

I have two, because I am super special 🙂 :Catherine Louise
2. What is your first memory of a sporting achievement?

When I was maybe 10, I did a 5 mile run with my Dad and friend. I think I hurt my ankle and didn’t run the entire way. But we had trained for it- we used to go on bike rides a lot, and there was a loop that we would cycle around, and then leave the bikes in the car and then jog around it. Actually, when we got home my little brother (who was about 5) asked us “do you want peas or carrots with dinner” which I found so funny as I was so tired and just wanted to sit down (and he didn’t ask how the run was or anything). I should see if we have a photo somewhere of that…

That was the only running I did as a child though!
3. Cat person or dog person?

I do prefer dogs, but I would never want one as a pet.
4. Diamonds or Pearls?

Accessorize? I think diamonds are pretty, but then if I had something expensive like that I would worry about losing it and stuff.
5. If you could support only one charity which would it be and why?

I think it would probably be a local children’s hospice. I support bigger charities like Cancer Research, but I think the hospice does such great work for the children in need, and as it is not a national one it would get less donations.
6. What is your favourite colour to wear whilst working out?

Black. Other colours show up the sweat too much! So always black bottoms, but I do have coloured tops- my fave is a sort of jade green colour.
7. What are you missing the most …. RIGHT NOW?

The summer!
8. Who snores the most/loudest in your house?

I don’t think either of us snores, but I know I talk a lot in my sleep, and often have conversations that Andy tells me about in the morning, and I can’t remember them at all.
9. Have you ever donated blood?

Yes. I did about 5 times I think (I have the second keyring). I am pretty squeamish, and each time they took the needle out, I fainted. In the end they put on my notes to take less blood, but I still fainted. So I have stopped going now.
10. Cleaning, cooking & ironing … love it or hate it?

I don’t mind cleaning- I find it satisfying, cooking is fine, although when I am tired I don’t always clean up the mess from cooking right away. I never iron. Just hang the clothes up and they dry pretty flat.
11. Do you own home exercise DVDs? If so … how many?

I have the 30 day shred. But that is only for emergencies!

Right, now I have 11 questions:

1. Ideal holiday destination?

2. Favourite weather?

3. Coffee or tea?

4. What magazines do you read?

5. Favourite place to eat out at?

6. Favourite show to see?

7. Would would you order in my cafe? (Bearing in mind I mainly serve tea and baked goods).

8. Do you prefer to exercise alone, or in a class, or with other people?

9. Favourite meal?

10. What is your favourite thing about blogs (writing or reading)?