Silverstone weekend

Hey guys!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend- I did πŸ™‚

We were up so early (6am on Saturday and 7.30 today) to get up to Silverstone in time, but it was fab. In brief, Saturday we had “roaming seats” which meant we could sit anywhere there was space, so we watched practise sessions and then the qualifying in one grandstand (luckily it was covered as it tipped it down!)- it was great, the cars were so noisy (I had earplugs though phew), but it was freezing cold! I think I shivered for the whole day. As soon as you went down to the ground it was fine, but up high it was windy. We also saw some other cars racing (in a different stand just to mix things up a bit), and Jenson and Lewis having a little chat on the vodafone stage after qualifying.

Today there were a few things before the race, but we had seats (in an open air stand) so we did not have to get there as early. Β It tipped it down with rain once we were in our seats, but we had dressed for the rain and brought an umbrella, so we were OK! It did stop before the start (although Jenson and Lewis did ask for rain yesterday as they would have stood a better chance I think- we were in two minds- rain makes for a more exciting race, but then we would have got wet!). We saw the drivers go around on the back of a lorry, the Red Arrows did about 30 mins of awesome amazing stunts, and then it was race time! I won’t bore you with the race, as I am sure you would have watched it if you were interested. But I have never been to one before, and I was wondering how I would get on, as you can only see part of the track (and we could see the start of the pit lane too). Normally when you watch it on TV they tell you where everyone is, so I did think I might get a little confused. There were big screen TV’s showing the feed just as it comes on BBC, and when the cars were not near you could hear the commentary. Andy listened to the radio (on an mp3 player) but I wanted earplugs instead, but I did manage to follow what was going on. There were some exciting overtaking moves, and I was loving that the crowd were cheering every time Jenson or Lewis went past- loads of clapping and air horns and stuff! I had not thought about it before, but you know at a football match the players can hear the crowd, but in those cars with all the noise (and seriously, it is so much louder than on the TV, so much more high pitched) there is no way the drivers can hear, so I did not know if there would be any cheering during the race, just at the end. But it was great! πŸ™‚ Andy was trying out his new fancy camera (one of those digital SLR ones) so no photos from me I am afraid!

What was not so great (but cannot be helped) was the awful traffic coming home today! The park and ride bus took an hour to get us back to the car park, and then the motorway, urgh, no idea what went on there.

Anyway, it was a brilliant weekend. And I have one question (Ferarri fans need not apply)- Jenson or Lewis?

I am for Jenson Button all the way- a few years ago (maybe 5/6?) one of my friends gave me an official photo of him as a birthday present, as I was rather taken by him! Andy even teased me that if I met him I would be even more star struck than when I met Mickey and Minnie Mouse (and yes I was an adult at the time too). πŸ™‚ But I love having two Brit drivers in the same team, and I was still cheering on Lewis when he did some fancy handbrake style turning stuff in front of the grand stand to celebrate at the end! πŸ™‚

Who’s idea was a run before breakfast?

As it certainly was not my idea! (yeah, it was Andy’s!)

Last night body pump was great- and phew I managed the full press ups again (not sure if I could manage more than 4 though haha!)- next week I am going to try higher dumbells as the triceps track finishes with a short lot of kickbacks, and also as the shoulders track seems to switch between standing up stuff and kneeling down stuff, and only a small time with the bar at the end I think I may be able to go a little heavier.

Then it was time for a refuel:

I made some chia seed pudding, with a small mashed banana, cocoa powder, splash of milk, tbsp chia seeds and xanthan gum, left in the fridge while I was out. Then topped with strawberries and Lizi’s mango granola (with lovely pieces of dried mango in there yum). The pudding went really fluffy, sort of, a bit like angel delight! (Anyone else used to love that? Although we always had generic supermarket stuff so we called it milk pudding).

Anyway, as Andy was off to Silverstone today and leaving before 7am, he suggested I had a run in the morning (I was going to go after the waffle house today, as I would not get out over the weekend) so I didn’t wash my hair last night which left me no option!

Anyway, I left my kit out so from the alarm going off to heading out was 10 mins. I did my 5k loop in 31 mins, so I was pretty pleased with that. It was drizzling and windy when I left, but by the time I got home it was dry. I was starving though- I am always hungry the morning after body pump, and having been awake earlier I suppose made it worse!

Then (after my quickest shower) it was time for breakfast! This was porridge made with mashed banana, oats, milk and sprinkled with cinnamon. It was so good! I keep seeing people having mashed banana in their porridge, but have never tried it before. It is a keeper I can tell you!

I only just had time to dry my hair (this takes a good 15 mins which is why I normally wash it in the evening) before rushing off to work, but as the traffic is generally lighter on a Friday I was there 5 mins later than my usual arrival time, so not bad at all. As the day has gone on I have got more stiff (from body pump) and I quite liked having a run in the morning, so I might consider it a bit more, especially on a Friday when I can afford to leave a little later.

After work was the waffle house! Hooray! And unlike last time everyone made it this time so I had a lovely catch up over a pecan waffle. Mmm. I wish they did a peanut butter one though! What flavour would you love to see?

I also had the laziest dinner ever!

Yup, a veg pot! We did not know what time Andy would get home, and when we ordered out shopping I was still planning on a run after my waffle (yeah that would not have been a good idea I think!), so we decided on the second quickest dinner (if you are wondering, toast is the quickest). Delish anyway. What is your fave lazy dinner?

So off to Silverstone tomorrow πŸ™‚ Have a fab Saturday everyone!

Audiofuel in the rain (and some food)

Yup, that was yesterday. Perhaps it was some kind of payback for Laura commenting that she learnt that running in the rain was not so bad- I agreed, and then of course, it tipped it down! As I was about to leave the clouds were black and Andy told me to take my phone (but I was not taking my belt so it would not fit in any pockets)- so I said to him that if it hailed he could come and get me! As I left it started raining really hard- the rain was going sideways as the wind was blowing so hard and it was stinging my eyes, and it was so hard to run in time as the wind was so strong! I also felt a bit tired, in a can’t-be-bothered mood. After a while the sun came out and it was a bit better, but I really felt like I had heavy legs and the last set of 185 steps per min was really tough. I had nearly talked myself out of yoga, but then I realised I would have to do it another day, and put that on here, so I did it!

I had a tasty dinner of half a baked aubergine with cannelini beans, passata and herbs and stuff, cooked beetroot on top of spinach and sprinkled with food doctor seeds (and topped with nutritional yeast). Yum. The beetroot turned the beans pink too! πŸ™‚

I also had a snack of vanilla alpro, strawberries and some mango macadamia granola. Delish πŸ™‚

Today after seeing Sarah using other dried fruits in her overnight oats, I decided to go with dried apple in my porridge instead of the usual raisins.

OK so it looks horrible, but really it was tasty- the apples plumped up overnight, and of course after being sprinkled with cinnamon everything tastes lovely!

Today I have an early dinner (so eat before body pump, as I did try eating after but by the time I got home it was 9pm and I was starving and felt a bit too weak at pump) so I never normally plan a snack between lunch and dinner. But, this means by the time I get home I am starving, and also get tempted by biscuits in the staffroom, Β so today I was being prepared (and having never been in the guides it must be impressive that I can be):

The nakd bar was for my morning snack, and the Eat natural mini bar was to have before I came home (to stop me being tempted by goodies in the staffroom- and it worked hooray).

Once home I had some chai tea (called “Baby it’s cold outside”- what a fab name) and an apple to keep me going. πŸ™‚

So, I am already looking forward to the weekend (Silverstone yay!)- Andy is going with his Dad tomorrow to watch the practise sessions, and I am off to the waffle house (hoping that more people turn up this time hee hee)- it is going to be brilliant! Ear plugs at the ready πŸ™‚

So, any exciting weekend plans ?

Full press ups yay!

That is my excitement for today! Went to aerobics and at the end we always do a few minutes of stuff like the plank (and did proper one of those too, no knees on the ground here), push ups and suchlike. When she told us to start press ups (apparently it will be rude not to do them!) I thought “well, I did full ones at body pump, so it would be silly not to try again”- and I managed them! Not sure how many, but a few more than 4 anyway!

Before aerobics I had a lovely snack of teapigs chai and a small eat Natural bar from the giveaway I won :). Tasty. Thanks Lucy πŸ™‚

For lunch I had my first garden courgette- how exciting! I had it in a yummy Food Doctor bagel with some cream cheese. Tasty πŸ™‚ And loads of pepper too. Those bagels are so filling- I love them!

Also, how out of touch am I with fashion? Seriously, I went on M&S website just now to order a few bits in the sale, and I got some white leggings (for wearing under dresses in the summer- thought they look more summery than black ones) and I came across “treggings”. Now, I have heard of “jeggings” (jeans/ leggings hybrid) and had to look up treggings- apparently it is trousers crossed with leggings- more structured than plain leggings but still to wear under dresses and tunics. Anyway, they say you learn something new every day (or do they make stuff up every day?). So what did you learn today?

How to make chia pudding?

Evening all! Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Especially the tennis! I got a text from my Dad saying he would be doing the Men’s final, but I had already arranged to go and visit a friend, so I taped it and am watching it now (just saw him!!)- I did listen to the match on my drive home but it is hard to listen while driving.

Anyway, I spent Sunday out visiting, and did do some yoga in the evening. So here is the belated (yet again) training for the previous week.

Monday- Just under 6 mile run- it was baking that day and I really struggled.

Tuesday- Aerobics- I was full of energy and loving it!

Wednesday- Rest day- walk up to cinema only to find film sold out! Walk home and yoga.

Thursday- Body pump- most notable was the full real press ups! OK so only 4, but still!

Friday- Audiofuel intervals- hard work (esp the fastest ones as you would expect)- followed by cheesecake! (Well, not right away)

Saturday- 8.5ish mile run, then helping at Summer Fayre

Sunday- Rest day- and yoga.

I am pleased I have kept up the yoga twice a week, and I might look at some of the other podcasts available for some variety.

Other stuff- I tried some chia seeds yesterday. They have been a bit of a craze (and raved about in Born to Run) and I looked for them in the little Wholefoods in London. Anyway, Lucy offered to send me some!

I mixed a small mashed banana with some cocoa powder, then added a tbsp chia seeds and a splash of milk, and left it in the fridge all day. I had it after my yoga in the evening and it was lovely- the chia seeds soaked up the milk and obviously banana and cocoa is already a winning combo!

I topped it with a pear and some garden strawberries- yum πŸ™‚

Also ages and ages ago I tried some of the Nature’s Path cereal, and also joined their mailing list. A while back they sent an email saying “click here for free cereal” and I did, thinking it would be a small pack. Well it came in the post!

A real proper sized box of cherry and coconut cereal. Yummylicious indeed!

And today I had a run after work- I did the same route as last week but my legs felt heavy (not sure why as I rested yesterday- maybe teaching PE all afternoon in the heat?)- I picked up the pace at the end but it still took me 64mins (only a couple of mins faster than last week in that baking weather). Ah well I will take that I suppose.

I have also signed up to some more races- The Brighton half marathon and the Silverstone half marathon, and…..

.. next weekend Andy and I are off to Silverstone to see the Grand Prix!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo! πŸ™‚ Β He surprised me on Friday and I am so excited! πŸ™‚

Any exciting races or other plans for you guys?