Category: General ramblings

Wow what another beautiful day!

I had my hair cut yesterday (I actually had not been since before Christmas and boy did my hair need it!). No before pic but I had a good couple of inches off and now my head feels so light!

Mini ponytail for running will make the miles fly by, surely?

Anyway, suncream on, porridge eaten, lots of water drunk, and I was off. I had a new route (supposed to be 12 miles) which I really enjoyed. The first couple of miles were on pretty boring pavements, but then I got up to the lakes and did a loop around those (saw some spectacular fake tan as everyone was getting their legs out), then headed into Welwyn town centre, then out onto some country roads (all on pavements) before getting back home. It was gorgeous out there, but by the end (I got home at 1.30) it was so hot. Anyway, it turned out my route was a little longer- 13.1 miles in fact- done in 2hrs 24, with a pretty good pace of 11 min miles (a couple were slow but that is mainly due to waiting to cross roads). Marathon talk was all about the week before the marathon, as so many are gearing up for London/ Boston, and it was making me nervous as I was running! It did make me think about the heat too. As Stockholm is further north, and by the water, it should be cooler than here, and I think it said the average temperature is 18C or something, which is pretty good. I am hoping it was warmer than that today. Although today I was fine, I think a few degrees hotter is when my energy gets sapped.

In my head I look cool and calm as I run. In reality, see above!!

Anyway, some coconut water and a sesame seed bar was consumed pretty quick when I got home (I had water with nuun, and 2 clif bloks while I was out) as it was a long time since my breakfast at 9.

After a shower (with a lovely long blast of cold water at the end) lunch was on the cards. I fancied some cinnamon raisin bread, but Andy is out so I made a replacement- food doctor pitta with some cinnamon raisin pb. This was a pretty good replacement 🙂

The rest of the day has been spent pottering about- I popped to the shops and ended up getting a few new bits from the health food shop.

Including carob flakes (I was so excited when I found them- now I can make carob cookies!), xylitol (might make my mum a birthday cake) and some quinoa flour. How exciting!

I also got a package of goodies delivered today;

Cannot wait to start baking/ eating this stuff! Although unfortunately there was a jar of molasses that was broken and had leaked all over everything (hence the torn labels- all the jars needed a wash!).

By the time I got back from the shops I was starving, so I had some cold rice pudding, with a couple of dried figs and some carob flakes. Yum 🙂

Hope everyone else had a lovely Saturday too 🙂

Hello!

Aerobics last night was great- again I was worried that I would not have any energy, but seed stacked bars seem to be excellent fuel (and some mint tea). Anyway it was great and I felt full of energy.

Today wasn’t the weather fantastic? After work I came home and braved my Skort (basically cycling shorts with a skirt over the top) as my capri’s were drying from the wash and it was waaaay too hot for tights! I have pretty pale skin anyway, and although my face and arms catch the sun, due to my legs always being parallel to the sun’s rays (I never sunbathe) they are pretty pale indeed. Blinding, some might say! I wore my sunglasses so I was un-affected. Anyway, 4.2 miles, with some fast bits thrown in (although not proper intervals as I was not quite sure of my route- I went a new way, there was roadworks on the pavements- pavement works?), 44 mins with an average pace of 10.30 so not bad. I wanted to be careful as my shins hurt when I kneel down at the moment (you know, when you sit on your knees with your shins on the floor), and although they didn’t hurt when running, I also felt more tired.

I was so hot and thirsty when I got home- a juicy apple straight from the fridge went down a treat (I am keeping apples to post run now as I do not think they work with me before a run).

I am loving this weather! I ran past a pub and there were people sat out in the garden, there were kids playing football in the street, loads of people out walking, cycling, running- it is so lovely to see. I am looking forward to Saturday afternoons spent reading a book in my garden- fave sunny weather activity?

Laters dudes 🙂

Hello

Thanks again for the fab comments (shh-I read them at work on hotmail while eating my lunch and they made me smile!)- thanks to Laura for the yoga link- when I have time I am going to save it (and maybe even do it and everything). Perhaps it should be my April goal as with the Easter holidays coming up I will even have some spare time.

I was feeling less tired today, and the plan luckily was only (I say only, it is still a long way) 8 miles after work. Fuelled by a clif bar and a graze box (apple crumble which is dried apple, raisins and cinnamon peanuts- yum) and not too much water, I was off! It was supposed to be 3 miles tempo in the middle, but that didn’t quite happen. Mile 1 was right into the wind and gently uphill, (so windy I was having a hard time hearing my podcast as I hate to have the sound up too high), mile 2 was still into the wind but luckily flatter. Once I got going it was not so bad, and I did try to pick up the speed and managed two miles at 9.55, but then my legs started feeling sort of tired, so I slowed down again as I wanted to finish the run. All done (8.1 miles in 85 mins). No shenanigans spied in the field this time (hence un-eventful).

A nice freezer dinner of lentil and cannelini bean chilli with some Nairns cheese oat-bake things, and I am feeling fine. Well, a little tired but not much more than usual really.

I was worried that I would be shattered all week (is this going to be famous last words????) but I suppose my legs are getting used to all this running.

One question- while running (and I used to get this when I cycled a lot) I get a weird bit of tension- it is sort of at the top of one shoulder blade, near to my spine but not on my spine. After a while it hurts to turn my head (not good when crossing roads)- I try to keep my shoulders relaxed, I roll them and move my head about and stuff and most days it is alright, but today it was particularly bad. Anyone have any idea what this is? I think it is to do with being tense, but it is weird that it is on one side, not both, not in the middle. Perhaps I run wonky?

Night