Category: General ramblings

Talking to the geese

Hello!

I have had such a lovely saturday- some running, some gardening and some baking. These pretty much equal a perfect saturday.

First up is the run! The plan was for 10 miles- having a cut back week after the last few weeks of higher mileage. I thought I had run 10 miles a couple of weeks back, and so I went out on that route. I also thought the weather would be colder- I had on a craft long sleeved top and a jacket over that (luckily left the gloves and ear warmer at home)- well after a mile I had to stop and take the jacket off but I was still too hot. The run was ok- I had some clif blok things during the run. But it turned out that I miscalculated/ misremembered the route and ended up doing 11.7 miles- whoopsie. Then when I looked at my plan, due to me being ill and missing a few runs I actually have not run 10 miles for 7 weeks. Silly me again. Half a mile from home I had to stop and cross a busy road and when I started running again my muscles had practically seized up- the last half mile was a painful stiff hobble. I am alright now though. So another lesson learned- actually plan my route.

I got a friendly wave from one runner, and a “hello” from another one which I always like. Also when running around the park there was a big white hissing goose on the path- they are nearly as tall as me. I said out loud “I don’t like the look of you” and then a man (who was also right in front of me) turned around and said “were you talking to me?”- I had to admit that no, I was talking to the scary goose. Whoopsie again.

Refuelling time-

Kara coconut milk with nesquick, and a Hazelnut honey stick. This was so amazing (my first time trying it) that I took a pic once it was opened too- how unlike me;

Yum– a gooey carob (tastes like chocolate) centre coated in hazelnuts.

I also put all my nakd bars in a box today (remember a while back I got the deal off the website?)- well I think it will keep us going for a long time;

They are all about 4 deep I think!

After some soup it was time for gardening. I didn’t take any pictures but I saw so many ladybirds 🙂 It was such a perfect day for it too.

Then I got down to baking- I made some raspberry and white chocolate brownies for tomorrow. Basically I made a normal brownie, and then sprinkled it with some chopped white chocolate and the last of my frozen raspberries.

Before baking and then after slicing.

It is so good- the raspberries turn into a sort of sharp jam. Yum.

Then it was time to lay on the sofa (compression socks on) with some tea and snacks.

Lovely Whitards Christmas tea 🙂

So – your perfect Saturday?

Spread the love

Hello lovelies!

I am having my usual post body pump high this evening!

The usual instructor was away, and normally this means it is cancelled, but she mentioned last week that she knew someone who might be able to cover. On Tuesday (aerobics) I asked at reception and they were “pretty sure” it was on. So I was keeping my fingers crossed and very happy when I got there to find it was on. The usual crowd were there; when I arrived one regular was already getting the bars ready for us. The instructor was so impressed with how helpful we were, how well we put away the stuff between tracks once we no longer need it and how well trained we were in general with the routine. She was really good, and near the end told us she only qualified to teach it 2 weeks ago! We were all very impressed- during the chest track she walked around to check we were holding the bars in the right position, and she was very encouraging. Loved it! (And we are a class of such swots too haha!)

Boy I am tired now though!

I shared a stoats porridge bar with Andy;

This one was raspberry and honey, with sunflower and pumpkin seeds and sultanas. Yum.

I also tried chamomile tea;

This smelled like sweeties 🙂 Again I have never tried this before, but I actually quite liked it. It also has liquorice in it, which I think adds to the sweetness. I am gradually being converted to more and more to herbal teas. (Do not panic I still love chai).

I also got an email from Martin Yelling (a bit star struck haha) saying my prize it on its’ way! How exciting 🙂 So I am now spreading some marathon talk love-go check out marathon talk– it’s the rest of the interview with Andrew Lemoncello this week- go on see why I keep on about it! 🙂 Anyone else ever listen to it? Or anyone going to give it a go this weekend?

Pink porridge!

Evening all!

I enjoyed reading the comments from yesterday about things you have achieved that you never thought was possible. It seems I am not alone in my brain taking time to adjust my mindset.

Today started with pink porridge!

Ok, it looks weird. It was porridge with raspberries and a little bit of crunchy pb (that is all the funny coloured brown bits). I took inspiration from the dorset raspberries and cranberries porridge packets when I found seom frozen raspberries in the freezer. And I remembered they have a bit of iron in them, so bonus there too 🙂

After work I headed out for a run, again in the wonderful sunshine. Love it! I was due for either 6 or 7 miles, so I went for a 6 mile loop with a view that if I was feeling ok I would add the extra mile today, and if not I would do it on wednesday. Well, buy the 5 mile mark I was finding it tough, I was thirsty (despite lots of water at work and some right before I left) and my shins started hurting a bit. So I was sensible and came home. I think my legs can still remember the 14 miles from saturday. In fact I was pretty good- the 10k took me 64 minutes, and this included time to cross roads etc. I tried to pick up the speed once my legs were warmed up, and I think I managed it (have not uploaded my run yet) but I was pleased with the time anyway.

Dinner was some of the lentil and cannelini bean chilli that I made yesterday (it was tasty but so spicy) with some cheese oatcakes. I was too hungry to stop and take a picture-oops.

So, who was out enjoying the sunshine today? It was light ’til so late here today- the daffodils are all out and spring is on it’s way (even though I did have to defrost my car this morning, hmm).

14 miles

I think I am getting less and less creative with my post titles!

I am loving having muesli cooked as porridge (there is some pumpkin in there to explain the orange tint). Yummy seedy porridge.

The weather was so much better today- a bit cloudy but not too windy and not freezing, plus no rain. I went out 90 minutes after breakfast, and I think I could go out sooner than that. I was listening to marathon talk and they did a prize draw for their February challenge (Febulous)- all the people that took part went into the draw, and they drew out my name! I was so excited! I had to text Andy while I was running (along a wide empty pavement don’t worry) as I was not even ten minutes into my run and he was off to watch football so would be gone when I got back. I am so excited! What is funny is that I go to the website to download it, but never read the shownotes- if I had read them my name is actually there. But I am glad as I loked the surprise! (I have won an addidas mi-coach, not sure what that is but sounds exciting).

Anyway, the first 7 miles passed much quicker than last week (in my mind, not actually) and I was feeling good that I reached the half way point feeling fine. I had some shot bloks at 7, 10 and 12 miles, but from mile 10 the going got tough. There is a hill towards the end (the top of the hill means I have one mile to go until home) and that hill was awful today.

But anyway, I made it home, tummy grumbling and hips stiff, but having run all the way. It took me 2 hrs 47 minutes, but this has given me some hope. Over the bank holiday weekend me and Andy are going away (it is my 30th that weekend) and there is a 20 mile warm-up run, but there is a 4 hour cut off. Doing this run today (which I think was actually over 14 miles, maybe 14.5) has shown me that I would have over an hour to do another 6/5.5 miles, which I should be able to do- what do you guys think? Should I attempt it?

I have been stretching, foam rolling, wearing my compression socks, did a blast of cold water in the shower (I read that the reason this is supposed to work is because the cold constricts the blood vessels, and then when you warm up after the blood vessels dialate and encourage the blood flow to help recover etc), and also refuelling. Lots.

Strawberry soya (tasted like a kids drink- very sweet) and lovely nakd bar to get me through my shower!

Bean burger (I made these the other week so I defrosted one overnight) in a food doctor pitta with some roasted beetroot and caramelised onion chutney. This went in the oven while I showered.

How I love this! Nectarine cooked in the microwave, rice pudding with a few choc chips (they melt in) and some pb. Mmmmm.

My first try of Jasmine Green tea. I have no idea what it tastes like, but I liked it.

I also made some more bean burgers as I realised what a great lunch they make!

Yes I am cooking them in the tray that cooked the beetroot earlier- saves on washing up and maybe enhances the flavour?

Right, I am off for more tea and maybe another snack as we are off out for dinner later, much later, and I think I will be starving by then!

🙂

Peanut butter blondies

I made these the other week and forgot to post the pictures- whoops!

They are from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar , and they are delicious- make them now! It took about 5 minutes to make the batter and pour it into a pan.

It only had 5 ingredients- peanut butter (that is how my tub of meridian crunchy pb is already half empty!), rapeseed oil, brown sugar, milk (they do not specify which dairy free one to use) and flour (I used wholegrain spelt). Stuff that is normally in the cupboard anyway 🙂 Actually the recipe did say to sprinkle peanuts over the top, but I left this part off as I didn’t have any peanuts not in butter form.

I was pretty pleased that they looked fairly similar to the picture in the recipe book.

And a fancy stack picture, just for fun!

Normally blondies have white chocolate in them (you know, like brownies are made with dark chocolate) but these ones are soooo good, they don’t need chocolate. Although a few chocolate chips would surely complement the pb flavour…..

Onto other things, body pump was great last night. I was back to the higher weights for most of the back track (that is still my limit but glad to get back there) and I also managed the abs track without going to my knees for the last bit. I have no idea of the technical bit, (the first bit is sit ups on a block and reverse curls) but for the last half of the track you are in a plank position with wide legs, and you have to go onto one arm and reach the other arm out to 12’0clock and then 6 0’clock position, and then swap to the other arm (12 and then 9 o’clock) which is the hardest abs move. Even harder than the plank rolling forwards and backwards. Normally I managed the first set, and then have to go to my knees for the second bit but I made myself do it all. 🙂

Also the weather today was so beautiful again- I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is alright for me tomorrow as I feel like I have had so many long wet runs recently.

I am so glad that friday is here- anyone have any nice plans at the weekend? I am going out for dinner on saturday with some friends- I am hoping that I will be not so worn out from my run that I am rubbish company! Perhaps I will be a good listener instead!