Category: General ramblings

Southwark parkrun and a day in London town

I used the excellent tourist tool to work out which parkrun to get to on Saturday morning. Southwark was not far- a half a mile to the tube, a few stops on the Jubilee line and then a short walk at the other end. When I was running to the tube station, I saw a girl out running and looking at her phone, and she asked me if I was heading to parkrun. She was actually going to Burgess, and I hadn’t looked at that one so I wished her luck (I am no help with maps as you will see later on…)

I found the park fairly easily and had a bit of a jog around as it was really cold that morning, and I didn’t have a buff or gloves or anything. The park had lots of bird boxes and lots of spring flowers peeping through. It seemed very small- it always amazes me how the lapped courses can be squashed into these tiny parks.

The first timer briefing was useful- the course was 3 laps but on the first lap you went to the right of a tree, and the other two laps you went around the left- you can see it on the Strava map. It’s completely flat and on nice wide paths. Just before the main briefing I noticed someone in a Dolly neck-tube (the cat from With Me Now pod) so I started chatting to the guy about touring. The main briefing was really good as the RD got all the volunteers to stand on a mound in a big line, side by side, and this seemed to keep most people quiet and listening. Then we walked around to the start and were off. There were lots of people (479) so the first few metres were a bit congested but it cleared very quickly. The laps seemed to go by very quickly too- I am not usually a big fan of laps. During the second lap the tourist (Matt) caught up with me so we chatted for the rest of the time- he had plans with his wife to go to Canada and Norway among other countries, so we talked about parkruns we had been to, and ones on our list (and how my non-parkrunning hubby needs a bit more persuading to go to places where there happen to be parkruns!). He was an RD at a fairly local parkrun too, so managed his time between there and touristing.

There was an out and back part of the course which is always good as you can then see lots more people ahead or behind. Considering it was a small course there were lots of marshals out too.

I was quite pleased when I saw my splits and I had managed a royal flush negative split- 9:31, 9:22, 9:18, 9:06 (29:10).  That was my 70th different parkrun- it sounds a lot but then there are people who have been to hundreds!

At the end I asked someone to take my photo in the selfie frame, and then headed back to the tube.

That was fine, but when I came out of the station, I must have come out of a different entrance because I was very confused, maps wouldn’t load on my phone, so it was a while before I went the right way…

I also don’t think Strava knew exactly where I was?

Andy had been to Gail’s to get us each a chocolate almond croissant, and after a shower we headed off for a wander around London. We went to Borough Market, then across to Spitalfields, where we bought a doughnut from Crosstown Doughnuts to share late. We then walked along the river, over one of the bridges and to the Tate Modern. We had a late lunch in Leon, then wandered back to Borough market where I could not resist a pink latte from Bird & Blend (made with their red velvet tea).

Once home we made a pot of tea and shared the doughnut- peanut butter with blackcurrant jam. I am not normally a big doughnut fan but this was really tasty.

On Sunday I headed out for a long run. I wasn’t sure how I would feel after the Saturday, as I had totalled something like 33,000 steps, but in fact I felt OK. I did loops near home, as somehow that feels easier than doing one big loop, and also meant if I wanted to cut it short then I could. Once home I did some yoga stretches (including legs up the wall), showered and then had porridge and pink tea (red velvet).

I had some work to do, so I got on with that and then later we headed out to the cinema, to see David Copperfield. Now, I did not know anything about the film- I’d seen a trailer and that was it, and I did wonder for a lot of the film who would teach him magic. (In my defence the beginning of the film is sort of the end, with him on stage about to perform, so I thought it would be a magic show). Anyway, I really enjoyed the quirky style and loved how the characters loved each other.

Do you ever totally get the wrong end of the stick with films? I remember watching La La Land and wondering when the time jump would happen, as I thought  it was set in the 20’s but the beginning was that big traffic jam. Not sure where I got that idea from (possibly just the style of writing on the poster?).  Are you a doughnut fan? I am not usually, but in Portland in the summer we went to Voodoo doughnuts and they were good too.

Finally the end of January!

I know January is a long month, but it doesn’t usually feel that long. I cannot work out why it felt so long this year! We didn’t go back to work until the 6th, which seems very late, but still that meant 4 solid weeks until the end.

Monday I stayed late at work and needed to get some bits from Aldi so on the way home I stopped off, meaning that once home I didn’t fancy heading out for a late run.

This hazelnut and chocolate spread from Aldi is amazing- I don’t get Nutella because of their questionable ethics, and most of the replacements just aren’t as good. This stuff is amazing, and apparently once opened you have to eat within 3 months- that won’t be a problem!

Tuesday I was home earlier and it was still not quite dark- progress! I went on a 4 mile run but I was surprised by how cold it was. Even once home and after having a shower and dinner I was still cold so Andy put the fire one, I heated my penguin in the microwave and we had a hot chocolate.

Wednesday was yoga, and we did a lot of strength work- so many variations of downward dog, side planks, press ups and all sorts of warrior poses. Towards the end we did a headstand practise and after helping someone else hold her pose, I was helped, but I just lose confidence as soon as both legs are up. I feel like I am going to wobble, and come down before I actually do wobble. I will keep working on it though!

Thursday I needed to get some cookery ingredients for work, so I changed into my running it at work, parked at Tesco, ran back to the business park, and then headed into Tesco once my run was finished. I was pretty hungry as I went around the shop (it’s a big shop too, and the things I needed were just not easy to find- this is why online shopping is better!) but I was very impressed with my impulse buying- barista oat milk (for the best hot chocolates) and baked beans!

On Friday I rushed to get home as we were heading into London for the night, as Andy had a work thing. He was going out for dinner, and I was going to have a hotel room picnic, so we popped into a Pret by our hotel for me to get some food. I asked the assistant for one of their amazing chocolate almond butter cookies, and I thought she said to me “I will give you half” but she actually said “it’s on the house”. Then (once Andy had clarified) she said “we are closing in 5 minutes, I’ll give you two. Do you want anything else?” I said that it was only me eating, and she said “for breakfast tomorrow”. She was very persuasive, and we ended up with  2 ginger cookies and 2 of the chocolate almond butter ones.   I took them back to the hotel and had a nice hotel picnic alongside some tea (I always take the Bird & Blend samples if we go anywhere). The least said about Friday evening the better, as I was trying to avoid all the depressing political things going on, watching a travel show about Scotland, and then reading my magazine before having an early night.

Do you prefer actual shopping or online shopping?  Anything positive from January? 

A parkrun back “home” and the garden birdwatch

Last week on Saturday it was my choice of parkrun (as no-one needed to head off quickly anywhere) so I chose Ellenbrook, as we hadn’t been there since the NYDD.

It is my “home” run really (I think I have officially changed it from Panshanger on the website), and it was just great to see so many people from my running club, people I know from the old Sweatshop running group, a couple of people from yoga…. such a community feel. Sometimes I just want to run around, and other times I feel like being more social and so this is perfect. Dad was there too but ran off ahead. I chatted to a couple of people on the way around for parts of it, and partly ran on my own. My legs felt heavy so I was surprised to see 27 something time- not too shabby! Someone was celebrating their 99th run (they are away next week for their 100th) and had bought flakes for the first 99 finishers- I was too slow for that! Once I had finished running, I headed to my parents where mum made us pancakes (of course), this time with the addition of a topping of hot apples and raisins and spices- so good.

The rest of the day was spent helping Andy do some wallpaper stripping in the hall, doing lots of work and having a walk later in the day.

Sunday I was off for a long run- this week I did 12 miles and tried to keep the pace a bit higher than last week. I did lots of loops near home as my dad was coming around to help with the anti-decorating, so I didn’t want to be too far away. The run seemed to go well, one mile less but 20 minutes quicker than last week.

Dad came over to help with the wallpaper stripping in our hall, and then once that was finished with, I settled down to do the big garden birdwatch. I really love seeing the birds in our garden- it is very calming to sit and watch them flit about. I’ve added a couple of feeders (and cleaned the old ones) so I was hoping to see a few. The idea is that you watch for an hour, so I made a pot of tea and heated up a croissant (Dad had arrived with croissants from my mum too, and on the birdwatch website they even have recipes for biscuits to make to eat while you watch, so it’s definitely a thing!), and settled down. It was so peaceful to sit there just looking in the garden- I did see a few birds (but not all of the birds that I have seen) but just really enjoyed that peaceful time.

I had to get to the shops before they closed to get some bits for work, and then we headed to Andy’s parents for the afternoon/evening.

Do you have a home parkrun or more than one? If I’m touring I have to check which top I am wearing because I have a Panshanger t-shirt and an Ellenbrook vest!  I’ve been to probably double the number at Panshanger, and it’s closer to where I live, but with my running club being involved in Ellenbrook it does feel more like a home run. Do you like seeing birds in your garden? 

Amazing skies and watching documentaries

Following on from my 13.1 miles last Sunday, I had a nice gentle 4 mile run after work on Monday to help stretch out my legs. I felt fine until about a mile from home when I suddenly felt really tired. It was nearly light  when I got home and was just so good to think that spring is around the corner now. We were treated to the most amazing sky in the morning!

Run in the twilight, amazing sky, fire +stollen, sleep essentials of eye mask, kindle, lavender spray and balm

In the evenings we have been watching a few documentaries (mainly because we caught up with Wisting to had to wait to the weekend for the next one)- the first one was Game Changers which it seems like everyone has watched (if you haven’t, it’s basically about the performance benefits of a plant based diet). I would take it with a pinch of salt because I am sure they have picked the studies that help illustrate that veganism is better than meat, but it was interesting showing where the stereotypes (eg real men eat meat) come from. Those lobbyists in the US have a lot of power and influence.  Another evening we watched Kilian Jornet, Path to Everest. He is often talked about on Marathon Talk, but I hadn’t seen him in anything and didn’t know much about him. This was totally amazing- a bit like The Dawn Wall or Free Solo because what he does seems to defy what is possible.

On Wednesday I went to yoga- I always love going but always feel a little apprehensive as we might be doing handstands or headstands, both of which make me nervous. I’d downloaded the Action for Happiness app (I knew there was a website but didn’t know about the app until Emma posted about it) and just before I left the pop up said something about doing something that scares you. On the drive to yoga I decided that whatever we were doing, I would give it a good try (because you never have to do any of the poses of course).  Anyway, we did do a headstand and with help first from the teacher and then from one of the other people in the class, I briefly managed both legs up (I can get one leg up at a time). I always find it weird being upside down and trying to work out which way to push the legs and things, but the more I do it the more I will get used to it.

Yay fave podcast time! Gingerbread man at lunch to get me through a busy day, and mango in my Olaf bowl after yoga

On Thursday I changed into my running kit at work and stopped at the business park again for a 4 mile run. I did a few lamp post intervals and stretched at the car before driving home. I am not sure why it didn’t occur to me sooner, but stopping on my way home to run on even and well-lit pavements is just so much nicer, and means once I am home I don’t need to go out again!

On Friday a few of us popped out for lunch, and then almost as soon as I got home we were heading out again, going to dinner at Bill’s and then to the Odyssey (which is a lovely renovated cinema in St Albans with one screen, fancy seats with tables) to see Little Women. In Bill’s I had the burger special which was a vegan tempura vegetable burger, with some added avocado which I was very glad of because it was super spicy!

Before the film we just had time to walk around to The Pudding Stop to get something for later (butterscotch blondie to share) and then I enjoyed a proper cup of tea (well, in a glass but the person at the bar said it was bigger than a cup so may as well) while we watched the film. I loved the film. I had read the book when I was younger but couldn’t remember much (just that I really liked Jo) but I just thought it was so well done and so enjoyable. Although the man next to me kept falling asleep, and then when it finished started talking about how good it was…

Do you like watching documentaries? 

Runs in the wind, rain and frost

Well, the weather this week has been “interesting” for running in!

Monday was so windy, and I did wonder if a run was a good idea, but it seemed OK- Andy told me to stay away from any big trees (hard when you live in a garden city) and I did see one big branch that had fallen down.

I tried to record a video while I was running but it didn’t sound very windy even though it seemed like it was howling in my ears and I kept having to turn up the volume on my podcast. Anyway, once home I felt a lot better!  4 recovery miles in the bag (and with that wind no chance of running any faster!).

On Tuesday I stopped in town on my way home as I wanted to get a few bits. Also it was raining hard so to get up my steps I walked around the shopping centre for a bit. I ended up buying a few more salt and vinegar snacks to add to my collection ( I love the KP nuts but they are so strong I always burn my mouth on them so I am trying to find a good enough replacement…). I also saw these non dairy mozzarella sticks and ended up getting those too. I should not shop when hungry!

Wednesday and it was back to yoga! Oh how I have missed this! I was feeling super stiff, but we were eased in with some work on backs and twists, we used balls to roll on our feet and tennis balls to roll under our shoulders, and as usual I left the class feeling miles better. Home to cosy penguin socks and my peppermint cream candle.

Baked sweet potato and beans, plus a hot chocolate after my Thursday night run, and a candle and cosy socks after yoga

On Thursday we had a training session after work, close to where we used to live, so I decided to change into my running kit after school, before driving to the course, and have a run around the business park after.

When the course finished it was raining really hard, and I sat in my car for a bit pondering whether I should just go home, but of course once I started running I felt so much better, especially with my fave parkrun podcast for company.

I have missed running on those pavements so much! They are wide and flat, with no potholes, they are well-lit, and have nice big cycle lanes too. I warmed up and then did some lamp post intervals, and then headed back to the  car. I was just under 4 miles and would usually round it up, but I knew I was running late so left it at that. Andy had put sweet potatoes in the oven, but when I got home it was a bit of a rush (the course finished later than I had thought  it would, so the time estimates were out)- I had the quickest ever shower!

On Friday I had a massage which was so badly needed- so much crunching! I popped to Pret to get  a drink and could not resist one of their filled cookies.

On Saturday we went to Jersey Farm parkrun- my dad and brother were off to the football so had to leave by 11am, so we headed there as it was the closest to them.

It was a beautiful frosty morning and we walked a lot of the way on the road because the pavements were still icy and slippery. The actual park was super muddy- back to how it was a month ago when you just have to accept that your feet will get wet and just go for it with the puddles.

They had two volunteers taking photos so there ended up being a few of us (not together). Once finished we jogged back home and all showered super speedily before Mum made us some pancakes. Delicious as always.

Then after stopping to get some bird food and random things for work, I helped Andy with more wallpaper stripping. We are still doing this in our hallway- it takes so long and now some of the wallpaper has been painted (why?????) it takes even more goes to get rid of.

A quick bagel for lunch before more steam stripping, and then once dark we headed into town for a look at the festival of lights, celebrating the centenary of the town.

There were various light installations around the town, with live music going on, and they had added more fountains to the main fountain. It was quite pretty and the town centre was heaving so it seems like it worked pretty well.

On Sunday morning I headed out for a long run- it was so frosty and lots of the pavements were slippery so it was good I was planning a slow one! I was aiming to do around 11.5 -12 miles, but when I got home I was nearly at 13, so I headed around the block to make it a half marathon. It was such beautiful running weather (but absolutely freezing) that I decided to make the most of it- it could be back to the wind and rain by next weekend.

I even did some yoga when I got home. I was pretty thirsty and added a bit of lime to my usual coconut water with a pinch of salt- very refreshing.

As I’d been to town on Friday I had popped into Gail’s and bought us chocolate  almond croissants- so tasty.

The rest of the day was spent doing work, popping out to see Andy’s parents, having a little walk to stretch the legs (feeling OK) and watching some TV.

Which kind of weather do you prefer to run in?  Do you have favourite run routes or places that you really enjoy running in?