Earth miles goodies, a trip to London and a chilly run

Hey peeps, I hope you are all well.

The weekend before last we went into London for a belated birthday visit to The Shard (for Andy). We had a lovely walk around Hyde park (and got to see all the sign-age being put up for the Royal Parks half), before heading to The Shard.

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Even though it was cloudy, we had good views- Tower Bridge looked fab all lit up, and we could see the Olympic Park.

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We then went to dinner in an Italian restaurant- the salads came in bowls made of pizza dough! (There is some salad under all that cheese, tomato and avocado)- it looked amazing but really you could only eat the edge because the bottom was all soggy from the dressing.

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The next morning I woke up early so went out for a run- it was just beautiful weather, so I stopped to take a few photos. I did just over 8 miles- I wanted to do about that distance as I hadn’t signed up for the Brighton 10 miles at that point as I wanted to check I would be OK with the distance.

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Amazing. It was cold though- I think I had on a t-shirt and capris but I wished for gloves for the first couple of miles. I got home, had a drink and a shower, but I could not warm up so ended up getting back into bed to try and warm up. Since then (apart from the race) I have been choosing running tights.

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Once I had warmed up I made pancakes with blueberries, and nutella. Mmmm.

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Onto the Earth Miles. I have read about the app on a few blogs, but because the website is just a link to get the app, I didn’t really do anything about it for ages. But basically if you do exercise (and I think it links to either Garmin or Strava- it must be one of those as that is what I have) you earn miles, which you can redeem against rewards. It’s not as good as Bounts, where you earn free vouchers, but you can use your points to buy discounts and offers. I used some (not many compared to how many I have earned) to get a 15% discount from the Pulsin’ store, and this week my order arrived. I got mini mint ones, normal vanilla ones and normal maca ones (good for stress I think!).

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I also used some other miles to buy a Tribe box for £1 (instead of £6 I think)- it came with three lots of seeds/ trail mix things, and two nakd-style bars. They do have some weird offers on there (cro-bars, which have crickets or some other insects in them- not for me!) but there is no cost to the app so you don’t have anything to lose by signing up I don’t think. And they seem to be generally health oriented products like coconut water and whatnot.

Also, how cool is this medal????

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It glows in the dark!!!!! Glows! Amazing! It was a virtual run (of course)- the October 5K so I did that at parkrun for my 50th.

Right, I have two more days of work (including one more parents evening) and then I am off to Iceland! The country, not the shop! This is so exciting!!! Although we checked the weather and it is going to be freezing. Or maybe 1 degree. Better dig out the thermals!

No race on Sunday

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So the timing of the 10K last week was a bit weird (however I would do it again, just probably have something smaller and plainer for lunch)- it did mean that there was no panic on Sunday morning about missing the alarm, getting up early, getting to the race start etc. We had decided to get a cinnamon roll for breakfast, but when we got to Starbucks too many people had already had that idea. Andy tried the chocolate swirl (which was good, but a patch on the cinnamon one) and I had a scrummy almond croissant.

We had a walk around the town, seeing lots of the half marathon runners wearing their medals (the half started at 8am), and wandered around the finish area gardens.

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It was a gorgeous day (maybe a bit hot for running) and our check out time was near, so we decided to drive along the coast a bit, I can’t remember the name, but it was opposite the Isle of Wight, and we had a lovely walk along the top of the cliffs. I didn’t even need my coat- it was breezy but sunny enough to stay warm.

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Not so clear in this picture but you could see the needles.

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We had bought sandwiches in Bournemouth so we walked down some steps and sat on the beach for lunch.

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Not bad for the first weekend in October!

After popping in to see Andy’s grandparents (in Southampton- on our way home) we headed back. My legs were tired but not too bad, and it was quite nice to not have the really shattered feeling on Sunday night. The WR10K races used to be on a Saturday, and I really liked that, but they did a post race survey and most people preferred Sundays so they moved them. I don’t think I would like every race on a Saturday (if the race is local, I could still do parkrun on the Saturday), but it is nice every now and then to have the Sunday to recover after a race. Some people who travelled by public transport said they preferred Saturdays too, and if you have travelled and have to be back at work on Monday, having the extra day to get back after makes things easier too.

Do you prefer a Saturday or Sunday race?

Also- tomorrow is my 50th parkrun!!! I am so excited and this week have already had two dreams about it:

1- I was running, I didn’t know where to go, it was an “Indiana Jones” style parkrun according to someone and it involved climbing down rocks and into caves, and I kept getting lost and I had been running for 45 minutes and then my Garmin started ringing like a phone…

2- I was at another parkrun, because mine started later, but I realised that I only had 15 minutes to get home, pick up my costume, and drive to the other one, and tried to ring my mum to pick me up but I could not type in her phone number..

I mean, am I stressed about it at all? No! I am exited! So what is the deal here???? Perhaps I should set two alarms just in case!

Do you have any nectarines?

-That was what one of the triathlon finishers asked as they crossed the line. Those triathletes are a fussy lot!

So, this morning I was up bright and early (the briefing was at 7am) to marshal the Hertfordshire Triathlon. The company (Active Training World) organise lots of local races, and so had asked our running club if they could provide marshals for the event, as they had done for previous running events.

We were sent a lot of information before the race, and a link to the guidance that the competitors receive. My first thoughts were “triathlons have so many rules”-  I think I would have trouble remembering them (swim hats on/ wet suits on/ in the water/ in the transition area/ helmets on/ foot down places/ numbers on the back for the bike ride/ front for the run…).

I knew I would be somewhere on site (some marshals had to go to parts of the 20/40km bike route)- between the run and bike bit, so I had time to soak in some of the atmosphere. It was exciting to be there at the start, to see all the bikes in their racks (along with piles of clothes/ trainers/ drinks etc). I did not envy the people about to swim in the lake though! The briefing was thorough and I was stationed at a “foot down” point (it’s all new to me, so I am going to explain it as I understand it, apologies to any triathletes wincing as they read this)- basically the cycle route was on open roads, so as a safety precaution where they entered the main road (just after the swim) there was an orange line on the floor- they had to come to a complete stop, and put one foot on the floor, before checking for traffic and entering the road. It was explained to us that it was for their safety, but we were to note down the numbers of anyone who didn’t adhere- either by not stopping, by not putting their foot down, or by stopping beyond the line.

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The lake did not look inviting at all!

There were two distances going on- I think the longer ones went off first, but they all did the same, but if you did the longer distance you did 2 laps of the lake, 2 laps of the bike course, and 2 laps of the run course (don’t know the length of the swim, but the cycle was 20/40km, and the run was 5/10k).

I thought I would have loads of time, because the swim race started at 7.15, and of course they have to change too, but it wasn’t long before the first cyclists started coming. Another marshal was with me, and in the end we got in a good routine, with one of us shouting “slow down, stop before the line” and then one warning them “look over your right shoulder for traffic”- so many of them were looking left and not looking at the cars on the road at all. The stop was clear- there was a marshal about 10 metres before us, a big yellow sign, us two marshals on the line, and an orange line on the floor (and they had been told about this in the briefing and in their event pack)- it did surprise me how many people were not stopping until we shouted. Not long had gone by before the official referee (or something, whatever they are called) came and watched us for a bit- that was a bit stressful! I hope we were doing it right! We had to report any non-foot downs to her, and she would decide on time penalties, or disqualify people. It felt a bit awful to think about people being DQ’d, but she explained that they all know the rules, and it is for their safety. One guy didn’t stop at all, and then we realised he didn’t have a number, so we had to describe him to her- he was about 4th I think, and I suppose they could see he had no number when he came back in again. A few people skidded to a stop as we shouted, but the official said they would get a time penalty (which I was relieved about- I know it isn’t down to me but I felt a bit responsible)- but on guy didn’t stop at the line and sort of skidded to a stop in the road, as a car was coming- it was not safe at all and the official said he would be disqualified. What a silly mistake to make, as I don’t think he would have found out until after finishing all three disciplines.

Anyway, after the final cyclists left, we could leave our position. I took down some sign for the car park (I say some, because when I was going home I noticed a few more further away) and then headed over to the run finish line. A lady from the club was there, with her daughters, giving out medals, removing the timer chip (they have fancy ankle straps for them), hanging out medals, water bottles  and bananas, so I joined in with them, although I mostly just clapped in the runners.

2015-08-30 08.42.45Hard to see, but they had to run around this field and it is fairly hilly- I did not envy them running that course especially after the swim and bike ride!

It was a bit strange because people were finishing in dribs and drabs- I suppose with a running event, everyone starts at the same time so you tend to get a steady stream at the end. But here, by the time they even started the run they were very spread out, so we seemed to have long amounts of time with no-one finishing at all. It gave us time to organise the medals on the table (and they were nice medals too- I didn’t take a photo but they were chunky landscape rectangles, with 3 stars containing engraved symbols- a swimmer, a cyclist and a runner, and the event name. A nice thick ribbon too.

One runner, when he was offered a banana, took it and then asked “do you have any nectarines?”- a slightly random request. I have never seen nectarines at a race!

They presented the winners of the shorter distance with medals- one lady (who I think won the 60-65 category) was so chuffed to have won!

When some people finished they looked so fresh (especially the winners- they didn’t have red faces at all!) but some people really looked like they were about to collapse and it was quite alarming- there was an ambulance right by us and luckily it wasn’t needed. I am not surprised because it is tough, but it was still worrying to see. Lots of them were very polite to- a few even came back to thank us, and one guy came back and asked us to pass on that the event was really well organised, which was always nice to hear.

At one point a guy came to ask for some water- he was doing it as part of a relay (and as he put it, had drawn the short straw) so didn’t actually get to the finish for the goodies. Later, the one who cycled joined him, and they cheered in their runner- a team seemed a good way to go.

When the final runners were coming in, they presented medals to the winners of the longer distance, plus the club trophy (a massive cup)- a fairly local club (Hoddeston Tri) won it- they had a huge group of people and seemed quite a competitive, serious (and very male dominated) club.

There were loads of spare t-shirts, so all the marshals were asked to take one home (at least- I ended up taking some for my dad and brother too, as they can wear them cycling). They are nice technical tops, and I even managed to find a small.

That is sort of what the medal looked like too, with the symbols on the stars.

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Before I left, I had one more job to do. All the competitors had an envelope with their chip, strap, map, swimming cap and t-shirt. Lots of people (I would guess around 30) hadn’t turned up, so I had to go through the envelopes and take out the chips and straps (apparently the race is charged £25 for each chip not returned)- while I was going through the envelopes I picked up a lot of the swimming hats – I will take them into school and so if children forget their hat for their swimming lessons they can have one of these- it seemed a shame to let them go to waste.

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My pile of swimming hats!

By this time it was nearly 12- I had been up since 6 and not even had breakfast- I had packed a cereal bar but had not really had time to have it. I was ready for lunch when I got home, but I suppose not quite as tired as if I had actually competed in it!

I did enjoy it, but I must say it does not make me ever want to “tri” one (see what I did??). If you could be in a team, which part of a triathlon would you choose?

 

 

Breakfasts and Buzzing

I was looking through my google photos the other day, and it appears I have a lot of photos of the following: Breakfasts, various running clothes and drinks.

I have lost track of why I took the photos, so they are all going to appear here.

Breakfasts:

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Muesli and yoghurt I think.

2015-07-18 10.43.22Who doesn’t love pancakes?

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Muesli with a sprinkling of Graze granola.

Drinks:

2015-07-04 11.02.41Iced Earl Grey.

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Tastes like a melted bounty bar.

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Post-race treat.

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This is what happens when you don’t take a proper lunch with you to work.

2015-07-27 14.32.42Free! With my www.Bounts.it points I got a Caffe Nero gift card, and this week it was so chilly that for the walk back to my car I bought a chai latte. Not bad in exchange for a bit of running.

Running things:

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After Anna posted a photo of her bargains from SportsShoes.com, I had a little mosey and bought several pairs of capris. I was very pleased to spot that one pair matched (well, nearly) my trainers. Those pink ones looked pink on the website, but are really high viz/ luminous! I have not been brave enough to wear them yet! The navy are my favourite as they have two pockets- one nice deep one without a zip, but long enough for my phone I think, and another zipped one, big enough for tissues and car keys. Plus they are not too long- so often capris come down to my ankles- these are all closer to my knees which I much prefer.

Buzzing:

Years ago I signed up to the Buzz agent website, and every now and then I still get an email inviting me to a campaign. Basically, they send you free things in exchange for a review on their site.

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This one was about Jacob’s cracker crisps, which are like thin cream crackers, and I was sent one bag of each flavour. The salt and vinegar ones are lovely- I love that flavour but so often the vinegar is not tangy enough. These are very moorish indeed- I tried them after getting home late and being so hungry, and I am sure I ate a lot more than the serving size.

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The thai sweet chilli ones were a bit too spicy for me on their own, but I had the brilliant idea (even if I do say so myself) of dipping them in hummus- that was a great match. The only thing was that the cracker crisps didn’t hold up too well to dipping, and kept breaking in the tub. So spreading might be more sensible.

What do you take the most pictures of? I have made my own parkrun album because I have taken so many there!

 

 

 

Workout playlist

I tend to either run with nothing, or listen to podcasts. But when I first started running I loved to have music playing (mainly to drown out the sound of my alarming heavy breathing). I even ran my first couple of races with a headphone in one ear. Pure Gym are running a competition to find out about dream playlists.

I do love going to Body Pump, and one of the reasons is the music. There are usually lots of tracks that I don’t like (I’m talking to you, All About the Base abs track) but there are also plenty that I like- these often end up being the biceps track. So, the songs I like are usually more like rock music- a faster paced song with lyrics I can sing along to (the weird bottle-filling-up track of the current release is so annoying). And yes, I do sing along- the volume is up high during the class!

So, here are a few that I would be having if Les Mills ever phones me (unlikely, but best to be prepared):

Ash were a band that got me through many runs- I had their Supersonic 7’s on my little mp3 player- it got me through my first 10K and first half marathon, and there are so many great songs to choose from, but I think I will go for Burn Baby Burn to get me in the mood for working out (because my muscles are gonna Burn baby).

The Killers- Somebody Told Me – I can sing along to the high bits before I get too out of breath!

Muse- Uprising or Knights of Cydonia (it builds like the pain of lactic acid!)

Hard Fi- Hard to Beat (Just like this playlist eh?)

Kasabian- Club Foot (to remind me not to drop a weight on my foot?)

Bryan Adams (I always think this is Bon Jovi for some reason)- Summer of 69. This was a Body Pump track, and our instructor used to sing “ain’t no use in complaining, when you’ve got some squats to do”- it was the squats track. That amused me. Plus, I like a bit of cheese every now and then.

I am having another Ash track in there- the genius of Kung Fu. This was near the end of the album, and gave me a big boost to keep on running (and pick up the pace a bit).

You have to have a bit of The Foo Fighters in there somewhere, so All My Life gets in.

For the cool down, one of my favourite tracks from Body Pump was another version of Careless Whisper, apparently by Badlands. So often the cool down tracks are some sort of annoying ballad that gets stuck in my head. So this one was great

When writing this post, I have been most amused by the crazy You-Tube comments- anyone who has seen Bug by Adam Buxton would be familiar with them already, but seriously this could amuse me for hours on end.

This is an entry to the Pure Gym Playlist competition- Terms and Conditions are here.