Category: Reviews

2013 Travelling Tales and Race recaps

So, of course, today is the final day of 2013 so a recap post is due. I think these sorts of posts are really fun to write- I love going back over old race recaps and looking at photos.

This year we have had some awesome holidays, which can (through a rather convoluted set of circumstances) link back to when I was really ill a couple of years ago. I ended 2011 in hospital- this turned out to be due to a large ovarian cyst that had to be removed. We were meant to be going to New York, Washington, Philadelphia and Florida for the Christmas holidays, but had to cancel as I was not allowed to fly. Luckily we had insurance, so claimed it back (or cancelled things) but before we knew for certain Andy said to me that if we did have to cancel we could go to Hawaii in the summer (2012) instead. So we did. It was amazing. On one of the islands we went to Volcano, a National Park, and it turned out cheaper to buy a yearly pass than for the days we were there. So then we returned home with a pass for the year for all US National Parks….

Easter saw us visit Disneyland in California, before an epic road trip across several western states. We went to the Grand Canyon.

Monument Valley (not a National Park, but Andy wanted to see it)

We went to Zion National Park.

And Bryce Canyon for the day.

Plus Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas and the most amazing place, Yosemite.

I am still not sure how we managed to fit all of that in the Easter holidays!

In the summer we had another epic road trip, starting in Seattle (went to Victoria in Canada for a couple of days) and taking in more National Parks including Olympic, Glacier, Mount Rainier, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, Grand Tetons…

We did a 10 mile round trip hike through grizzly bear country to see this beautiful lake filled with icebergs (and saw no bears).

The next day we did a short walk (2 miles) and saw several bears, including a very close encounter!

“There’s a bear in the bush”!!! Exciting and also terrifying!

We certainly got good use of our year pass.

(This has reminded me that I have not posted a holiday recap on here for that holiday- something for a rainy January day perhaps).

This year was a great year for me running wise too. I finally felt like I was back to full fitness and not only got back to my old times, but achieved pb’s in several race distances.

I ran the Brighton Half marathon in February, and got a pb- this race was great to do because I couldn’t do it the previous year as I was still waiting for my op. I also met the lovely Lara in the starter pen 🙂

I have been trying for ages to get my 10K pb under an hour, but at my first attempt this year I didn’t make it, (60.34!!) although this was a cross country course. I made up for it back in Brighton in November, when Andy paced me around and I managed 56.14! I also coined the phrase “Royal Flush negative split” which I am pleased to report has been used several times on Marathon talk now! (Each mile faster than the previous mile).

In June I managed another half marathon pb, getting my time down to 2.10.09, and then in July I had the most fantastic experience running 5 miles in the Olympic Park. Most of the course was not that interesting, but coming out onto that track at the end was just amazing. I met up with Anna briefly at the end too which was lovely. That was a pb too, as I had only ever run one 5 mile race before, which turned out to be a cross country course.

The race I most enjoyed (apart from the final stretch of the Olympic run) was probably the local 10 miler I did. It was a week after another half marathon (that didn’t go so well), it was cold and pouring with rain, but it had the most marshals I had ever seen, it was so friendly, there was a cow on the route- what more could you ask for? Again I got my fastest 10 mile time but that is because my only other 10 miler was the Great South run a few years ago.

I also started going to Parkruns this year. My Dad persuaded me to go, and I am really glad he did. I have been to 11 this year, and helped out at about 3- I don’t go every week but when I do manage it I love it. I have managed to get my 5K pb down to 26.29 which I am really pleased with.

There have of course been some disappointing moments this year. I developed a bad cough in the summer, so could not do a 10K race I had signed up for, and I have spent the last month with this little hip niggle. But I am so pleased with how my running is going- I think running with Sweatshop has helped me run faster over slightly longer distances, and going to Parkruns has helped me to get used to that feeling of really pushing yourself. I also did the marathon talk Jantastic challenge (Go Team Run Blog Bake!) and I am sure having a good base of training at the start of the year helped. All my times have gone down this year, so I am hoping 2014 can continue. When I finished the Stockholm marathon back in 2011, I felt a bit like I had unfinished business. I would love to do another marathon, but I wanted to be faster over shorter distances first, because being out running for over 5 hours is just really tough. And I am getting closer to my target time so who knows in 2014 I may sign up for another one. Maybe.

I don’t tend to set new year resolutions or anything like that, but I like to have goals to work towards. I have signed up to the Bath half and the Oslo Rock ‘n’Roll half marathon (so excited about this) so would love to beat my half marathon time in one of these races. I also need to work on my flexibility so will be carrying on with my physio stretches and looking at booking some sports massages in the new year. But really I just want to keep enjoying running- that is why I do it.

How was 2013 for you? 

Treats and Eats

I hope you are all staying out of the storm. After seeing the weather forecast I had decided to have a run on Christmas Eve, and spend today catching up on work. When I woke up it was not actually raining, but as I had my huge list of work in my mind I decided to stay in and get started. I have been working all day and have pretty square eyes now, but the rain is lashing down and the wind is howling like crazy- I am not even going to brave a walk in that. I am hoping that it will clear up and I can have a walk later, but I am not convinced.

Anyway, I have been sent some gorgeous treats to sample over the last couple of weeks:

Some tiffin from Perkier (all gluten free).

They are so good! I love tiffin- they have added honeycomb to the usual raisin and biscuit mix, to make it even more irresistible! We have eaten one tub already but are saving the rest for after Christmas now- we have a lot of goodies to eat.

Some chocolate from Sainsbury’s.

This chocolate has already been eaten- dark chocolate with candied orange peel in there- so much more sophisticated than a standard chocolate orange. Plus you get the proper chocolate hit from the dark chocolate, instead of the normal sweet milky stuff.

And some cake decorating bits from Dr Oetker- I have used the icing to top the final Christmas cake.

I started making a gingerbread house on Saturday with a view to using some of the decorations.

Last year I bought a kit in Lakeland with cutters, as I used to draw out my own templates on baking paper, and this seemed less faff. Be warned, the picture makes it look like a gentle slope, but actually the roof slopes steeply so is hard to stick on.

The finished house will be up later!

I was also sent a very cool t-shirt from t-shirtprinting.net.

How very true! The t-shirt is a lovely soft fabric, and I love the colour too (antique cherry red)- I have it on right now. I love that you can personalise them- I keep going on at Andy’s family for us to have a trip to Disney at Christmas, and my main stipulation would be that we have personalised t-shirts to wear (so many families do that and I love spotting them). I have a feeling it may do more to dissuade them though…

Finally I have been sent some Cherry recovery powder to review. For some reason I thought it would be like cherryactive, but powdered. But when it arrived and I read the box, it turns out to be whey protein powder. I will review it properly in January, but I tried a little bit. It smells like cherry flavouring (which I quite like), and tasted like cherry yoghurt. I don’t have a shaker so I just poured water into a glass and stirred with a fork- it seemed to blend OK. I think I need to hunt down some protein powder recipes as I am more likely to use it that way.

Right, I am off to make some spiced honey nuts as I have been sitting at a computer all day and need a break!

How are you keeping during the storm?

Thermal tops

Usually when I run, I get very very hot. In the summer I struggle to stay cool when running in very hot conditions, and so stick to a vest and capris for several months of the year. Even into the Autumn I have learned to dress for the end of my run rather than the beginning.

However, when it starts getting frosty I swing the other way, and need to wrap up a lot. I will tend to wear a thermal long sleeved top, with a normal top over the top, plus gloves, headband (to keep my ears warm) and possibly leg warmers over my tights.

The change has happened, and so recently my evening runs have taken ages to get ready for as I layer up.

I was sent a thermal top from Damart to review- what perfect timing!

It even came packaged with a candy cane- how festive!

I won’t subject you to a photo of me in it! The sizing was hard to judge- it was either 8/10, or 12/14, whereas I would usually go for 10 or 12, depending on the label and how fitted I would want it. I chose the smaller size, as I have a few thermal running tops that are baggier and they don’t keep me as warm. It looked tiny when I unwrapped it, but luckily the fabric had a lot of stretch in it- phew!

It was lovely and cosy and worked perfectly as a base layer. I don’t think I would wear it on its own, but that is partly to do with the pattern, and partly that if it is cold enough for a thermal top, I generally need another layer anyway.

I tucked it in my running tights, and wore it under my jacket, and it did keep me very warm indeed. The only problem I had (which is the same with other thermal tops) is that when I got home I was boiling! I walked a little bit to cool down, and did a few stretches outside, but as soon as I got inside to the central heating, it was waaaay too hot for me!

How do you cope with the changing weather conditions? 

* I was sent the top in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Jingle Bell Jog and a Christmas hamper

Hey peeps- I survived!

The Jingle Bell Jog was rather hilarious! My friend picked me up and we headed into town to collect our Santa suits. The suits were, um, interesting! I could have worn the trousers as dungarees, and even though they were baggy with a big drawstring, if you moved at all you split them in the crotch! It was also boiling! There was no bag drop so I kept my capris and top on as it was freezing walking from the car, but I ended up being so hot. I attempted the beard on, but it was so fluffy and itchy so I left it around my neck.

After a “warm up” we were off- the most laid back run ever- no timer clock, no signs to say how far we had gone- the roads weren’t closed so at several points we had to wait at roads for the green man!

But we got a lot of beeps from cars driving past and we were wa ving our flags back at them. We took it gently (one of my friends had not run at all in preparation so she did really well)- we ran the first mile, then ran/ walked the last two- making sure we ran to the finish. No idea what my time was as I didn’t stop my Garmin until it beeped for 4 miles back in the car!

What a cool medal though! Santa has the right idea in a sleeveless top to run in!

I made sure I stretched when I got home, but my leg has felt fine again, so that is good news. If I feel OK then I will have another run on Tuesday.

Now I am trying to persuade Andy to get our decorations down- I have suggested watching Home Alone as a sweetener! I think we are now putting it back to this Tuesday though.

A few weeks ago I was sent a gorgeous Christmas hamper from Hampergifts. They have a lovely selection, including lots of vegetarian/ alchohol free hampers. The one I was sent was called The Noel, and it is chock full of goodies. It came beautifully wrapped in ribbon, and I have no idea how all the contents fit in the basket as once I had unwrapped it I could not fit them back in!

The contents as listed on the website:

  • Olives Et Al Chilli & Garlic Olives 150g
  • Dark Chocolate Coated Marzipan Loaf 100g (I got Lindor truffles instead)
  • Cottage Delight Spicy Mango and Ginger Chutney 340g
  • Edinburgh Tea & Coffee Co. Fresh Ground Breakfast Coffee 56g
  • Large Christmas Fruit Cake 500g
  • Milk Chocolate Coated Almonds 150g
  • Alice McPhersons Petticoat Tails Shortbread 150g
  • Olive & Sesame Savoury Breadsticks 100g
  • Triple Chocolate Gourmet Cookies 100g (mine were lovely lemon ones)
  • The Wooden Spoon Cranberry & Orange Sauce 113g
  • Walkers of London Milk Chocolate Fruit & Nut 240g
  • Buchanan’s Chocolate Russian Caramels 100g
  • English Breakfast Tea x 10 Envelopes

It had a lovely mix of savoury and sweet items, and I love that it included coffee and tea instead of wine (although of course there are hampers with wine too). The Russian Caramels were in lovely gold and red wrappers, and sprinkled about the basket, so they have all been eaten now. I am saving the Lindor for the Christmas holidays as I have seen a way to make little reindeer with them, and I am thinking the cranberry sauce will be perfect in sandwiches. My Mum and Dad have been enjoying the mango chutney, and Andy’s family have been loving the spicy olives.

The chocolate coated almonds are also slightly gold coloured.

They are also huge: brazil nut sized and very moreish!

I have made hampers for people before, and it is always hard to find something to put them in- I love the idea of using reusable things like a utensil holder or something. I also think the range on the website is really good so well worth a look, even just for ideas.

Have you ever made/ bought a hamper for someone? Have you ever run in fancy dress?

Thanks to Hampergifts for providing me with the hamper to review. All opinions are my own.

Deep Heat review

Hey peeps,

Hope you are all well. I am off to Brighton in a bit as we are doing the 10K there tomorrow morning (the joy of rail replacement buses will soon be mine). Training has been going well, so fingers crossed. For the last two weeks at the Sweatshop run I have been at the back, which has ended up being good as the guy from the shop has also been there. It has made them really tough as in the last mile he starts going “don’t let your pace drop, close the gap with the person in front, pick up the pace, finish strong ” etc- for both weeks those thoughts have crept in (I am tired/ I’ve had a busy week/ I can’t go any faster) but then with him going on I have sped up a bit and to finish the run really fast is good practise for a race.

On Thursday I had slightly lighter weighs for the back track and the lunges at pump, as those are the ones that seem to affect my running the most. Seriously that lunges track is a killer! Partly because recently the lunges track has been mixed with more squats, so we are not used to it any more. I was considering a run yesterday, but looking back at my training I seem to do better in races if I have a few days off beforehand, so I went to see my Nan straight after work, and then came home for a restful evening listening to the film podcast and then watching a film.

I just need to look up a pacer band (I like the one here) and see what I need to do to get that sub hour 10K!

Onto the review:

So a while ago I was sent some products from Deep Heat to use.

The Deep Heat spray was much easier to use than the cream. I do use the cream occasionally, and I do like it, but I find it so hard to wash it off my hands after. Using the spray made it much easier.

After a tough run I quite like a cold shower (well after a warm shower I turn down the temperature and spray my legs)- I have read that they do that with horses as the cold constricts the blood flow, and so the contrast between that and warming up after means that your blood vessels open wider, and encourage more nutrients to flow in to support recovery. Anyway, whatever the science behind it is, I find it much more beneficial.

After my tough half marathon and Blenheim, and the 10 mile muddy race the week after, I used Deep Freeze on my hamstrings and it really helped.

I have not tried the Max strength stuff yet, but luckily I have not had the need for it! Hopefully I won’t need it this weekend either!

Do you use anything like that to help with recovery? 

Are you a fan of ice baths or cold showers?  I did have a few ice baths when I was marathon training, but I could only take about ten minutes!